An online Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Technology lets you expand your teaching impact and advance your career without putting your life on hold. These programs combine flexibility, real-world skills, and respected credentials. This guide explains how an ed tech master’s can prepare you to lead in today’s digital learning environment, on your own schedule.
Author: Blake Huggins, PhD
Expertise: Graduate Ed.Online LearningBusinessEditor: Jordan Cosselman
- Inside Real Programs
An inside look at actual online programs, exploring their structure, curriculum, costs, admission criteria, and more…
Read more - Cost Breakdown
A clear overview of how much my degree might cost and the factors influencing total expenses…
Read more - FAQs
Insightful and guiding answers to common questions prospective students like myself have about earning this degree…
Read more - Career Options
What doors open after graduating with my master’s degree…
Read more - Resources
More resources that dive deeper into specific degree programs, student success, and more…
Read more - Top Schools
A list of the best schools currently offering the best online and hybrid master’s programs in the state…
Read more
Comparing Online Educational Technology Master’s Programs
Texas State University — MEd in Educational Technology
Texas State’s MEd in Educational Technology is a 100% online, 30-credit program aligned with current ISTE standards for technology integration.
Students study instructional design, project management, and models for effective tech integration in education. The curriculum includes a cognate (mini-specialization), allowing electives from areas such as educational leadership or adult education.
The program is non-thesis and emphasizes real-world application, preparing graduates to become tech leaders in K–12 schools or training environments. Courses run in accelerated eight-week sessions with multiple start dates each year.
Program Details:
- Duration: 12 to 14 months
- Format: Fully online
- Cost: $499 per credit (same rate for in-state and out-of-state residents)
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 2.75 GPA on last 60 hours of college coursework
- Application submittals include official transcripts from all colleges attended and statement of purpose
- TOEFL scores meeting program minimums (non-native English speakers only)
University of Florida — MEd in Educational Technology
The University of Florida’s online MEd in Educational Technology blends foundational education coursework with specialized ed tech training.
Students learn to design engaging digital learning experiences, evaluate instructional technologies, and lead tech integration initiatives. The 36-credit curriculum mirrors the rigor of UF’s on-campus program.
The flexible online format allows students to complete the degree in about two years, and study concludes with a capstone project. Students may also earn a graduate certificate in areas like eLearning or instructional design at no additional cost.
Program Details:
- Duration: 2 years (full-time)
- Format: Online, primarily asynchronous with optional live webinars
- Cost: $549.34 per credit (in-state) | $687.87 per credit (out-of-state)
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate upper-division GPA
- Application submittals include official transcripts for all college coursework, professional resume, and statement of purpose
- TOEFL/IELTS scores meeting UF’s requirements (international students only)
Penn State World Campus — MEd in Learning, Design, and Technology
Penn State World Campus offers an online MEd in Learning, Design, and Technology (LDT) focused on instructional design and educational research.
This 30-credit program emphasizes evaluating the effectiveness of educational technology. Coursework covers instructional design models, multimedia development, learning analytics, and assessment.
All classes are 100% online and asynchronous, making the program well suited for working professionals. Students also complete a required non-credit professional e-portfolio to showcase projects and skills.
Program Details:
- Duration: 2 years (part-time)
- Format: Fully online, asynchronous
- Cost: $1,027 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (last two years of undergraduate study)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- TOEFL/IELTS (international applicants only)
Costs of Online MEd in Educational Technology Programs
Program costs vary widely, so understanding tuition structure is key.
Most programs charge per credit, meaning total cost depends on credit requirements and per-credit rates. Public universities often offer lower rates, and many charge flat tuition for online students, eliminating out-of-state premiums.
In addition to tuition, budget for:
- Technology or online learning fees
- Books and course materials
- Reliable computer and internet access
Financial aid options include student loans, scholarships, grants, and employer tuition assistance, which is common for educators.
| University | Credits | Cost per Credit | Total Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida | 36 | $549.34 | $19,776.24 |
| Texas State University | 30 | $499 | $14,970 |
| Penn State World Campus | 30 | $1,027 | $30,810 |
MEd in Educational Technology FAQs
Why is accreditation important for online MEd programs in Educational Technology?
