education degrees

Online Master's in Education

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If you have program-specific questions, please contact OEL Associate Director Nicole Barone . 

Additional Information

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Today’s education landscape needs leaders like you — dynamic educators and innovators committed to making sustainable and scalable change for all students by building on your professional experience in PreK–12 classrooms and districts; on college and university campuses; or in philanthropies, nonprofits, policy organizations, and ed-tech initiatives.

That’s why the Harvard Graduate School of Education launched an online Master's in Education Leadership, a two-year, part-time Ed.M. program with Higher Education and PreK-12 pathways specifically designed for working education professionals who bring at least seven years of relevant or transferrable work experience. The program will strengthen the invaluable skills you’ve already developed and give you the tools to propel yourself to new leadership opportunities and to even greater impact.

“Skilled leadership is essential to creating opportunity and overcoming the longstanding inequities that create barriers to success. At HGSE, we are committed to helping you meet today’s complex challenges by becoming the type of leader education needs.” Bridget Long Dean and Saris Professor of Education and Economics Harvard Graduate School of Education

A New Option for Experienced Educators

The online Master's in Education Leadership from HGSE consists of a diverse cohort of professionals like you — leaders who are advancing in their careers, and who bring important perspectives grounded in real-world challenges. Our program is conducted almost exclusively online — except for one short on-campus experience, where you'll meet your cohort in person and build community prior to the start of the first fall semester.

The program offers a distinctive Harvard experience — including deep engagement and interaction with Harvard faculty and talented peers, as well as a lifelong professional network — within an intentionally designed curriculum and robust opportunities for mentorship and coaching. The program is career-embedded — so you can immediately apply what you are learning, in real time, to the work you are doing on the ground. 

Two Pathways: Higher Education and PreK–12

In the online Master’s in Education Leadership, you will choose between two Professional Pathways — Higher Education or PreK–12 — that align with the area of practice or the student community in which your work will make an impact. Students interested in advancing into senior leadership roles in colleges and universities, or in organizations that impact higher education, should study in the Higher Education Pathway . Students who want to do change-making work within the education ecosystem on behalf of students from early childhood to secondary education levels should select the PreK–12 Pathway .

Our prescribed curriculum is intentionally designed to meet your professional needs. It is anchored in both foundational knowledge and core competencies in education leadership related to the U.S. education system. You will also complete pathway-specific courses to advance your leadership in higher education or preK–12 education, as well as the Foundations courses. You will also have the opportunity to select courses from a small subset of electives. A minimum of 42 credits are required to graduate with an Ed.M. degree from HGSE.

The main elements of the curriculum are: 

Foundations Courses

Throughout the two-year program, you will participate in Foundations courses in four areas: How People Learn, Leading Change, Evidence, and Equity and Opportunity. Through the Foundations, you’ll build core skills central to the profession of education.

• The online Ed.M. program commences with How People Learn, which runs online June–July and requires a time commitment of 12–15 hours per week.  
• Additional Foundations learning goals and experiences tied to Leading Change and Equity and Opportunity will be incorporated into other required courses during your two-year program.

Professional Pathways

All students will choose between the Higher Education and PreK–12 Pathways. Throughout the program, you will take both cross-pathway courses and pathway-specific courses. Cross-pathway courses will allow you to develop leadership skills that are important across sectors, as well as have discussions about how higher education and preK–12 can work more effectively together. Cross-pathway courses include:

• Real Talk: The Art and Practice of Communications 
• Strategic Finance for Nonprofit Leaders

Pathway-specific courses are directed to the knowledge and skills important for leadership in the Pathway professional setting. 

Elective Coursework

Students will have the opportunity to choose from a curated list of electives during the optional January terms, and during the fall and spring of their second year. Sample elective courses: 

• Law and Higher Education
• Leading a School through Challenge and Crisis   
• Race, Equity, and Leadership 
• Teaching Exceptional Learners in Inclusive Classrooms 
• Why Can’t Higher Education Change? 
• Writing Workshop   

Note: Though some courses may include comparative and international examples, applicants should expect a focus on leadership within U.S. domestic educational institutions and systems. 

Leadership Core Competencies

To help you manage, lead, and implement change in complex organizations, our curriculum explores the core leadership competencies that you'll need to elevate your skills, knowledge, and expertise, wherever you are in your career. Throughout your coursework, you will strengthen your ability to:

• Lead change and think strategically 
• Foster productive organizational conditions 
• Navigate politics and practice political inclusion
• Communicate effectively 
• Cultivate self-development and team professional development skills 

Higher Education Pathway

All students will choose between the Higher Education and PreK–12 Pathways. The Higher Education Pathway prepares you to be a dynamic leader in a diverse range of postsecondary education contexts. It is designed to increase your knowledge of the practices, policies, processes, challenges, and opportunities in American postsecondary education. You will enhance your repertoire of strategies and management skills for tackling critical issues and introducing change — while preparing you to advance in your current career or move into other important leadership roles in higher education.  

