Advance Your Teaching Career with a University of Kansas M.Ed.

KU graduates earn a median salary of $61,945 a decade after enrollment, underscoring the economic weight of a degree from this flagship institution. For Kansas educators, where schools report persistent teacher shortages, that number carries real meaning.

The University of Kansas has been the state's primary source of education talent for generations, combining research-driven training with direct classroom practice. KU's M.S.E. programs are built around working teachers, with online and hybrid formats that make advancement possible without leaving the classroom.

In Kansas, where the master's pay bump can exceed $9,000 annually, a KU M.Ed. isn't just a credential; it's a lever for long-term earning potential.

Why Earn Your Master’s in Education at the University of Kansas?

What sets a master’s degree from the University of Kansas apart when you’re already balancing a classroom or a career in education? KU pairs the research depth of a flagship public university with a practical, practitioner-focused approach that fits a working educator’s schedule.

A Legacy of Excellence in Educator Preparation

The University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences has prepared educators and school leaders for decades. Its programs are accredited under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards, a mark of quality recognized nationwide. Faculty members bring active research agendas in curriculum design, equity in education, special education, and educational leadership, and they translate that scholarship directly into coursework so you learn what works tomorrow, not just what worked yesterday.

Master’s Paths That Match Your Career Goals

As one of the leading master's in education programs in Kansas, KU’s graduate education portfolio spans several distinct M.Ed. and M.S.E. tracks, each built around a clear professional outcome. Among the most popular are: - Curriculum and Instruction: Choose from emphasis areas such as reading, TESOL, or instructional design. This path suits classroom teachers aiming for a deeper pedagogical toolkit or district-level coaching roles. - Educational Leadership: A Master of Science in Education in Educational Administration with a Building Leadership concentration. The program can be completed within two years online and includes 30 credit hours, a field-based practicum, and a digital portfolio aligned with National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards. It is designed specifically for working educators and requires at least one letter of recommendation and relevant professional experience. - Higher Education Administration: For those targeting student affairs, academic advising, or college leadership positions. - Music Education: A summer-based master’s catering to K, 12 music teachers with licensure renewal or advanced study goals.

Additional graduate certificates and endorsements, such as special education or ESL, allow you to stack credentials without committing to a full degree.

Applied Learning Grounded in Research and Community

Every KU master’s program weaves in real-world practice. The Building Leadership track requires 175 internship hours in a school setting. Curriculum and Instruction candidates often design and implement action research projects in their own classrooms. Strong ties with school districts across Kansas, including Lawrence, Kansas City, and Topeka, mean your coursework stays relevant to the demographics and challenges you face daily. Faculty research centers like the Center for Research on Learning and the Achievement & Assessment Institute also create opportunities for graduate assistantships and project work.

Designed for the Working Educator

Evening and summer courses, fully online options for select programs, and hybrid formats mean you can advance your credentials without leaving your job. The Educational Leadership program runs entirely online with interactive discussions. Curriculum and Instruction and Higher Education tracks offer both on-campus and distance-ready configurations. Advising is attentive, and cohort models foster peer networks that outlast the degree.

Online, On-Campus, and Hybrid Delivery: How KU’s M.ed. Works Around Your Schedule

Pursuing a master’s degree while working full-time demands a program that bends to your schedule, not the other way around. At the University of Kansas, the Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) programs are designed with this tension in mind, offering a range of delivery formats so you can advance your career without pausing it.

Which KU M.Ed. Programs Are Fully Online?

KU delivers several M.S.E. specializations entirely online, meaning you can complete all coursework remotely with no on-campus visits. These fully online options include: ¹²

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• High-Incidence Disabilities
• Secondary Transition Education and Services
• Curriculum and Instruction
• TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

Two specializations, Early Childhood Unified and Low-Incidence Disabilities, remain on-campus only in Lawrence.³ The Educational Administration program takes a hybrid approach: coursework is online, but you must complete an in-person internship at a local PK-12 school, blending virtual learning with hands-on leadership experience.

