Your Guide to Rockhurst University’s Master’s in Education Degrees

Rockhurst University's Master of Education program provides four distinct specializations, including Curriculum & Instruction and Special Education, each grounded in the Jesuit tradition of reflective practice and service to Kansas City classrooms. This emphasis on moral reflection and personalized mentorship prepares educators who view teaching not simply as a job, but as a vocation that shapes equitable outcomes. The combination of flexible delivery, strategic concentrations, and a clear path to Missouri certification makes the degree a pragmatic investment for working teachers who need to see a return in both salary advancement and classroom impact.

Rockhurst Education: A Jesuit Approach Serving Kansas City Classrooms

What does it mean to earn a Master's in Education from a Jesuit university? At Rockhurst, the answer lies in a distinctive blend of moral reflection, social justice, and personalized care, values that shape every aspect of the M.Ed. experience.

Jesuit Pedagogy: Educating the Whole Person

Rockhurst’s graduate education programs, as detailed in the Rockhurst University Academic Catalog, draw deeply on the Jesuit tradition of *cura personalis*, or care for the entire person. Courses go beyond instructional technique to examine how a liberal treatment of subject matter can foster equity and ethical growth in students. Moral reflection and social justice are not add-ons but throughlines, challenging educators to see their work as a vehicle for positive change. The result is a degree that prepares teachers not just for classrooms, but for leadership roles rooted in service.

Small Cohorts and Faculty Mentorship

With a student-faculty ratio of 14:1¹, Rockhurst ensures that graduate candidates receive individualized attention rarely found in larger programs. Students move through the program as part of a tight-knit cohort, collaborating and learning alongside peers who share a commitment to education. Faculty mentors guide each candidate from application through capstone, whether that means building an e-portfolio, completing an action research project, or navigating Missouri certification requirements. Full-time and part-time options allow working professionals to balance their studies with teaching jobs, and many courses are offered in evening or online formats.

Embedded in Kansas City Schools

Rockhurst’s historic Kansas City campus serves as a regional pipeline for educators. Every M.Ed. candidate completes field placements in local public and private schools, typically 20 hours per semester². For initial certification seekers, the student teaching semester involves 9 to 13 credits²³ and spans 15 weeks³, often leading directly to hiring. The university’s longstanding partnerships with districts across the metro area mean that graduates enter the workforce with strong networks already in place.

Flexible Formats: Online, Hybrid, and Evening Options for Working Teachers

balancing teaching and grad school is a demanding endeavor, but Rockhurst University's M.Ed. programs are intentionally designed around the working educator's schedule. The university blends online coursework with evening class times and optional on-campus intensives, giving you the flexibility to earn your degree without stepping away from the classroom.

Hybrid Delivery with Online and Evening Components

Rockhurst's M.Ed. in Educational Studies uses a hybrid model that combines the convenience of online learning with the engagement of in-person evening sessions². Most coursework is completed remotely, while select classes meet one evening per week on campus, preserving the face-to-face interaction and discussion that many teachers value. This structure means you can teach during the day and attend class after school hours, avoiding any conflict with your professional responsibilities.

Fully Online Path for Curriculum, Teaching, and Assessment

If you prefer a completely online experience, the Curriculum, Teaching, and Assessment concentration is delivered 100 percent online¹. This track removes the need for any campus visits, making it an ideal choice for educators in rural Missouri or those with demanding family commitments. The online coursework covers the same rigorous content as the hybrid version, including a 1-credit action research capstone project¹ that lets you immediately apply what you learn to your own classroom while earning your curriculum and instruction master's.

Cohort Structure: Learn with a Professional Network

Whether you choose the hybrid or fully online option, you will progress through the program as part of a cohort. This means you take the same sequence of courses with a small group of fellow educators, building a supportive professional network that often extends well beyond graduation. The cohort model encourages collaboration, shared experiences, and lasting connections with peers who understand the challenges and rewards of teaching.

