By TED Staff
March 2021
Whether you are a current teacher looking to advance your resume and skillset, or you’re just getting into the teaching profession, a master’s degree in educational technology is a great option! Of course, earning an entire degree whilst teaching full-time and/or taking care of a family is much easier said than done.
That’s why Top Education Degrees went on the hunt for the 20 best educational technology master’s degrees that can be completed entirely online, from anywhere in the world. To determine our ranking, we began by listing any and every college and university offering just such a degree. We then researched each online degree program, allocating points based on the following system:
Annual Out-of-State Tuition:
$10,000 or Less — 5 points
$20,000 or Less — 4 points
$30,000 or Less — 3 points
$40,000 or Less — 2 points
$50,000 or Less — 1 point
Annual Percentage of 20-Year Net Return on Investment (ROI):
9%+ — 5 points
7-8% — 4 points
5-6% — 3 points
3-4% — 2 points
1-2% — 1 point
Graduation Rate:
Above 90% — 5 points
Above 80% — 4 points
Above 70% — 3 points
Above 60% — 2 points
Above 50% — 1 point
Student-to-Faculty Ratio:
5:1 and more — 4 points
10:1 and more — 3 points
15:1 and more — 2 points
20:1 and more — 1 point
#20. University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign
Online Master of Education in Learning Design and Leadership: New Learning
Champaign, Illinois
Annual Tuition: $27,187
Total Points: 8
University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign offers an online master’s of education in learning design and leadership: a new learning degree that comes with multiple online learning supports, including Behind the Blackboard for 24/7 help. The curriculum includes these courses: new learning; technological and educational reform; learning and human development with educational technology; independent study; and e-learning ecologies. To apply to the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign’s 32 credit hour, online ME in Learning Design and Leadership: New Learning degree, send transcripts with a minimum 3.0 GPA, personal statement, resume, letters of reference, and $70 fee.
#19. Fort Hays State University
Online Master of Science in Instructional Technology
Hays, Kansas
Annual Tuition: $10,602
Total Points: 9
The Fort Hays State University master of science in instructional technology online degree is a 36 credit hour program that concludes with a comprehensive exam. Applicants for this degree should have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or better and be able to provide two letters of recommendation and an essay on their interest in instructional technology. Fort Hays State University’s online MS in instructional technology curriculum is delivered in 4,8, and 16-week terms and offers three start dates per year.
#18. University of Central Florida
Online Master of Arts in Instructional Design and Technology
Orlando, Florida
Annual Tuition: $25,759
Total Points: 10
The University of Central Florida features an online M.A. in Instructional Design and Technology. The program prefers to help you in your current teaching situation to efficiently and effectively integrate the ever-shifting professional expectations and needs of students. According to the school, you can possibly choose to learn how to be computer teachers. University of Central Florida’s MA in instructional design and technology wants you to be aware that you can technically get your degree completely online, though some classes are in-person at this time.
#17. Pittsburg State University
Online Master of Science in Educational Technology
Pittsburg, Kansas
Annual Tuition: $17,652
Total Points: 10
In completing your online masters of science in educational technology degree at Pittsburg State University, your focus will be on the role of the technology integration specialist. Three areas of focus are available: thesis option; research; or coursework. Pittsburg State University recommends the following career possibilities for graduates with the program’s online MEd in educational technology: curriculum specialist; educational technology advisor; and instructional technology specialist. The 36-39 credit hour program includes these courses: digital portfolio; design and production of instructional materials; administration of instructional systems; and infrastructure networking.
#16. Sam Houston State University
Online Master of Education in Instructional Systems Design and Technology
Huntsville, Texas
Annual Tuition: $13,127
Total Points: 10
Sam Houston State University has a master of education in instructional systems design and technology. Courses are half computer science-related and half curriculum & instruction, all of which support your professionalism. Critical content in your studies will range from the role of technology liaison to educational multimedia and analysis of a management application. Sam Houston State University’s 30-credit MEd in instructional systems design and technology expects you to meet technical proficiency. Program support comes from those in creative services and online operations. Support for teaching comes from online instructional resources.
