masters degree educational technology

Master’s Programs in Education

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As you embrace the next chapter in your development as an educator, innovator, and leader, consider a graduate program that builds on a century of innovation, that’s grounded in the skills every educator needs, and that fully supports your current work and future aspirations.

At the Harvard Graduate School of Education, our master’s degree program is driven by passion and empowered by evidence. We share a vision of education where every learner has an opportunity to be seen, to be challenged, to excel, and to reach their full potential. We are motivated by urgency to build a future that recognizes and overcomes grinding systemic inequities.

Whether you seek to make an impact in early education, in K–12 districts and networks, or in higher education — or whether you want to drive educational change outside of those realms — you belong at HGSE.

No matter which program you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with HGSE’s world-class faculty, build a sustained community of practice and a lifelong professional network, and gain the preparation necessary to grow, advance, and become the type of leader that education needs.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education offers the Master's in Education (Ed.M.) degree in two formats —  residential and online — and in a variety of programs.

Residential Master's

HGSE’s  on-campus master’s degree is a one-year, full-time, immersive Harvard experience. You'll apply directly to one of its five distinct programs, spanning education leadership and entrepreneurship, education policy, human development, teaching and teacher leadership, and learning design and technology.

Online Master's

Our Online Master's in Education  is a part-time, two-year, online program in education leadership. It is designed for experienced professionals who want to advance in their careers and deepen their impact. The online program in education leadership offers a choice of two pathways, preK–12 or higher education, that complement your career and chosen area of impact. 

Applications Are Now Open

You must submit all of your required documents online, including your academic transcripts and letters of recommendation, by the application deadline.

Online Master’s in Educational Technology Programs

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Educational technology, or edtech, is the use of technology in education. Edtech has become increasingly important due to advances in computers and the widespread use of online classes.

Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and virtual reality, also have the potential to influence future education methods.

A master’s in educational technology online allows you to learn about existing and emerging technologies and how to apply those technologies in a classroom setting. If you are interested in educational technology, the following page discusses popular online programs, related costs, and prospective career paths.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Popular Master’s in Educational Technology Online Programs

We chose to highlight the following schools based on several factors, including top position in organic or paid search results (as of October 2023), relevancy of program offerings, and categorization as a nonprofit. These programs are listed alphabetically by school and not weighed against each other in our methodology.

Fairfield University

Private university in Connecticut
MA in Educational Technology
30 credits | $895/credit

Fairfield’s master’s in educational technology online program offers enrollees the opportunity to obtain first-hand experience creating digital learning materials. Attendees must complete a capstone project, which emphasizes real-world applications.

Louisiana State University (LSU)

Public university in Louisiana
MA in Education: Educational Technology
36 credits | $459 /credit

LSU offers a completely online master of arts in educational technology degree, which teaches technology integration, digital transformation, and academic innovation via technology. Holders of certain educational technology certifications can earn up to nine credit hours toward the program.

Oklahoma State University (OSU)

Public university in Oklahoma
MS in Educational Technology
36 credits | $489-$530 /credit

Oklahoma State offers an MS in educational technology with two concentration options. The educational technology option focuses on instructional design and the impact of technology while the school library media option focuses on libraries, databases, and online learning. Graduates of the school library media program earn an Oklahoma school library media specialist certification.

University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn)

Public university in Michigan
30 credits | $506-632 /credit

UM-Dearborn’s online master’s in educational technology teaches students how to develop online classes, create technology-based learning activities, and keep up-to-date with emerging technologies. Attendees with a valid Michigan teaching certificate can concurrently pursue an educational technology endorsement.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)

Public university in Texas
M.Ed. in Educational Technology
30 credits | $473-$883 /credit

UTRGV’s M.Ed. in educational technology focuses on the theory, research, and application of the edtech field. Enrollees can simultaneously earn a graduate certificate in e-learning, technological leadership, or online instructional design.

