Online Master's in Teaching & Leadership

Master in Science (M.S.)

Know more. Earn more. Impact more.

Accelerate your teaching, leading, research skills, and earning potential as you make your mark as a teacher, school/district leader, or instructional support staff. With UND’s 100% online master’s degree in Teaching & Leadership, you’ll be prepared to meet the needs of modern K-12 schools and ensure classroom success.

Program type:: Master's Degree
Format:: Online
Est. time to complete:: 5 semesters
Credit hours:: 30

Why earn a master's in teaching online?

Graduate Application Deadlines

Fall:: Aug. 1
Spring:: Dec. 1
Summer:: May 1

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Our K-12 schools need transformative teachers, school leaders, and instructional support educators whose passion for quality and equity is matched by:

A firsthand knowledge of learning and development.
A firm grasp of instructional and classroom assessment and grading issues.
The organizational management skills to translate visionary ideas into real-world success.

UND's online Teaching & Leadership master's degree will prepare you to serve high need and rapidly-changing school environments—and make a lasting, positive impact on students’ well-being and success. And we know how to get you job ready!

As one of the only programs in the U.S. to offer a K-12 Classroom Assessment & Grading course, and the only program in North Dakota to teach the entire continuum of teaching, including curriculum, instruction, assessment, grading, and reporting, we are committed to ready you for the future of education.

Unlike traditional programs, our program will prepare you to implement mastery-based assessment practices, fair and meaningful grading practices, and how to create the classroom and school conditions that foster learning clarity, equity, and support for all students and teachers alike.

Master's in Teaching Online Program

When you enroll in the master's in Teaching & Leadership from UND, you'll not only receive unrivaled value in the selection and flexibility of your coursework, but also an unmatched experience when learning in the program.

100% online with no on-campus travel required.
Faculty equipped with vast K-12 experience as former teachers, school- and district-leaders, superintendents, and more.
Consistent course offerings for timely graduation - whether you are a part-time or full-time student.
Ongoing, individualized advising.

Choose from 13 innovative specializations in:

Principalship
Instructional Coaching
Behavioral Supports in Special Education
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Middle / Secondary Education
Secondary Biology
Secondary Chemistry
Secondary Math
Secondary Physics
Applied Data Research
STEM+C Education
Generalist

PK-12 Education Partnerships in North Dakota

The master's in Teaching & Learning program serves as a primary partner for pK-12 school districts throughout the state of North Dakota. Collaboratively designed with school district leaders using a cohort approach, we offer partner districts tailored learning pathways that meet their unique needs, contexts, and strategic aims. School district partnerships may be delivered in online, in-person, and hybrid formats.

Stack Your Teacher Master's Credentials

Your time is important and we know you want to get the most out of the graduate program you choose. So we've set up the online master's in Teaching & Leadership to give you the ability to earn credentials that enhance your teaching ability, help you earn more, and make the best use of your time while completing the program. Check out the many ways you can stack credentials while at UND.

Mastery Learning Graduate Certificate

Two-for-one stacked or stand-alone credential

Educators spend more than 1/3 of their time assessing and evaluating student work. Yet, there’s little to no university training on classroom assessment, grading, and reporting practices—leaving K-12 educators to figure this out on their own, until now.

Learn to effectively implement, coach, and lead mastery learning and fair and accurate grading practices in classrooms, schools, and districts, especially those exploring or involved in standards-based and formative feedback initiatives with this exclusive graduate certificate program.

Earn your master's degree and Mastery Learning graduate certificate at the same time, inside 30 total credits, affording you the ability to double your value to maximize your credentials and professional potential. Mastery Learning is also offered as a stand-alone certificate.

K-12 Secondary Dual Credit Specializations

Three-for-one stacked credential

Looking to meet the requirements for dual credit secondary teaching? Within our master’s degree, you can earn the coursework required to teach dual credit courses in secondary classrooms in North Dakota and nationwide.

Choose from four specializations:

Math
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

With these specializations, you could additionally earn a dual credit credential and mastery learning certificate all together inside our 30-credit master’s degree.

