Master's in Education Online: Finding Your Michigan School

In Focus: Online Education Master’s Programs in Michigan

Below, we break down three well-regarded Michigan universities offering online or hybrid master’s degrees for educators. Each summary is drawn from official program pages, highlighting what makes the program unique.

Top Five Fields to Study as a Michigan MEd Student

When pursuing your master’s, you’ll likely want to study a field that offers a strong return on investment (ROI). Below, we explore five high-demand fields where a master’s can open doors, along with why they’re worth pursuing in the Michigan context:

Special Education

Special education is a critical need area in Michigan. The state has a persistent shortage of special education teachers, with over 2,700 special education job postings active in early 2024. An MEd in Special Education (or a related endorsement) positions you to fill this gap. 

With a master’s, you gain advanced skills to support students with disabilities and often qualify for higher pay. Michigan special education teachers earn about $63,700 annually on average, and many districts offer stipends for the extra certification. The ROI is compelling: You’ll enter a job market eager for your expertise and make a meaningful impact on students who need qualified teachers the most.

K-12 School Administration

If you aspire to become a principal or school administrator, an MEd in Educational Leadership is a common pathway. Many Michigan principals start as teachers and earn a master’s to move up. 

School leaders in Michigan are well-compensated, as the median salary for principals is around $98,000 per year. Beyond salary, you’ll directly shape school culture and student outcomes. Michigan encourages strong leadership, even tying school accreditation to leadership quality. 

An advanced degree in this field, especially one aligned with state standards, will prepare you to meet the challenge. For MEd grads with a passion for leading change, this field offers both opportunity and influence.

Curriculum and Instruction

An MEd in Curriculum and Instruction prepares you for roles as an instructional coordinator, curriculum specialist, or academic coach. Michigan school districts and intermediate school districts (ISDs) employ these professionals to develop curricula, train teachers, and implement new learning standards. With continuous updates to state curriculum (such as the push for evidence-based literacy instruction), having experts in curriculum design is essential. 

In Michigan, instructional coordinators earn roughly $76,000 annually on average. A master’s gives you the advanced pedagogical knowledge to create effective programs and the leadership skills to guide teacher teams. It’s a great ROI for educators who love mentoring colleagues and improving what kids learn.

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education is booming in Michigan thanks to state initiatives like PreK for All, and funding is expanding to reach even more. This creates high demand for qualified preschool and early elementary educators. An MEd in Early Childhood Education equips you with specialized knowledge of child development, curriculum for ages zero to eight, and program administration. 

MEd graduates can become lead pre-K teachers, program directors, or early learning curriculum specialists. While preschool teacher salaries are lower than K-12, leadership roles (such as early childhood center director) pay more. 

The intrinsic rewards are immense, too, as you’ll be shaping children’s formative years. With Michigan’s strong push for universal preschool, an advanced degree in this field positions you at the forefront of an exciting growth area, backed by state support and improving career prospects.

Reading and Literacy Coaching

In the wake of Michigan’s “Read by Grade Three” law and new dyslexia training requirements, literacy education has become a top priority. Schools are hiring reading specialists and literacy coaches to improve student reading outcomes. The state is now funding positions, as each ISD gets up to $125,000 per early literacy coach and must employ at least two as part of a grant program running through 2027. 

An MEd focusing on Reading and Literacy makes you eligible for these coaching roles. You’ll learn how to implement effective literacy interventions, coach teachers in reading instruction, and assess student progress. Michigan’s investment shows in practice: Literacy coaches provide job-embedded professional development to teachers, which in turn boosts student reading achievement. 

Accreditation for Online MEd Programs in Michigan and Why It Matters

When choosing an online MEd, remember to check for accreditation. Michigan universities are typically regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which assures overall academic quality. Beyond that, look for program-specific accreditation in education. 

The gold standard is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Many Michigan schools, such as Eastern Michigan University’s College of Education, hold CAEP accreditation for their teacher education programs. This means the curriculum meets rigorous national standards for preparing educators. Such programs are also approved by the Michigan Department of Education, which is crucial if you seek teacher licensure or additional endorsements. 

An accredited online MEd from Michigan carries the same weight as on-campus, so your degree will be recognized by school districts, state certification boards, and other employers. Always verify that both the university and the education program itself have proper accreditation before enrolling.

Program Format Options for Your Online Education Master’s in Michigan

As a Michigan online master’s student, you’ll have options for your program and study schedule. You can enroll full-time and complete some degrees in as little as 12 to 18 months, or opt for a part-time pace to juggle work and family. 

Many programs offer accelerated course schedules, meaning you can focus on one class at a time and still finish faster. There are even options that forego the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) requirements. In the sections below, we detail four common format options and give Michigan-based examples of each.

Full-Time Online Master’s Programs

Enrolling full-time means taking a heavier course load each term, which shortens the time to graduation. This is ideal if you want to earn your MEd quickly and can dedicate at least twenty hours each week to your studies. 

Many Michigan programs support full-time pacing. This is a good option for students seeking a full, immersive study schedule and who want to graduate quickly. However, a full-time program leaves less flexibility for balancing work and other obligations.

Michigan Examples:

• Adrian College — MEd in Educational Leadership
• Eastern Michigan University — Online MA in Early Childhood Education

Part-Time Online Master’s Programs

Part-time programs are tailored for working educators who need to spread out coursework. You might take one course at a time or six credits per semester, allowing you to keep teaching full-time without schedule conflicts or being overwhelmed by coursework. 

