If you're an educator looking to enhance your teaching skills or transition into science education, then an online master's in science education may be what you're looking for. Online master's programs allow you the flexibility to learn from home, making it easier to work while earning your degree.
While most teaching positions only require a bachelor's degree, an education master's degree can increase your potential for a higher salary and open doors for other academic leadership positions like superintendent, principal, and professor. We'll guide you through the different types of online master of science education programs and help you choose the right one to fit your career journey.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Master's in Science Education Programs
What's the Benefit of Getting a Master's Degree in Science Education?
A master's degree in science education can teach you more than just advanced science and teaching knowledge for the classroom. It also increases your salary and career potential. Eighty-eight percent of large school districts nationwide offer higher pay to teachers with master's degrees, according to a 2018 National Council on Teacher Quality study.
You can also unlock career advancement opportunities, such as a professorship, academic leadership, and research. If you're still wondering if a master's degree is worth it, the degree can also set you apart in fields that require at least a bachelor's degree.
A master's in science education allows you to specialize in whatever suits you best, whether that's in research, the humanities, teaching pedagogies, or academia. Different degrees, such as a master of arts, master of science, and master of science in teaching, allow you to focus on various aspects of science education.
What Can I Do With an Online Master's Degree in Science Education?
There are lots of job opportunities with an online master's degree in science education. While some of the most common jobs are teaching, there are other positions in educational leadership at the K-12 level and in the nonprofit sector.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects teaching jobs to decline slightly from 2023-33 due to a national teacher shortage. You can even get jobs outside of teaching with a master's in science education. If you like training, supporting teachers, and curriculum development, you could also become a science education consultant or a director in an educational nonprofit.
The BLS found that kindergarten and elementary school teachers made a median salary of $63,670 in 2023. High school teachers had the highest median teaching salary at $65,220.
School principals are among the highest-earning non-teaching positions for a master's in science education, which pays a median of $103,460; school superintendents receive a median of $145,000 annually.
| Job | Median Pay |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher | $63,670 |
| Middle School Teacher | $64,290 |
| High School Teacher | $65,220 |
| Science Educational Consultant | $67,000 (as of May 2024) |
| Science Education Coordinator | $74,620 |
| Nonprofit Educational Director | $77,030 |
| Science Professor | $84,380 |
| School Principal | $103,460 |
| School Superintendent | $145,000 (as of May 2024) |
MA, MS, M.Ed., and MAT in Science Education: What's the Difference and What Can I Expect?
There isn't just one way to get a master's in science education. A master of arts (MA), master of science (MS), master of education (M.Ed.), and master of arts in teaching (MAT) are four options for earning your degree. While mostly the same, each has a different specialty you may find helpful in your career journey. Research your program and school offerings to see which is best for you.
They also don't vary much in cost. An online master's degree in science education will cost youaround $24,290 a year, according to the U.S. Department of Education. While each type of master's degree offers something different depending on your career journey, they likely will not vary too much in cost, credit hours, or time to complete.
Traditionally, an MA, MS, M.Ed., and MAT in science education will take you around two years or about 36 credit hours to complete, while some schools may require more or less. If you want to get your degree faster than that, look for an accelerated program that may take about a year and a half to complete.
Which One Is Better: MS in STEM Education or Master's in Science Education?
If you want to expand your field expertise beyond science, consider an MS in STEM Education. Both are valuable, but one may serve you more than the other. An MS in STEM Education highlights all STEM fields, not just science, and like the master's in science education, it prepares you to advance your teaching career in STEM.
National Board Certification
If you want to stand out in teaching science education, you can earn your National Board Certification. This certification is for accomplished teachers who hold their standards up to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), a nonprofit organization hosting the accreditation.
According to the organization, students learn more from board-certified teachers. These teachers also positively impact Black, indigenous, students of color and low-income students. The organization also hosts specific standards for different educational fields, including science.
Teachers must meet the following requirements:
Be committed to students and their learning
Know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students
Be responsible for managing and monitoring student learning
Think systematically about their practice and learn from experience
Be members of learning communities
Check to see if your state will help you financially when applying for the National Board Certification.
Professional Associations in Science Education
The NBPTS certification isn't the only way to share a connection with other science educators. Professional associations connect members and share resources and support with paying members. These associations provide you with a network of educators and other educational professionals and opportunities to sharpen your skills.
National Science Teaching Association
NSTA aims to transform science education through professional learning, partnerships, and advocacy. The organization provides members with monthly webinars, journals with tested science activities, "Daily Do" lesson plans, and discounts on events and books. The lowest membership is $45 a year, while the highest is $90.
Association for Science Teacher Education
The ASTE provides leadership and support for science teachers at all grade levels. Members gain access to journals, an annual conference, regions, forums, and committees, and a community of faculty, professional developers, and leaders. Membership starts at $30 for future pre-K through twelfth-grade teachers and ends at $135 for regular membership.
National Middle Level Science Teachers Association
NMLSTA is dedicated to serving middle school science educators. Members get access to resources, conferences, teacher awards, and a discounted joint National Science Teaching Association membership.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master's Degrees in Education
A teaching degree is designed for educators who want to stay in educator roles. In contrast, an education degree focuses more on other leadership roles. An M.Ed. will focus more on topics like curriculum, instruction, and other aspects of education that aren't teaching.