How Online Courses Are Structured at KU

Online M.S.E. programs operate on a primarily asynchronous schedule, so you can log in and complete work when it suits you. Most courses run in 8-week sessions, with three start dates per year, giving you flexibility to begin when you’re ready. Expect to spend 8, 15 hours per week on each course. While there are no required synchronous class meetings, some instructors may offer optional live sessions for discussion or review.⁴ The total program length is 30 credit hours,⁵ and you can typically finish in two years while working.

Technology and Support for Online Students

To succeed online, you’ll need a modern computer, high-speed internet, a webcam, and a microphone.⁴ KU provides technical support and access to digital resources, including library databases and academic advising, so you’re never navigating coursework alone. The online platform is designed for ease of use, with clear navigation and built-in communication tools.

Field Experience: What You’ll Do Locally

For most online M.S.E. specializations, no field experience is required. The exception is Educational Administration, which includes a 175-hour internship in a school setting, arranged near your community.⁵ This hands-on component ensures you meet Kansas licensure standards and gain practical leadership skills while still completing the bulk of your degree online.

Can you earn an entire M.Ed. online? For the majority of KU’s M.S.E. programs, the answer is yes. Just be aware that a few areas of study, like early childhood or low-incidence disabilities, require on-campus attendance, and educational administration blends online classes with a local internship. Choose the pathway that aligns with your location and career goals, and you’ll find a schedule that truly works around you.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Tuition and Total Cost: Investing in Your KU M.ed.

Resident versus nonresident, on-campus versus online: each choice in your University of Kansas Master’s in Education journey carries a distinct price tag. For Kansas residents attending classes in Lawrence, the per-credit tuition for the 2026, 2027 academic year stands at $501.80.¹ Out-of-state students pay a markedly higher rate of $1,176.10 per credit.¹ Online learners, regardless of location, benefit from a flat tuition of $595 per credit,² plus a streamlined fee structure.

Breaking Down the Per-Credit Costs

• In-state, on-campus: $501.80 per credit hour, applied to all graduate education courses taken on the Lawrence or Edwards campuses.¹
• Out-of-state, on-campus: $1,176.10 per credit hour, making residency reclassification a valuable financial goal.¹
• Online: $595 per credit hour, a rate that eliminates the nonresident premium entirely. Online students also avoid many on-campus mandatory fees, though a technology or course fee may still apply.²

On-campus students also pay a mandatory fee of $287.10 per semester,³ which supports campus services and facilities. For a typical 12-credit fall or spring term, that adds about $23.93 per credit. Some programs levy additional course-specific fees, so it is wise to review the program’s official cost sheet.

Estimated Total Program Cost: A 30-Credit Snapshot

Most KU M.Ed. programs require 30 to 36 credits. Using the 30-credit mark, here is how the numbers break out before financial aid:

• Kansas resident (on-campus): $15,054 in tuition,¹ plus approximately $861 in mandatory fees over three semesters,³ for a total near $15,915. (The university’s published estimated annual tuition for graduate education students is $11,638,⁴ reflecting a typical full-time load of around 24 credits per year, so your final bill may vary with enrollment pace.)
• Nonresident (on-campus): $35,283 in tuition¹ plus similar fees, pushing the total above $36,000.
• Online (all students): A flat $17,850 for 30 credits,² as published by KU Online Education, making it a predictable and often more affordable path for out-of-state students.

If your program requires 36 credits, multiply the per-credit rate by 36 to approximate your investment. Early planning with an academic advisor helps you map an efficient enrollment schedule that minimizes additional fees.

Financial Aid: Ways to Offset Your M.Ed. Costs

KU encourages all graduate students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to access federal loans and work-study. Beyond federal aid, several targeted options exist:

• TEACH Grant for master's in education: For students intending to teach in high-need fields and low-income schools, this federal grant can provide up to $4,000 per year. Commitment to a four-year service obligation is required; failure to meet it converts the grant into a loan.²
• KU Online Scholarship: Three specific online M.Ed. programs, Reading Education, TESOL, and High Incidence Disabilities, offer a $4,000 scholarship to eligible admitted students.² This award reduces the net program cost to as low as $13,850 for a 30-credit program.
• Departmental and university scholarships: The School of Education awards several scholarships based on merit, financial need, or area of specialization. Deadlines typically fall in early spring, so apply sooner rather than later.

