Skip to content

The UIU Advantage

Upper Iowa University’s Master of Education program is designed to develop a broad base of knowledge, skills, and dispositions that enhance your capacity for leadership.

Choose from six areas of emphasis with 10 education endorsements – including the new Special Education Consultant endorsement.

Why Master of Education at UIU?

  • Affordable and Accessible: M.Ed tuition is now $333/credit
  • Flexibility: Courses available 100% Online in 8-week sessions with an accelerated, 6-week summer session.
  • UIU Quality: Learn from faculty who have real-world experience and are experts in the fields they teach.
  • Top-Notch Advising and Support: UIU’s professional education advisors and caring support staff are here for you from start to finish.
  • Financial aid is available for all students. TEACH grants of up to $4000 are available for eligible educators choosing to teach in a high-need area.

Areas of Emphasis

M.Ed. Handbook

Requirements for admission to the Master of Education program and curriculum information are available in the M.Ed. Handbook (pdf)

Ready For More?

Request more info now.

Explore Your Program

M.Ed. Courses

See course descriptions for the classes you need for your Master of Education degree.

Academic Calendar

Keep up with your academic program’s registration deadlines, session dates, holiday breaks and exam schedules.

Careers with an M.Ed.

A degree prepares you for many careers, such as academic advisor, financial aid counselor/advisor, higher education student affairs, instructional coach, literacy coach/reading specialist, and teacher leadership opportunities in any area of emphasis.

Katie Mangan, '19

Master of Education - Instructional Strategist II
Des Moines Center

I chose UIU because of the convenience of the classes and pacing of the classes offered. Being a non-traditional student it was hard and nerve racking to go back and the face to face option eased me back into college and the work that it takes to complete the course work.

UIU Locations for Master's Degree in Master of Education (M.Ed.)

adult student in class

Unique Course Schedule

Most graduate students take one course each eight-week session, allowing for higher comprehension, achievement and balancing of your studies with your other commitments.

Admissions

When you’re ready to apply for your Master of Education, we’re ready to help you every step of the way.

Graduate Certificates in Education

M.Ed. Literacy Coach
M.Ed. Teacher Leadership

Certificates are 15 credits, and you may transfer up to six credits from another institution. Financial aid is not available for certificate programs.

Tuition Grants

Ask about our special grants for non-degree seeking students. Financial aid is available for students enrolled in the M.Ed. In addition to student loans, qualified applicants can receive up to $4000 a year in TEACH grants.

Susan Massey

Faculty Spotlight

Susan Massey, Ph.D.
Director of Master of Education Program and Associate Professor of Education (2018)

The Master of Education program at Upper Iowa University allows graduate students to engage with teacher colleagues, instructors, and current research to become effective teacher leaders in their respective emphasis areas. As an instructor, I strive to connect students through video and discussions to demonstrate and share their content learning in the online delivery format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers to students’ most frequently asked questions about UIU’s Master of Education. If you don’t see the answer you need, contact us for help.

What different emphasis areas are available in the Master of Education program?

Upper Iowa University Master of Education has six areas or emphasis: Early Childhood, English as a Second Language, Instructional Strategist, Reading, Talented and Gifted, and Teacher Leadership.

How long does the Master of Education program take to complete?

The program is designed to be completed in two years if the candidate takes one course per session.

What is the cost per credit hour for Master of Education courses?

Beginning in January 2022, the cost per credit hour is $333.

You are considered a non-degree seeking student until you are accepted into the Master of Education program. Once you are accepted, you become a degree-seeking student, which allows you to apply for financial aid if you choose. If you are interested in taking some courses to “test drive” our program, this is a great way you can do it! The graduate credits you take as a non-degree seeking student will apply towards the 36 graduate credits needed for your M.Ed.

How many credits are required for a Master of Education degree?

Each area of emphasis requires 36 credit hours, nine of which are core courses.

How many credits can transfer to the Master of Education program?

UIU’s Master of Education allows up to 12 graduate credits to transfer towards an emphasis. Transfer credits need to be relevant to the Master of Education degree.

How are the classes offered?

All graduate-level courses are offered online.

Can I complete multiple endorsements at the same time within my M.Ed. degree?

Yes, you can complete multiple endorsements at the same time.

Will I be able to balance taking classes while working full time?

Yes, most graduate candidates are working full time and taking graduate-level courses. Upper Iowa’s unique five 8-week sessions and one 6-week accelerated summer session allow candidates to focus on one 3-credit, online course per session. This allows the candidate to be a full-time graduate candidate and be eligible to receive financial aid.

Can I use financial aid for the Master of Education degree?

Yes, those taking one course per session at the graduate level are considered full-time students and qualify to apply for financial aid.

When can I start? Is there a sequence I need to follow?

Upper Iowa’s unique five 8-week sessions and one 6-week accelerated summer session allows candidates to start at the beginning of any session. Tentative degree plans are created based on the start of the emphasis, and courses are offered often enough to provide flexibility in starting and completing the Master of Education degree when it works for you!

What are the expectations for the Clinical Teaching Experience?

Clinical Teaching Experience is a graded experience required to obtain a special education or ESL endorsement. If the candidate is currently working with students for which the endorsement would cover, the candidate can complete the Clinical Teaching Experience in his/her own classroom. A colleague licensed in special education or ESL will serve as a cooperating teacher and a University Supervisor will be secured. The special education experience is four credits and is four weeks long; the ESL experience is one credit and is one week long. A Clinical Teaching Handbook is available for each placement explaining the expectations of the candidate.

When is EDU 590 Capstone Seminar taken?

EDU 590 Capstone Seminar is offered sessions 1, 3, and 5 and is taken as the last course in the program.

I have a bachelor’s degree, but it’s not in education. Can I get my initial teaching license with this Master of Education degree?

We do not offer classes for initial teacher licensure at the graduate level. What we do have are classes offered during the day at our main campus in Fayette and night classes at our centers in Waterloo, Quad Cities and Des Moines. Through these four locations you can take the coursework you need to complete your teacher education degree through us. Depending on what you want to teach, you could take graduate-level courses while taking undergraduate courses. The graduate coursework, as well as some undergraduate coursework, can be taken online.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

If you have any questions about the M.Ed. Program, please contact Jodi Grover, Teacher Education Coordinator, at [email protected] or 515.225.1800.

Students stand outside on a beautiful day

Accreditation

The Teacher Education program is accredited by the State of Iowa Board of Education.