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Whether you're advancing in your current profession, changing careers, or building expertise in a new area, our master’s in education online program is designed to turn advanced learning into immediate professional opportunities.

Teach the Next Generation with a Flexible MSEd Degree

Elmira College’s online Master of Science in Education (MSEd) was created for educators passionate about shaping future generations. Our program merges practical classroom experience with theoretical knowledge to create real-world impact and lasting, equitable change.

With personalized faculty guidance and small class sizes, you'll join a supportive learning community.

What Makes Our MSEd Program Unique

  • Completed in 12 months: Our fully online classes give you the flexibility to finish the program within one year.
  • Local Field Experiences: Engage in required in-person field experiences, practicums, and student teaching within your local area.
  • In-Demand Concentrations: Choose from our specialized tracks to match your professional goals.

See Course Catalog


"I really liked that they were going to be smaller class sizes, so I felt I was going to have better interactions. And I could complete this program in a year and walk away with a teaching certificate, so it checked every box for me."
–Alicia Janke MSEd '21

Explore Education Concentrations and NYS Certification Tracks

Tailor your degree to align with your career goals and gain the knowledge needed to create meaningful learning experiences for your students. Elmira College offers four concentrations within our master’s in education portfolio.

Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12)
  • Designed for candidates holding a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Mathematics, English, Social Studies, History, or a related field who are seeking initial certification.

General Education

This concentration allows you to design your plan of study based on career outcomes and state evaluator recommendations. Choose the track that applies to your goals:

  • Non-Certification Track: For students seeking a broad discipline of education and are not interested in certification or teaching K-12.
  • Initial Certification Track: For students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and are now seeking their Initial Teaching Certificate in the State of New York.
  • Professional Certification Track: For students who already hold an NYS Initial Teaching Certificate and are seeking Professional Certification in the State of New York.

See Track Details

Inclusive Special Education
  • Gives educators the diagnostic tools, co-teaching strategies, and instructional frameworks needed to create welcoming, culturally responsive classrooms for students with learning disabilities.
  • Requires that you hold NYS initial teacher certification or documentation evidencing that such certification is imminently forthcoming.
Literacy Education (Birth to Grade 12)
  • Prepares teachers to become certified reading specialists, literacy coaches, or specialized literacy interventionists across PreK-12 grade levels.
  • Requires that you hold NYS initial teacher certification or documentation evidencing that such certification is imminently forthcoming

"I chose to continue my graduate studies with Elmira due to the fact that I was able to start my graduate program early. It was an easy transition and I already knew most of the faculty. I loved that the program was all online and allowed me to pursue a career while obtaining my degree."
–Maria Antonio ‘23, MSEd '24


Master’s in Education Program Learning Outcomes

Candidates in the MSEd program develop professional excellence across five cores dimensions:

  • Learners and Their Environment: Understand the intersectionality of students’ social, emotional, cultural, and academic identities and use research and theory to design safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environments.
  • Content Knowledge: Apply deep content knowledge within their respective disciplines and create learning experiences that engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving through the use of central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures relevant to subjects being taught.
  • Assessment: Assess student learning through multiple methods in order to evaluate his/her own practice, make instructional decisions and empower learners to develop at their highest capacity.
  • Instructional Practice: Develop an understanding of learner differences and will create universally designed, cross-curricular learning experiences for every student utilizing a variety of research-based instructional strategies.
  • Professional Responsibility: Demonstrate dispositional qualities that encompass reflective and ethical practice, evaluate professional practice, and collaborate with families, community members, and school professionals to ensure learner growth, development, and well-being.

Graduate Certificates and Non-Degree Options

If you aren’t interested in pursuing a full Master of Science in Education but still want to add to your education profile, you can advance your skills with one of our Graduate Certificates or continuing education courses. Credits you earn may apply to an MSEd if you decide to pursue the full program later.

Admissions and Program Requirements

Admission into Elmira College’s MSEd program requires:

  • Completed application form.
  • A completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • A short graduate essay.
  • Two professional recommendations.
  • A minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or approval by the Director of Graduate & Professional Studies.
  • MSEd Adolescence Education candidates: Completion of bachelor’s degree or 30+ credit hours in an approved content area, including Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, History, or a related field.
  • MSEd Literacy Candidates and MSEd Inclusive Special Education Candidates: New York State initial teacher certification or documentation evidencing that such certification is imminently forthcoming
  • Immunization records as required by state law from students taking six or more credit hours in any term.

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Affordable Tuition and Financial Planning for Educators

Elmira College is committed to making higher education affordable. Recognized by Teacher Certification Degrees as offering one of the Best and Most Affordable Online Master of Education Programs in New York, we deliver a private college education at one of the lowest tuition rates in the region.

Financial Aid Resources

When it comes to advancing your degree in Education, we are just as committed to reducing your costs. EC does not charge fees for graduate tuition. See the details below.

Browse Financial Aid

TEACH New York Partnership

If you’re pursuing NYS teacher certification, take advantage of TEACH New York resources for step-by-step guidance, financial aid options, access to regional teaching mentors, and more!

Sign Up for TEACH New York


Contact Us

If you have questions about the admissions process or how to take advantage of some of the career resources we have available, get in touch with us. We're happy to answer your questions!

Ashley Boyd
Coordinator of Professional Programs
Admissions Counselor
Graduate & Professional Studies Advisor
(814) 397-5387 | aboyd@elmira.edu
graduate@elmira.edu

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