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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
  • Requirements
  • Tuition & Aid
  • How to Apply

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Why earn a master's in Teaching & Leadership 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.

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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 11 innovative specializations in:

  1. Principalship
  2. Instructional Coaching
  3. Behavioral Supports in Special Education
  4. Early Childhood Education
  5. Elementary Education
  6. Middle / Secondary Education
  7. Secondary Biology
  8. Secondary Math
  9. Applied Data Research
  10. STEM+C Education
  11. 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.

Burgum Foundation Rural Educator Scholarship - 50% off cost of tuition

Teachers currently employed in a public North Dakota pK-12 school district may be eligible to receive tuition support for our Master of Science in Teaching & Leadership program or Mastery Learning Graduate Certificate through a Burgum Foundation Rural Educator Scholarship. This scholarship covers 50% of total tuition costs.

To receive scholarship funds, select rural educators commit to teaching and/or assuming a leadership role in their rural ND school district for up to 3 years after graduation and work collaboratively with a UND-Rural Scholars Advisor while enrolled as a graduate student at UND. UND-Rural Scholar Advisors help students align classwork to rural school-specific needs and create a culminating scholarly project that addresses a rural school or district priority.

For more information about this scholarship, contact Dr. Laura Link.

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 two specializations:

  • Secondary Math
  • Secondary Biology

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

  • Through partnerships with local and statewide school districts, you'll 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.

  • UND has been awarded Aspiring Principals grant funding from the ND Department of Public Instruction.

  • 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?

103k

Median annual salary for elementary, middle, and high school principals, 2023

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

EDL 512. Leading K-12 Classroom Assessment and Grading. 3 Credits.

This course provides educators, school leaders, and instructional support staff with an understanding of how to design and use classroom assessments so they are an aligned part of the instructional process to inform both teachers' corrective action and student learning improvements. This course also explores how to implement effective classroom grading policies and practices so that reported grades are more fair, accurate, and meaningful for students. S,SS.

EDL 513. Leading K-12 Curriculum and Instruction. 3 Credits.

This course provides school leaders the ability to understand major curriculum design models, interpret school district curricula, initiate needs analyses, plan and implement with staff a framework for instruction, align curriculum with anticipated outcomes, monitor social and technological developments as they affect curriculum, and adjust instructional content as needs and conditions change. F.

T&L 532. Leading K-12 Educator Learning. 3 Credits.

This course overviews the theories and approaches to instructional coaching and teacher leadership to support educational program visions, goals and institutional commitment as a way to transform schools into organizations focused on accelerated teacher effectiveness and improved student learning. It prepares teachers to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions for effective teacher leadership and coaching. On demand.

T&L 569. Action Research. 3 Credits.

The study of the philosophy and methods of action research. Emphasis is focused on analysis of and reflection on one's teaching for the purpose of improvements in student learning. Prerequisite: Graduate status. S.

EDL 514. Supervision and Professional Development. 3 Credits.

This course provides school leaders with preparation in skills for instructional improvement, working with faculty and staff to identify professional needs. Classes are designed for in-depth study and practice planning, organizing, and facilitating programs that improve faculty and staff effectiveness and are consistent with institutional goals and needs; supervising individuals and groups; providing feedback on performance; arranging for remedial assistance; engaging faculty and others to plan and participate in recruitment and development activities; and initiating self-development. On demand.

EDL 519. Principalship. 3 Credits.

This course provides school leaders with an understanding of the role of the building principal along with skills and techniques associated with the principalship. The course emphasizes the National Educational Leadership Prep (NELP) professional/accreditation standards including the principal's role in community and family relationships and collaboration, using community resources to support the academic and social needs of students and families, the development and application of policies related to students and staff, planning and delivering of curricular and co-curricular programs within the school, and the principal's role in working with staff. F.

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UND Teaching & Leadership MS

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

+160

online graduate programs

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

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

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.

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Top-Tier Online Teaching Master's

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

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 at UND's libraries. 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.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit 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 Payscale.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

 

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Explore More Options

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

  • Department of Teaching, Leadership & Professional Practice
  • Find Similar Programs
Dr. Laura Link
Graduate Director
College of Education & Human Development
P 701.777.5825
laura.link@UND.edu

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