Educational Studies (M.Ed.)

The Master of Education in Educational Studies is a master’s degree program that can be completed fully or partially online. It is designed for educators who wish to expand their knowledge of education, improve their educational practice, and positively impact public and private schools. The M.Ed. is also intended to provide a foundation in educational studies for individuals broadly interested in education in a variety of settings, including business, educational and research centers, and national and state agencies. The program provides a context in which participants can develop tools of inquiry to investigate questions about teaching, mentoring, learning and school reform, and to inspire others to work toward educational change. This program does not lead to a teaching or administrative credential.

The program is structured around a knowledge and application core that includes a course on contemporary issues in education, a course on the analysis of teaching, mentoring and learning, and a course on educational research methods. Program participants will also complete electives, designed to provide depth or breadth to their course of study. Finally, program participants will complete an inquiry project course in which they develop a literature review on an educational issue of their choice, conduct research, and present their findings in the context of the course. The program includes flexible options for study, including a fully online option.

Please visit the Graduate School website for detailed instructions about applying to the program.

The M.Ed. in Educational Studies requires a minimum of 30 credits.

¹

Program participants choose a set of four elective courses in consultation with their advisor, reflecting their personal, professional, and academic interests, needs, and goals. The electives are intended to provide breadth and depth to each participant’s course of study. At least two electives must be courses in the Education Department at UNH (8 credits). The other two elective courses may be taken in education, another department at UNH, or another approved institution with the appropriate permission and consistent with Graduate School transfer credit policies (6 – 8 credits, depending on school / department). Electives can be online, hybrid, or face-­to-­face courses.

• Students will learn how to analyze and critique issues in education.
• Students will apply learning theory to educational issues in both formal and informal learning contexts.
• Students will learn to critique and design educational research.
• Students will gain expertise in one or more substantive areas of inquiry in educational research, policy, and/or practice.

Apply now

Deadlines

• Fall:  August 1
• Spring:  December 1
• Summer: May 1
• Special: Applications accepted on a rolling basis between September-May, with priority consideration for applicants who submit application and supplemental materials by deadlines

Application fee: $65

Campus: Online

New England Regional: MA RI

Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

• Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
• Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

In no more than two pages, describe the reasons you wish to pursue the degree program you have chosen, including relevant personal qualities and life experiences that have shaped your beliefs about learning, development and teaching, counseling, or administration (depending on the program to which you are applying).

Statements must be included with your submitted application.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

Questions

For program-specific application questions, please contact the department directly.