1. Home
2. Degrees & Programs
3. Education
4. Master's

American InterContinental University’s online Master’s in Education program is designed to lay the groundwork for the practice of effective educational methodologies by all types of educational practitioners, such as K–12, post-secondary, and adult education teachers. Candidates pursuing a Master’s in Education online at AIU can choose to focus their studies in one of six career-focused specializations, ranging from elementary education to adult education and training.¹

AIU’s Online Master’s Degree in Education Program Benefits

• Candidates may be able to transfer-in up to 12 credits that can be applied toward completing the online Master’s in Education program.²
• Our intellipath^® allows you to personalize your learning plan and skip what you already know.
• Convenient and flexible online learning courses offer options designed to work around a busy schedule and allow you to read, listen to, or watch customized course content from any web-enabled device.
• Our accredited online master’s degree programs can be completed in one year.
• Technical support is available 24/7 via phone, email, or live chat.
• Our staff of professional librarians is here to help when you need it, and our online library provides access to articles, books, websites, and additional resources you may need as you complete your online master’s degree program.
• Tuition and graduation date calculator can provide an estimate of the cost to complete your master’s online at AIU based on the information you provide.

Which M.Ed. Specialization Is Right for You?

Candidates pursuing their Master of Education (M.Ed.) at AIU have the option to choose one of six specializations, making it possible to focus your studies on what interests you and aligns most with your desired career or academic path. Further, although our online Master’s in Education program has not been developed to necessarily meet requirements for state educator licensing or advancement, it may assist candidates in gaining these approvals in their state of residence.¹

Specialization in Adult Education and Training

Candidates who enroll in our online master’s in adult education and training specialization will be able to explore the design, implementation, and evaluation of adult education programs. This 1-year online master’s program can help you prepare to teach adult students in various settings, such as basic and remedial education programs or continuing-education programs, as well as provide instruction on how to utilize real-life tools, such as Lectora, to create assessments. In this program you will also examine various developmental, behaviorist, cognitive, and social adult-learning theories, and study instructional design for the development of curricula in different adult-learning environments.

Specialization in Curriculum and Instruction

Our online master’s in curriculum and instruction specialization may make you rethink how to prepare and develop courses of study for your own students as you examine various theories on how people learn. As you progress through this online master’s degree program, you’ll have the opportunity to examine various techniques and methods for effective curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation that can help increase engagement in real-world classroom environments.

Specialization in Elementary Education

Our online master’s in elementary education online master’s in elementary education specialization has been developed for licensed teachers and focuses on topics relevant to teaching grades K–8. This specialization may appeal to those who have an interest in early childhood education online degree programs and to educators who work or wish to work in pre-secondary education environments. Candidates in this online master’s program will work to enhance their teaching methods, develop the skills needed to effectively reach more students, and examine ways to augment the classroom experience. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about classroom resources and modern methods of instruction and assessment. Admission to the M.Ed. elementary education specialization program requires that applicants possess current teacher certification at the time of enrollment.

Specialization in Instructional Design and Technology

Our online master’s in instructional design and technology specialization explores innovative education technologies that can enhance both classroom learning and teaching practices. Candidates will have the opportunity to examine collaborative learning environments and create multimedia course content. Through specialized coursework, candidates will explore the principles of instructional design, instructional technology, computer-mediated learning environments, and online learning theory and practice.

Specialization in Leadership of Educational Organizations

Our online master’s in educational leadership specialization is designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills sets typically possessed by general administrators and supervisors. A master’s in education administration program could provide an opportunity to explore the processes of human-resource planning in educational organizations and to examine how academic leaders introduce and implement new educational research.

Specialization in Secondary Education

Our online master’s in secondary education specialization has been developed for licensed teachers and is designed to help you assess and implement instructional methods and to develop classroom strategies for students in grades 7–12. In this program, you’ll study ways to relate to secondary school students with the aim of facilitating learning; explore learner diversity and its application in the classroom; and learn how to manage time, technology, and resources in the secondary education environment. Admission to the M.Ed. secondary education specialization program requires that applicants possess current teacher certification at the time of enrollment.

One-Year Online Master’s in Education Admission Requirements

Applicants to AIU’s 1-year online master’s in education program must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or from an internationally recognized foreign institution with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.0. College transcripts will be verified prior to acceptance as part of the application review process. No GRE or other standardized tests are necessary. Applicants should investigate whether they are eligible to receive credit for job education or military experience.²

AIU’s online graduate program in education is a 48-credit hour program. Admission to the M.Ed. elementary education and secondary education specializations requires teacher certification that is current at the time of enrollment. Candidates who do not possess a teaching license may choose from the remaining four specializations, i.e., our online master’s in educational leadership, adult education, curriculum and instruction, or instructional design programs.

For answers to some of the most commonly asked admissions-related questions, please visit our FAQ page or reach out to an Admissions Advisor for assistance or additional support.

Accreditation

American InterContinental University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Our master’s in education online program has been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2026.

AIU’s master’s programs are “military friendly,” with the Military Times including AIU in its 2020 Best Colleges annual survey, which provides a school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement. The Military Advanced Education 2017 Guide to Colleges and Universities also names American InterContinental University among its list of “Top Colleges & Universities.”

Earn Your Master’s Degree Online in Less Time

AIU allows qualifying candidates to transfer graduate-level credits from other institutions and apply those credits to our online master degree programs, up to a maximum of 12 credits,² so that you could complete your chosen online master’s degree program faster than you might have thought possible. AIU also offers credit for prior learning and credit for life/work experience, which can enable qualified applicants to receive credit for learning that has been acquired outside of the classroom, for example, through work experience, military experience, or even relevant life experience.² Speak with an advisor to learn more about the Prior Learning Assessment and the MOS Pledge program.

Ways to Save on Tuition and Fees

AIU’s affordable online master’s programs could cost less than you might think. We offer 15 different scholarships and grants in addition to our transfer credit and prior learning assessment programs,² which can help save you money by requiring that you take fewer courses to complete your degree program. Additional financial aid options may be available for those who qualify. Prospective students should check out AIU’s tuition and graduation date calculator, which can help estimate your online Master’s in Education program cost and graduation date based on the information you provide.

Why Choose AIU’s Online M.Ed. Program?

Whether you’re a current teacher or an aspiring one, AIU’s accredited online Master’s in Education program is designed to provide flexibility and convenience to fit a busy schedule. We know that educators can have responsibilities and obligations not only to themselves and their families but also to their students, and that oftentimes a lot of the work of being a teacher happens outside the classroom as you prepare for classes or grade homework. It can be hard to stay on top of things. Taking the next step and enrolling in an online graduate program might feel overwhelming, but you can take comfort in knowing that AIU offers a number of features that can help support you on your path to earn your master’s degree. Our experienced and knowledgeable faculty are able to provide you with additional attention if you need it, our librarians can assist you with research-related questions, and our technical team is available to assist you no matter what time of day or night you’re taking your online classes. Earning your master’s degree online at AIU means that you’re part of an academic community that supports its students, supplying them with the resources necessary to help them succeed in their academic journey.

1. Admission to the M.Ed. Elementary Education and/or Secondary Education Specializations requires teacher certification that is current at the time of enrollment. Candidates without a teacher certification may choose another of AIU's education-related graduate program specializations.
Although the Master of Education degree is not designed to meet state educator licensing or advancement requirements, it may assist candidates in gaining these approvals in their state of residence depending on those requirements. Contact the state board of education in the applicable state(s) for details.
2. Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible for transfer. See the University catalog regarding AIU’s transfer credit policies.

AIU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
REQ1484882 12/19