Master's in Education at Barry University: Programs & Specializations

Florida teaching jobs requiring a master's degree have grown steadily, particularly in curriculum design and reading intervention. Barry University, shaped by Catholic social teaching, offers a range of M.Ed. programs designed around this reality, preparing educators to serve diverse South Florida classrooms.

Specializations like educational leadership, reading and literacy, and curriculum and instruction are built for working teachers, with most coursework available fully online. Rather than broad theory, the programs emphasize practical strategies for inclusive classrooms.

In Miami-Dade County, a master's often determines eligibility for instructional coordinator or literacy coach positions, making program accreditation and state certification alignment a practical priority for career advancement.

What Sets Barry University's School of Education Apart?

Barry University's School of Education stands out for its personal approach, blending intimate learning environments with deep Miami community roots. You join a supportive network from day one, not a place to get lost in the crowd.

Personalized Learning in Small Cohorts

The hallmark of Barry's M.Ed. experience is the small class size. Faculty members know your name, your goals, and your strengths, offering targeted feedback that transforms theory into practice. This close-knit setting fosters collaboration and long-lasting professional relationships, often continuing well beyond graduation. For working educators, this means your coursework directly connects to the challenges you face in your own classroom.

Miami: A Living Classroom

Barry's location in Miami Shores offers an unmatched multicultural backdrop. You learn alongside classmates from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, mirroring the reality of today's schools. Field placements and internships across Miami-Dade County public schools let you apply culturally responsive teaching strategies in real time. The city becomes an extension of your program, preparing you to lead in any educational setting.

Over 80 Years of Educator Preparation

Barry has been preparing Florida educators since 1940, building a reputation for quality and innovation. This deep history means strong alumni networks, established partnerships with local districts, and programs that evolve with the needs of the profession. The curriculum integrates current research with practical wisdom, ensuring graduates are ready for the complexities of modern classrooms.

Field Experiences and School Partnerships

Barry embeds field-based experiences throughout its M.Ed. programs, not just at the end. From early observation hours to intensive internships, you gain hands-on practice under the guidance of experienced clinical educators. Strong partnerships with Miami-Dade, Broward, and other area districts provide diverse placement options. These experiences are directly tied to coursework, allowing you to immediately apply new skills and reflect with faculty support.

Online, In-Person, and Hybrid Learning at Barry

The steady expansion of online graduate education has transformed how working teachers advance their careers, and Barry University's M.Ed. programs reflect that shift. Most of Barry's master's-level education degrees are available fully online¹, with a few offered in blended or on-campus formats to accommodate different learning preferences and professional schedules.

Online M.Ed. Specializations: Flexible and Asynchronous

Barry's online M.Ed. portfolio covers several high-demand areas. The Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, offered through the Barry University School of Education, can be completed entirely online, with concentrations ranging from Early and Middle Childhood Education to TESOL and Montessori. The M.S. in Exceptional Student Education, part of Barry's special education master's programs, and the M.S. in Reading are also fully online; note that the Reading program no longer leads to K-12 Reading certification in Florida², so verify your state's requirements if licensure is your goal. Educational Leadership, offered at multiple levels (M.S., Ed.S., Ed.D.) online through the Educational Leadership program, features evening courses that typically meet weekly, adding a structured live component to the online experience.

• Course structure: Most online courses are asynchronous, meaning you can complete readings, discussions, and assignments on your own schedule. However, Educational Leadership programs feature weekly evening sessions (likely via live video)³, providing real-time interaction with faculty and peers.
• Timeline: Fall and spring courses run 16 weeks; summer sessions are compressed to 10-12 weeks³, letting you accelerate your progress.

Blended and On-Campus Options for Face-to-Face Engagement

If you value in-person connection, Barry offers blended and on-campus pathways. The Master of Science in Counseling with a specialization in School Counseling uses a blended format at the North Miami campus⁴, mixing online coursework with face-to-face meetings. The Higher Education Administration concentration within Educational Leadership is designated as hybrid, ideal for those who want some campus-based networking. Certain specializations, such as Montessori training, may include hands-on components best experienced in person; reach out to the program coordinator for current delivery details.

• On-campus benefits: Access to Barry's Miami Shores campus means libraries, career services, and direct mentorship from faculty. On-campus and blended students often build stronger local professional networks, which can be valuable for job placement in Florida schools.

