Technology has truly changed the way that people communicate, learn and discover their environment. This change has made educational institutions rethink their application of curricula and modify their requirements to accommodate for this new and innovate way of conducting everyday life.
Within these online educational programs, experienced and trained instructors may be needed to ensure that students are able to utilize the online environment for educational purposes and get the most out of their online degree program.
These teachers can act as not only an educator, but a leading source of support within this type of learning environment. Current teachers in the field of education that may be looking for methods for increasing their opportunities in the field can engage in online Masters in Education – Distance Learning programs to expand their professional capabilities.
The Masters in Education – Distance Learning program can be a great choice for educational professionals seeking more knowledge about the online classroom, methods for instructing students via distance education and the differences between online and traditional programs.
Online educational programs can be a great resource for busy working adults or college students that simply prefer the online environment over the strenuous and demanding traditional learning environment. Professionals that can learn the ropes of providing great quality educational programs in this environment can be a great resource to students seeking this method of degree acquisition.
These programs call upon educational professionals that have a desire to provide exceptional education opportunities to people – regardless of where they reside. The popularity of distance learning programs seems to be growing as the years progress, which could mean great things for students that choose to move into these higher education programs.
If you are interested in being a part of programs such as this one, you should have a background in education, be intrigued by technology and what it has to offer the field of instruction and have what it takes to provide distance education to students from various backgrounds. Programs offering distance education as a concentration can help instructors to obtain positions at online K-12 schools and even universities across the country.
Common Courses in a Masters in Distance Learning Degree
Distance education could possibly be considered its very own variation of standard education. In recent years, more and more students have moved into distance education programs to help them manage their personal responsibilities alongside the need for a great education. An important factor to consider when you are thinking of enrolling in these programs is that distance education programs are not only available to adult learners. Online K-12 programs may be a great way to gain the satisfaction of teaching children without having to work in an in-person environment.
In order to work in this type of virtual environment, students should have an understanding of curriculum development, classroom management and technology-based teaching. Each of these subjects may be covered in detail in online Masters in Education – Distance Learning programs.
Typically, degree programs such as this one may focus their curriculum on teaching from the distance perspective, while integrating online components that may be specific to each subject. Although most of the subjects remain the same in the online environment, the delivery and assessment are conducted in a much different way than traditional educational programs.
Our team of experts has researched online Masters in Education – Distance Learning programs all over the country in order to provide you with the most up-to-date information on the current curriculum. Some colleges may have a slightly different course line-up than others, but most will contain a similar set of elements.
As you can see in the list below, courses that cater to the needs of online teachers may be covered throughout these programs, as well as courses that address the societal needs of educational programs. Read more about each of these sample courses below.
Online Instructional Strategies
This course can be a great resource for upcoming educators that are interested in teaching in the online environment. Some of the topics covered in this course may include those that are specific to the technologies and tools found within the online environment, as well as methods that can be effective in students that choose online learning. Some challenges presented by distance learning may also be discussed throughout the duration of this course.
Assessments in the Online Environment
People often wonder how effective assessments can be when provided in an online course room. This course can help students find more effective methods for delivering assessments in the online environment, including those that refer to timing and question strategy. Students may be required to engage in research as part of the requirements of this course in order to gain the most insight into effective online assessment practices.
Educational Globalization
In coordinance with distance education demand, this course can take a look at the trends and changes in the field of education due to a changing world. This course can identify some social and technology cues that can potentially guide distance education to a more widespread application in the future. Students may also investigate how globalization has changed the modern student, methods for applying educational standards to the changing environment and ways that online education can be applied worldwide.
Current Trends and Issues in Education
The current trends and issues that may be present in the field of education can provide a foundation for upcoming teaching professionals. Students in this course can apply ideas regarding socioeconomic effects on learning, teacher-student interaction and technology into their interaction with this course. Students completing this course should have a current understanding of the outlook on educational institutions in the U.S.
Contemporary School Curriculum
Beginning with the historical foundations of educational systems, students can begin to explore how the current curriculum within school systems came to be. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the current school of thought in curriculum development, how it can play out in an online environment and the implications of policy and law on the development of helpful curricula for schools in all areas of the country.
