Earn Your Master's in Online Teaching
- $637/credit (36 credits total)
- Transfer up to 12 graduate credits
- Learn how to teach online
- Complete in as few as 15 months
- No GRE/GMAT required
- Address the needs of remote/hybrid student populations
Online Teaching Degree Concentration Overview
The 2020 pandemic changed the teaching world for educators. Teachers once accustomed to commanding classrooms full of students found themselves upended, transitioned into virtual and hybrid settings as a result of quarantines and stay-at-home orders.
Educators made the transition on the fly, often with little to no training or guidance.
"When remote learning was implemented in schools for many educators, they were thrust into the realm of online teaching without any warning and had to learn by doing," said Dr. Daniel Tanguay, senior associate dean of education at Southern New Hampshire University. "As such, many educators became incredibly frustrated and overwhelmed by the process, and though time has progressed, some educators still feel lost and discouraged in their ability to thoroughly meet their students' needs."
And that's why SNHU developed the Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching.
With this specialized master's degree, you can develop the necessary knowledge for online teaching. You'll gain skills pertaining to differentiation, student engagement, individualized feedback, learning management systems (LMS), and the development of age- and grade-level appropriate content.
Licensure Information
The online MEd in Curriculum and Instruction degree program does not lead to licensure. SNHU also offers online post-licensure Master of Education (MEd) programs for currently licensed individuals who are interested in furthering their professional development and enhancing their credentials.
However, since state requirements for adding endorsements vary greatly, SNHU does not guarantee that the completion of those programs will result in rank, endorsements, and/or salary increases and strongly encourages interested individuals to contact their state licensure board prior to enrolling.
SNHU provides additional information for education programs on our Licensure and Certification Disclosures page.
What You'll Learn
- Curriculum development
- Assessment design
- Research-based teaching strategies
- Cultural competency
- Inclusive teaching techniques
- Data and technology for education
How You'll Learn
At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.
Career Outlook
As teachers and schools get deeper into online learning, they'll find that technology will have some permanence in their classrooms.
Because online teaching should become a reality for most teachers, it's crucial to be prepared for it – and even take the lead within your school.
Job Growth
Instructional coordinators – including training and library roles – are expected to increase 2% through 2032.1
Salary
The median annual salary was $66,490 for instructional coordinators in 2022.1
Understanding the Numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
And as more school districts seek out master's-educated teachers, developing straightforward curriculum and instruction skills actually goes hand in hand with online education integration.
"This MEd program is a much-needed program that is truly ahead of its time," Simmons said. "COVID-19 has shown us that online education provides the versatility to remove the barriers that traditional face-to-face learning has."
"Though the pandemic has only increased this need, based on where online teaching was progressing beforehand, I do not see this need for educator development ending once the current pandemic has ended," said Dr. Daniel Tanguay, senior associate dean of education at SNHU.
"Educators need to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to develop a culturally responsive, data-informed, student-centered curriculum that addresses all the diverse learning needs of students," said Tanguay.
Where Could You Work?
Elementary Schools
Instruct young learners in basic subjects, leveraging support structures for online learning.
Charter Schools
Create and deliver hybrid-format instructional lessons that meet both curriculum requirements and the mission of the charter school.
Middle & High Schools
Create engaging online curriculum for active learning to support students for state testing and college prep.
Start Your Journey Toward an Online Teaching Degree
Why SNHU For Your Online Teaching Degree
Flexible
With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.
Affordable
As part of our mission to make higher education more accessible, we’re committed to keeping our tuition rates low. In fact, we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.
Prior coursework and work experience could also help you save time and money. SNHU’s transfer policy allows you to transfer up to 12 credits from your previous institution. You could also earn college credit for previous work experience.
Respected
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 160,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor, which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
- A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
- Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium
Network
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 300,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
93.6% of online students would recommend SNHU (according to a 2022 survey with 17,000+ respondents). Discover why SNHU may be right for you.
Admission Requirements
Expanding access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials:
- Completed free application
- Undergraduate transcripts, which we can retrieve for you by submitting a transcript request form
Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms.
Other MEd admission requirements include:
- A resume that includes at least 6 months of relevant K-12 instructional or curriculum development experience
- Filling out our MEd Non-Licensure Acknowledgment Form
How to Apply
If you’re ready to apply, follow these simple steps to get the process going:
- Complete free graduate application
- Submit undergraduate transcripts
- Work with an admission counselor to explore financial options and walk through application process
Your counselor can also walk you through the application process, which involves completing a graduate application, providing undergraduate transcripts and your resume and filling out the MEd Non-Licensure Acknowledgement Form.