Field Experiences: Practical Requirements Across Formats

No matter the delivery mode, all M.Ed. candidates must complete field experiences, practica, or internships. These practical components are arranged in schools near your home community, even for fully online students. Barry's field placement office works with you to identify suitable sites, but you should expect some in-person commitments. For school counseling, state licensure requires supervised clinical hours that cannot be done remotely. Plan ahead to ensure these requirements fit your schedule and location.

Barry's multifaceted delivery options make it possible to earn your master's while teaching full time, without sacrificing the hands-on training that Florida schools expect.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Admissions Requirements for Barry’s M.ed. Programs

To apply to Barry University’s Master of Education programs, you’ll need to gather the following materials and meet these requirements. Admissions are rolling, but early submission by the priority deadline is recommended.

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum GPA

  You must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is expected, though applicants with lower GPAs may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Application deadlines

  The priority deadline for fall admission is May 1. Spring and summer start dates are also available; contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for specific deadlines.
• Application materials

  Submit a completed graduate application, a nonrefundable application fee (check the university website for the current amount), official transcripts from all colleges attended, a statement of purpose outlining your goals, and a current résumé or CV.
• Letters of recommendation

  Two letters of recommendation are required. Choose recommenders who can speak to your academic potential or professional experience in education, such as former professors or supervisors.
• Standardized test requirements

  Most M.Ed. programs do not require GRE, MAT, or GMAT scores, though some specializations may request them. For instance, the Curriculum and Instruction program requires passing the Florida Department of Education subject-area exam (or qualifying content-credit pathways); National Board Certification may substitute. Confirm with your program of interest.
• International applicants

  If English is not your first language, submit official TOEFL iBT (minimum 79), IELTS (minimum 6.5), Duolingo (minimum 95), or PTE Academic (minimum 53) scores. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES-approved agency.

M.ed. Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid at Barry

Graduate tuition continues to rise across the country, yet targeted aid and institutional discounts can make an advanced education degree more attainable than the sticker price suggests.

Breaking Down the Cost

For the 2025-2026 academic year, Barry University charges $1,050 per credit hour for graduate-level education courses. The Master of Education program typically requires 30 to 36 credits, placing total tuition between $31,500 and $37,800 before fees. A mandatory university fee of $500 applies each year, covering student services and campus resources. Because many students finish in fewer than two years, the total cost often falls on the lower end, particularly for those who transfer credits or enroll in accelerated formats.¹

Additional expenses to budget for include textbooks, technology fees, and course materials, though precise amounts vary by semester. Barry’s billing portal provides an itemized breakdown each term, and the financial aid office recommends contacting them early to confirm exact costs for your planned enrollment schedule.

Financial Aid Options

Barry participates in all major federal aid programs. Graduate students can apply for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans by completing the FAFSA. For educators, the federal TEACH Grant may provide up to $4,000 per year in exchange for teaching in a high-need field at a low-income school. Florida residents should also explore state-level tuition assistance and loan forgiveness programs designed for teachers.²

The university itself awards several institutional grants and scholarships. Although not all are guaranteed, merit-based and need-based awards can reduce the net price significantly. Barry’s financial aid counselors encourage all applicants to request a personalized aid package review. Additionally, graduate assistantships offer a limited number of positions that combine a tuition waiver with a stipend in return for research or administrative work within the School of Education.²

Tuition Discounts and Special Programs

A notable feature at Barry is a 25 percent tuition discount for eligible students. This discount commonly applies to employees of partner school districts, Catholic school teachers, and select corporate partnership participants. Alumni returning for a second degree also qualify for reduced rates. Military service members, veterans, and their dependents can explore the Honorably Discharged Graduate Assistance Program (HDGAP), which pairs federal GI Bill benefits with institutional support to lower out-of-pocket costs.²

Because these discounts stack with other forms of aid, prospective students should inquire about all available pathways before assuming the published price is final. The actual net price for many graduate students ends up far below the listed total, especially when combining employer reimbursement, scholarships, and federal loan forgiveness after graduation.

Accreditation and Your Florida Teaching Certification

Choosing a graduate education program means weighing academic quality against the practical need for a credential that opens doors in your state. At Barry University, institutional reputation and program-specific approvals work together to help you meet Florida’s certification standards, but it’s important to know exactly what the university does, and does not, offer.

