Why This Matters

  • PREPARE FOR OVER 10 DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS

    Individuals with a master’s in educational technology are qualified for a variety of job opportunities, including curriculum designers, instructional coordinators, educational technology specialists, and more.

  • 11K NEW INSTRUCTIONAL COORDINATORS NEEDED

    As schools look for new ways to integrate technology and digital media into their classrooms, the need for instructional coordinators with specialized knowledge will grow by 6 percent.

  • TRAINING SPECIALIST JOBS TO INCREASE BY 9%

    A master’s in educational technology can use their expertise to educate and train professionals in a variety of industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 28,900 new jobs in this area by 2028.

Our Research

This list focuses on graduate degrees in educational technology. Students can earn a few different types of degrees in this field, including a Master of Education (M.Ed), Master of Arts (MA), or a Master of Science (MS).

All of the programs on our list are offered by regionally accredited institutions. This guarantees that they meet the highest standards of quality for postsecondary education. Many programs also have National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditation, which is an added confirmation of quality.

We sought programs that can be completed entirely or mostly online, to ensure accessibility for the greatest number of students regardless of location or availability.

Once we created our list of programs, we evaluated their flexibility, cost, reputation, faculty, and outcomes. We then calculated the Intelligent Score of each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 88 hours to write this article
  • 186 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 390 education programs we compared

The Top 55 Online Master’s in Educational Technology Programs

Best Online Master's in Educational Technology Degree Programs
01
Intelligent Pick
University of Missouri
01
Most Affordable
OSU Online
01
Most Customizable
University of Florida
01
Most Flexible Completion Time
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
01
Best in the Southwest
Northern Arizona University
01
Most Military Friendly
University of North Dakota
01
Best Job Placement Rate
University of North Carolina Wilmington
01
Best for E-Learning Design
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
01
Best for Transfer Students
University of Maryland Global Campus
01
Best for International Students
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
01
Best Internships
University of Central Missouri
01
Best Training and Development Focus
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Distance Education
01
Best in the West
California State University, Fullerton
01
Nationally Recognized Program
Jacksonville State University
01
Best Public University
Kennesaw State University
01
Best Curriculum Design Focus
Pennsylvania State University
01
Best Doctorate Prep
Boise State University
01
Best Thesis Option
Kent State University
01
Best Specialization Choices
Kansas State University
01
Best Emerging Media Focus
Canisius College
01
Fast Completion Time
Drexel University
01
Best in the South
Texas Tech University
01
Best in the Midwest
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
01
Best Non-Thesis Program
University of Arkansas
01
Best Specialization Options
University of Virginia
01
Best Faculty Mentorship
Indiana University Bloomington
01
Best Christian University
Liberty University
01
Industry-Leading Faculty
Iowa State University - School of Education
01
Best in the Northeast
SUNY at Albany
01
Best Certificate Options
Ball State University
01
Best Distance Education Focus
Mississippi State University
01
Best for Rolling Admission
University of Alabama at Birmingham
01
Best Research-Based Program
Minnesota State University, Mankato - College of Education
01
Best Global Campus
Colorado State University Global
01
Best Instructional Design Focus
University of Central Florida
01
Student Recommended
The Ohio State University
01
Best Experiential Learning
East Carolina University
01
Best Development Focus
University of Georgia
01
Most Personalized
The University of Memphis
01
Best Research Facilities
Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University
01
Most Experienced Faculty
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
01
Best Tuition Discounts
University of Louisville
01
Best Career Services
Florida State University
01
Most Flexible
Michigan State University
01
Best for Non-Licensed Students
University of South Carolina
01
Best Private University
George Washington University
01
Best for Professional Licensure
NC State University
01
Best Optionality
University of Houston-Clear Lake
01
Best Leadership Focus
JHU School of Education
01
Best for Working Professionals
Virginia Tech
01
Alumni Recommended
University of Hawaii
01
Best Summer Program
University of Connecticut
01
Best Part-time Program
Brandeis University
01
Best Alumni Network
California State University, Long Beach
01
Best Hybrid Program
Pepperdine University

What You Should Know About This Degree

Working in educational technology requires a diverse skill-set that incorporates an understanding of information technology and educational principles. Individuals who are considering pursuing a master’s in educational technology should be comfortable with a wide range of software and hardware solutions and have a basic idea of how to use technology for educational purposes.

Programs that focus specifically on educational technology in K-12 settings may require students to have a background in education, including their teaching certification, in order to be eligible for admission. Depending on the jobs students are seeking post-graduation, teaching certification may be a requirement for employment. In circumstances where programs focus on education technology in non-school settings, teaching certification may not be required.

At this stage, you should consider your professional background and goals. Find a program that best suits the training you already have and the type of job you are seeking after graduation.

Even if the majority of courses in a program are delivered online, you may still be expected to participate in experiential learning requirements, either on-campus or off-site. Prior to enrolling, find out if the program has any in-person requirements so that you can make arrangements to accommodate them in your schedule and budget.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Online Master’s in Educational Technology programs:

  • Is this school authorized to provide online education in my state? Regulations for providing online education vary state by state, and not all schools are authorized to provide online education to students in all states. Check with your program of interest to verify they can grant you a degree based in the state you live in and that your state will recognize your degree.
  • How are online courses delivered? Distance learning programs are typically delivered through synchronous or asynchronous classes. Students attend synchronous classes remotely at set times throughout the term. Asynchronous classes do not have set meeting times. Instead, students can access their lessons and assignments at any time. Decide which type of delivery method works best for you based on your schedule before selecting a program.

In addition to researching programs’ curricula, it’s important to research their application deadlines and admissions requirements. You can typically find this information online or by contacting the program directly.

You should also explore your options for financing your master’s degree, including scholarships, financial aid, and tuition benefits from your current employer.

Find Your Degree