Associated Salaries of Distance Learning Careers
The opportunities within this degree field can be extremely diverse. In order to give you to broadest information possible, our team has included salary information below for a few of the possible career tracks possible with this degree. Keep in mind that your current location, amount of experience and subject taught may influence how much you make as a professional educator.
- Instructor – Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools: $71,530 on average per year (BLS).
- Instructional Coordinators: $63,750 on average per year (BLS).
- High School Teachers: $59,860 on average per year (BLS).
Teachers can be found in many different domains. With a Masters degree in Education, you could exercise your talent in the K-12 setting or in colleges and universities all over the country. Your interests as a professional can guide you into paths that may be fitting for your personality.
Some of the most popular positions for distance educators can be found at the university level. However, having a background in distance education can lead to positions responsible for developing online course curricula or even managing a team of instructors in the online setting.
Since online learning is still relatively new in comparison to its traditional counterparts, there may be continuous research being conducted to improve the quality of these programs. Professionals may be needed to review and improve curriculum requirements for distance learning programs, analyze online details to ensure that the program is the best it can be and following-up with online students to receive feedback on their distance experience.
These could all be positions filled by distance learning students that are interested in continuous improvement of online programs.
Common Questions About The Masters in Distance Learning Degree
What kind of colleges can I work at with this degree?
In the past, there may have only been a limited number of options for employment with this type of degree. However, in recent society, traditional and online universities usually have a distance learning option for students in various degree fields. If you take the time to complete this degree program, you could have many different types of colleges to choose from for your career.
Is a teaching certificate offered with this degree program?
Depending on the university you choose, there may be a certificate option alongside your masters degree. In some colleges, students may be required to engage in a practicum requirement that includes spending time in an actual classroom under the supervision of a licensed teacher. You should investigate the university’s requirements as well as what your state requires for certification before enrolling.
Will this degree become more relevant as the years progress?
There has been a dramatic change in the number of online degree programs and online K-12 programs offered online in the last decade. As Americans continue to lean on technology as a means for learning and business, it is possible to see a growth in demand for distance learning educators in the future.
What type of experience should I have before enrolling in this program?
Some Masters in Education degree programs require that students have a current teaching license and a bachelor’s in some realm of education. Also, some programs may require that you have a certain amount of teaching experience prior to applying. However, these requirements can vary depending on the school you choose. Some universities even accept graduates from different educational disciplines, which means there may be a program for almost everyone.
Estimated Cost and Length of the Program
In conclusion, your search for the right degree program can be a complex process. In order to make sure you choose what is right for you, please consider the costs, length of time it takes to complete the program and the reputation/accreditation of the degree program. Our team of education experts has located distance learning programs available throughout the country and listed a few examples below. The average time it takes to complete the program, costs and program title can be viewed – showing you how different these factors can look between universities.
- The University of Maryland: Online Masters in Education – Distance Education and E-Learning – $458 per credit hour – 1-2 years for completion
- Northeastern University: Online Masters in Education – E-Learning and Instructional Design – $25,800 for entire program – 1-2 years for completion
- The University of Colorado at Denver: Online Masters in Education – Information and Learning Technologies with emphasis on eLearning Design and Implementation – $448 per credit hour – 1-2 years for completion
What college do you choose for your degree program? This is the question that most students are asking. The answer is not always as easy as it may seem. Different degree programs can consist of different length and cost requirements for students enrolled in them.
Students should always consider the costs of an educational program between different universities to ensure they are receiving the best possible deal for their education. Another factor to consider is how schools list their tuition costs and how this can be confusing for new college researchers. As you can see in the list below, colleges can sometimes list the costs of their program in different formats – such as per credit hour, per term or per year. There are even some programs that list the entire cost of the degree upfront.
While the costs are definitely one of the most important factors to weigh when choosing a program, some students may also be concerned with the amount of time it may take to complete their degree. The length of time it takes you to complete your program may also look very different depending where you are enrolled.
For the most part, these master’s programs were designed to be completed in 1-2 year for most students. However, those with full-time jobs or other obligations may choose to take a part-time route, which could spread the program out to 3 or 4 years. Students can hold the power to finish their program within the predicted time frames or spread the program out to help with structuring their schedules.
