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M.A. in Education

Grow as a teacher with an MAED.

Reignite your passion for teaching with our MAED program. This fully online program helps licensed teachers elevate their careers by earning a master’s degree while enhancing their skills to address today’s educational challenges and optimize their teaching practices. Select from five degree options tailored to your goals.

At Saint Mary’s, we create a collaborative environment where you can engage with faculty and fellow educators while exploring cutting-edge approaches to educational theory and research.

In response to the evolving landscape of education, we’ve introduced a new specialization in Education Technology. This prepares you to lead the effective integration of technology from kindergarten through higher education.

We’ve also launched a content specialization in Lasallian Education. This specialization is available to participants of The Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies and The Brother John Johnston Institute of Contemporary Lasallian Practice. Additionally, a generous scholarship is offered for this specialization. 

Our master’s in education program will empower you to elevate your educational techniques and invest in your future and that of your students. Apply today!

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30

credits

$560

per credit

SeptJan
MarchMay

start dates

Start dates depend on the specialization.

2 years

completion time

Online

30

credits

$560

per credit

SeptJan
MarchMay

start dates

Start dates depend on the specialization.

2 years

completion time

Online

Customize your degree.

Tailor your master’s degree with one of five content specializations to fit your professional goals and take your career to the next level.

  • Explore effective classroom management methods and culturally responsive teaching practices. Delve into curriculum design, considering diverse students and designing unit plans aligned with the goals specific to your teaching content area. Additionally, compare tools for evaluating and assessing student performance, and discover strategies to deepen learning and develop higher-level thinking skills for all students.

  • If you’re a current or aspiring teacher or administrator seeking licensure in Wisconsin, consider enrolling in our M.A. in Education Custom Specialization program in collaboration with Educate-WI. Credits earned through the Educate-WI licensure pathway can be applied to the completion of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s MAED program. Start when it’s convenient for you in Sept., Jan, or May.

    • Gain the confidence and specific skill set to prepare for WI state licensure in three areas: Project Teaching, 10 Sped, and WiscAd.
    • Save time and money by applying your eduCATE-WI credits toward our 30-credit M.A. in Education program, including 12 credits in 10 Sped and nine in the Wisconsin Administrator and Project Teaching licensure programs.


    Pursue your master’s degree by working with our program director on a personalized master’s degree completion plan tailored to fit your busy life.

  • Become a technology leader in the K-12 classroom, school, district, and beyond. You’ll develop technology-based skills, explore trends in technology to personalize learning and promote self-directed learning, and evaluate ethics and digital literacy for the learning process. Discover global resources and international examples of innovative teaching and learning approaches to integrate into your own curriculum.

  • This concentration is open to participants of The Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies (Buttimer) and The Brother John Johnston Institute of Contemporary Lasallian Practice (JJI). Saint Mary’s is pleased to offer a scholarship for participants in the Buttimer and JJI program. Tuition for the Lasallian Education concentration (15 credits) is $100 per credit.

    Participants will earn 15 graduate credits during their participation in Buttimer or JJI through completing additional requirements with a Saint Mary’s instructor. Participants must complete the 15-credit core curriculum of the M.A. in Education program to complete the degree.

  • Enhance your understanding of students’ social and emotional issues by examining individual teacher roles and responsibilities when it comes to addressing student mental health needs. You’ll develop effective intervention strategies, learn how to create a socially and emotionally healthy classroom, and explore the ethical and legal responsibilities as well as additional resources available within schools and the community.

M.A. in Education Program Highlights

  • Online, asynchronous curriculum and instruction
  • Gain relevant skills you can apply right away in your classroom, including classroom management, student support, and educational practice enhancements
  • See if your district is part of our Trusted Partnership Program, offering scholarships through partnerships with numerous school districts. Learn more.

What You’ll Learn in Our M.A. in Education Program

  • Supporting student growth and understanding child development
  • Curriculum, instruction, and assessment design
  • Effective classroom management strategies
  • Developing and analyzing assessments
  • Research to enhance educational practices
  • Ethics and laws for decision-making and relationships

Information Sessions

Sign up for an information session to learn more about the program and the application process — or watch a recorded session on your time.

