Master of Education (MEd)

Boyer Graduate School of Education

Become a Leader in Education with Our Master of Education program.

Our Master of Education (MEd) program emphasizes coursework in leadership, management, and instruction in a variety of educational and public service settings.

Our MEd program is of particular interest to individuals with public or private school teaching experience who desire to improve their classroom instructional skills, increase their knowledge of educational administration and advance on their district’s compensation schedules.

Additionally, our MEd program features the option to take a focused elective track designed specifically for Montessori educators.

Our MEd degree program is presented through distance education using online technology requiring no classroom or seminar attendance. The program is offered in both the Independent Study and Directed Study modalities.

Our MEd program is not designed to lead to Professional Licensure or certification and applicants must already be employed at the elementary, secondary, or higher education level in their state. Consequently, a determination has not been made whether the MEd program will meet professional licensure for any state. Applicants interested in licensure or credential certification are encouraged to contact the relevant licensing body for their state before enrolling.

Learning Modalities | Curriculum | Program Outcomes |Admissions Process

Make an Appointment with a Program Specialist

Upcoming Start Dates:
Independent Study: April 30th | June 25th
Directed Study: April 30th | Aug 27th

Tuition: $275/credit

Credits Required: 30

Total Program Tuition: $8,250

Learning Modalities:
Independent Study & Directed Study

Admissions Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree

Program Catalog | FAQs

Did you enroll in our MEd program before the October 26, 2021 start date? You can find your program catalogs and other relevant information here.

Choose the Learning Modality that Works for You.

Independent Study

Our Independent Study modality gives you the flexibility to fit your program around your career and lifestyle.

Students have 8 weeks to complete each course, working independently with the support of a faculty mentor. The time to degree completion may be accelerated or extended, within the guidelines of the University.

Each course in the program contains a series of lesson assignments, generally consisting of reading assignments supplemented occasionally by various multimedia. Students are evaluated through examinations and/or research assignments, which are submitted for faculty evaluation.

Pay tuition in installments completely interest-free — each semester, just make a 30% downpayment upfront, followed by 3 monthly payments.

Start on any of six start dates throughout the year.

Directed Study

Our Directed Study modality offers a more structured and collaborative online learning experience.

Students will move through the program with a cohort of other students, typically completing one course at a time and two courses, or six credits, per semester. Each 8-week course in this program contains a series of readings, lesson assignments, and regular online asynchronous discussions.

Start on any of three start dates throughout the year.

Directed Study students of the General MEd program may apply for federal financial aid to cover the cost of their education. The MEd with Montessori Educator Track is not eligible for financial aid at this time.

Directed Study vs Independent Study

Curriculum

A total of 30 credits are required for graduation from the University with an MEd. Students entering into an MEd program with the University may choose between a General curriculum or choose our Montessori Educator Track. Complete information about fees associated with our programs can be found on the Tuition & Fees page.

All courses available in both the General MEd and MEd with Montessori Educator Track programs are available to view below.

+ General MEd

This course deals with systematic philosophies with attention to individual philosophers who developed important philosophical and educational ideas and with a critique of each philosophy to present its strengths and weaknesses. We also review major social influences as they are applied to current movements in educational instruction, research, and curriculum.

EDU504 Psychological Foundations of Education (3 credits)

This course studies psychological principles as related to learning. Discussion on learning theory, motivation, and quantitative methods will be explored.

EDU533 Teaching & Learning (3 credits)

This course explores models of teaching and learning theories, cognition and curriculum design compatible with brain research.

EDU522 Assessment & Evaluation (3 credits)

This course introduces the comprehensive assessment and accountability systems and explores the role of multiple measures for increased student learning.

EDU525 Educational Technology (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction to instructional design for electronic learning by providing a study of current practices and emerging technologies.

EDU532 Diversity (3 credits)

This course examines diversity in society and in schools. Emphasis is on understanding the similarities and differences in culture, economic backgrounds, and academic diversity, which highlights the need for differentiation of instruction.

EDU513 Leadership (3 credits)

In this course, the concepts of leadership and leadership styles will be examined. This course also explores the various concepts of effective management, such as vision, shared leadership, collaboration, facilitation, and communication.