K-12 Instructional Coaching Certificate

Stand-alone credential

This 100% online graduate certificate examines research-based best program and practice with useful tools for instructional coaching. Strengthen your communication skills and facilitate job-embedded professional development to accelerate instructional growth for educators and improve student learning.

You can choose to pursue the Instructional Coaching certificate as a stand-alone credential or it can be earned with successful completion of our Teaching & Leadership master's degree while also completing an Instructional Coaching research project.

UND's Master's in Teaching & Leadership Online

Gain vital hands-on school-based and classroom experience through fieldwork placements, practicums, and internships.
One of the only programs in the United States to offer a K-12 Classroom Assessment & Grading course
Only program in North Dakota to include the entire continuum of teaching and learning, including curriculum, instruction, assessment, grading, and reporting.
Acquire best practices in leadership, literacy, math, science, social studies, assessment, grading, peer coaching, and more.
Ranked #14 nationally for Best Online Master's in Teaching program
Need specific classes to become a principal or school superintendent, but don't have the time for a full Master's program? We offer stand-alone educational leadership courses that help with your eligibility requirements, applicable for any U.S. state.

What can you do with a master's in teaching and leadership?

20K

Openings for elementary, middle, and high school principals are projected each year, on average, over the decade

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

101k

Median salary for principals

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Our graduates are equipped to teach in K-12 classrooms or serve in various leadership roles within school settings. They also are prepared to work in curriculum design and coordination in school systems and in oversight and governmental agencies.

Graduates of the program readily obtain jobs in a variety of positions, including:

Applied Behavior Analyst
Assessment Coordinator
Assistant Principal
Behavioral Support Specialist
Computer Science Specialist
Content Specialist
Curriculum Director
Data Coach
Department Chair
Dual Credit Instructor
Early Childhood Director
Early Childhood Specialist
Evaluation Specialist
Grading and Reporting Specialist
Instructional Coach
Instructional Coordinator
Lead Teacher
Master Teacher
Principal
Research Analyst
Student Support Specialist
STEM Education Specialist
Technology Specialist
Special Education Behavior Intervention Specialist

Master's in Teaching Online Courses

Best Online Teaching & Leadership Program

Our teaching and leadership program consistently ranks among the best for educational quality, affordability, and career outcomes.

TOP ONLINE MASTER'S IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Teaching Master's Degree Online

best online university in the nation

EDsmart

best online graduate programs

EDsmart

Dependent on the track you choose, online classes are offered in real-time (synchronous) or on your own schedule (asynchronous).

Open All

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

Lesson modules
Streaming video content
Virtual libraries
Posted lectures
Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Synchronous classes are held in real-time. If you’re the kind of learner who likes active discussion and immediate feedback through live interaction, you’ll enjoy this online course format.

Every class is different, but generally, you’ll log into a virtual classroom at scheduled times to:

Listen to a lecture.
Ask questions.
Participate in class discussions.
Conduct group activities.
Participate in video-sharing.
Have chat conversations.
Use interactive whiteboards.
Take live polls.

You should prepare for your classes by finishing any assigned readings, compiling questions for your instructor, and thinking about how to contribute to the next live class.

Top-Tier Online Teaching Master's

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on-campus student.

Same degree. All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
Same classes. You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
Real interaction. You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
Your own academic advisor. As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
Free online tutoring. We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
Unlimited academic coaching. Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
Full online access. Dig into virtual research from the Chester Fritz Library. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
24/7 technical support. UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.

Best Online College

Reportedly high alumni salaries and job placement rates, coupled with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other non-profit universities in the upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

Affordability
Student satisfaction (retention rate)
Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Paysacle.com)

Leaders in Education

After a decade of working with students and teachers in the classroom to make a difference, Logan and Cassie Suter wanted to widen their spheres of influence.

Read Logan & Cassie's Story

Explore More Options

Connect with the education faculty you'll work with at UND or explore other graduate programs in education.

Dr. Laura Link
Graduate Director
College of Education & Human Development
P 701.777.5825
laura.link@UND.edu