#15. Florida State University
Online Master of Science in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies
Tallahassee, Florida
Annual Tuition: $24,116
Total Points: 11
Non-Florida residents who are accepted into Florida State University’s online master of science in instructional systems and learning technologies program may be eligible for reduced tuition. The emphases of the degree are on instructional design, emerging technologies, and performance improvement. The 36 credit hour degree may be completed in two years and focuses on the following elements: instructional design; performance improvement; and emerging technologies. Applicants to Florida State University’s MISLT online degree should submit the following: transcripts that show a minimum 3.0 GPA; GRE scores; statement of purpose; three letters of recommendation; and a resume.
#14. University of Arkansas
Online Master of Education in Educational Technology
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Annual Tuition: $21,032
Total Points: 11
The University of Arkansas estimates you will need a year and a half to complete the master of education in educational technology online. Entry into the program does not require GRE scores. You can be admitted for any terms. The University of Arkansas’s online MEd in educational technology consists of 34 credits which have been made as affordable as possible, partially through state-based scholarships such as the teacher opportunity program (TOP) that grants some tuition remission as long your GPA stays above 2.5 in the program.
#13. East Carolina University
Online Master of Arts in Education in Instructional Technology
Greenville, North Carolina
Annual Tuition: $17.898
Total Points: 11
East Carolina University’s master of education in instructional technology stresses a balance of study and a busy career. You and your cohort will be guided toward leadership positions in public schools. A minimum of 24 credits must come from required courses in the MAED program of studies. Students must complete an internship that is supervised by an individual with very specific license requirements. This internship will require that you put in 110 observation hours. The East Carolina University online MAEd in instructional technology is thirty-six credits, the last section of which will be a representative IT portfolio.
#12. Dakota State University
Online Master of Science in Educational Technology
Madison, South Dakota
Annual Tuition: $11,088
Total Points: 11
Dakota State University has a 100% online master of science in educational technology degree that requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7, recent and sufficient GRE scores, and a clear explanation of your level of competency in technological applications. You will not need certification or a degree in education. Dakota State University’s online MSET degree consists of thirty credits, seven of which are your elective choice. To graduate you will need to submit an exit portfolio demonstrative of your academic progress and training. If you teach in South Dakota, check out the available reduced tuition rates.
#11. Minnesota State University, Mankato
Online Master of Science in Educational Technology
Mankato, Minnesota
Annual Tuition: $7,994
Total Points: 11
Minnesota State University – Mankato stresses the expanding need for technological assistance for K-16 students. The initial class in the online master of science in learning and technology program is called professional teacher, leader, scholar, which covers your role as one who does the research as well as the instruction. For your personal direction, electives are restricted to your choice of twenty-one credit hours that cover major areas, such as social media tools, instructional games and simulations, and designing online training. A capstone course will complete your online MS in education technology at Minnesota State University – Mankato, but you can choose among three alternatives: a plan paper; a creative project; or a thesis.
#10. Western Governors University
Online Master of Education in Learning and Technology
Salt Lake City, Utah
Annual Tuition: $7,500
Total Points: 11
Operating completely online as a school, Western Governors University has developed a strong master of education in learning and technology degree. If you are invested in new possibilities for your career, you should know that WGU has you in mind, even if you are not currently teaching and have to balance private sector work as you complete the degree. Western Governors University notes that it is not required to be a licensed teacher to get into the online MEd in learning and technology degree, which the school says takes around 18 months for most students.
#9. West Texas A&M University
Online Master of Education in Instructional Design
Canyon, Texas
Annual Tuition: $5,832
Total Points: 11
West Texas A&M University’s department of education stresses how you will be able to market your online master’s degree in instructional design. Students will train to be a technology professional of some sort, with a number of suggestions supplied by the site. The West Texas A&M University online MEd in instructional design and technology can be completed in as few as eighteen months with summer sessions and is run by Dr. Richard Rose, who emphasizes the high evaluations his project has earned as well as his technical qualifications to direct and support the program.
#8. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Online Master of Education in Learning, Design, and Technology
Charlotte, North Carolina
Annual Tuition: $17.771
Total Points: 12
The University of North Carolina Charlotte’s 33-credit fully online master of education in learning design and technology trains you to enter a private sector position as well as becoming a specialist for K-12 schools, according to the site. The school has three main concentrations (i.e., school specialist, online learning and teaching, and training and development) and stresses the flexibility of the degree. University of North Carolina Charlotte recommends you apply what you learn in the online MEd in learning design and technology to increase the likelihood of teaching other teachers what you have gained in UNC Charlotte.