Graduate Assistantships and Employer Tuition Benefits

A graduate teaching or research assistantship can significantly lower your costs. Assistantships often include a full or partial tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, and sometimes health insurance. Competition is strong, and positions are limited to on-campus students, but the reward is substantial: a 20-hour-per-week assistantship can cover nearly all tuition costs for a full course load.

Finally, do not overlook employer tuition reimbursement. Many Kansas school districts and private institutions support educators pursuing advanced degrees with partial or full tuition reimbursement. Contact your human resources office to learn about requirements and lifetime maximums. Stacking employer benefits with the online scholarship or a graduate assistantship can transform a master’s degree from a financial hurdle into a manageable, career-advancing investment.

Admissions Requirements: How to Get Into KU’s M.ed. Programs

Getting into a University of Kansas master's in education program is a straightforward process built around a few consistent requirements, with some variation across specializations.

• Bachelor’s Degree and GPA

  Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, ideally with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. If your GPA falls below that threshold, you may still be considered through a holistic review process.
• GRE Waived for Most Programs

  KU has waived the GRE requirement for the majority of its M.Ed. specializations. This means you can apply without submitting standardized test scores unless a specific program states otherwise.
• Application Materials

  A complete application typically includes a statement of purpose, a current résumé, and letters of recommendation. The number of letters varies by program, two are common, while some programs like Educational Administration require only one. The application is submitted online through the KU Graduate Admissions system, with a $65 fee for domestic applicants and $100 for international students.
• Program Deadlines

  Deadlines depend on the specialization and entry term. For example, Curriculum & Teaching and Educational Administration have a fall deadline of August 13, 2026. Special Education offers fall (August 1) and spring (December 13) start dates. The Higher Education Administration program typically opens in early September and has an early January deadline, so plan ahead.
• Specialization-Specific Prerequisites

  Some tracks carry additional requirements. The Educational Administration M.Ed., for instance, requires a professional-level teaching license and three to five years of relevant work experience. Always check your intended program’s page for any extra conditions.

Accreditation and Licensure: What KU’s M.ed. Means for Your Teaching Career

Some M.Ed. programs launch your teaching career from scratch, while others deepen an existing one with advanced credentials. The University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences holds national accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) through 2028¹, a mark of quality that signals your degree meets rigorous national standards. In 2022, KU also earned the Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement², a distinction awarded to programs that demonstrate exceptional, evidence-based progress.

Accreditation That Holds Weight

National accreditation means KU’s programs are regularly reviewed for curriculum relevance, clinical practice, and graduate outcomes. This is not a one-time achievement; it requires ongoing data collection and improvement. For you, that translates to a credential respected by districts across the country, especially when combined with KU’s participation in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which streamlines licensure reciprocity.³

Initial Licensure vs. Advanced Endorsements

Not every M.Ed. at KU leads to a first-time teaching license. Programs like Curriculum and Instruction are designed for practicing teachers who want to deepen their expertise and may not include student-teaching components. If you are seeking initial teacher certification in Kansas, you must complete an approved teacher preparation pathway at KU, which includes passing Praxis content and pedagogy exams.³ Conversely, if you already hold a valid Kansas teaching license, many KU M.Ed. tracks allow you to add an advanced endorsement, think Reading Specialist, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or Building Leadership, without starting over.

Endorsement Pathways at KU

KU offers a suite of endorsements that attach to an existing license. Each pathway includes tailored coursework, a practicum or internship, and a subject-specific exam. Here are a few examples:

- Reading Specialist (PreK, 12): Combines literacy theory with supervised practice; requires the ETS subject exam. - TESOL/ESOL: Prepares you to work with multilingual learners; you will take courses like C&T 820 and C&T 825 and pass the ETS ESOL exam. - Building Leadership (PK, 12 principal): Leads to a principal endorsement; includes an internship and the appropriate leadership assessment. - District Leadership (PK, 12 administrator): For aspiring central-office leaders, with similar tested requirements. - High Incidence and Low Incidence Disabilities: Special education endorsements for K, 6, 6, 12, or PK, 12 settings, each with a focused practicum. - School Psychologist (PreK, 12): A license-track program that blends assessment and intervention coursework. ³

All advanced endorsements require a current Kansas teaching license and the relevant ETS subject exam. Your program advisor will help you map courses, clinical hours, and exam dates so you stay on track.