Sample courses for the Higher Education Pathway: 

• Creating the Future of American Postsecondary Education 
• Higher Education Leadership & Governance 
• Student Affairs in Higher Education: Theory-Driven Practices to Help Students Thrive 

You will also have the opportunity to engage with accomplished leaders through HGSE’s unique President-in-Residence program. 

Students interested in the Higher Education Pathway currently hold administrative and mid-level leadership roles: 

• Colleges and universities, including in academic affairs, student affairs, admissions and enrollment management, advancement, and institutional research
• Nonprofit education organizations
• State and federal government agencies 
• Policy organizations focused on higher education

PreK–12 Pathway

All students will choose between the Higher Education and PreK–12 Pathways. The PreK–12 Pathway equips you to advance your leadership across the preK–12 landscape, including in such positions as teacher leader, principal, afterschool director, education agency representative, education nonprofit/philanthropic leader, or education entrepreneur.  

Sample courses for the PreK–12 Pathway: 

• Strategic Leadership in the PreK–12 Ecosystem 
• Creating Conditions for Effective School, Family, and Community Partnerships 
• Leading Learning

Students interested in the PreK-12 Pathway currently hold administrative and mid-level leadership roles in:

• PreK–12 schools, including as principals, assistant principals, and department heads
• Nonprofit education organizations (I.e., foundations, advocacy organizations, technical assistant organizations).
• Policy organizations focused on preK–12 education 

Projected Time Commitment

Courses combine synchronous meetings and asynchronous work and assignments. Live or synchronous aspects of required courses will occur on weekdays (Monday–Friday) between 6 and 9 p.m. ET . Some elective courses, outside the required curriculum, may be offered at alternative times. On average, this degree requires 12 to 18 hours of work per week, though the weekly commitment will vary by term, courses taken, and students' own work styles. Students can expect to spend approximately five to seven hours per week in synchronous online class sessions with faculty members and classmates. The remaining hours will be spent working independently on asynchronous class preparation, in self-scheduled small-group work with other students or working on assignments. 

Weekly Time Estimate

To complete the online Ed.M. in Education Leadership, students must complete 42 total credit hours of coursework over the two-year program. While the weekly time commitment varies, the graphic below provides a snapshot of the estimated weekly time commitment students may experience during the fall and spring semesters, when they will typically take 8 credits, the equivalent of two courses . 

Synchronous

Includes live, scheduled sessions with faculty members and other students.

Asynchronous

Self-paced activities, discussion posts, and other course-related work.

Assignments

Readings, projects, papers, research, etc.

Total Estimated Weekly Hours

Hours reflect estimates and vary by term, course, and student work style.

Occurs between Monday-Friday, according to a specific schedule.

Asynchronous work and assignments will have clear deadlines or milestones, but students can set their own schedules to complete this work. Note that there may be days or weeks during the semester that are busier than average, requiring more than the estimated time shown.

Program Faculty

The faculty co-chair for the Higher Education Pathway is Francesca Purcell . The faculty co-chair for the PreK–12 Pathway is Irvin Scott .

Faculty Co-Chairs

Francesca Purcell

Francesca Purcell is a specialist in higher education policy and practice, with expertise on topics including college completion, student transfer, and developmental education.

Irvin Leon Scott

A former teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, chief academic officer, and foundation leader, Irvin Scott's focus is on education leadership and faith-based education.

James P. Honan

Karen L. Mapp

Timothy Patrick McCarthy

Mary Grassa O'Neill

Alexis Redding

On-Campus Experience

Prior to kicking off your first fall semester, you will participate in the On-Campus Institute, an immersive experience on the HGSE campus in Cambridge. This will provide the opportunity to not only form deep relationships with your cohort, but also learn together with the faculty and advisers with whom you will spend two years. The immersive residential experience is a core component to the two-year degree program that is required of all students in the program. 

Over several days in late July and/or early August, you and your fellow peers will discuss your professional experiences and examine some of the persistent challenges in your organizations. You will immerse yourself in rich exercises and community building, set expectations of what it means to be in a rigorous HGSE degree program, and set intentions for yourself, your cohort, and your course of study. 

Career Pathways

The Master's in Education Leadership Program prepares you to advance to a senior leadership role in a variety of career pathways, including:

• Academic affairs 
• Admissions and financial aid
• Development
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Institutional research
• Student affairs

PreK-12 Pathway

• Education entrepreneur
• Executive director for an education nonprofit
• Principal* or head of school 
• Program officer for a foundation 
• School department head
• School designer and developer
• School district or network leader
• Teacher leader

Overall Program

• Education nonprofit CEO/COO 
• Educational advocate and organizer 
• Entrepreneur 

*Note: This program is not able to provide principal certification at this time.