EDU528 Curriculum Design & Instructional Practices (3 credits)

This course studies the theories of curriculum design with emphasis on contemporary structures. Various program evaluation methods will be explored.

EDU517 Educational Finance (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of the economic theories of institutional finance. Emphasis is on the management and evaluation of fiscal operations in an institutional setting.

EDU523 Introduction to Educational Administration (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of the knowledge, skills, and conceptual awareness as related to current and future leadership roles. Course objectives underscore a belief in the value of informed “reflection on practice” both individually and collectively.
(final course - summative assessment embedded)

+ MEd with Montessori Educator Track

This course deals with systematic philosophies with attention to individual philosophers who developed important philosophical and educational ideas and with a critique of each philosophy to present its strengths and weaknesses. We also review major social influences as they are applied to current movements in educational instruction, research, and curriculum.

EDU504 Psychological Foundations of Education (3 credits)

This course studies psychological principles as related to learning. Discussion on learning theory, motivation, and quantitative methods will be explored.

EDU533 Teaching & Learning (3 credits)

This course explores models of teaching and learning theories, cognition and curriculum design compatible with brain research.

EDU522 Assessment & Evaluation (3 credits)

This course introduces the comprehensive assessment and accountability systems and explores the role of multiple measures for increased student learning.

EDU525 Educational Technology (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction to instructional design for electronic learning by providing a study of current practices and emerging technologies.

EDU532 Diversity (3 credits)

This course examines diversity in society and in schools. Emphasis is on understanding the similarities and differences in culture, economic backgrounds, and academic diversity, which highlights the need for differentiation of instruction.

EDU640 Application of Montessori Philosophy at the Early Childhood Level (3 credits)

This course will focus on practical application of the Montessori approach with children aged three through six years old. The student will examine the scope and sequence of each curricular area of the Montessori Early Childhood Classroom, learn the basic types of lesson presentations utilized by Montessori teachers, and create appropriate activities to incorporate in the approach. Students will read extensively from original works by Montessori.

EDU645 Application of Montessori Philosophy at the Elementary Level (3 credits)

This course will focus on practical application of the curriculum of a Montessori program at the elementary level for children aged six through twelve years. Students will examine the scope and sequence of each curricular area of the Montessori Elementary classroom. Students will analyze Montessori’s concept of “Cosmic Education,” which is the organizing principle of learning at the elementary level. Students will read extensively from original works by Montessori.

EDU631 Montessori Philosophy (3 credits)

This course focuses on the work of Maria Montessori (1870-1952), the first female to graduate from Italian medical school (1896). Her work as a physician led her to study children who were housed in asylums at the time. From observations of these “deficient” children, she devised exercises that allowed them to perform on an academic par with normal children. During this course, students will read extensively from Montessori’s own works. Although these are published in book form, many are compilations of lectures presented during public exhibitions and training courses. Contemporary educational practices often echo much of Montessori’s philosophy without giving credit to the woman who originated the method. During this course, students will become familiar with Montessori’s philosophy of education and integrate ways to implement it in the contemporary setting.

EDU632 Montessori Classroom Leadership (3 credits)

This course explores the integrated factors leading to effective management of a Montessori classroom, with special emphasis on the Montessori approach to discipline, observation, and communication. Students will read from original publications by Montessori as well as auxiliary material for developing and teaching effective communication skills. Students will also have the opportunity to devise a template for practicing observation and apply it to videos of an actual Montessori classroom. During the course, students will analyze current systems for formal record keeping in a Montessori classroom in order to develop a personal record-keeping method.
(final course - summative assessment embedded)

Program Outcomes (General)

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

PLO1 – Exhibit a working knowledge of the concepts, dependencies, and relationships of education's social and philosophical foundations.

POL2 – Demonstrate making appropriate recommendations based on sound reasoning and analysis.

PLO3 – Employ effective and appropriate instructional leadership techniques that support educational and administrative objectives.

PLO4 – Use theoretical knowledge and contemporary research for evidence-based decision-making.

PLO5 – Demonstrate professional expertise in the elective course options of the MEd program.

Program Outcomes (Montessori)