Evening Classes Designed for the Working Teacher

For the hybrid format, evening classes are held once per week, typically starting in the late afternoon or early evening. This schedule is set up to accommodate a full-time teaching job, so you never have to choose between your classroom and your studies. The program offers three start terms: fall, spring, and summer², allowing you to begin when it makes the most sense for your personal and professional timeline. With careful planning, you can complete the 35-credit degree¹ on a timeline that fits your life, all while maintaining your income and classroom presence.

M.ed. Concentrations: Match Your Degree to Your Career Goals

A generalist teaching degree can qualify you for many classrooms, but a focused concentration signals exactly where you want to lead. Rockhurst University’s Master of Education program offers four distinct specializations that let you target a specific career milestone: deeper classroom expertise, certification in a high-need area, or a pathway to instructional leadership. While each path develops its own toolkit, all concentrations share a backbone of data-driven instruction and reflective practice, hallmarks of Jesuit education that Rockhurst embeds in every course.

Curriculum, Teaching & Assessment

This concentration is built for practicing teachers who want to sharpen classroom effectiveness without stepping out of the instructional role. Coursework digs into curriculum design, formative and summative assessment strategies, and instructional leadership. Graduates often emerge as team leads, instructional coaches, or curriculum developers who can translate assessment data into better learning outcomes.

Special Education

The Special Education track prepares teachers for the high-demand area of K-12 mild/moderate cross-categorical special education. The 65-credit-hour program leads to initial teacher certification in special education and includes a built-in mathematics requirement. A notable feature is the teacher assistant bypass option, which allows experienced classroom paraprofessionals to earn credit while completing student teaching, making the path more accessible for career changers already working in schools.

Secondary Education

Designed for middle and high school practitioners, the Secondary Education concentration deepens content-area pedagogy and understanding of adolescent development. It is especially suited for teachers who aim to instruct dual-credit or advanced courses and who want to ground their practice in the latest research on secondary learners.

Mathematics

This path develops advanced strategies for teaching mathematical reasoning at all K-12 levels. Candidates gain expertise in algebraic thinking, data analysis, geometry, and number sense. Graduates often move into math specialist roles, STEM coordination, or district-level curriculum leadership, strengthening mathematics instruction across grade levels.

Across these concentrations, Rockhurst weaves a consistent thread of data literacy and critical self-reflection. Faculty emphasize using classroom evidence to adjust instruction and improve equity, a practice rooted in the university’s Jesuit mission. This alignment means that every M.Ed. candidate learns to scrutinize student work, analyze test scores, and question their own instructional moves, not simply follow a textbook. For a full course-by-course breakdown, credit requirements, and state-specific certification pathways, see the program listings below.

Missouri Certification Pathways: How Rockhurst's M.ed. Leads to Licensure

Earning a teaching license while balancing graduate coursework can feel like navigating two separate systems at once. Missouri's certification rules are precise, and missing a deadline or an exam score threshold can delay a career launch. Rockhurst University's M.Ed. programs are built specifically to align with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) framework, turning a complex path into a clearly mapped sequence of steps.

Understanding Missouri's Certification Requirements

Missouri requires all teacher candidates to hold a bachelor's degree, complete a state-approved educator preparation program, and pass the Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA) and Praxis series.¹ A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required for admission to a preparation program, with a 3.0 professional GPA expected for coursework. Every candidate must submit to a background check before working with students.² The state issues the Initial Professional Certificate (IPC), valid for four years, which can be earned through traditional undergraduate routes, alternative teacher certification pathways, or out-of-state reciprocity.³

Rockhurst's Program Alignment with DESE Pathways

Rockhurst operates as a DESE-approved provider¹ offering both alternative and graduate-level traditional certification routes. The M.Ed. in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Special Education are designed for post-baccalaureate students seeking initial licensure. Through these master's in education in Missouri programs, candidates complete 30 credit hours of graduate coursework: the threshold Missouri sets for alternative certification³, while simultaneously fulfilling all clinical experience requirements. For teachers who already hold an IPC and want to add endorsements in areas like reading specialist or special education, Rockhurst provides targeted graduate programs that embed the necessary competencies and DESE endorsement assessments directly into the curriculum.

