Education - Education studies

This program prepares teachers and professionals working in education to advance their careers. You’ll choose courses based on two focal areas to meet your personal and professional goals. You have two options when selecting your focal areas:

• You can choose two Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation focal areas which include but aren’t limited to:
  • Applied behavior analysis.
  • Autism spectrum disorders.
  • Early childhood education.
  • Educating multilingual learners.
  • Education for planetary futures.
  • Environmental education.
  • Gifted education.
  • Global education.
  • Learning design and technologies.
  • Literacy education.
  • Physical activity/physical education.
  • Special education endorsement.
  • Teaching pedagogy.

*Students who are interested in the special education endorsement should speak to an advisor before selecting this focal area as it has additional requirements.

• Or, you can choose one of the above MLFC focal areas and one of the below focal areas from our partner colleges:
  • Data and society (New College of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts).
  • Digital audience strategies (Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication).
  • Social justice and human rights (New College of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts).
  • Technical writing and communication (College of Integrative Sciences and Arts).

The program culminates with an applied project in which you’ll design and develop an inquiry study that addresses one or more problems related to your focal areas. You should anticipate needing access to a learner to complete coursework.

Why earn an online master’s in education?

You’ll gain a broad perspective of current educational practices and challenges. You’ll also have a deeper understanding of your focal areas and develop essential skills for education professionals. These skills include effective communication, collaboration, leadership, advocacy and innovation.

Your newfound skills and expertise will help you meet your professional goals, whether you’re working with children, youth or adults in nonprofit settings, community institutions, civic organizations or businesses. Through this program, you’ll also develop a unique identity as an educator who's capable of meeting the needs of diverse learners.

Will this master’s certify me to teach?

The online master’s in education doesn’t qualify students to become a certified K-12 teacher. The program is designed for certified teachers and professionals who already have some level of professional experience in the field of education. Yet, individuals who want to start a new career in education can benefit from this degree as well. The program will give them professional knowledge to start a new job in a variety of non-certified education positions.

This program centers on the theories, practices and values that shape inclusive literacy instruction. You’ll learn to design responsive curriculum across diverse learning environments and position literacy as a driver for educational change.

Courses are taught by nationally recognized leaders in literacy education who have contributed to literacy initiatives across the U.S. and led major professional organizations.

Though your coursework, you’ll:

• Design instruction for children, adolescents and adults.
• Examine access to literacy education.
• Explore digital tools and multimodal texts.
• Use assessment as a tool for inquiry and reflection.
• Support diverse learners through inclusive approaches.

You’ll also complete an interactive capstone project where you’ll plan, implement and evaluate a professional development initiative for educators in your community.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

This program is ideal for educators, literacy advocates and professionals who place literacy at the center of their work, including:

• Educators in K-12 and postsecondary settings
• Professionals working in publishing, nonprofits or education policy
• Career changers passionate about advancing literacy

While this program doesn’t lead to teacher certification, it may support your transition into roles like instructional coach, curriculum specialist, literacy program director or community literacy advocate. As a graduate, you’ll have the skills to make a strong impact in these roles by focusing on research-based instruction and leadership development.

This global education master’s program equips students to research and analyze social programs, as well as inform national and international education policy. You’ll develop the skills to become a global-minded educationalist whose work transcends borders, cultures and disciplines. You’ll also gain an understanding of the importance education plays in the sustainable futures of people and the planet, aligned with the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals 4, Education 2030.

Additionally, this program encourages interdisciplinary, career-focused learning. You can enroll in three elective courses that tailor your program to career paths in early childhood education, immigrant and refugee education, special education, technology applied to education and more. Upon completion, you’ll be a competitive candidate for various leadership positions in the education sector.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

This program might be a good fit if you work in an international education setting, especially if you’re responsible for administrating, planning and evaluating educational programs and policies. Relevant professional backgrounds can include working abroad or with international populations in the U.S. You’re also a good candidate if you’re a K-12 teacher looking to add international perspectives to your practice, are passionate about global education issues, want to engage in applied research in your setting or plan to enter the field professionally. Additionally, this program can be a step toward a doctoral degree, such as ASU’s online Doctor of Education in leadership and innovation, or a PhD.

Please note: While this program’s curriculum can help inform teaching practices, it does not lead to teacher certification.

Is this program the same as an international education master’s?

Yes, this global education master’s has the same learning outcomes as an international education master’s. The curriculum combines theory and practice in courses that address local and global educational challenges. You’ll apply social science methodologies and engage in collaborative projects that focus on creating innovative solutions.

Graduates are prepared to examine and help design systems that provide quality education to international and national populations. This includes evaluating and improving innovative and sustainable practices. You’ll also be able to analyze the impact of global education policy through socioeconomic, political and historical lenses.