The right tools for the classroom.

Learn about how the program gave Rebecca Beaufeaux “more tools in her toolbox” to help children return to school after being virtual due to the pandemic.

Admissions

Ready to apply? Learn about taking the next steps.

    • Applicants may apply for admission to a master’s degree program at any time during the year. 
    • Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.

  • Students with transcripts from universities outside the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada (except for the Quebec Province) must take and pass English proficiency testing.

    Saint Mary’s accepts:

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 72
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
    • Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 74%
    • International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0 or Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
    • Duolingo with a minimum score of 100.

  • Applicants must submit the following:

    1. Completed application form.
    2. An official transcript(s) issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor’s degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution.)
      • Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, One Earth International Credential Evaluators or any approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards.
      • Saint Mary’s can order and cover the cost of transcripts from institutions that allow third-party requests for eligible degree-seeking applicants. Contact your enrollment counselor for more information.
      • Official Transcripts should be sent to Office of Admission
        • Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
          2500 Park Avenue
          Minneapolis, MN 55404
        • Or electronically: tcadmission@smumn.edu
    3. A personal statement which includes:
      • brief description of the applicant’s background, training, and experience; and,
      • statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and his or her reasons for seeking admission to the program and,
      • personal information the applicant wishes to share.
    4. Names of two people (including title, organization, email, phone number) who could serve as professional references, if needed, during the application review process. The best references are those who know you in a professional capacity, such as current or former supervisors.
    5. A current résumé listing educational background and work experience.

    • Fall 2024: August 2, 2024
    • Spring 2025: December 2, 2024
    • Summer 2025: April 4, 2025

     

    The priority application deadlines are listed but these are general as not all of our programs have a start every semester

    • Fall: Sept. 3, 2024
    • Spring: March 4, 2025
    • Summer: July 1, 2025

     

    Educate-WI only:

    • Fall: Sept. 3, 2024
    • Spring: Jan. 6, 2025
    • May 6, 2025

  • You can expect to be notified about your acceptance approximately two weeks following your application completion date.

Explore options to finance your education.

We’re committed to making your investment as accessible and affordable as possible. Our counselors will guide you to find a financial aid plan that works for you. Explore all the ways to help pay for your degree.

Course Catalog

In addition to foundational courses, you’ll take courses such as:

  • How Children Learn
  • Educational Research
  • Applied Research Literacy
  • Reflection and Resiliency in My Life

See all the courses you’ll take and requirements in the catalog.

Careers & Salary

Our online MAED degree program can help leverage your career and become a master teacher and leader.

Instructional designer

$129,330 per year*

High school teacher

$99,410 per year*

Academic advisor

$98,580 per year*

Frequently Asked Questions

  • At Saint Mary’s, we want you to succeed, and we help you do so, inside and outside of the classroom:

    Student Central: Your one stop for student services.

    Library: Resources and services are available 24/7 to all students.

    Writing Center: Offers virtual and face-to-face services to support students.

    Career Services: Can help you develop your career-readiness skills at any point in your education.

  • Yes, there are federal loan forgiveness programs for teachers, state programs, as well as financial aid.

    Learn more here.

  • Yes, it is fully online asynchronous with synchronous opportunities throughout the program.

  • As your final culminating project you will write an action research paper. This consists of an analysis of a district (or school) initiative and designing an appropriate classroom-level lesson for your students. Upon completion of your project, you will present your findings to your cohort.

News and Information from the School of Education

 

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Sources and Disclaimer

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupations Outlook Handbook, Management Occupations at  https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/home.htm
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, General and Operations Managers at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes111021.htm (visited May 13, 2024).
  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupations Outlook Handbook, Management Analysts at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm (visited May 13, 2024).
  4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Project Managment Specialsts at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/project-management-specialists.htm  (visited May 13, 2024).