Considering an online Master of Education program? 5 reasons to choose St. Scholastica

Some of the most effective teachers enjoy shaping young minds through a variety of media — whether it’s innovative hands-on learning techniques or incorporating technology in the classroom. In the rapidly shifting landscape of 21st Century learning, taking advantage of new technologies and teaching methods is a vital (and highly marketable) skill.

Many teachers find that returning to school for their Master of Education degree (M.Ed) has made all the difference in developing innovative teaching strategies that increase the impact they can have on their students’ lives.

In a M.Ed program, you will have the opportunity to gain new skills to enhance your abilities and help you become an expert educator. Teachers who earn their M.Ed degrees learn to modify curriculum goals, adjust their teaching methods and enter leadership positions to enact powerful, system-wide changes in education.

As you can see, there are many ways this degree can benefit your teaching career. If you’ve ever considered earning your M.Ed or are simply looking for the next step in your education career, check out what St. Scholastica’s online Master of Education program has to offer.

5 things you should know about St. Scholastica’s M.Ed program

1. The Master of Education program is offered in a cutting-edge online format

At The College of St. Scholastica (CSS), the online M.Ed program boasts smaller class sizes and allows you to study almost anywhere, anytime. The program’s online and virtual classrooms provide the opportunity for students to collaborate with each other and their professors at multiple locations through the college’s full-feature video and audio conferencing capabilities (via Adobe Connect).

This classroom experience features recording capabilities, breakout groups, whiteboards, polls and chat rooms that help students with group work and presentations while ensuring the learning experience is engaging.

CSS has also implemented a cohort model within the online learning experience, meaning you will move through the program with the same group of classmates until graduation. This model gives you a better chance to truly connect with and get to know your peers.

On top of all this, students are also given an online adviser to answer questions and offer support from admission to graduation. When studying in CSS’ M.Ed program, you can rest assured that your best interests as a student and an educator are top of mind.

2. There are six specialized concentrations to choose from

Whether you are interested in specializing in online instruction, computer science education, or examining the needs of a changing-demographic K-12 student body, you have choices at CSS! The six concentration options available are as follows:

• Education Technology
• Online Instruction
• Literacy Instruction 
• Culturally Responsive Pedagogy 
• Computer Science Education 
• Professional Studies  

Do note that you can participate in five of these six certificate programs — all except for Professional Studies — without completing the entire M.Ed program, and they can also be applied to the program if you opt to pursue your M.Ed at a later date.  

3. The program is ranked highest in Minnesota & among the top 50 in the nation

U.S. News & World Report recently released a new 2016 report boasting the best online graduate education programs in the United States. The online M.Ed program at CSS was listed among the top 50 in the nation! It was also the highest ranked program in Minnesota.

The publication considered many factors when choosing the best programs, and it ranked schools based on five general categories. The criteria considered in selecting the country’s top programs included the following:

• Student engagement: Students are able to readily interact with their instructors and classmates.
• Student services and technology: The program includes diverse online learning technologies for online students.
• Admissions: Students entering the program have proven aptitudes, ambitions and accomplishments to handle the demands for the coursework.
• Faculty credentials and training: The strongest online programs have faculty and instructors that mirror campus-based program instructors. The program also has the means to train the faculty in teaching distance learners.
• Peer reputation: The degrees are well respected by academics, and may be held in higher regard among employers.

4. Technology is at the forefront of the program

Technology is extremely important to your experience while studying for your M.Ed. Not only will it shape your experience as a student, it will also expose you to tools and experiences you can apply to your classroom as a teacher.

The online M.Ed program at CSS uses Adobe Connect to let you participate in live discussions with other students and attend online lectures. CSS also facilitates instant messaging and discussion boards to complement the virtual classroom.

But the technological resources don’t stop there! All of the online classes are recorded and archived so students can access the information at any time.

There is also a Service Desk in case you have problems with your computer at an inopportune time.

5. CSS hosts the annual 21st Century Teaching & Learning Conference

CSS has proudly hosted the 21st Century Teaching and Learning Conference for five consecutive years, with the event’s sixth annual appearance scheduled for June 2016. This exciting one-day conference brings a variety of educators together — including K-12 teachers, higher education faculty, college students and other learning practitioners — to develop and exchange best practices in teaching and learning.

The M.Ed program at CSS is a proud sponsor of the conference, which includes a variety of innovative presentations equipped with hands-on workshops and research-based strategies for engaging with 21st Century learners.

Is it time to take the next step in your own education?

Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge in classroom technology or dig into data research to enhance instruction and improve education outcomes for all students, a master’s degree might be right for you.

Head over to the Master of Education information page to find out if the online program at CSS could be the perfect fit for you, your lifestyle and your career dreams.