Advance Your Education Career with Newman University's Master's Programs

In spring 2026, Kansas public schools reported 1,588 teacher vacancies: a persistent gap that underscores the demand for qualified educators with advanced training. Newman University, a Catholic institution in Wichita, addresses this need through a School of Education that prepares working teachers for leadership without leaving the classroom.

M.Ed. programs are designed for practicing educators balancing full-time jobs. Specializations in building leadership, curriculum and instruction, and reading specialist prepare graduates for licensure and roles beyond the classroom.

With online, on-campus, and hybrid formats and a $460 per-credit tuition rate, earning a master's becomes a manageable investment rather than a career interruption.

Why Choose Newman University for Your M.ed.?

Newman University's School of Education grounds its graduate programs in a Catholic intellectual tradition that values service, social justice, and the transformation of both individuals and communities. This mission shapes every element of the M.Ed. experience, from coursework that emphasizes reflective practice to clinical placements in diverse Kansas school settings. The result is a learning environment that does more than prepare competent instructors; it cultivates educators who see teaching as a vocation and who are equipped to be leaders in their classrooms and beyond.

A Mission Rooted in Service and Transformation

The M.Ed. curriculum at Newman is built on the belief that education is a powerful tool for positive change. Faculty members integrate themes of ethical leadership, cultural responsiveness, and community engagement throughout the program. Students often participate in service-learning projects that connect theory to real-world needs in Wichita and surrounding areas. This focus on transformative education not only enriches the graduate experience but also produces graduates who are known for making a meaningful difference in the schools they serve.

Accreditation That Signals Quality

The School of Education holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) at both the initial and advanced levels¹, a distinction that confirms the program meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation. Before the transition to CAEP, the school was accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)². Newman University itself is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission³, and its teacher preparation programs are approved by the Kansas State Board of Education³. This layered accountability ensures that your degree will be recognized for licensure in Kansas and can facilitate teacher license reciprocity in many other states teacher license reciprocity, giving you confidence in the quality and portability of your credential.

Licensure Pathways for Every Stage of Your Career

Newman offers three distinct licensure pathways through its M.Ed. specializations. Some programs, like the Master of Science in Education in Reading Specialist with Dyslexia Emphasis, are designed for those who already hold a teaching license and want to add an advanced endorsement. This particular track leads to Kansas Reading Specialist licensure and also prepares candidates for national dyslexia therapy certification⁴. Other specializations may lead to your first Kansas teaching license, providing a route into the classroom for career changers or those with a bachelor's degree in another field. There are also non-licensure options for educators who wish to deepen their expertise without pursuing an additional state credential. This flexibility allows you to choose a path that aligns precisely with your professional goals, whether you are starting out, advancing within your current role, or seeking to make a broader impact without a new license.

Master’s in Education Specializations at Newman

Newman University’s Building Leadership program requires 150 clinical hours and a passing score on the Praxis SLLA exam, aligning directly with the Kansas PreK-12 Building Leadership License. The School of Education offers three distinct M.S.Ed. pathways, each designed to develop advanced skills for practicing educators. While the university does not offer stand-alone reading specialist or history specializations at this time¹, the existing programs emphasize leadership, curriculum design, and culturally responsive instruction.

School Improvement and Teacher Leadership

This 33-credit program prepares educators to lead from the classroom without leaving it. Over 11 courses¹, participants explore teacher leadership theory, data-driven decision-making, and school improvement strategies. Coursework covers instructional coaching, adult learning models, and collaborative professional development. The flexible delivery format combines face-to-face sessions, webcam conferencing, and online coursework, making it accessible for working teachers. Graduates often pursue roles such as instructional coach, department head, or curriculum coordinator.

Building Leadership

The Building Leadership program is a 30-credit, 10-course sequence² that leads to the Kansas PreK-12 Building Leadership License. It incorporates 150 hours of supervised clinical experiences embedded in school settings, ensuring candidates apply learning directly to real administrative challenges. Core courses address school law, finance, personnel management, and instructional leadership. The curriculum culminates with preparation for the Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA), a required exam for licensure. This track is ideal for experienced teachers aiming to become principals, assistant principals, or district-level administrators.

ESOL Curriculum and Instruction

Designed for rapid completion, the 30-credit ESOL Curriculum and Instruction program can be finished in as few as 12 months³. The 10-course sequence focuses on teaching English to speakers of other languages, covering linguistics, assessment, and culturally sustaining pedagogy. Candidates learn to design inclusive lessons that support multilingual learners across content areas. This program meets the needs of teachers who want to enhance their classroom effectiveness with English learners or pursue ESOL coordinator positions without necessarily seeking a separate ESOL endorsement, though endorsement requirements may vary by state.

Each M.S.Ed. track at Newman blends theoretical grounding with practical application. Program lengths and credit requirements are structured for full-time teachers, with many courses offered in evenings, summers, or hybrid formats. Applicants should confirm current course rotations and delivery details with the School of Education, as offerings may evolve.

