Master's in Education at Longwood University: Programs, Costs & Careers

Longwood University has been shaping Virginia’s teachers since 1839, when it began as a female seminary and later became the state’s first public teachers college. Today, the College of Education and Human Services offers focused M.Ed. specializations, including literacy, special education, and physical education, across online and hybrid formats designed for working educators. The flat per-credit tuition and direct licensure alignment matter for Virginia teachers calculating the return on graduate school. In a state where a Virginia master's in education can trigger a salary bump of several thousand dollars, the decision is as much financial as it is professional.

Longwood University’s College of Education and Human Services: A Tradition of Preparing Educators

Longwood University’s College of Education and Human Services is one of Virginia’s most historic and respected teacher preparation institutions, rooted in a mission that dates back nearly two centuries. Founded in 1839 as the Farmville Female Seminary Association, Longwood was among the first teacher-training colleges in the United States. It later became the State Female Normal School, a designation that cemented its role in preparing educators for Virginia’s public schools. Through transitions to Longwood College and ultimately to university status in 2002, the institution has consistently maintained its commitment to excellence in teacher education.

A Legacy of Educator Preparation

Today, the College of Education and Human Services serves approximately 2,400 students, blending undergraduate and graduate offerings with a shared focus on reflective practice and community impact. Its mission emphasizes developing professionals who are knowledgeable, ethical, and collaborative, values that resonate with the college’s historic purpose. The college’s reputation extends across the state, and its graduates are regularly sought by school districts throughout Virginia.

Graduate Programs and School Partnerships

Longwood’s M.Ed. specializations include Reading, Literacy, and Learning; Physical Education; School Counseling; and Curriculum and Instruction, among others. Many programs are available online or in hybrid formats, accommodating working educators. The college’s deep ties with Virginia school divisions, such as partnerships with districts in Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, and Prince William counties, provide graduate students with valuable field experiences and direct pathways to employment. Through these partnerships, students engage in clinical experiences, mentorship from veteran practitioners, and access to the latest instructional technologies. The college also houses centers focused on literacy and professional development that serve regional educators, ensuring that program content remains aligned with real classroom needs and state licensure requirements.

Master’s in Education Specializations at Longwood University

Graduate education programs are increasingly aligning with state-specific licensure pathways, and Virginia’s educators benefit from specialized master’s degrees that lead directly to endorsements. Longwood University’s College of Education and Human Services offers a focused set of Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Science (M.S.) in Education concentrations, each designed to advance classroom practice and leadership. Below are the primary specializations, with details on structure, standout experiences, and professional outcomes.

## Reading, Literacy & Learning M.Ed. Designed for teachers who want to become reading specialists, this 18-credit core program[[CITE:1]] emphasizes evidence-based literacy instruction. Required practicum courses, READ 660, READ 664, and READ 670[[CITE:1]], place candidates in real classrooms to hone diagnostic and intervention skills. A professional portfolio serves as the culminating assessment[[CITE:1]], demonstrating mastery of reading pedagogy. Graduates typically meet the coursework requirements for the Virginia Reading Specialist endorsement, positioning them to lead literacy initiatives or work in Title I programs.

## Educational Leadership (M.S. in Education) This hybrid concentration, like the [[LINK:1|Harding University educational leadership]] program, prepares licensed teachers to step into administrative roles. The 18-credit core[[CITE:2]] covers school law, instructional supervision, and organizational management, all delivered through a cohort model with five on-campus Saturdays per semester.

- **Standout project:** Candidates often complete a school improvement plan or action research study tailored to their own district. - **Licensure alignment:** The program is designed to meet Virginia’s requirements for the PreK-12 Administration and Supervision endorsement and helps candidates prepare for the School Leaders Licensure Assessment[[CITE:2]].