Master’s in Educational Technology Overview

If you enroll in a master’s in educational technology program, you will learn about digital transformation and technology integration in a classroom setting. You will also learn critical skills including technologies used for instructional design, real-world instructional problems, and the elements of an online learning environment .

Schools may award different degrees for master’s in educational technology programs, including MA, MS, and M.Ed. Each program will vary depending on school, offering different specializations and coursework.

How long does an online master’s in educational technology take?

Full-time master’s in educational technology programs can take 12-24 months, depending upon curriculum and course load per term. These programs typically consist of 30-36 credit hours of courses. Part-time students typically take the same courses, but complete the program in 16-24 months.

How much does an online master’s in educational technology cost?

You can expect to pay a total of $15,000-$26,000 for a master’s in educational technology online. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average online master’s in education program costs $8,155 annually.

Program tuition price may vary based on the school’s reputation, number of courses, and student-to-teacher ratio.

Does Accreditation Matter for Online Educational Technology Master’s Programs?

Institutions with institutional accreditation have received recognition as a school that meets a certain standard of education. Schools must be institutionally accredited for federal financial aid eligibility.

Specific programs within accredited institutions can also receive programmatic accreditation . Programs in the field of education do not necessarily require specialized accreditation, but it can represent further approval from a third-party agency.

Educational technology programs that lead to licensure or endorsement may be accredited by the following agencies:

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Educational Technology?

If you graduate from a master’s in educational technology online program, you can pursue careers in fields including education, business, government, and the military. Any industry with a need for training or educating with technology can utilize the skills you learned in the master’s program.

In the education field, careers may include classroom teacher, computer instructor, or media specialist, while in the business field, careers can include corporate trainer, consultant, or project manager.

Some educator roles, such as those in the K-12 public school system, may require you to hold a state-issued license or certification.

Is a Master’s in Educational Technology Worth It?

If you have a passion for teaching and technology, then an online master’s degree in educational technology may be worth pursuing.

The master’s program will help you learn the essential skills to pursue advanced roles in educational technology . Some sought-after roles, including instructional coordinators, usually require a master’s degree.

You may stand out from peers in a competitive job market with a master’s degree in educational technology. Companies will see your education level, which may provide additional credibility for your skills. This will allow you to pursue additional career paths or potentially increase your salary.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed April 30, 2024.

Explore More College Resources

What Is Educational Technology?

Educational technology enhances learning and teaching in the classroom through games, in-class polls, or and other forms of tech.

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Updated April 5, 2024

Considering a Master’s in Education? Follow These 5 Steps Before Choosing a Program

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Top 25 Online Master's in Educational Technology Programs for 2019

Earning an online educational technology degree prepares students to become innovators in the field. Job responsibilities include guiding a school’s integration of technology into its curriculum and coaching teachers on how to use learning tools. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more job opportunities to become available, with the industry growing by 8% over the next ten years.

What are the Best Online Master's in Educational Technology Programs?

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How to Choose an Online Master's in Educational Technology Program

The typical online educational technology degree takes about a year and a half to two years of full-time coursework to complete. Some online master's in instructional technology programs require student to enroll part time or full time and complete courses as part of a cohort or individually. It's important to choose an online master's in instructional technology program that offers concentrations or a curriculum that represents your career or personal goals.

Online master's in instructional technology tuition varies by school. Colleges commonly charge the same tuition as on-campus programs or offer a discounted, online tuition. The cost per credit ranges from $500 per credit to over $1,000. Many online master's in instructional technology programs are offered completely online, but some do have on-campus requirements, which include week-long intensives and proctored exams. Common courses include information architecture, instructional design fundamentals, and cognitive science.

Careers for Graduates of Master's in Educational Technology Programs

Instructional designer, curriculum developer, instructional technologist, training and development manager, user experience designer, job outlook and salary for graduates of educational technology master's degrees.