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Program Highlights

Explore examples of the Online Master's in Education experience and the impact its community is making on the field:

The Impact We Hope to Have

Kamal James and Inella Ray will be honored with the Intellectual Contribution Award for the Online Master's in Education Program

Same Questions, One Year Apart

Online Master’s in Education students reflect on their first year in the program

What You Need to Know About Becoming an Education Major

Education majors learn the theory and art of teaching to help make an impact inside and outside the classroom.

Becoming an Education Major

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An education major prepares students to better understand the learning process as well as the different factors that can affect a student’s ability to learn and engage in school.

Education majors explore the ways people learn and how best to teach others. If preparing to work in a classroom, these students examine how to create engaging lesson plans and assess student learning. Whether or not they plan to teach, education majors might also study developmental and sociocultural theories to inform their knowledge of human growth and how it affects students' ability to learn. With a degree in education, graduates can become instructors or advance the education field via policy and nonprofit work.

What Is an Education Major?

An education major prepares students to better understand the learning process as well as the different factors, including environmental, social, cultural and psychological influences, that can affect a student’s ability to learn and engage in school. Education majors study theories and practices of teaching and might focus their coursework on a specific age group or area of interest, such as literature, math or science.

In addition to coursework, many programs provide education majors an opportunity to gain firsthand, real-world experience teaching, developing curriculums and conducting assessments. Coursework and clinical experiences reinforce the interpersonal and organizational skills that will serve education majors well as they pursue careers in the education field.

Common Coursework Education Majors Can Expect

Coursework for education majors varies by school and individual program. A typical curriculum might cover education theory, child development and contemporary issues in education. For Georgia State University students selecting a concentration in early childhood education, classes might also include Art and Music for Early Childhood and Writing and Composing in the Digital Age. Students focusing on middle school education, meanwhile, might take classes in a particular area of interest. For example, an education major interested in teaching social science might take anthropology or economics.

Most education programs also include coursework in assessment and curriculum development, and many programs offer students the chance to gain hands-on experience teaching and evaluating student learning via internships in community- and school-based settings.

How to Know if This Major Is the Right Fit for You

An education major might be a good fit for you if you enjoy learning and helping others better understand the world around them. Many education majors also desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Beyond teaching facts and concepts, education majors who work in a classroom might serve as mentors, helping students develop emotionally and socially. If you prefer to work outside the classroom and have a passion for improving education access and equity, an education major can also prepare you to pursue research and policy-related careers.

Pick the Perfect Major

Discover the perfect major for you based on your innate wiring. The Innate Assessment sets you up for success by pairing you with majors, colleges and careers that fit your unique skills and abilities.

What Can I Do With an Education Major?

Many education majors pursue careers as teachers in various school settings , while others might go into a related field, such as education policy, curriculum development or health care. Some education graduates might also be interested in careers at nonprofits or governmental organizations that serve to advance education in the U.S. and abroad. For example, some students might participate in programs such as Teach for America and the Peace Corps.

Depending on their career goals and interests, education majors might also consider advanced degree programs in administration and leadership, psychology, or special education. Students who pursue an advanced degree can prepare for careers as school principals, school counselors or policy leaders.

Schools Offering an Education Major

Check out some schools below that offer education majors and find the full list of schools here that you can filter and sort.

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Master’s Programs in Education

Additional Information

• Download the Master's Viewbook

As you embrace the next chapter in your development as an educator, innovator, and leader, consider a graduate program that builds on a century of innovation, that’s grounded in the skills every educator needs, and that fully supports your current work and future aspirations.

At the Harvard Graduate School of Education, our master’s degree program is driven by passion and empowered by evidence. We share a vision of education where every learner has an opportunity to be seen, to be challenged, to excel, and to reach their full potential. We are motivated by urgency to build a future that recognizes and overcomes grinding systemic inequities.

Whether you seek to make an impact in early education, in K–12 districts and networks, or in higher education — or whether you want to drive educational change outside of those realms — you belong at HGSE. 

No matter which program you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with HGSE’s world-class faculty, build a sustained community of practice and a lifelong professional network, and gain the preparation necessary to grow, advance, and become the type of leader that education needs.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education offers the Master's in Education (Ed.M.) degree in two formats —  residential and online — and in a variety of programs.

Residential Master's

HGSE’s  on-campus master’s degree is a one-year, full-time, immersive Harvard experience. You'll apply directly to one of its five distinct programs, spanning education leadership and entrepreneurship, education policy, human development, teaching and teacher leadership, and learning design and technology. 

Online Master's

Our Online Master's in Education  is a part-time, two-year, online program in education leadership. It is designed for experienced professionals who want to advance in their careers and deepen their impact. The online program in education leadership offers a choice of two pathways, preK–12 or higher education, that complement your career and chosen area of impact.  

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.