School of Education & Social Sciences · Graduate program
Master of Arts in Education
Grow your impact as an educator.
You want to keep growing as a teacher and leader. MVU’s 100% online Master of Arts in Education helps you sharpen your teaching, lead improvement, and apply what you learn in your classroom right away.
30
credit hours
100% online
study from anywhere
6 starts
each year
7.5 weeks
for most courses
2 years
or less to finish
Capstone
project in your own setting
Why MVU for your master’s
Designed for busy educators
Flexible online courses, aligned with Missouri teaching standards, that you can put to work right away.
Learning at the speed of life
With six start dates a year, you can begin in summer, fall, or spring without adding time to your degree.
Aligned with Missouri standards
Courses align with advanced levels of the Missouri Model Teacher Evaluation Standards and the Missouri Teacher Development System.
Make it your own
Shape your coursework around your certification area, professional interests, or career goals.
Use it tomorrow
Apply what you learn today in your classroom tomorrow.
Solve a real problem
Finish by designing and carrying out a project that meets a need in your school, workplace, or community.
Is this program for me?
The MA in Education may be a great fit if you want to…
- Strengthen your teaching skills, impact, and professional recognition.
- Take on more leadership in your school or organization.
- Earn a master’s degree online while you keep teaching.
- Tackle a real need in your school, workplace, or community.
What will I learn to do?
Skills you’ll practice and grow
- Lead with strong communication, social-emotional insight, and cultural understanding.
- Evaluate trends and best practices in education.
- Design and deliver inclusive, active learning experiences.
- Use technology, including AI tools, to enhance teaching and learning.
- Conduct evidence-based inquiry and measure the impact of your instruction.
Your path
From coursework to a project that matters
You build a foundation in leadership and research, sharpen your teaching, and finish with a project in your own setting.
01
Leadership foundations
Explore the foundations of educational leadership and today’s issues in education.
02
Research and curriculum
Learn research methods, design curriculum with measurable outcomes, and plan for improvement.
03
Teaching and technology
Instructional design, communication, and educational technology, including AI tools.
04
Directed studies and practicum
Propose a solution to a real need, then carry it out and present the results.
Where can this degree take me?
Grow where you are
This degree is designed for professional educators who want to advance their expertise in roles like these.
K–12 classroom teaching
Teacher leadership
Curriculum and instructional design
Online and blended learning
Thinking about becoming a principal? This degree is designed for professional growth. If your goal is K–12 administration certification, see the Master of Arts in Education Administration.
Affording your degree
Plan your investment
Graduate tuition is charged per credit hour, and there are several ways to help pay for it.
Tuition
$500 per credit hour for 2026–27, plus a $200 enrollment fee each academic year. Some courses carry a course fee. See tuition and fees.
Graduate assistantships
Some graduate students work on campus as graduate assistants. See current openings on Employment Opportunities.
Financial aid
Graduate students may qualify for federal loans and other aid. Start with Tuition & Financial Aid.
Explore the curriculum
30 credit hours, step by step
Ten 3-credit courses. Most run 7.5 weeks; Educational Research runs 15 weeks.
Leadership foundations (6 credit hours)
- EDUC 501 Foundations of Educational Leadership
- EDUC 502 Current Issues in Educational Leadership
Research, curriculum, and assessment (9 credit hours)
- EDUC 511 Educational Research
- EDUC 510 Curriculum Analysis & Design
- EDUC 514 Outcomes Assessment and Improvement
Teaching, technology, and design (9 credit hours)
- EDUC 515 Educational Technology
- EDUC 516 Instructional Communications
- EDUC 517 Instructional Design and Innovation
Applied project (6 credit hours)
- EDUC 518 Directed Studies
- EDUC 520 Professional Practicum
Ready to take the next step?
Applying is simple
Four steps from application to your first course.
01
Apply online
Complete the free online application and choose the Master of Arts in Education.
02
Send your materials
Have official transcripts from every college you’ve attended sent to MVU, and upload an updated resume.
03
Pick your start
Choose one of six start dates in the summer, fall, or spring.
04
Begin your first course
Start learning online and put new ideas to work right away.
Admission requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in all undergraduate coursework. If you hold a graduate degree from an accredited institution, your graduate GPA may be used.
- Official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- An updated resume.
Deadlines
- Fall (August–December): apply by August 1. Fall second 8 weeks: October 1.
- Spring (January–May): apply by December 1. Spring second 8 weeks: February 1.
- Summer (May–July): apply by April 1. Summer second 8 weeks: June 1.
- Applications are reviewed until classes begin, as space allows.
To graduate
- Complete the program of study with a grade of B or higher in all coursework and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
- Submit an application for graduation by the deadline.
- Meet all financial obligations, including the graduation fee.
Is the program online?
Yes. The Master of Arts in Education is 100% online.
How long does it take?
You can complete the program in two years or less.
When can I start?
There are six start dates a year: two each in the fall, spring, and summer. See Deadlines above.
How long are the courses?
Most courses run 7.5 weeks. Educational Research runs 15 weeks.
Who is the program for?
It’s designed to support professional educators. If you’re not sure it fits your goals, talk with the Dean.
What if I want to become a principal?
The Master of Arts in Education Administration is MVU’s program that leads to K–12 administration certification.
Talk with the Dean
Have questions about fit, start dates, or how the program works with your teaching schedule? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
MA in Education