Licensure Reciprocity Across State Lines

Thanks to the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, a Kansas license earned through KU typically transfers more smoothly to other member states.³ You may still need to complete state-specific tests, background checks, or a short orientation, but KU’s CAEP accreditation, which meets many states’ reciprocal criteria, often reduces extra steps. Before enrolling, consult both your program coordinator and the licensing board in your intended state to confirm exact requirements. Out-of-state students considering a fully online M.Ed. should especially verify that distance-based clinical placements are acceptable where they plan to practice.

KU M.ed. Career and Salary Outcomes at a Glance

A University of Kansas master's degree pays off. While program-level earnings for the M.Ed. are not yet reported, KU's overall graduate outcomes show a strong return. The M.S.E. in Educational Administration can be completed in as few as two years, positioning graduates for roles like curriculum specialist or academic advisor.

How KU Compares to Other Kansas Education Schools

When you're choosing between Kansas graduate programs, the decision often comes down to cost versus fit: how much will you pay, and does the school offer the specialization and network that match your career goals? Comparing KU to other major public universities in the state gives you a clearer picture of where your tuition dollars go and what kind of long-term return you might expect.

Tuition Per Credit: A Side-by-Side Look

For the 2025-2026 academic year, in-state graduate tuition at the University of Kansas sits at $484.64 per credit hour.¹ Kansas State University's graduate rate is slightly higher at $498.33 per credit.² Wichita State University's per-credit rate was not publicly available at this writing, but you can request updated figures directly from the graduate school. Over a 30-unit master's degree, the difference between KU and K-State adds up to roughly $410, a modest gap that may be less important than program offerings.

These rates cover base resident tuition only. Be sure to factor in required campus fees, course materials, and any lab or technology charges that can vary by program. Online M.Ed. options at KU often carry a flat per-credit rate that may differ from the on-campus figure, so ask for a net cost breakdown if you plan to study remotely.

Program Specializations and Endorsement Pathways

KU's School of Education and Human Sciences houses a broad suite of M.Ed. tracks, including curriculum and instruction, special education, educational administration, and numerous content-area emphases. This variety lets you tailor your degree to specific teaching endorsements or leadership credentials. Kansas State and Wichita State each maintain strong education programs, though the mix of available specializations differs. If you have a narrow focus, such as reading specialist or English language learner endorsement, verify that the program carries the necessary state approval before enrolling.

Long-Term Value: Earnings and Graduation Rates

Federal data sources like College Scorecard report median earnings and graduation rates for graduate programs, but these aggregated figures often combine multiple degree levels and fields. Direct, head-to-head comparisons for M.Ed. graduates from Kansas public universities are not always apples-to-apples. What is clear is that a master's degree in education tends to boost your salary scale in most Kansas districts, regardless of where you earned it. When weighing schools, look beyond sticker price to how fast you can complete the degree, whether the format fits your work schedule, and the strength of the career services and mentoring available.

Qualitative Factors: Research Power and Professional Network

KU carries R1 research university status, which can open doors to grant-funded projects, specialized faculty mentors, and advanced coursework that feeds directly into classroom practice. The university's alumni network stretches across the state and region, providing a built-in professional community for job leads and peer support. Kansas State offers its own land-grant research identity and strong education programs, while Wichita State emphasizes applied learning and community partnerships. Think about which academic culture aligns with your goals.

This is not a ranking; it is a buying guide. Compare per-credit costs, the specializations available, and the intangibles of network and reputation. Then choose the school where the total package fits your career plan as a Kansas educator.

Frequently Asked Questions About KU’s M.ed. Programs

Prospective students frequently ask about program specifics, costs, and admissions. This FAQ answers common questions about the University of Kansas Master’s in Education. Always refer to official KU School of Education resources for the most accurate current details.

Other University of Kansas Schools

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