The employment opportunities available with an online educational technology degree falls under a number of different fields, which includes education, training, library occupations, and business. The data below reflects reflects these industries. Business and financial and education, training, and library occupations are projected to grow 8% from 2014 to 2024. Location and career level affects your expected salary.

Salary Growth by Experience for Graduates of Educational Technology Master's Programs

A master's in educational technology online increases the earning potential of employees in the education field, including instructional designers and curriculum developers. The highly specialized skills developed in an online master’s in instructional technology programs warrants a greater salary, with management roles earning the largest amount over time. Many roles in the elearning industry are increasingly home based, which allows workers to save on commuting costs.

To determine the best online Master's in Educational Technology programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online Master's in Educational Technology programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.

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Learning sciences and technologies, master of science in education (m.s.ed.), you are here, a master's program on the leading edge of innovation in learning science, curriculum, and technology in education..

The one-year Learning Sciences and Technologies master’s program lays the foundation for graduates to pursue fulfilling and creative careers as educators, researchers, and developers of next-generation curricula, technology-enriched learning environments, and instructional programs.

What Sets Us Apart

About the program.

The Learning Sciences and Technologies program gives you the knowledge, skills, and techniques to assess, design, and implement programs in learning settings that range from after-school opportunities for children to corporate professional development.

Fall: 3-4 courses; Spring: 3-4 courses; Summer: 2 courses

Culminating experience Master’s capstone project

Learning scientists study and create real-world learning experiences to make education more effective, efficient, and engaging. They investigate how people interact with information and ideas, as well as what interests and motivates them. And then they use this knowledge to create new, often computer-based, approaches to enhance the learning process.

This program qualifies for the STEM OPT extension for students on an F-1 visa.

The program is student-driven and requires a significant amount of student engagement. You will work closely with your academic advisor to tailor your program of study to your interests. For more information on courses and requirements, visit the Learning Sciences and Technologies M.S.Ed. program in the University Catalog .

*Note: based on a faculty proposal, the distribution of course requirements may be changing in Fall 2020.

Our Faculty

Our award-winning faculty design and research formal and informal learning environments. Innovations developed by our faculty range from online learning communities and teacher professional development workshops to more effective curricular and pedagogical approaches. They work in school clubs, museums, classrooms, and virtual worlds across multiple educational settings. With grant-funded projects, as well as ties to Philadelphia schools and institutions, the faculty offer students direct access to nationally significant research on education. Their work connects closely to Penn GSE’s broader focus on equitable access to education across social strata.

Affiliated Faculty

Betty Chandy Director for Online Learning, Catalyst @ Penn GSE Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania

Matthew Duvall Lecturer Ph.D., Drexel University

L. Michael Golden Vice Dean of Innovative Programs and Partnerships, Catalyst @ Penn GSE Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania

Sarah Schneider Kavanagh Associate Professor Ph.D., University of Washington

Abby Reisman Associate Professor Ph.D., Stanford University

Janine Remillard Professor Ph.D., Michigan State University

"After my one year at Penn GSE, I was prepared to work at the cutting edge of learning."

Aileen Tschiderer

Our graduates.

The Learning Sciences and Technologies program prepares graduates for a variety of careers. Recent graduates have gotten jobs in curriculum design, nonprofit administration, teaching, and the for-profit sector. Other graduates have continued on to doctoral studies.

Alumni Careers

Associate Director of Online Curriculum Design, Penn Dental
Associate Software Developer, Pearson
Consultant, Ellucian Development Manager, Riot Games
Director of Technology, AIM Academy
Founder, Smart Aleks Education, Ltd.
Instructional Designer, China Europe International Business School
Senior Academic Technology Consultant, Bates College

Admissions & Financial Aid

Please visit our Admissions and Financial Aid pages for specific information on the application requirements , as well as information on tuition, fees, financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships.

Graduate School of Education University of Pennsylvania 3700 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 898-6415 [email protected] [email protected]

Noemí Fernández Program Manager [email protected]

Please view information from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office for specific information on the cost of this program.

Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and we offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.

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