Online Master's Degree in Education programs from many accredited colleges and universities are available to you today, making getting your degree much easier and more convenient. Eliminating having to commute to schools and be part of structured class schedules in person is appealing for many regular students, busy moms and dads, as well as professionals looking for advancement in current careers. This article will give you a detailed overview of the main colleges offering different online education/teaching degree programs, the requirements and credentials earned for said degrees, contact info for the various schools, and the employment opportunities and expected salaries commensurate with such degrees.

What You Will Learn

With a Master's Degree in Education, you will receive highly valuable teaching certification with general and elective emphasis in the areas of educational psychology, effective teaching methods, curriculum and instruction, special needs education, early childhood and adult education, and other aspects germane to the Master's regimen. Many Master's Degree program candidates are already teachers, who are looking to gain more advancement in specialty areas, which can greatly increase salary, as well as employment options. Continuing education and certification is advisable for any educator who wants a well-rounded set of credentials, greater experience and broadening of career horizons, both in a humanistic and financial way.

Walden University, for one, touts that their Master's in Education programs offer students the opportunity to learn a high degree of teacher professionalism, along with cultural and linguistic diversity, which also aids educators who may find themselves with communication challenges in a diverse classroom. Fostering supportive learning environments, as well as imparting the keys to fomenting teaching methods which motivate, engage and challenge students is another part of what this and many other colleges and universities highlight. Liberty University, as another example, also has esteemed online Master's Degree in Education programs that focus on (along with core courses in the Elementary Education program), math, natural sciences, and language acquisition and reading skills. A three-credit student teaching internship is also required.

You won't be learning in a vacuum, either. Online learning support can be found in the many organizations and online social networking communities whereby you can communicate with other students in education or other online programs. This will help to offset the somewhat isolating aspects of learning outside of the classroom. Achieving Master's Degree in Education certification status carries with it great personal and professional satisfaction, and rewards that will continue throughout a long career.

Sample Online Master's Degree Programs and Requirements

Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University, for starters, offers an online MED program in Elementary Education (with IR and certification) which has emphasis on educational psychology, reading strategies, teaching methods and curriculum development. Participants in this course must have access to a K-8 classroom as part of the requirements of completion, pertinent to a full-time, 16-week student teaching internship. Credit hours cost $440 each. Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (member of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools). Contact info: 3300 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85017.

Rossier School of Education

The University of Southern California (Rossier School of Education) offers a Master of Arts in Teaching program for current teachers, which is designed for completion in as little as 12 months. This course combines interactive online learning with field-based educational opportunities in your local area. There is a tuition-reimbursement program available as well, whereby students can earn back much of their tuition cost. Scholarships are available, as are a number of financial aid options. Applicants may apply by completing the FAFSA and applying code 001328. Location of the Rossier School of Education office is Waite Phillips Hall, 3470 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089. USC also offers a Masters in Arts Education (with teaching credential) program at the Rossier School of Education for undergraduate, aspiring teachers as well. Both programs mentioned here require 30 credit hours to complete, broadband Internet connection (with Internet Explorer 6.0 or above, Firefox 2.0 or better, Safari 2.0 or above), web cam and microphone highly encouraged.

University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix has become a leader in online Master's Degree in Education programs, offering a plethora of varying types of courses at this particular certification level. They have Master of Arts in Education programs emphasizing: Administration and Supervision, Adult Education and Training, Curriculum and Instruction (General, ESL, Mathematics, Computer Science), and Secondary Teacher certification. U of Phoenix has extensive student support, as they engender students with techniques and strategies for dealing with classroom challenges in a modern, comprehensive way. Online campus address is
3157 E. Elwood St., Phoenix, AZ 85034.

For program disclosure information, click here.

While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

Employment Opportunities and Salary Range

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly gross income for a Master's Degree in Education holder is $1,233, and the unemployment rate for the same was 2.4% in 2008. Elementary school teachers came up 12th on a list of 30 occupations with the largest job growth. Although it has suffered a bit of a downward trend in terms of job security, the rewards of being an educator brings with it a wealth of mutable and applicable knowledge which should not deter those seeking out this noble and underappreciated profession.

There are projected to be 94,400 job openings in education due to growth and replacement needs from 2008-2018. 2008 median annual income was $51,050. The number of persons employed in education with a Master's Degree were 275,800 in 2008, with projected 2018 numbers being 314,400. The percentage difference is 14%. Significantly, Master's Degree attainment also accounted for the most significant source of postsecondary education or training.

The general labor and unemployment statistics for educators are promising. The total number of job openings in the U.S. was 2.5 million as of October 2009, with the job openings rate at 1.9%, and holding steady since March 2009. Overall unemployment in the U.S. dropped to 10% in December 2009, which holds some promise in what has been a slightly distressing employment and economic picture.

In closing, you can expect to increase both your earnings, as well as your command and efficacy in the classroom with an online Master's Degree in Education. You have much to choose from in the way of this particular program of higher education, and there are literally hundreds of schools from which to choose your course of study. From big name Universities, to small colleges with more modest accreditation, an online Master's Degree in Education program is the right choice - both for busy working professionals looking to further their career potential, and students with big ambitions.