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Build professional skills that fit your career goals with an MS in Education
As an educator, you go above and beyond to help students thrive. The MS in Education program at Capella is designed to strengthen your fundamental skills and help build your expertise in one of eight specializations.
Master of Science in Education program overview
The MS in Education program is designed for professional educators who want to develop advanced skills and knowledge in educational theory and practice. Your chosen specialization will help you prepare to meet specific challenges in the field.
As an MS in Education student, you’ll begin with core courses that lay the foundation for your program and strengthen your skills as an educator. From there, you’ll move into the coursework for your chosen specialization to grow your expertise and advance toward your final project.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
Applicants to the MS in Education program must provide the following information for admission:
- A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official bachelor’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation and other administrative costs
- Some specializations have additional requirements
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
View full admission requirements for MS in Education specializations: Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education Studies, English Language Learning and Teaching, Instructional Design for Online Learning, Leadership in Educational Administration, Reading and Literacy, Special Education Teaching
The total cost of your master’s program will depend on your specialization, scholarships and finances, transfer credits, academic performance and other factors.
View detailed tuition information and cost scenarios for each specialization: Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education Studies, English Language Learning and Teaching, Instructional Design for Online Learning, Leadership in Educational Administration, Reading and Literacy, Special Education Teaching
Are you looking for FlexPath?
Available for select specializations, our self-paced learning format lets you take classes at your pace and on your budget.
Choosing an MS in Education specialization
Every MS in Education journey is different. Your chosen specialization can help you leverage your unique passions and interests to build advanced expertise for the next phases of your career as an educator.*
- Learning outcomes
- Professional paths to explore
Curriculum and Instruction
- Understand how to instruct, design and assess learning
- Evaluate and incorporate research to enrich practice and theory in curriculum
Early Childhood Education
- Understand the stages of child development and how children learn
- Create learning environments that nurture the development, learning and self-esteem of all children
Early Childhood Education Studies
- Understand the stages of child development and how children learn
- Create learning environments that nurture the development, learning and self-esteem of all children
English Language Learning and Teaching
- Use technology effectively to meet the needs of the learner
- Demonstrate cultural competence in order to strengthen cross-cultural understanding, create a climate of inclusiveness and promote learning
Instructional Design for Online Learning
- Demonstrate skill in instructional design
- Manage instructional design projects
Leadership in Educational Administration
- Facilitate the development of a shared vision of learning
- Manage effective learning environments
Reading and Literacy
- Instruct through the use of reading and literacy strategies for student achievement
- Integrate research and theory in practice
Special Education Teaching
- Understand the role and structure of special education within the educational system
- Plan, implement and evaluate curriculum and instructional strategies to enhance and promote learning
Curriculum and Instruction
- Research employment settings in classrooms, buildings or districts
- Job titles to explore include K–12 teacher, instructional coordinator, curriculum specialist and education consultant
Early Childhood Education
- Employment settings to explore include a variety of education settings, from public or private school to day care
- Research job titles such as pre-K teacher, preschool teacher and Head Start teacher
Early Childhood Education Studies
- Explore employment settings in childhood education and family services
- Research job titles such as early childhood specialist, early childhood curriculum designer and preschool lead teacher
English Language Learning and Teaching
- Employment settings to explore include diverse educational settings
- Research job titles such as English as a second language (ESL) teacher and adult basic education teacher
Instructional Design for Online Learning
- Explore employment settings in a variety of public or private educational environments
- Research job titles such as instructional designer, training specialist and training manager
Leadership in Educational Administration
- Explore employment settings in various educational environments
- Research job titles such as principal, assistant principal, athletic director, education coordinator and director of admission
Reading and Literacy
- Employment settings to explore include a wide range of educational environments
- Research job titles such as reading specialist, reading intervention teacher and instructional coach
Special Education Teaching
- Employment settings to explore include special education settings
- Research job titles such as special education teacher, special education lead teacher, or adjunct or part-time faculty of education courses
*Capella cannot guarantee any specific job, promotion, salary increase or other career outcomes. You will need to conduct your own research to understand what opportunities may be available to you. Note that some career paths may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications or other designations along with a degree.
Why choose the MS in Education at Capella University?
Maximize your transfer credits
You may be able to reduce tuition and time to complete your degree with up to 12 transfer credits.
Scholar-practitioner faculty
We have more than 200 faculty members who teach in our P–12 programs, many of whom also teach and work in districts across the country, providing authentic experiences around best practices and innovative ideas.
Support every step of the way
Experts will support you throughout your degree program to help you meet challenges and reach your short- and long-term goals.