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Program Delivery Formats: Online, On-Campus, and Hybrid

Three distinct delivery formats (on-campus, hybrid, and completely online) give Kansas educators flexibility to pursue a master’s degree without leaving the classroom.¹ Newman University designs each Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) track to accommodate full-time teaching schedules, allowing students to choose the format that best fits their location and life demands. All three specializations (Educational/Teacher Leadership, Reading Specialist with Dyslexia Emphasis, and History Pedagogy) are offered through these multiple pathways, with part-time pacing available in every option.¹

Online Programs

Fully online courses allow students to access coursework asynchronously, engaging with readings, discussion boards, and assignments on their own time each week. This format removes the need for commuting and is especially popular among educators in rural or out-of-state districts. Online students participate in the same curriculum and receive the same personalized attention as their on-campus peers, using Newman’s learning management system, Canvas, for course materials and Zoom for live virtual sessions when scheduled. No formal residency is required for the Educational/Teacher Leadership or History Pedagogy tracks²; the Reading Specialist program includes a practicum that can often be arranged in the candidate’s own school or district.²

Hybrid and On-Campus Options

Hybrid delivery blends face-to-face class meetings, usually held on weekday evenings in Wichita, Dodge City, or Independence³, with substantial online coursework. This structure provides periodic in-person collaboration while preserving the convenience of remote learning between sessions. On-campus, fully in-class courses meet at the same regional locations and follow a traditional semester schedule, with small cohorts that foster close peer and faculty interaction. Both hybrid and on-campus formats are designed to be accessible to working teachers, with classes typically convening after school hours.

Flexibility for Working Teachers

Every M.S.Ed. path supports part-time enrollment¹, enabling students to take one or two courses per term and progress at a sustainable rate. Summer intensive offerings allow candidates to accelerate their programs during breaks, while fall and spring courses are scheduled to avoid conflict with typical K-12 school hours. Asynchronous online components mean students never have to log in at a specific time, unless a live virtual meeting is announced well in advance. This layered flexibility, a hallmark of online M.Ed. programs for working teachers, makes it possible to earn a graduate degree without taking a leave from teaching.

Technology and In-Person Components

All programs use Canvas as the central LMS for accessing syllabi, submitting assignments, and communicating with instructors. Video conferencing via Zoom is a standard tool for virtual office hours, synchronous discussions, and remote presentations. In-person requirements are minimal: the Educational/Teacher Leadership and History Pedagogy tracks include no formal residency², but some elective workshops or networking events may be held on site. The Reading Specialist program stands out for its required practicum, a supervised field experience that applies dyslexia intervention strategies in a real classroom setting.² Technology support and orientation modules are provided at the start of each program to ensure every student can navigate the digital environment confidently.

Breaking Down the Cost of a Newman M.ed.

A Master of Science in Education from Newman University is an investment in your teaching career. For the 2025-2026 academic year, a 30-credit program completed full-time over four semesters totals an estimated $17,660, combining tuition, fees, and books.

Tuition and Financial Aid for Graduate Education

Graduate school is an investment, and understanding the full cost of a master’s degree helps you plan with confidence. For the 2025, 2026 academic year, Newman University charges $460 per credit hour for its Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) programs, with a reduced rate of $245 per credit for the ESOL endorsement-only track.¹ Most M.Ed. specializations require 30 to 36 credits, placing total tuition between roughly $13,800 and $16,560 before fees.

Current Tuition and Fees

Beyond per-credit charges, students should budget for mandatory fees: full-time graduate students pay $365 each semester, part-time students pay $130, books and supplies typically range from $400 to $750, a one-time graduation fee of $100 is assessed, and workshops, when required, add $60 per credit.¹ The university estimates an annual cost of attendance of about $27,139 for graduate students, which includes living expenses.²

For a 30-credit program completed full-time over four semesters, total tuition and mandatory fees would approximate $14,730, not including books or living costs. Part-time students pay less in fees per term but may spread costs over a longer period.

Financial Aid Options

Newman participates in the federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program, allowing graduate students to borrow up to $20,500 per academic year.³ Several education programs are eligible for the TEACH Grant, which provides up to $4,000 annually for students who commit to teaching in high-need fields and low-income schools.³ Institutional scholarships are limited but include the Newman Graduate Scholarship, awarded based on academic merit.³ Some students may also qualify for graduate assistantships that offer tuition remission or stipends in exchange for campus work.³

Employer and External Scholarships

Many school districts offer tuition reimbursement for teachers pursuing advanced degrees, so check with your human resources office for eligibility. Organizations like Phi Delta Kappa and state teaching associations offer state teacher scholarships for graduate study in education. Combining these sources can significantly lower your out-of-pocket cost.