Accreditation for online master’s programs is crucial. It’s your assurance of the academic quality of any degree program you consider. It’s also almost always required to receive financial aid to help pay for your education.
Regional institutional accreditation (the standard for universities in the U.S.) is the most important accreditation type to look for during your program search. You’ll also want to check for programmatic accreditation (concerning the quality of individual degree programs) from an independent accreditor, like the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Is an online MEd in Educational Technology respected by employers?
As long as the program is properly accredited, an online MEd holds the same value as an on-campus degree, something recognized by the vast majority of employers.
What employers care about most, generally speaking, is the reputation of the university offering the degree and the knowledge and skills students bring to their jobs. In fact, many school districts and companies appreciate that graduates of online MEd programs have mastered technology and time management by virtue of completing a distance program.
Do I need to be a teacher or have a tech background to get into an ed tech master’s program?
Not necessarily. It depends on the specific degree program and its primary academic purpose. While many MEd in Ed Tech students are licensed teachers or education professionals, most programs welcome students from a variety of backgrounds. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, but it could be in education, business, IT, or another field.
If you don’t have teaching experience, you might be coming from corporate training, instructional design, or even straight from your bachelor’s degree program. Admissions committees mainly want to see your passion for improving learning through technology.
How flexible is the schedule of an online MEd program? Can I work while studying?
Online MEd programs are designed with working professionals in mind, so they are typically very flexible. Most programs deliver their content asynchronously, meaning you can log on and attend to your coursework at any time that fits your schedule. You’ll have weekly deadlines for readings, discussion posts, assignments, etc., but beyond that, it’s up to you to choose when to complete them.
And part-time formats typically allow students to take one to two courses at a time (expect to devote around 10 to 15 hours per class each week to your studies), making it much easier to maintain your current full-time employment while pursuing your degree.
Will my MEd in Educational Technology prepare me to continue on to earn a doctoral degree?
It most certainly can. There are two types of doctoral degrees offered in the ed tech field. The PhD in Educational Technology focuses on the evaluation and creation of new research and theory to prepare students for top-level positions in postsecondary academics and advanced research.
The EdD, in contrast, emphasizes practical application of ed tech theory and research, preparing graduates for administrative jobs (principal, superintendent, etc.) with schools and school districts as well as leadership roles (like training development specialist and instructional technologist) in both the public and private sectors. In any event, your ed tech MEd will likely be a requirement for admission into either a PhD or EdD program.
Career Prospects for Educational Tech Master’s Grads
An MEd in Educational Technology opens doors in both education and industry. Graduates often work as:
- Instructional coordinators
- Technology coaches
- Curriculum or instructional designers
Others move into corporate or nonprofit roles as training and development specialists or ed tech consultants.
| Career | Growth | Median Pay | Top 90% Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instructional Coordinators | 2% | $74,720 | $115,410+ |
| Training and Development Specialists | 12% | $65,850 | $129,190+ |
| Training and Development Managers | 7% | $127,090 | $219,990+ |
| Postsecondary Education Administrators | 3% | $103,960 | $212,420+ |
| Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals | -1% | $104,070 | $165,820+ |
10 Online Resources for Ed Tech Students & Professionals
Staying current in educational technology is essential. These resources offer news, tools, and community support:
- Common Sense Education — Reviews of educational apps and digital citizenship resources
- EdSurge — News and research on ed tech trends
- Ed Tech Magazine — Case studies from K–12 and higher ed
- The Ed Tech Podcast — Interviews with global ed tech innovators
- Educational Technology and Mobile Learning (ETML) — Classroom tech tool reviews
- Edutopia — Evidence-based teaching and tech integration strategies
- House of #EdTech — Friendly podcast for practical tech use
- International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) — Standards, webinars, and educator communities
- Teaching in Higher Ed — Podcast focused on effective college teaching
- THE Journal — Long-running K–12 ed tech publication