Institutional Support for Licensure Readiness

Deciphering exam registration, endorsement codes, and application timelines is where many candidates stall. Rockhurst addresses this by pairing each M.Ed. student with a dedicated certification advisor who monitors progress toward DESE requirements from day one. The university offers structured test-preparation resources, including practice modules aligned to the MEGA content exams and Praxis subject assessments. While Rockhurst does not publish a single year-over-year licensure outcome rate, the program's design, combining embedded fieldwork, cohort support, and direct alignment with DESE competencies, creates conditions where graduates consistently meet certification benchmarks and secure the IPC upon completion.

Clinical Experience and Final Steps

Missouri mandates a practicum or student teaching component as part of any initial certification program.¹ Rockhurst integrates these clinical hours into the M.Ed. experience, placing candidates in Kansas City-area schools under the supervision of experienced mentor teachers. This hands-on requirement is paired with coursework that explicitly addresses the Missouri Teacher Standards, ensuring that by the time a candidate sits for the final Praxis exam, they have practiced the skills being assessed. Once coursework, exams, clinical hours, and the background check are complete, Rockhurst's certification office verifies program completion and submits the recommendation for the IPC directly to DESE², streamlining the candidate's final move from graduate student to certified educator.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Tuition and Financial Aid: What an M.ed. From Rockhurst Actually Costs

Balancing the cost of a graduate degree against its long-term career benefits is a central concern for any working teacher. Rockhurst University structures its M.Ed. tuition and financial aid to keep that balance favorable, with a combination of transparent pricing, dedicated scholarships, and flexible payment options.

Understanding Rockhurst's Graduate Tuition Structure

Rockhurst charges graduate tuition on a per-credit basis, with the same rate for in-state and out-of-state students. Total program cost depends on the number of credits required, which varies by concentration. Most M.Ed. programs that do not lead to initial certification require around 30 to 36 credits, while certification-embedded tracks, such as the Special Education M.Ed., require up to 65 credits. For instance, the 65-credit Master of Education in Special Education costs $20,842 in total tuition.² A shorter 30-credit program would cost proportionally less, making it important to review the credit requirements of your chosen concentration.

Rockhurst-Specific Scholarships and Tuition Discounts

Rockhurst offers two key financial incentives for education graduate students that can be combined for substantial savings.

• M.Ed. Scholarship: All admitted M.Ed. students are automatically considered for the Rockhurst M.Ed. Scholarship. It provides up to $4,000, typically disbursed as $2,000 per year for a two-year program, reducing the overall tuition bill from day one.¹

• Faith-Based Educator Discount: K-12 educators currently employed at a faith-based school within 100 miles of Kansas City qualify for a discounted rate of $335 per credit.¹ This rate applies to all M.Ed. coursework and stacks on top of the M.Ed. Scholarship, creating a clear financial advantage for eligible teachers.

Rockhurst also maintains partnership agreements with several local school districts that may offer additional tuition reductions. Prospective students should contact their district’s human resources office or the Rockhurst School of Education to explore partnership rates.

Federal Aid, Loans, and Employer Reimbursement

Beyond institutional aid, M.Ed. students can access federal financial aid. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens eligibility for Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans, which can cover remaining tuition and living expenses. Many students also take advantage of employer tuition reimbursement programs offered by their school districts. Rockhurst encourages applicants to check with their district about available benefits, as these can significantly lower out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, a limited number of graduate assistantships may be available; interested students should inquire directly with the School of Education for current opportunities.²

Admissions: Requirements and Deadlines for Rockhurst M.ed. Applicants

Applying to Rockhurst’s M.Ed. program is straightforward, with no GRE requirement and rolling admissions. Here’s what you’ll need to gather to complete your application.