Admissions Requirements and How to Apply

Many graduate programs still hinge on a single test score, but Newman University’s M.S.Ed. flips that script. The School of Education has designed its admissions process to spotlight your professional background, academic readiness, and leadership potential, not your performance on a standardized exam. This test-optional approach means one less barrier for working teachers, but it also raises the bar on the other application materials. Here’s exactly what you need to prepare, how requirements shift across specializations, and when to submit everything for a seamless start.

General Admission Requirements

Every applicant to the Master of Science in Education program at Newman must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.¹ The minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA is 3.0 for most tracks, though the Reading Specialist concentration asks for a 3.25.¹ If your GPA falls below that threshold, don’t write off the program; contact the program director for an individual transcript review. Conditional admission may be an option.¹

• Teaching License: A current Kansas teaching license is required for all M.S.Ed. specializations unless otherwise noted.¹ This ensures you bring relevant classroom context to graduate coursework.
• Recommendation Letters: Two professional or academic letters of recommendation are required.¹ Choose recommenders who can speak to your teaching ability, leadership potential, or academic rigor.
• Personal Statement: Each specialization asks for a focused writing sample of up to 300 words.¹ Prompts vary:
• For ESOL, Reading Specialist, and DSP Curriculum & Instruction: “My Philosophy of Education.”
• For Building Leadership: “My Philosophy of Leadership.”
• Resume: While not always listed as a separate requirement, a current professional resume is part of the online application packet.¹ Use it to highlight teaching experience, leadership roles, and any relevant credentials.
• Test Scores: The GRE and MAT are not required, a policy that holds across all concentrations.¹ International applicants must submit English proficiency scores: TOEFL 600 (paper) or 100 (iBT), IELTS 7.0, or Duolingo 120.²

Specialization-Specific Requirements

Some concentrations impose additional prerequisites that go beyond the general checklist. The Building Leadership Licensure track, for instance, demands at least five years of professional work experience in education.¹ The District Leadership Licensure path is even more targeted: you must already hold a valid K-12 Building Leadership License before enrolling.¹ Both leadership tracks require you to be a practicing educator with a clear career trajectory. The curriculum and instruction specializations (ESOL, Reading Specialist, DSP) focus more squarely on your teaching philosophy and current licensure, without extra work-experience minimums.¹

How to Submit Your Application

The entire application is managed through Newman’s Graduate Admissions portal.² You’ll create an account, fill in personal and academic history, upload transcripts, and attach your statement, resume, and recommendation requests. The portal also prompts you to select your desired specialization, so review the options carefully before you start. There is no separate campus-based interview; the written materials do the heavy lifting.¹

Application Deadlines

Newman operates on a firm, not rolling, deadline for the M.S.Ed. For domestic students, all materials must arrive by August 15. International applicants face an earlier cutoff of July 15 to allow for visa processing and document evaluation. Start early, especially if you need to coordinate transcripts or recommendation letters, and aim for a complete submission several weeks before the deadline.

Career and Salary Outcomes for M.ed. Graduates

Earning a Master’s in Education from Newman University positions you for advanced roles that require graduate-level expertise and, in many cases, state licensure. The program’s focus on practical, job-ready skills means graduates can move directly into careers for masters in education, such as leadership, specialized instruction, and curriculum development positions, after completing their degree.

Common Career Paths

Newman M.Ed. alumni commonly step into roles that shape the classroom, the school, and the district. Depending on your chosen specialization, you may pursue positions such as: - Instructional Coordinator: Oversee curriculum standards, train teachers, and analyze student performance data to improve instruction. - Reading Specialist: Provide targeted literacy interventions and coach classroom teachers on evidence-based reading strategies. - School Principal (Building Leadership): Lead school operations, manage staff, and drive instructional improvement; this path requires the Building Leadership license, for which Newman’s MSED program directly prepares you. - Curriculum Director: Design and implement district-wide curriculum frameworks, align assessments, and ensure compliance with state standards.

Understanding Salary Potential

Current federal data sources do not yet publish program-specific median earnings for Newman’s M.Ed. graduates one or four years after completion. As more cohorts finish the program and gain traction in the workforce, these outcome figures will become available. In the meantime, salary expectations are best understood by looking at the broader Kansas education market. For reference, the university’s overall median earnings for all working alumni 10 years after entry is $55,041, a figure that reflects graduates across various fields and degree levels. Master's in education salary typically increases over time, especially when combined with licensure and administrative responsibilities.

Employment and Job Market Demand

Although program-level employment rates are not yet reported, Newman’s M.Ed. curriculum is built around real-world requirements. The Building Leadership concentration includes a 150-hour mentored practicum and direct preparation for the SLLA Praxis, both of which signal readiness to employers. The Kansas Department of Education projects steady demand for qualified school leaders and specialists, particularly in high-need areas like reading and curriculum development. This alignment between training and market need suggests that graduates are well prepared to secure positions soon after completing their studies.

Questions to Ask Yourself

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

Prospective students often have questions about Newman University’s Master of Education offerings. Here are answers to common questions to help plan your graduate journey.

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