What Is an Ed.D., and How Does It Differ From an Ed.S.?
A Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) is the terminal degree in education practice, designed for experienced educators who want to lead at the highest institutional levels. Unlike the Education Specialist (Ed.S.), which prepares professionals for specific administrative credential areas, the Ed.D. is a research-and-dissertation degree that qualifies graduates for senior leadership across K-12 districts, community colleges, […]
Are online master’s degrees in education taken seriously by school districts?
Yes, when the program is properly accredited. Licensure programs within A-State’s College of Education and Behavioral Science hold CAEP accreditation, the standard the Arkansas Department of Education recognizes for licensure and endorsement, so a district HR office evaluates the degree the same way regardless of whether it was earned online or on campus. The delivery […]
Is financial aid available beyond the TEACH Grant?
A-State’s online MSE students can access the same federal aid as other graduate students. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Grad PLUS Loans through A-State’s Financial Aid & Scholarships office. A-State’s merit-based university scholarships are reserved for on-campus students and are not available to A-State online students, so […]
Is an online master’s in education worth it?
For most educators, yes. A CAEP-accredited MSE from Arkansas State can lead to certifications, licensure and leadership roles that aren’t accessible with a bachelor’s degree alone. The clearest return comes from choosing the specialization that matches a specific next step: a Reading specialist certification or an Educational Leadership pathway to the principal’s office has a […]
How much do A-State’s online MSE programs cost?
Total tuition ranges from $10,500 to $16,800 depending on specialization, based on a flat $350 per credit hour, the same rate for in-state and out-of-state students, with fees included.
Are the MSE programs fully online with no campus visits required?
Yes. Every online MSE program at A-State is delivered 100% online with no required campus visits, so you can complete your degree without rearranging your teaching schedule around travel. Some programs include a supervised internship or practicum completed at your own school site rather than on A-State’s campus.
What are the admission requirements for A-State’s online MSE programs?
Requirements vary by program. Most specializations require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75–3.0 (exact minimums vary by program) and a valid, active teaching certificate. The MSE in Educational Leadership additionally requires two years of teaching experience (three for the Arkansas licensure track) and is limited to applicants […]
What’s the difference between A-State’s MSE in Early Childhood Education and the M.S. in Early Childhood Services?
Licensure is the dividing line. The MSE in Early Childhood Education is tailored for licensed PreK–4 teachers who want advanced classroom and assessment skills. The M.S. in Early Childhood Services requires no prior teaching license or classroom experience and instead prepares you for administrative and leadership roles in child care centers, Head Start programs and […]
Can I complete an online MSE at Arkansas State while teaching full-time?
Yes, every A-State online MSE runs in 7-week terms in fall/spring and 5-week terms in summer with multiple start dates per year and no required campus visits, so coursework fits around a full teaching schedule rather than the other way around. Most working teachers complete their MSE in 12 to 20 months depending on specialization, […]
What can you do with a master’s degree in education from A-State?
Depending on the specialization, graduates move into roles such as reading specialist, literacy coach, curriculum director, gifted/talented coordinator, special education instructional specialist, instructional coordinator, assistant principal, principal or district administrator. A few specializations (Curriculum & Instruction, Gifted/Talented, SPED Instructional Specialist) also stack toward director-level graduate certificates A-State offers separately.
What’s the difference between A-State’s MSE, an MEd and an Ed.S.?
A-State uses the MSE (Master of Science in Education) label for its master’s-level programs; other universities use MEd (Master of Education) for often-equivalent applied, non-licensure-track degrees. The naming is mostly institutional. An Ed.S. (Education Specialist) is a different, higher level entirely: it’s a post-master’s degree that requires you to already hold a master’s to enroll. […]
Is a master’s in education program hard?
It’s graduate-level coursework, so expect more rigor than an undergraduate degree. The online format is designed for working teachers, not to be easier academically. Coursework in A-State’s online MSE programs is equivalent to the on-campus version; most students describe the online format as more manageable, not less demanding, because it removes commuting and fixed class […]
Why should I choose A-State’s online MSE program?
A-State’s MSE programs are CAEP-accredited, recognized among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs for 2026, and priced with flat, transparent per-credit tuition of $10,500–$16,800 total, the same rate for in-state and out-of-state students. Every program is 100% online with no entrance exam and no required campus visits, and courses are […]
Why should I consider earning my master’s degree in education?
A master’s degree is often the credential that unlocks the next step in an education career, whether that’s a formal certification (reading specialist, gifted/talented endorsement), a licensure requirement for a leadership role (assistant principal, principal) or simply deeper expertise in a specialty you already teach. Many districts also tie salary schedules to advanced degrees, so […]
Which of these programs is best for becoming an assistant principal or principal?