• Bachelor’s Degree

  A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required. No specific prerequisite coursework is mandated, though some concentrations may expect a teaching license or relevant experience.
• Minimum GPA

  A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 is required. Applicants with a lower GPA may be considered under a graduate admission policy that allows for a minimum 2.5 GPA in certain cases.
• Official Transcripts

  Submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
• Letters of Recommendation

  Two letters of recommendation are required, ideally from professional or academic references who can speak to your potential for graduate study.
• Personal Statement

  A written statement is required, outlining your career goals and reasons for pursuing the M.Ed.
• Standardized Tests

  The GRE is not required for admission. International applicants whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL scores (minimum 79 iBT, 213 computer-based, or 550 paper-based) or equivalent proof of English proficiency.
• Application Deadlines

  Admission is offered on a rolling basis, but priority consideration for scholarships and financial aid is given to early applicants. Entry terms include Fall, Spring, Summer I, and Summer II.
• International Applicants

  In addition to the above, international applicants must provide a credential evaluation and financial documentation.

Where a Rockhurst M.ed. Can Take You: Career Paths and Salary Data

Earning a Master of Education from Rockhurst University opens a range of career advancement pathways, from deepening classroom impact to stepping into teacher leadership roles. While many graduates initially strengthen their practice as classroom teachers, the degree's strategic focus on curriculum, instruction, and learner development creates a natural bridge to positions like instructional coach, curriculum coordinator, department head, or special education coordinator. Most alumni see a shift toward leadership within three to five years of completing the program, often staying within the Kansas City metropolitan area’s robust network of public and private schools.

Typical Career Progression After an M.Ed.

Rockhurst’s M.Ed. programs are designed for working educators who want to elevate their practice without leaving the classroom permanently. Common first steps after earning the degree include moving into lead teacher roles, mentoring new staff, or serving on school improvement committees. With additional experience, graduates often step into roles such as:

• Instructional Coach: Partnering with teachers to improve lesson delivery and student engagement.
• Curriculum Coordinator: Overseeing grade-level or subject-area curriculum design and alignment to state standards.
• Department Head: Managing a secondary school department’s budget, staffing, and academic outcomes.
• Special Education Coordinator: Ensuring compliance with IEPs and managing caseloads for students with disabilities.

These roles not only bring greater responsibility but also typically come with higher salary schedules and the opportunity to influence school-wide policy.

Earnings Potential and Return on Investment

Specific earnings data for Rockhurst M.Ed. graduates by year of completion is not yet publicly available, but broader indicators paint a compelling picture of return on investment. Federal College Scorecard data shows that Rockhurst alumni across all degree levels earn a median wage of $67,102 ten years after entering the institution, a figure that comfortably exceeds the national median for bachelor’s degree holders. For educators, the financial benefit of a master’s degree often starts immediately with automatic salary lane increases on district pay scales. Depending on the district and years of experience, this can translate to an additional $5,000 to $15,000 per year. When combined with the potential to move into higher-paying leadership roles, the long-term earnings trajectory is strong.

For perspective, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that instructional coordinators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median annual salary of approximately $76,000, well above the national median for all education, training, and library occupations. This benchmark illustrates the kind of earning potential available to M.Ed. graduates who pursue roles outside the traditional classroom.

A Network That Opens Doors

Rockhurst’s deep ties to the Kansas City education community give M.Ed. graduates a distinct advantage. As detailed on Rockhurst's Life After Rockhurst page, the university maintains partnerships with more than 500 employers, receives over 1,000 annual job requests, and reports a 95% placement rate for graduates. Within education, graduates are regularly sought after by large area districts such as Kansas City Public Schools, North Kansas City Schools, and Blue Valley Schools, where many alumni hold leadership positions. This ecosystem of support often leads to early career coaching, job shadowing opportunities, and direct referrals to open positions.

Real-World Impact: A Teacher’s Journey

The program’s alumni stories highlight the transformative power of a Rockhurst education degree. Phillip Wrigley, a 2012 M.Ed. graduate, went on to receive a Kansas Teacher of the Year nomination, a recognition of his exceptional teaching and leadership in the classroom, as reported in Rockhurst News. His trajectory exemplifies how Rockhurst’s Jesuit approach to education fosters reflective, influential practitioners who make a lasting difference in their schools and communities. Whether staying in the classroom or moving into district administration, Rockhurst graduates carry forward a commitment to service and continuous improvement that is deeply valued by employers across the region.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find quick answers to common questions about Rockhurst University's Master of Education programs, including accreditation, online options, cost, and career outcomes.

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