What Is an Accelerated Online Master’s Degree in Education?
Warner Pacific University’s accelerated online Master of Education (MEd) degree program is an advanced academic offering for licensed teachers aiming to enhance their professional credentials and expertise.
This 100% online program is designed to facilitate lifelong learning and career advancement by providing endorsement opportunities in three areas:
- Special Education (SPED)
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Reading Interventionist
The online MEd degree empowers educators to earn credits toward renewing or advancing their Oregon Teaching License while developing the skills to improve learning outcomes for all students in the classroom.
The curriculum includes a focus on the latest educational theories, research, and strategies, with a strong emphasis on reading, literacy, and the role of language in education. The program incorporates culturally responsive methodologies, equipping teachers with both the pedagogical skills and the leadership abilities needed to excel in diverse educational settings.
What Does the Accelerated Online MEd Format Entail?
The online master’s degree in education is built for busy educators, so all accelerated courses take just six weeks to complete, allowing students to earn their degree in as little as 18 months. Students in the Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS) programs complete one course at a time, and all online MEd courses use an asynchronous format to accommodate working professionals across the state.
Our expert faculty work in the field and enhance the curriculum with their own professional experiences and perspectives on the latest pedagogical methods. Plus, a learning cohort model allows for greater interaction with instructors and encourages connection with peers in the classroom.
What Can You Do With an Online Master’s Degree in Education?
An online master’s degree in education opens doors to a wide range of career possibilities, especially when coupled with specialized tracks that align with SPED, ESOL, and Reading Interventionist endorsements.
Graduates can pursue advanced teaching positions that require these specific endorsements, allowing them to work with diverse student populations — including those with functional needs or nonnative English speakers.
An MEd program can also help prepare educators for roles in curriculum development or departmental leadership, allowing graduates to influence teaching strategies and educational policy. It can also provide pathways into higher education or corporate training roles, where graduates can apply their expertise in adult education and professional development settings.
Master’s Degree in Education Careers
The specialized knowledge gained from an MEd degree program can lead to specialized leadership positions in education:
| SPED Teacher
Special education teachers work with students who have a range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities, adapting general education lessons and teaching various subjects to students with mild and moderate disabilities. |
ESOL Teacher
ESOL teachers specialize in teaching English to students whose first language is not English, using specific strategies to improve their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in English. |
| Reading Interventionist
Reading interventionists work with students who exhibit reading challenges, employing specialized instructional strategies to enhance their reading skills, comprehension, and overall literacy development. |
Instructional Coordinator
Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards to develop instructional material, coordinate its implementation, and assess its effectiveness. |
Master’s Degree in Education Salary Information
An online MEd degree opens doors to new opportunities for impact, but also salary gains. Individuals with advanced education degrees earn the following median annual salaries:
| Special Education Teacher | ESOL Teacher |
| $65,910* | $60,560* |
| Reading Interventionist | Instructional Coordinator |
| $50,000** | $74,620* |
| *Salary data per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2023.
**Approximate salary data per Payscale as of December 2024. |
|
Accelerated Online Master’s Degree in Education Curriculum
The accelerated online master’s in education degree begins with a 15-credit core, blending advanced teaching methods, pedagogy, research, current education topics, and reflections on classroom practices. From here, students select from one of the three 15-to-22-credit endorsement tracks below. In total, the accelerated MEd program is 30 to 37 credits and can be completed in 18 months to two years.
Core Program Coursework
ED 510A | Teaching to Diversity in Today’s Classrooms | 3 credits
ED 540A | Utilizing Instructional Media | 3 credits
ED 560A | Research for Teachers | 2 credits
ED 564A | Ethics in Education | 2 credits
ED 595AA | Capstone Experience | 1 credit
ED 595BA | Capstone Experience | 1 credit
ED 660A | Research Design | 3 credits
Along with all coursework, students must present a thesis project to graduate. All coursework must be completed within six years of a student’s start date.
ESOL Endorsement Emphasis
Candidates learn research-based strategies for teaching students who are learning English as an additional language, including partnering with general education teachers on interventions to increase literacy and language development. Candidates influence classroom policy for English learners, assisting students in becoming successful participants in school and society while honoring their rich cultural and linguistic heritage.
ED 621A | Assessment Practices for English Language Learners | 2 credits
ED 631A | Cross-Cultural Foundations | 3 credits
ED 652A | Curriculum and Instruction for English Language Learners | 3 credits
ED 672A | Linguistics for ESOL Educators | 3 credits
ED 688A | Leadership in ESOL Programs and Models | 2 credits
ED 693A | ESOL Practicum | 2 credits
Reading Interventionist Endorsement Emphasis
Candidates will gain the knowledge, skills, professional dispositions, and cultural competencies necessary to guide students to a successful outcome in a reading intervention learning environment. The teacher develops a base of professional knowledge, expands effective instructional strategies, refines assessment and data interpretation skills, and can recognize specific reading challenges and risk factors for students.
ED 592A | Reading/Literacy Practicum | 2 credits
ED 620A | Principles of Reading Assessment, Diagnosis, and Intervention | 2 credits
ED 651A | Best Practices in Literacy Instructions and Curriculum | 3 credits
ED 670A | Foundations of Language and Literacy | 3 credits
ED 671A | Literacy Instruction for Special Needs Students | 2 credits
ED 676A | Literacy Instruction for ELL Students | 2 credits
ED 689A | Leadership in Literacy Programs | 2 credits
Special Education (SPED) Track
Receiving a SPED endorsement allows education professionals to teach exceptional individuals and encourage equitable learning across all student populations. With greater demand for special education teachers, this track’s curriculum allows current professionals to acquire the skills to better serve these students.
SPED 501 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 credits
SPED 502 | Human Development and Exceptional Learners | 3 credits
SPED 510 | Assessment and Evaluation in SPED | 3 credits
SPED 520 | Instructional Best Practices in Special Education | 3 credits
SPED 522 | Classroom Management for SPED Educators (30-hour practicum) | 3 credits
SPED 530 | Case Management and Collaboration | 3 credits
SPED 690 | Student Teaching (80-hour placement) | 4 credits
Requirements for the Accelerated Online Master’s Degree in Education
Thinking about advancing your teaching career with an MEd? Individuals who are interested in enrolling in WPU’s accelerated MEd program must:
- Complete an application for admission
- Have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better; if admission GPA is under 3.0, applicant may supply a letter explaining any mitigating circumstances that affected their undergraduate GPA
- Include official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended
- Have an active teaching license
Endorsement Requirements
Students in the online MEd program have the opportunity to add one or more endorsements to their Oregon Teaching License.
To receive an endorsement:
- A candidate must complete a preparation program approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), such as the WPU MEd program.
- When the candidate finishes the program, WPU will submit a program completion report (PCR) to the TSPC office.
- The candidate must also submit an application, a fee, and official transcripts.
- In applying for an endorsement, the candidate must take a subject test through one of TSPC’s partnering centers.
Review the full process for earning an endorsement.
Enlighten Young Minds With WPU’s Online MEd Degree
The accelerated online Master of Education degree program reflects WPU Online’s deep commitment to diversity and inclusion, serving a culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse student body that will then go on to serve equally diverse communities.
WPU’s graduate education programs, including the MEd and the Master of Arts in Teaching, are underpinned by a university-wide Christian ethos that emphasizes moral integrity and service, preparing educators to meet the varying needs of students in a pluralistic society. Are you ready to enlighten young minds and empower future generations? It’s time to join us at WPU Online.
To learn more, contact PGS Admissions at 800-804-1510, or request additional information today.
Questions?
Our Education faculty would love to hear from you.