Most online MEd offerings in Michigan can be done part-time, as flexibility is a huge selling point for educators. Part-time typically means two and a half to three years for completion. The benefit is that you can balance work, life, and study, while also applying what you learn in real time to your classroom. Just know it will take longer overall. 

Michigan Examples:

• Central Michigan University — MA in Special Education
• Michigan State University — Master of Arts in Education

“No GRE Required” Programs

Standardized tests can be a hurdle for busy professionals. Luckily, many Michigan online MEd programs do not require the GRE. These universities recognize that your teaching experience and undergraduate GPA are dependable indicators of success in a program. Instead, emphasis is placed on your academic record, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. 

Skipping the GRE can be a huge relief for applicants. However, it also means admissions committees will be looking closely at your professional experience and goals. You can focus on assembling strong recommendation letters and writing a compelling personal statement about why you want the MEd.

Michigan Examples:

• Michigan State University — Master of Arts in Education
• UM-Dearborn — Master of Arts in Education

Accelerated Online Master’s Programs

Accelerated programs allow you to earn your degree faster than the traditional timeline, either by taking more intensive course loads or overlapping graduate study with undergraduate courses. In Michigan, some universities offer one-year or 18-month accelerated plans, especially in high-need areas. 

Accelerated formats are rigorous. You might be doing coursework year-round, including summers, but this shortens your time to degree. It can both save you money and get you into that new job or pay raise quicker. 

Some accelerated programs are lock-step cohorts, meaning you proceed with the same group of students on a fixed schedule. This can be great for building support for your studies. 

Michigan Examples:

• Aquinas College — Accelerated MEd
• Calvin University — Accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

What an Online MEd Program Costs in Michigan

The cost of an online MEd in Michigan varies by institution, but generally, you should budget between $16,000 and $30,000 for tuition. Public universities often charge per-credit rates with differences for in-state and out-of-state students. However, many offer in-state tuition for all online students. 

On the higher end, a credit at a Big Ten school, such as Michigan State University, is around $900, whereas smaller regional schools or private colleges might be lower. Be sure to factor in any fees, such as technology fees, and the number of credits required, as you will likely pay more for programs that require more coursework.

Below is a comparison of sample tuition rates from three online Michigan programs:

FAQs from Michigan’s Prospective Online MEd Students

Q1: Are online MEd degrees respected by school districts in Michigan?

A: Yes, an accredited online MEd from a Michigan university holds the same value as an on-campus degree. Michigan school districts generally recognize online master’s programs for salary increases, and the MEd is often the key to moving up the pay scale and fulfilling professional development requirements. 

Many Michigan educators earn their master’s while teaching, so principals and human resources departments are very familiar with online degrees. Just make sure your program is approved by the Michigan Department of Education (especially if it leads to an endorsement). If it is, you can confidently list it on your resume.

Q2: Can I become a certified teacher through an online MEd program in Michigan?

A: You possibly can, but it depends on the program. Most online MEd programs in Michigan are geared toward already-certified teachers looking to deepen their expertise or add endorsements. 

If you aren’t yet a licensed teacher, you’d typically look for an initial teacher certification program, often called a Master of Arts in Teaching. A few Michigan universities offer hybrid or accelerated residency programs for this. For example, Wayne State’s 12-month teacher residency (which includes a master’s) is an option. 

On the other hand, a program like UM-Dearborn’s MAEd requires a teaching certificate for certain concentrations, since it’s meant to enhance credentials rather than provide initial licensure. So, if your goal is to get certified from scratch, ensure the online program explicitly includes Michigan teacher certification.

Q3: How do student teaching or internships work in an online MEd?

A: Online MEd programs handle field experiences in flexible ways. If your program requires a practicum or internship, which is common in areas like educational leadership or school counseling, you’ll typically complete it in-person at a school or site near you, but under guidance from the online program. 

For example, Eastern Michigan’s online education leadership master’s includes a local internship in which you work with a mentor principal at your school while fulfilling university supervision requirements. The coordination is usually done via the faculty.  You might submit logs, reflections, or even video presentations of your work. 

For teacher-focused MEd programs that require classroom observations or student teaching, most will allow you to use your own classroom if you’re currently teaching, or help place you in a nearby partner school if you’re not. Technology is leveraged, too. You may have virtual supervision via Zoom or review recorded lessons.

Q4: What financial aid or scholarships can help pay for an online MEd?

A: You have several options to make your MEd more affordable. First, you can use federal financial aid. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and you may qualify for federal student loans or even grants. 

One notable grant is the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant. This grant provides up to $4,000 per year for graduate students who commit to teaching in a high-need field, like math, science, or special education, in a low-income school. 

Michigan has some state-specific incentives. For example, the Special Education Teacher Tuition Reimbursement Grant can cover up to $800 per credit for 18 credits if you’re a certified teacher adding a special education endorsement. Additionally, check if your school district offers tuition reimbursement or a salary advancement program. 

Don’t forget scholarships for educators and institutional scholarships. Universities often have scholarships for graduate students in education, sometimes funded by alumni or through partnership programs.

Q5: What specializations or concentrations are available in Michigan’s online MEd programs?

A: Michigan universities offer a wide array of MEd concentrations to align with different career goals. Common specializations include curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, special education, reading and literacy, educational technology, TESOL/bilingual education, and early childhood education.

Essentially, whatever your interest — whether it’s becoming a principal, a master teacher in your subject, an intervention specialist, or an instructional designer — there’s likely a Michigan-based online program for it. This guide covered the top fields in demand, but be sure to explore each university’s offerings.