Ready for the Future
Dr. Kelly Hoban, adjunct instructor
"The need for skilled online educators is going to continue to grow, and we need educators to be ahead of the curve, ready with the knowledge and skills to take on those roles."
Courses & Curriculum
When you enroll in Southern New Hampshire University's online teaching master's program, you can gain an advantage as a leader in both the traditional and virtual classroom.
This 12-course (36-credit) program consists of 9 core courses – required of all online MEd in Curriculum and Instruction students, no matter the concentration – and 3 classes in the concentration.
Courses in the concentration may include:
- Technology in Online Education: Gain the skills needed to select new and innovative ways of approaching instruction. Create learning activities that leverage teaching strategies and technology tools to provide experiences that meet the needs of students in an online environment.
- Strategies in Online Instruction: Analyze and apply strategies for student engagement, differentiation, instructional delivery methods and feedback. Learn how online instructional strategies can benefit all students, including diverse populations.
- Methods of Online Instruction: Apply instructional strategies and pedagogical practices into lesson planning in support of engagement and learning. Create lessons and explore how to build them in a learning management system (LMS).
The core will prepare you to become a leader in your field. You'll learn to apply local, state and national standards in designing learning experiences that are relevant, outcome-driven and culturally inclusive for all ages, education levels and learning environments.
You'll be prepared to implement positive change within your learning community by inspiring students and by serving as role models and support systems for colleagues.
Plus, the courses throughout the core weave educational technology in both learning and instruction throughout all the courses. It's actually expected that you integrate technologies and applications into your curriculum designs.
"Focus [is] placed on understanding the importance and influence of teacher leadership, the creation of data-informed curriculum, and the integration of technology within the learning experience," said Dr. Daniel Tanguay, senior associate dean of education.
Four of your core courses focus specifically on curriculum design. Explore the foundational design theories and principles in various learning environments, and then build upon that foundation by implementing Differentiated Instruction (DI) strategies to meet the needs of unique subsets of learners. From there, you'll explore assessment theories and, finally, dive into emerging theory and design.
Complete your core courses in the MEd in Curriculum and Instruction program with an online seminar and a capstone – giving you the opportunity to showcase your work to future employers.
In your seminar, you'll finalize your portfolio, which will include your educational philosophy statement. You'll also draft a curriculum proposal that addresses a self-identified achievement gap.
And in your capstone, you'll need to demonstrate your mastery of knowledge and skills. Develop a complete curriculum in an area of interest, along with your portfolio, to show your growth as an educational leader.
In addition to the core courses, you'll also take the 3 courses that make up the online teaching degree concentration. When the 2020 pandemic struck, it became even more crucial for teachers to learn how to transfer their skills online.
This concentration specifically addresses any gaps you may have in terms of addressing the unique and newly discovered needs of students in remote and hybrid learning environments.
Tanguay explains that in many cases, when educators complete a teacher prep program, they are not fully exposed to instructional strategies focused on developing curriculum and instruction within the hybrid learning environment.
"With that in mind, the MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching provides these educators, as well as others, the opportunities to revise and bolster their existing knowledge and skills in the hybrid learning environments to better meet the needs of their students," he said.
"These courses were created with the input of educators who work in virtual learning environments and with an eye on the future need for educators prepared for the unique challenges of online teaching and learning," adds Dr. Kelly Hoban, an adjunct instructor at SNHU and an online high school teacher.
Tanguay agrees.
"The immersed experience educators receive in this concentration, through the development of their own content in a fully functioning learning management system (LMS), helps ensure a sustainable learning experience," he said.
If you're unsure whether you want to pursue a concentration in online teaching, the MEd in Curriculum & Instruction program also has 5 other concentrations: dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities, educational leadership, reading, special education and technology integration.
| View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
|---|
| MEd in Curriculum & Instruction - Online Teaching |
| Courses May Include | ||
|---|---|---|
| MEd Online Teaching | ||
| EDU 614 | Technology in Online Education | In evaluating online strategies and tools, educators will gain the skills needed to appropriately select new and innovative ways of approaching their instruction. Special attention will be paid to creating learning activities that leverage teaching strategies and technology tools in order to provide experiences that meet the needs of a diverse group of students in an online environment. |
| EDU 630 | Strategies for Online Instruction | With a focus on the intricacies of online instruction, educators will analyze and apply strategies for student engagement, differentiation, instructional delivery methods, and feedback. Special attention will be paid to the diversity of student populations and how online instructional strategies can benefit all students. |
| EDU 635 | Methods of Online Instruction | In the context of the grade level and content area that educators teach, educators will learn how to apply instructional strategies and pedagogical practices into their lesson planning in support of engagement and learning. Educators will create lessons and explore how to build them in a learning management system. |
| Total Credits: 36 | ||
Minimum Hardware Requirements
|
Component Type |
PC (Windows OS) |
Apple (Mac OS) |
|---|---|---|
|
Operating System |
Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
|
Memory (RAM) |
8GB or higher |
8GB or higher |
|
Hard Drive |
100GB or higher |
100GB or higher |
|
Antivirus Software |
Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
|
SNHU Purchase Programs |
||
|
Internet/ Bandwidth |
5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency |
5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency |
Notes:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.
- Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government.
- Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
University Accreditation
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
| Online Graduate Programs | Per Course | Per Credit Hour | Annual Cost for 15 credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree/Certificates | $1,911 | $637 | $9,555 |
|
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)* |
$1,410 | $470 | $7,050 |
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
*Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional Costs:
Course Materials ($ varies by course). Foundational courses may be required based on your undergraduate course history, which may result in additional cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best master's degree to get in education?
The best education master's degree that you can earn is the one that teaches you skills that can help you both achieve your career goals and advance your career.
Southern New Hampshire University offers a number of focused online programs in MEd in Curriculum and Instruction. Now featuring 6 concentrations within the program, the newest one helps teachers with online instruction.
Created in response to teachers who struggled with a transition to the online environment, SNHU's MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching helps educators fill the gaps in their professional experience.
"Schools are continuing to incorporate online learning in a hybrid and/or blended learning format, validating online learning is not going away," adds Dr. Daniel Tanguay, senior associate dean of education at SNHU. "With that in mind, educators still need to develop practical knowledge and skills to effectively manage and work within the online learning environment."
"The MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching addresses this need and provides educators the opportunity to improve learning outcomes for their students through the creation of new and more innovative learning experiences," he said.
Not only that, an education master's could help you beyond the classroom. If you're thinking about transitioning into administrative roles or other advancement opportunities, a master's may be a requirement to be considered.
Can you get an online teaching job with an online degree?
Yes, you can get an online teaching job with an online degree. The curriculum for an online degree program is typically the same as you would have at a traditional brick-and-mortar school.
However, you'll need to research the programs that you're interested in, to be sure the outcome matches up with your goals. And for initial licensure, be sure to do your research to ensure your program can help you reach your career goals.
If you are already licensed, though, earning your next degree online is a great option. Many online master's degrees in education are actually geared toward students who are already teachers.
For example, Southern New Hampshire University now offers an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching.
The concentration courses in this online teaching degree program focus on the technology you can use in classes, the strategies to keep your class engaged and instructional methods that are appropriate for an online setting.
Degrees that focus on online teaching aren't common – in fact, SNHU is an early adopter of programming in this space. If you're interested in learning more about becoming an online teacher, contact an admission counselor to find out how you can succeed in the virtual environment.
What is the best college for an online teaching degree?
Best is often subjective, just as it is here. If you want to earn your degree in online teaching, there are a lot of factors as to what the best choice is for you.
At Southern New Hampshire University, we now have a master's in teaching online program. Some of the benefits of earning your online teaching degree from SNHU include:
- One of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation
- 24/7 access to the classroom
- Instructors with master's degrees or above and real-world teaching experience
- Skills for teaching in remote and hybrid environments
- Sets you up for career transition or advancement
"This focus on online teaching within the MEd program will provide educators a learning opportunity to help them gain the fundamental online teaching knowledge and skills needed to develop and effectively implement the curriculum," said Dr. Daniel Tanguay, senior associate dean of education at SNHU. "By better preparing our educators and supporting their learning needs, we can help ensure that our students receive the best educational experience they need to be successful and achieve their own personal and academic goals."
Tanguay also mentions that the courses in the online teaching concentration "allow students the opportunity to reflect on their impressions and bias, while building awareness of how to address them in the field of virtual education."
How fast can you get an online teaching degree?
Earning an online teaching degree in a short amount of time will completely depend on your schedule.
Do you have the time to do classwork full time? Do you have responsibilities outside of work – like family or other obligations – that would require you to space out your classes?
Either way, creating a schedule that works for you is perfectly OK. At Southern New Hampshire University, we have a number of students that attend full time and quite a few others that take classes part time.
SNHU offers 5 graduate terms a year, and each one is 10 weeks long. If you want to be a full-time student in this 36-credit program, it could take you about 15 months to complete. This means you'd take 2 courses per term.
But if part time is more your speed, you can take just 1 class per term. Our main goal is that you're successful in your program and beyond. And taking 1 course per term may be your way of achieving that.
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References
Sources & Citations (1, 2)
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm (viewed Nov. 9, 2023) Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
2National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Facts: Distance Learning, on the internet, at https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=79 (viewed Feb. 14, 2022)