## Special Education (M.S. in Education) The Special Education concentration equips educators to support students with exceptionalities across K-12 settings. While the specific credit load varies, typical programs span 30, 36 hours and cover assessment, behavior management, collaboration, and legal foundations. A practicum or internship is usually embedded, giving candidates hands-on experience with individualized education plans and inclusive practices[[CITE:2]]. Completion supports eligibility for Virginia’s special education teaching license, often in areas like general curriculum or adapted curriculum.

## Health & Physical Education (M.S. in Education) This concentration blends advanced study in physical education pedagogy, health education, and sport science.

- **Internship and portfolio:** A 5-credit internship and a 1-credit portfolio form the capstone[[CITE:3]], allowing students to apply theory in school or community settings. - **Career relevance:** Graduates often deepen their teaching practice or move into district wellness roles. The program does not automatically lead to an additional license but enhances expertise in areas like adaptive physical education and childhood obesity prevention.

## A Note on Curriculum & Instruction Longwood does not currently offer a standalone M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction[[CITE:4]], unlike the [[LINK:2|liberty university online curriculum and instruction]] program. Educators interested in curriculum design and instructional coaching may find relevant coursework within the Educational Leadership concentration or other specializations. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the College of Education and Human Services to explore how existing programs can align with their career goals. All graduate education programs are housed within the CAEP-accredited[[CITE:2]] College of Education and Human Services, ensuring they meet national standards for educator preparation.

Online, On-Campus, or Hybrid: Choosing Your Learning Format

Longwood University designs its graduate education programs around the realities of a teacher’s schedule. The Master of Education (M.Ed.) and related degree programs are delivered primarily through fully online and hybrid formats, with no fully on-campus M.Ed. options at this time.¹ Each path balances flexibility with the depth of learning you need to advance your career.

Fully Online Programs

If you need maximum flexibility, three specializations are available entirely online:

• Reading, Literacy & Learning M.Ed. , Combines asynchronous coursework with some synchronous online class meetings. No campus visits are required. Full-time teachers can complete the 12‑month program while working.²
• M.S. Education , Special Education concentration , Delivered primarily asynchronously, with a few live Zoom sessions each semester. You can study full‑time or part‑time, finishing in approximately one calendar year or spreading courses over multiple terms.³
• Special Education Add‑On Endorsement , A 15‑credit, fully online credential that complements your existing teaching license.⁵

Online courses use a mix of pre‑recorded lectures, discussion boards, and live virtual sessions to keep you connected with faculty and peers.

Hybrid Options

For those who value face‑to‑face interaction, two programs blend online coursework with required in‑person meetings:

• M.S. Education , Educational Leadership concentration , A cohort‑based program that meets on campus five Saturdays per semester, complemented by asynchronous online work. This five‑semester schedule builds strong professional networks and is designed for working PreK‑12 teachers.⁴
• M.Ed. School Librarianship , A hybrid, cohort‑based program that combines online learning with in‑person sessions to meet licensure requirements.⁵

Comparing Flexibility and Time to Degree

Both formats offer clear advantages for working professionals. Online programs let you log in when it fits your classroom and personal commitments, often accelerating time to degree. The Reading M.Ed. takes just 12 months; the Special Education M.S. can be finished in about a year. Hybrid formats trade some scheduling autonomy for the camaraderie of a cohort and direct access to faculty and administrators during on‑campus Saturdays. The structured timeline of five semesters for Educational Leadership ensures steady progress while you remain employed full time.

No matter which path you choose, Longwood’s emphasis on practical, classroom‑ready skills means you can immediately apply what you learn.

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid for Graduate Education

As states invest more heavily in teacher pipeline initiatives, the total cost of earning a master’s degree in education remains a decisive factor for practicing educators. Longwood University structures its graduate education programs with a flat per-credit tuition rate of $450 for the 2025, 2026 academic year.¹ This rate applies uniformly to in-state and out-of-state students and carries no additional fees for online, hybrid, or on-campus delivery.¹ The banded billing option for 12, 18 credits per semester may further reduce per-credit costs for full-time students.²

Cost Breakdown by Specialization

Because Longwood’s Master of Science in Education programs share a common per-credit rate, total program costs scale directly with the number of credits required. The following figures reflect the 2025, 2026 academic year and assume a student completes all courses at Longwood.

