Why get a Master of Education degree in educational studies?
The M.Ed. in educational studies is designed for educators who wish to expand their knowledge, improve their educational practice and positively impact public and private schools. It also provides a foundation for education in a variety of settings, including business, educational and research centers, and national and state agencies. You’ll analyze current teaching, learning and mentoring methods; examine issues such as school reform; and undertake an in-depth research project. Whether you’re interested in educational practice, STEM learning, policy and management, or legal issues, you’ll expand your career options and bring positive change to the education system.
Why choose UNH for your education degree?
The educational studies program is intentionally flexible, allowing you to further your education while maintaining your job and juggling the demands of family and everyday life. Small class sizes make it easy to get to know your professors and fellow students, and you’ll have the opportunity to study exclusively online or take elective courses on campus. Online courses are offered asynchronously, meaning you may complete readings and assignments on your own time. You’ll be connected with a full-time faculty advisor who will help you develop a manageable academic schedule. Start your program in January, May or August!
Potential career areas
- Academic counseling
- Admissions counseling
- Business training management
- Charter school directorship
- Education consultation
- Education lobbying
- Education policy development
- Instructional coordination
- Research
Curriculum & Requirements
The Master of Education in Educational Studies is a master’s degree program that can be completed fully or partially online. It is designed for educators who wish to expand their knowledge of education, improve their educational practice, and positively impact public and private schools. The M.Ed. is also intended to provide a foundation in educational studies for individuals broadly interested in education in a variety of settings, including business, educational and research centers, and national and state agencies. The program provides a context in which participants can develop tools of inquiry to investigate questions about teaching, mentoring, learning and school reform, and to inspire others to work toward educational change. This program does not lead to a teaching or administrative credential.
The program is structured around a knowledge and application core that includes a course on contemporary issues in education, a course on the analysis of teaching, mentoring and learning, and a course on educational research methods. Program participants will also complete electives, designed to provide depth or breadth to their course of study. Finally, program participants will complete an inquiry project course in which they develop a literature review on an educational issue of their choice, conduct research, and present their findings in the context of the course. The program includes flexible options for study, including a fully online option.
Please visit the Graduate School website for detailed instructions about applying to the program.
The M.Ed. in Educational Studies requires a minimum of 30 credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Required Courses | ||
| EDUC 959 | Issues in Education | 4 |
| EDUC 958 | Analysis of Teaching and Learning | 4 |
| EDUC 882 | Introduction to Research Methods | 4 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select four elective courses 1 | 14-16 | |
| Concluding Experience Course | ||
| EDUC 884 | Educators as Researchers | 4 |
| Total Credits | 30-32 | |
- 1
Program participants choose a set of four elective courses in consultation with their advisor, reflecting their personal, professional, and academic interests, needs, and goals. The electives are intended to provide breadth and depth to each participant’s course of study. At least two electives must be courses in the Education Department at UNH (8 credits). The other two elective courses may be taken in education, another department at UNH, or another approved institution with the appropriate permission and consistent with Graduate School transfer credit policies (6 – 8 credits, depending on school / department). Electives can be online, hybrid, or face-to-face courses.
- Students will learn how to analyze and critique issues in education.
- Students will apply learning theory to educational issues in both formal and informal learning contexts.
- Students will learn to critique and design educational research.
- Students will gain expertise in one or more substantive areas of inquiry in educational research, policy, and/or practice.
Deadlines
- Fall: August 1
- Spring: December 1
- Summer: May 1
- Special: Applications accepted on a rolling basis between September-May, with priority consideration for applicants who submit application and supplemental materials by deadlines
Application fee: $65
Campus: Online
New England Regional: MA RI
Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.
If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
Letters of recommendation: 3 required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Personal Statement/Essay Questions
In no more than two pages, describe the reasons you wish to pursue the degree program you have chosen, including relevant personal qualities and life experiences that have shaped your beliefs about learning, development and teaching, counseling, or administration (depending on the program to which you are applying).
Statements must be included with your submitted application.
International Applicants
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
Questions
For program-specific application questions, please contact the department directly.
Explore Program Details
New Hampshire Teacher Education Scholarship
The College of Liberal Arts at UNH offers tuition scholarships to non-degree students who are full-time teachers or principals in New Hampshire K-12 schools. Those who are awarded a scholarship will pay a tuition rate of $450 per credit, up to a total of 12 credits (plus applicable fees) once the scholarship is applied. Eligible teachers and principals may enroll in pertinent courses (in education, languages, history, etc.) offered either online or in-person as part of the regular course schedule (fall, spring, summer and J-term).
Additional financial aid information can be found on the department Financial Aid page.
1) Does this program lead to teaching certification?
No. This program does not lead to a teaching certification. If you are interested in teacher certification, please contact the Coordinator of Teacher Preparation.
2) How strict is the policy regarding elective courses and can I transfer in any I have taken outside of UNH or courses I took as a non-degree student at UNH?
The program allows for flexibility in regard to course offerings. UNH students can request to transfer in a maximum of two graduate level courses (8 credits) taken outside of UNH, with the advisor’s approval. Students must have earned at least a “B” in each course. These courses cannot have been used in obtaining another degree or certificate. Professional development trainings are not transferable, nor are CEUs. Students can also request to transfer up to 12 credits of UNH courses taken as a non-degree student. However, the overall maximum number of credits allowed to transfer from within and outside of UNH in is 12. This means that if a student transfers 8 credits outside of UNH, they can only transfer in 4 UNH non-degree credits.
3) Are required courses offered every semester? How are the E-term courses different from the face-to-face courses offered at the university?
Yes. Typically, one to two required courses are offered each E-term. This program has courses offered in five different E-terms. E-terms are different than the traditional UNH academic calendar. The E-Term schedule includes intensive eight-week courses. There are two E-terms in the Fall, two in the Spring, and one in the Summer. Each course is typically four credits and is an accelerated version of a typical 15-16 week semester course. In other words, the same amount of material is covered, but in a shorter time span. It is recommended that you work with your advisor to determine how many courses per e-term are best for you and your circumstance.
4) Are electives offered every semester?
Yes. Typically, 3-5 electives are offered within the Education department each E-term. Please note that students can take up to two electives outside of the Education department at UNH.
5) Do I need to register for two courses each semester or can I register for 1 (choose 1 E-term each semester)?
Students are not required to register for each E-term and many choose to register for one course each Fall and Spring semester. This means you can register for E-term 1 OR 2 in the Fall and E-term 3 OR 4 in the Spring. Summer is optional, and encouraged.
6) Can courses in Educational Studies be applied to a Ph.D. program?
Credits from the Masters in Educational Studies program cannot be applied to the Ph.D. program. The Masters program, however, can be an avenue to help you to determine if a Ph.D. in Education program is right for you.
