When Brandi De La Cruz started her online MSE in Educational Theory and Practice degree at Arkansas State University, she had already been teaching for six years. “I felt kind of stagnant in education and wasn’t sure if I had a passion for it,” she said. She was considering leaving education altogether when one of her coworkers suggested the program at A-State.
Initially, she wasn’t sure. She had a master’s degree already and didn’t think another was warranted. But after some consideration, she decided to give it a shot. “As a teacher, you always need to be learning,” she said. “So, I thought, ‘Let me go for it. Let me jump right into this.’ I started in August for that degree.”
At first, Brandi was daunted by the format of the program. She’d never done an online degree before and felt overwhelmed. But she quickly adapted to the new atmosphere. “I had to work on my time management skills because it’s very autonomous,” she said. “After I finished the first course, I found my groove. I realized the professors were very approachable. Even though we were an hour and a half to two hours away, I still felt close because they would answer my emails quickly.”
The flexibility of the online program quickly became one of Brandi’s favorite parts about it. “I moved [high] schools in the middle of the degree, which was a transition. But because of the flexibility of the program, it was easy,” she said. “I finished the program while starting a new job at Southwind High School in Memphis. It was interesting learning a new state’s and school district’s protocols while being immersed in a master’s program delivering a lot of information I wanted to use.”
Brandi’s passion for the online program eventually convinced two of her friends to enroll as well. “When I moved to Memphis, they saw me doing the program and talking about it,” she said. “They’re both teachers, so they enrolled because of how excited I was about it.”
Finding the online master’s program at A-State came at the perfect time for Brandi. “I started the program right when I was ready to quit, when I thought education was a mistake for me,” she said. “But going to A-State and taking those classes renewed my passion, energy and love for teaching that I had lost that year. It renewed my love for teaching and really set me on the course I’m on now.”
In August 2025, Brandi was named Teacher of the Year for the entire state of Tennessee. Her renewed passion has her connecting with her students on a deeper level than she previously thought possible. “Whether you’re a new teacher or an experienced teacher looking to rekindle your passion, I highly recommend A-State,” she said. “A-State’s degree will teach you something, and you’ll be a better teacher when you finish.”
Earn Your MSE Online
The online MSE in Educational Theory and Practice is designed for experienced educators who want to deepen their expertise in curriculum, instructional strategy and evidence-based teaching practice. The program is built on application-based coursework, meaning what you learn in class can be put to use in your classroom right away.
Coursework focuses on curriculum development and analysis, instructional design, individual instruction, learning theory and evidence-based classroom strategies. The program integrates theoretical frameworks directly with practical application, preparing educators to lead and innovate in a wide range of educational settings.
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Expand your impact in the classroom and beyond with A-State’s MSE in Educational Theory and Practice. Learn more and apply today!