• Educational Leadership (M.S.): 36 credits × $450 = $16,200 total program cost³
• Special Education , Liberal Studies Fifth Year (M.S.): 36 credits × $450 = $16,200 total program cost⁴
• Special Education , K-12 Initial Licensure and Licensed Teacher (M.S.): 39 credits × $450 = $17,550 total program cost⁴

These totals include tuition only. Students should also budget for textbooks, technology fees, and any campus-based fees that may apply to hybrid or on-campus sections. Still, the absence of an out-of-state surcharge makes Longwood particularly accessible for Virginia residents and non-residents alike.

How Longwood Compares to Other Virginia Programs

Among public universities in Virginia, graduate education per-credit costs typically fall between $400 and $600. Longwood’s $450 rate sits comfortably below the midpoint of that range. Neighboring institutions with similar teacher-preparation missions may charge $500 or more per credit, and many add differential fees for online courses. Longwood’s decision to waive such fees and maintain a single rate for all delivery modes strengthens its value proposition for working educators who need flexible scheduling without inflated costs.

Financial Aid and Funding Options

Graduate students at Longwood can layer several forms of support to lower their out-of-pocket expenses:³

• Graduate assistantships: A limited number of positions cover a portion of tuition in exchange for research or administrative work. These are competitive and typically paired with a modest stipend.³
• Travel grants: For students presenting at conferences or conducting fieldwork, the College of Education and Human Services offers small grants to offset travel costs.
• Graduate Monthly Payment Plan: Through the Office of Student Accounts, students can spread each semester’s balance over several months at no interest, easing the burden of lump-sum payments.
• Federal loans and teacher loan forgiveness: By filing the FAFSA, students become eligible for unsubsidized Direct Loans. After graduation, educators employed full-time in low-income schools or high-need subject areas may qualify for the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, which can cancel up to $17,500 of eligible debt.
• Employer tuition reimbursement: Many Virginia school divisions provide partial or full reimbursement for graduate coursework, especially when the degree leads to an additional endorsement. Longwood’s program coordinators can supply documentation to support reimbursement requests.

Admissions: How to Apply to Longwood’s Graduate Education Programs

Applying to graduate school requires careful balance: you need to gather materials that showcase your strengths while respecting hard deadlines that arrive faster than expected. Longwood University’s admissions process is designed to be straightforward, but it pays to understand the requirements well before you start.

General Requirements for All Applicants

All master’s in education programs at Longwood require a conferred bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The baseline minimum undergraduate GPA is 2.75 on a 4.0 scale⁵, though some specializations set a higher 3.0 threshold. Check your target program’s specifics. Standardized tests like the GRE or MAT are not universally required; each program determines its own exam expectations, so verify your program’s expectations, or consider no-GRE master's in education programs that waive exams entirely.

If you are applying to a program that leads to advanced teaching licensure or endorsement, such as the M.S. in Education, Health and Physical Education, you typically must hold a valid Virginia teaching license or an equivalent license from another state. This prerequisite ensures you can build directly on your existing classroom experience.

Application Materials and Deadlines

Longwood uses an online application portal. Begin by creating an account and selecting your intended graduate program. You will need to submit:

• Application fee: $40, nonrefundable.
• Official transcripts: Sent directly from every college or university you have attended.
• Letters of recommendation: Two are required, preferably from academic or professional references who can speak to your readiness for graduate study.
• Personal statement: A 500-word essay explaining your reasons for pursuing graduate education, your professional goals, and how Longwood’s program fits your plan.
• Resume: A current summary of your educational and professional background.

The general application deadline is October 1 for many programs, though some offer spring or summer entry with different dates. Confirm the exact deadline for your chosen specialization, as missing it can delay your entry by a full cycle. Visit Longwood's application deadlines for specifics.