The MSE in Educational Leadership is the one built specifically for this path. Becoming an assistant principal or principal in Arkansas requires a bachelor’s degree, a valid teaching license, two to three years of classroom experience and a master’s degree in educational leadership. See ADE for latest requirements. A-State’s program requires two years of teaching […]
Which MAT concentration is right for me if I want to teach elementary versus middle school versus a subject like business or art?
Match the concentration to the age group or subject you want to teach: Elementary Education K-6 for young children, Middle Level Education 4-8 for the middle-school years, Business Technology for grades 4-12 business instruction, and Art K-12 for visual art across all grade levels. Special Education K-12 is the outlier, organized by student population rather […]
What’s the difference between a MAT and an MEd?
A-State’s MAT is specifically an initial-licensure degree for career changers without an education background. An MEd (or A-State’s equivalent MSE) is typically for people who already hold a teaching license and want to deepen expertise or add an endorsement rather than earn their first license. If you’re not yet licensed to teach, the MAT is […]
Is a MAT worth it for a career changer with no education background?
For career changers set on teaching, the MAT is generally the most direct path. It’s specifically built as an alternative-licensure route, unlike a general master’s in education. The return is strongest when your prior background lines up with a concentration (business experience into MAT – Business Technology, an art background into MAT in Art K-12), […]
Do MAT programs prepare you for a state teaching license?
Yes. Every MAT concentration at A-State is CAEP-accredited and built as an alternative route to K-12 teaching licensure for people intending to teach in Arkansas who hold a non-education bachelor’s degree. Some tracks allow a provisional license early in the program, letting you begin teaching while you finish coursework.
How long does an online MAT typically take?
A-State’s MAT concentrations take 12 to 24 months depending on the track: MAT – Special Education K-12 can be completed in as few as 12–16 months, while Business Technology, Middle Level, Elementary and Art K-12 each run 18–24 months.
What is a Master of Arts in Teaching, and who is it for?
A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is an alternative-licensure master’s degree for people who want to become K-12 teachers but don’t hold an education degree. It combines graduate-level teaching coursework with a path to state licensure, making it the primary route into the classroom for career changers with a bachelor’s degree in another field.
Does this master’s also lead to a dyslexia credential?
It can. Graduates who complete five specific courses (RDNG 6333, RDNG 6513, RDNG 6533, RDNG 6553 and RDNG 6563) are eligible for a dyslexia endorsement, pending state licensure eligibility. The Professional Education department handles the paperwork automatically. This built-in pathway is different from A-State’s standalone Dyslexia Certificate, which is a faster, more direct route to […]
Are reading specialist positions growing or shrinking in schools?
Employment in educational instruction and library occupations, which includes reading specialist roles, is projected to grow 2% through 2035, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. An aging workforce and ongoing literacy-intervention priorities mean tens of thousands of openings are expected annually as coordinators and specialists retire or move on.
How long does Arkansas State’s online MSE in Reading take?
As few as 12 months, through 30 credit hours of accelerated online courses (7-week terms in fall/spring and 5-week terms in summer).
What’s the difference between a reading specialist and a literacy coach?
A reading specialist typically works directly with students who need intervention or diagnostic support, while a literacy coach works more with teachers, modeling instruction, providing feedback and helping build schoolwide literacy practices. A-State’s MSE in Reading prepares graduates for both roles, since the coursework covers diagnostic assessment as well as coaching and leadership skills.
How do I become a reading specialist, and what degree do I need?
A-State’s MSE in Reading is built specifically for this path: a 30-credit-hour master’s degree that prepares graduates for the reading specialist certification exam, with clinical practicum experience and coursework aligned to 2017 ILA standards.
Does the Ed.S. or the master’s prepare me for the Reading Specialist Praxis exam?
Both reference Praxis Reading Specialist preparation, but they serve different readers. A-State’s MSE in Reading is the primary, initial-certification pathway for teachers pursuing their first reading-specialist credential. This Ed.S. is for those who already hold that credential and want advanced practice and administrative standing beyond the initial certification.
What’s the difference between a master’s and an education specialist degree in reading?
A-State’s MSE in Reading is the base practitioner’s credential: a 30-credit-hour master’s for teachers pursuing their first reading-specialist certification. This Ed.S. is a post-master’s degree for educators who already hold that master’s (or an equivalent) and want advanced standing for district- or campus-level literacy leadership roles.
How does an online Ed.S. in reading compare to a standard literacy endorsement for Arkansas teachers?
A standard literacy endorsement is typically a lighter-weight, license-level credential added to an existing teaching certificate. This Ed.S. is a full 30-credit-hour post-master’s degree built for educators who already hold a master’s and want the highest available reading-specialist credential, often used to move into district-level literacy leadership rather than classroom-level endorsement alone.
Does A-State’s education specialist in reading lead to licensure?
Yes. Coursework prepares graduates to sit for the Praxis Reading Specialist exam, and the program also leads to a dyslexia endorsement for students who complete the required coursework and meet state licensure eligibility.