#7. University of North Dakota
Online Master of Education in Instructional Design & Technology
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Annual Tuition: $16,590
Total Points: 12
The 34 credit online master education in instructional design and technology at the University of North Dakota can be completed in about two years. With three admit dates per year, this highly flexible program is especially veteran-friendly. There are three areas of emphasis available in the University of North Dakota MEd in instructional design and technology program: K-12; corporate; and computer and web-based instruction. Applicants to the program should be prepared to include a statement of career goals and an 800-word essay on one of three provided topics with the admissions packet.
#6. Texas Tech University
Online Master of Education in Instructional Technology
Lubbock, Texas
Annual Tuition: $14,968
Total Points: 12
Texas Tech University features a 36-credit, online master’s of education degree in instructional technology degree. The program has six broad academic goals, which include the following areas and learning outcomes: theories and models of instructional design; utilization of processes and resources to promote learning; management of technologies, resources, and development for instructional purposes; and evaluation of programs, projects, and materials. Among Texas Tech University’s application requirements for their online master’s degree in instructional technology are official transcripts, resume, applicant statement, writing sample, three professional recommendations, and GRE scores.
#5. University of Florida
Online Master of Education with a concentration in Educational Technology
Gainesville, Florida
Annual Tuition: $27,335
Total Points: 13
The University of Florida has developed an educational technology master’s degree for students seeking totally online study. The degree may be completed in two years with two courses per session. The Ed Tech concentration is 12 credit hours with the following courses: foundations of educational technology; instructional design; designing integrated media environments; and issues and trends in educational technology research. To apply to the University of Florida’s masters of education in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in educational technology program, submit transcripts with minimum 3.0 GPA, three letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and resume. No GRE is required.
#4. Concordia University – Saint Paul
Online Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Educational Technology
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Annual Tuition: $8,550
Total Points: 13
Concordia University-Saint Paul has a 30 credit hour, online master of arts in educational technology degree, with the stated goal of equipping teachers with the skills to maximize their use of technology in order to enhance student achievement. The curriculum includes the following courses: principles of digital teaching and learning; virtual classrooms – field experiences; course development; and ethical issues for professional educators. Students in Concordia University-Saint Paul’s online MA in Educational Technology program should contact the CSP Help Desk website to learn the technological requirements for the computer that will be used in your coursework.
#3. University of Virginia
Online Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction w/ an emphasis on Instructional Technology
Charlottesville, Virginia
Annual Tuition: $28,604
Total Points: 15
The University of Virginia’s Curry School has an online master of education in curriculum instruction that may take five years part-time. Full-time students may finish in two semesters and a summer. You and your cohort will focus on one among ten areas of emphasis: from instructional technology to applied behavior analysis to educational innovation. The site notes that the University of Virginia’s online MEd in curriculum instruction has the support of a highly-rated institution as well as signature endorsements in educational disciplines of ESL and gifted. You can be admitted with a baccalaureate degree, two letters of reference, and a GRE score.
#2. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Online Master of Arts in Education in Instructional Technology
Blacksburg, Virginia
Annual Tuition: $27,614
Total Points: 15
Virginia Tech’s master of arts in education in instructional technology consists of thirty credit hours of online coursework. The degree is structured to support your goals whether in the spirit of professional improvement in the public sector or if you seek the corporate sector or other callings beyond academia. Among the most crucial core coursework design is led by a faculty in the field and those that produce theoretical and practical approaches. Courses in Virginia Tech’s MAEd in instructional technology have three designations: core, research, and concentrations, including visual literacy. Before you graduate you will produce a portfolio that clearly conveys what you have mastered.
#1. North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Online Master of Education in STEM Education with a concentration in Engineering and Technology
Raleigh, North Carolina
Annual Tuition: $26,421
Total Points: 15
North Carolina State University at Raleigh has an online master of education in stem education – engineering and technology degree that features three areas of concentration: mathematics and statistics education; science education; and engineering. The concentrations share one course. The program can be completed in two years for full-time students, or three to four years for part-time students. To apply to North Carolina State University at Raleigh’s 30 credit hour, online M.Ed in stem education, engineering, and technology degree, submit transcripts showing a 3.0 GPA, three references, narrative written personal statement, and an undergraduate degree in science or science education.
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