International Applicant Considerations

Candidates with degrees earned outside the United States must submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from an approved service⁵. If English is not your native language, you need to demonstrate proficiency through the TOEFL exam (minimum scores: 570 paper-based or 80 internet-based) or an equivalent test⁵. The same 2.75 GPA minimum applies.

Program-Specific Nuances

While the core requirements are consistent, some programs add extra steps. For instance, the Health and Physical Education master's program mandates a teaching license and a focused essay. Other specializations might request a writing sample or an interview. Always consult the graduate admissions catalog for the most current details, as requirements can shift year to year.

Starting your application early gives you time to request transcripts, secure recommendations, and craft a thoughtful personal statement. Admissions staff are available to answer questions, but your first move is simply to log into the portal and begin.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Career Outcomes and Salary Data for M.ed. Graduates

Some educators use a master’s degree to refine their classroom practice; others target a shift into literacy coaching, curriculum coordination, or the principal’s office. Longwood University’s M.Ed. programs prepare candidates for both paths, with outcomes data reflecting solid employment rates and competitive salaries for graduates.

Median Earnings and Return on Investment

Longwood’s education master’s graduates report a median annual wage of $53,281 shortly after program completion. Over longer horizons, the typical Longwood alumnus, across all degree fields, earns $51,897 five years after graduation. Those figures position master’s-level educators well above state pay scales tied only to a bachelor’s degree. The university’s educational leadership track, for example, posts a positive return on investment: lifetime earnings gains more than double the cost of tuition and fees. With in-state graduate tuition at $450 per credit, the math works in favor of working teachers who are weighing the expense against a step increase or administrative stipend.

Career Advancement Pathways

M.Ed. completers at Longwood often launch careers for masters in education that carry both higher responsibility and higher pay. Common transitions include:

• Reading specialist: Elementary and middle school teachers who add the reading and literacy endorsement often step into this school-based coach position.
• Curriculum and instruction coordinator: Graduates with the M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction lead teacher teams, shape pacing guides, and manage instructional materials across grade levels.
• Principal or assistant principal: The on-campus and hybrid educational leadership concentration feeds directly into the Administration and Supervision PreK-12 endorsement, with many alumni starting as assistant principals within three years of finishing.
• Instructional coach or department chair: Even without a formal administrative license, M.Ed. holders frequently become peer coaches, mentoring early-career teachers.

Because Virginia requires a master’s for most administrative and specialist endorsements, Longwood’s programs align career moves with licensure requirements from day one.

Employment and Confidence Indicators

Longwood’s own alumni surveys show that 97% of graduates are employed within one year of leaving the university, and 95% remain employed five years later. While those figures span all degrees, education graduates historically track right alongside those averages, if not slightly above, due to steady demand for licensed educators across Virginia. Among Longwood alumni, 82% report that their job aligns with their field of study, and 73% say the university’s alumni network is a real asset during the search for masters in education jobs. For M.Ed. candidates, that network often means direct introductions to district HR directors or principal-mentors in schools where Longwood graduates already work.

When set against typical earnings for master’s-level teachers in Virginia, where state salary schedules add a graduate-degree supplement of $3,000 to $7,000 per year, Longwood’s median wages show a clear bump. Over a full career, the differential more than justifies the program investment.

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Accreditation and Licensure: What Virginia Educators Need to Know

As states tighten teacher licensure requirements to improve classroom quality, graduate programs must demonstrate clear alignment with licensure pathways. Longwood University's College of Education and Human Services answers that call through rigorous national and state-level accreditation, ensuring its master’s in education programs meet Virginia’s standards for teacher and administrator preparation.

