Online Master’s Degrees in Science Education: Finding a Program

Program Breakdown: Inside 3 Popular Online Science Education Master’s Programs

We’ve profiled below three online science education master’s programs currently offered. Each has its own strengths in format, curriculum, and student support. We’ve summarized key program details to help you compare those options that best fit your academic and career goals.

Understanding Cost: Pricing the Online Science Education MEd

The cost of an online MEd in Science Education can vary widely by institution. Generally, you should consider three factors: total credit requirements, tuition per credit, and additional fees and costs.

With a few exceptions, tuition is charged on a per-credit basis. Public universities generally charge the most affordable tuition rates for in-state residents. Out-of-state resident rates may be much higher. However, some public schools offer in-state rates to out-of-state students in online programs. Private colleges and universities tend to charge higher tuition than public schools (there are some exceptions), but rates are the same for all students regardless of state residence status.

The table below gives a snapshot of current tuition costs for three online science education master’s programs. Bear in mind that these figures do not take into account additional program fees and the costs of such things as books and materials, a computer, internet access, etc., which you’ll want to factor into your total program cost. 

And remember that qualifying students will be able to mitigate their master’s price tags through any of several financial aid resources. Popular financial aid types for online master’s students include scholarships, grants, and (most popular of all) student loans. Teacher tuition discounts and employer tuition assistance opportunities are also often available for science education master’s students.

FAQs from Prospective Science Education Master’s Students

Why is accreditation important for an online MEd in Science Education?

Proper accreditation ensures your program meets academic standards of quality recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A degree from an accredited program is taken seriously by employers and state licensing boards. And proper accreditation is almost always required to obtain financial aid.

Always verify that each school you consider is regionally accredited. You’ll also want to check for program-specific accreditation in education. For example, colleges of education (and therefore their degree programs) are often NCATE/CAEP accredited as well.

Can I work full-time while earning my MEd in Science Education online?

In most cases, yes. In fact, most online MEd students are working teachers. Online programs are built to be flexible for educators’ schedules. You can typically watch lectures and complete assignments during evenings and weekends. And many programs are offered part-time with students taking just one or two courses per semester. Time management is key. But with dedication and a solid study schedule, you can successfully pursue your science education master’s while continuing to teach full time.

How long does it take to complete an online science education master’s?

Most online MEd in Science Education programs take about 1 1⁄2 to two years to complete. The exact time depends on the specific program and your chosen study pace. Part-time students typically take one to two classes per semester and finish all degree requirements in about two years, sometimes more. Full-time programs feature completion times of around 16 to 20 months. And accelerated formats may allow for degree completion in as little as 12 months. In short, about two years is a good benchmark for completing an online MEd degree, but program lengths can be quite flexible.

Do I need to be a licensed teacher or have a science background to apply?

Requirements vary by program, but many online MEd in Science Education programs are geared toward currently-licensed teachers. It’s common that programs expect you to hold a teaching license and/or have teaching experience, especially since the coursework is often about applying concepts in a classroom setting. That said, not all programs absolutely require a teaching license. Some admit students with a strong science background who aspire to teach or move into education roles outside of the classroom.

In summary, most MEd in Science Ed applicants are licensed science teachers or educators. If you’re not, though, be sure to check specific admission criteria for alternative pathways or conditional admission for applicants without a license.

Can I pursue a doctoral degree in science education once I’ve earned my MEd?

Since a master’s in science education is almost always required for admission into a science education doctorate program, it’s very possible. There are two doctoral degree types available. The PhD in Science Education offers a research-based curriculum to prepare graduates to fill top-level advanced research and postsecondary teaching positions. The EdD in Science Education, on the other hand, is designed to prepare graduates to fill top roles in school and instructional leadership and curriculum development.

After Graduation: What Can You Do with a MEd in Science Education?

Graduating with an MEd in Science Education, you’ll find that you have enhanced expertise and credentials that qualify you for a variety of professional positions. Most graduates continue to teach, but taking additional roles (like mentoring other teachers, leading science curriculum planning, or trying innovative teaching methods in their classrooms) is quite common.

Many MEd grads become science department heads or curriculum specialists. If you love working with fellow educators, you might move into an instructional coordinator job training teachers on best practices in science education. Some educators use the MEd as a springboard into administration, pursuing positions as principals or assistant principals.

Outside of K-12 schools, opportunities for science education MEd grads may include employment as education program directors at science museums, zoos, or nonprofit organizations that run STEM outreach. If you’re interested in higher education, community colleges sometimes hire MEd graduates as instructors for science or education courses. Overall, a Master’s in Science Education equips you with the knowledge, credibility, and leadership skills to advance along multiple career paths.

Here’s a look at five common occupations for MEd in Science Education degree holders:

Resources for Science Education Students & Professionals

• Edutopia: Science — Edutopia shares articles and videos on what works in education. Their Science section offers teacher-written articles on topics like project-based learning in science, classroom management during labs, and integrating technology in science lessons.
• Khan Academy (Science) — Khan Academy offers free, high-quality video lessons and practice exercises in biology, chemistry, physics, and more. It’s a great resource if you need to brush up on content knowledge or assign supplemental material to students.
• Lab Out Loud — Website featuring a blog and biweekly podcast for science educators, hosted by two teachers and sponsored by NSTA. Discussion topics include everything from new science curriculum ideas to interviews with scientists and authors in science education.
• NASA: For Educators — NASA’s official education portal provides lesson plans, student activities, and real mission data for K-12 classrooms. Whether it’s launching rockets or climate science, NASA has resources like videos, engineering design challenges, and even opportunities to connect with astronauts.
• National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) — The leading professional organization for science teachers. The NSTA site offers lesson plans, webinars, and journals like Science Teacher. It’s a treasure trove of teaching resources and also an online community. Check out their discussion forums and local events for networking with fellow science educators.
• Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) — The NGSS site provides the full NGSS standards and a library of support materials. You can read the standards by grade or topic and find classroom tasks, case studies, and curriculum planning guides to help implement three-dimensional science learning.
• PBS LearningMedia (Science) — PBS LearningMedia is a free repository of multimedia resources for teachers. In the Science section, you’ll find short videos, interactive lessons, and even entire modules produced by PBS and its affiliates (like NOVA and Nature). Excellent resource for enriching lesson plans with quality media content.
• PhET Interactive Simulations — Free online platform from University of Colorado Boulder with over 100 interactive simulations for science and math. PhET sims let students explore concepts like gravity, electricity, chemical reactions, etc., in a game-like environment. The site also provides teacher guides and activities for each sim.
• Science Friday: Educate — Website of the popular NPR science show. The site’s Educate page is full of free STEM activities and lessons developed by educators. These resources tie into Science Friday’s stories, so you can take cutting-edge science topics from the news and turn them into classroom lessons.
• STEM Teaching Tools — Research and development initiative of the University of Washington. The website offers practice briefs (each focused on a specific issue) and strategies to improve STEM instruction.

Ranking the Best Online MEd Programs in Science Education

Below is our list of the top online MEd in Science Education programs currently offered. Our ranking methodology draws on data from the U.S. Department of Education and over 7,700 colleges nationwide. We’ve compared programs by considering key criteria that matter most to students, including affordability (tuition rates and availability of financial aid), flexibility of online learning, accreditation status, and access to quality student support services (academic advising, career counseling, tech support, etc.). Read on to discover which programs made the cut.