Institutional Accreditation

Barry University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.¹ This regional accreditation is essential: it allows Barry to participate in federal financial aid programs and signals that the institution meets broad standards of quality. For Florida teachers, SACSCOC accreditation also satisfies a baseline requirement for state certification. However, it’s helpful to understand how this fits into the broader landscape of M.Ed. accreditation.

Specialized Program Approval

While Barry does not currently hold specialized accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), several of its M.Ed. concentrations carry state-specific approval directly from the Florida Department of Education.² This means your program’s curriculum has been reviewed and aligned with Florida’s competency requirements for certification. For example:

• Educational Leadership (M.S. and Ed.S.): Leads to the Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate in Educational Leadership.
• Reading (M.S.): Qualifies you for the Florida Reading Certification.
• Reading Endorsement: A focused add-on credential for current teachers.

Additionally, Barry’s Montessori Teacher Education program is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE), a distinct national recognition.

Alignment with Florida Certification

Barry’s M.Ed. programs are designed with Florida’s certification pathways in mind. Coursework and field experiences prepare you to meet the state’s subject-area competencies, pass required exams, and apply for professional or endorsement credentials. If your goal is to add a curriculum and instruction endorsement or move into leadership, the programs map directly to the Florida Department of Education’s standards.²

Certification Across State Lines

For educators considering a career outside Florida, Barry provides licensure disclosure information as required by federal regulation 34 CFR 668.43.³ Florida participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which means your Florida-issued certificate may be eligible for reciprocity in over 40 other states.³ However, every state sets its own requirements, so you should contact the licensing board in your target state early in the enrollment process. Barry’s Office of Student Services can help you navigate these varying standards.

Career Paths and Salary Outlook for Barry M.ed. Graduates

What can you expect to earn and where can you work after completing a Barry University master's in education? The answer matters because a graduate degree is both a professional stepping stone and a financial investment. Data on recent Barry master’s graduates offers a clear picture of early career outcomes, while broader trends for education professionals in Florida help put those numbers in context.

Common Career Paths for M.Ed. Graduates

Barry’s M.Ed. programs prepare educators for roles that shape curriculum, instruction, and school leadership. Typical job titles include instructional coordinator, curriculum specialist, academic dean, and lead teacher. Graduates often move from classroom teaching into positions where they design academic programs, train colleagues, and oversee student services. The 2021 data shows that 76% of Barry master’s graduates were employed shortly after earning their degree, and another 67% pursued further education, reflecting both immediate job market entry and a commitment to continued professional growth.¹

Earnings and Employment Outcomes for Barry Master’s Graduates

The most recent institutional data reports that master’s degree recipients from Barry University earned a mean annual wage of $59,086 in 2021.¹ While program-specific salary statistics for the M.Ed. are not yet available, this figure provides a baseline for what education professionals might expect early in their careers. Beyond this snapshot, Barry’s broad alumni network reports strong long-term employment rates: 94% of alumni are employed within one year of graduation, and 93% remain employed five years out. These numbers suggest enduring career stability for those who earn a degree from Barry.

How Barry Outcomes Compare to Florida and National Averages

Context matters. Broader trends indicate that education professionals in Florida see competitive salaries that increase with experience and advanced credentials. Barry master’s graduates’ mean wage of $59,086 aligns with these trends, suggesting that the university prepares students competitively for the education job market. Entry-level M.Ed. salaries often increase with experience; as educators step into coordinator or dean roles, compensation typically rises. The university’s career services and alumni network are designed to help graduates navigate the job search successfully.

Professional Support and Career Services

Beyond the numbers, Barry University offers career development resources that include job fairs, resume workshops, and one-on-one career advising. The School of Education maintains a network of alumni working in K-12 schools, districts, and higher education institutions across Florida and beyond. This community can be a valuable asset for new graduates seeking mentorship and job leads. While no single statistic guarantees a job offer, the combination of practical skills gained through Barry’s M.Ed. program and the support of an engaged alumni base helps position graduates for rewarding careers in education.

What Could You Earn?

Earnings data for Barry M.Ed. graduates one year after completion is not yet published.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barry's M.ed.

Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Barry University's Master of Education programs, covering costs, online options, admissions, certifications, and program length.

Other Barry University Schools

1. California
2. Illinois
3. Pennsylvania
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