Accreditation That Meets Virginia's Standards

Longwood holds institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a status reaffirmed in December 2024 with the next review scheduled for 2030. Its educator preparation programs, both initial and advanced, carry programmatic accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), a mark of quality in teaching and leadership preparation. The Virginia State Board of Education approves these same programs, guaranteeing that graduates complete pathways recognized for state licensure. In specialized fields, additional accreditations apply: the school counseling program holds CACREP accreditation, and the speech-language pathology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

M.Ed. Specializations and Virginia Licensure Endorsements

Each M.Ed. specialization at Longwood directly maps to a Virginia Department of Education endorsement, streamlining the path to professional credentials.

• Reading Specialist: The M.Ed. in Reading, Literacy and Learning prepares candidates for the Reading Specialist endorsement (K-12).
• School Librarian: The M.Ed. in School Librarianship leads to the School Librarian endorsement (K-12).
• School Counseling: The school counseling program, with CACREP accreditation, leads to eligibility for school counselor licensure in Virginia.
• Speech-Language Pathology: The communication sciences and disorders track results in eligibility for state licensure as a speech-language pathologist.
• Elementary Education and Additional Endorsements: While primarily initial licensure programs, Longwood's undergraduate and master's level teacher preparation also offer pathways to endorsements like Elementary Education PreK-6, often expanded at the graduate level for practicing educators adding credentials.

Navigating the Licensure Process and Reciprocity

Virginia teacher candidates must complete state-required assessments, which historically include the Praxis II subject assessments, the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), and the Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) for relevant endorsements. Because testing requirements evolve, candidates should verify current exams through the Virginia Department of Education during their program. Longwood’s curriculum embeds preparation for these assessments, and field experiences are designed to meet the clinical hours mandated for licensure.

For educators seeking portability, Virginia participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, easing reciprocity with many other states. Graduates typically must hold a valid Virginia license and then apply to the receiving state, which may impose additional conditions such as coursework or testing. Always confirm specific requirements with the target state’s licensure board early in the program.

How Longwood’s College of Education and Human Services Supports Graduate Students

Longwood’s College of Education and Human Services pairs rigorous academics with deliberate, career-focused support that extends well beyond the classroom.¹ From the moment you enroll, you join a community committed to your growth as an educator through close faculty mentorship, extensive school partnerships, and targeted professional development.

Faculty Expertise That Shapes Practice

Graduate students work directly with faculty whose research advances critical areas in education. Scholars in literacy examine how children and adolescents build reading comprehension and writing skills, often collaborating with schools to design interventions that graduate students help implement and analyze. In special education, faculty investigate inclusive practices and behavioral supports, giving you exposure to evidence-based strategies that meet the needs of diverse learners. Physical education pedagogy researchers focus on developing physically literate, active youth, and their work informs course content on curriculum design and assessment. These faculty members routinely integrate their projects into seminars, so you learn to consume and apply research rather than simply read about it.

School Partnerships That Put Theory into Practice

The College maintains deep ties with school systems across Virginia, including formal lab school arrangements that serve as extended practicum sites.² These partnerships allow you to complete field experiences in authentic classroom settings under the guidance of mentor teachers and university supervisors. Graduate students in reading, special education, and physical education often receive placements aligned with their specialization, ensuring that coursework in assessment, instruction, and leadership is immediately tested and refined. Beyond practicums, the College and its partner divisions jointly offer professional development workshops that keep you current on state initiatives and emerging best practices.

Career Support Tailored to Educators

The Office of Teacher Preparation provides career services designed specifically for education graduate students.³ You gain access to a job board featuring openings in Virginia schools, one-on-one coaching on application materials and interviewing, and networking events that connect you directly with superintendents and principals. The office also coordinates licensure guidance, so you leave not only with a degree but with a clear path to the credentials Virginia requires. Throughout your program, you can rely on this unit to help translate your advanced training into a meaningful next step in the classroom or in a leadership role.

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

Get quick answers to common questions about Longwood University's Master's in Education programs. Below you'll find information on program offerings, online availability, costs, admissions, accreditation, and career outcomes.