Master's in Education at University of Maryland Eastern Shore: Programs & Pathways

Your Guide to the Master’s in Education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has been training teachers since 1886, when it was founded as the Princess Anne Academy, an 1890 land-grant institution for African Americans. Today, as one of Maryland’s four public HBCUs, it enrolls a diverse student body and offers three master’s in education programs: School Counseling, the Master of Arts in Teaching, and Special Education.

Maryland State Department of Education staffing data consistently flags shortages in those specialties, positioning a UMES graduate degree as a direct response to regional hiring needs.

UMES School of Education: Mission and Accreditation

Choosing a graduate education program involves weighing intangible factors like institutional values against concrete indicators of quality. At the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, the School of Education’s mission and accreditation status work in tandem, giving aspiring teachers clarity about both the community they will serve and the credential they will earn.

A Mission Rooted in Rural and Underserved Communities

The UMES Department of Education defines its purpose as advancing the science and practice of education, with a strong emphasis on equitable access and engagement in high-quality P-12 schools.² This isn’t just a slogan; it reflects the institution’s land-grant heritage and its deep ties to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Programs specifically prepare educators to work with students with disabilities, English learners, and gifted and talented populations, groups that are often underserved in rural settings and contribute to the rural teacher shortage.² The school’s focus ensures that graduates enter the workforce not only with pedagogical skills but with a commitment to closing opportunity gaps in the communities where they teach.

CAEP Accreditation and Its Impact on Your Career

Accreditation signals to employers and licensing bodies that a program meets rigorous, externally validated standards. The professional education unit at UMES holds accreditation through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly NCATE, as of 2026.² This status confirms that the curriculum, faculty qualifications, and assessment systems align with contemporary best practices. For students, the most direct benefit is licensure: completing a CAEP-accredited program puts you on a clear path to Maryland teacher certification, pending state-mandated testing through the Maryland State Department of Education.² Regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education further reinforces the degree’s portability and recognition.²

The HBCU Advantage: A Legacy of Excellence

UMES is an 1890 land-grant historically Black public university, founded in 1886 as the Delaware Conference Academy.¹² This legacy infuses the School of Education with a distinctive perspective. Historically Black colleges and universities produce a disproportionately large share of the nation’s Black educators, and UMES continues that tradition by preparing teachers who reflect the diversity of today’s classrooms. While the school’s formal formation as a standalone entity occurred in 2016, its roots in teacher preparation run deep.³ Today, the Department of Education houses undergraduate and graduate teacher education, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and graduate counselor education, all within a framework that values cultural competence and community engagement alongside academic rigor.²

Master’s in Education Programs at UMES: An Overview

What master’s in education programs does UMES offer? The University of Maryland Eastern Shore provides three graduate pathways designed to meet distinct career goals in education: a School Counseling M.Ed., a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and an M.Ed. in Special Education. Each program blends academic theory with intensive clinical experience, preparing you for Maryland state certification and meaningful work in schools. Below is a snapshot of each degree; a full program listing with admission details, credit breakdowns, and delivery formats follows this section.

Educational & School Counseling (M.Ed.)

This program prepares you for a career as a K, 12 school counselor. It emphasizes developmental guidance, multicultural competence, and data-driven practice. The curriculum typically spans 48, 60 credit hours and includes a 600-hour supervised internship in a school setting. Graduates meet the requirements for the Maryland School Counselor Certificate and are eligible for national certification.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

The MAT is an initial certification pathway for career changers and recent graduates who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education. Through 36, 42 credit hours of coursework and a full-time student teaching residency, you gain the pedagogical skills and content-specific strategies needed to lead your own classroom. Concentrations align with high-need areas such as elementary, secondary STEM, and special education. The program embeds the edTPA performance assessment, and completion leads to Maryland’s Standard Professional Certificate I.

Special Education (M.Ed.)

Designed for currently certified teachers, this advanced degree deepens your expertise in inclusive practices, behavior support, and special education law. The 30, 36 credit curriculum often includes a practicum or action research capstone. You will explore assistive technology, individualized education program (IEP) development, and family collaboration. Depending on your coursework, you may earn additional endorsements in special education from the Maryland State Department of Education.

A comprehensive table of all master’s programs, including credit totals, delivery formats (online, on-campus, hybrid), and direct links to specialization pages, appears in the next section.

Online, Hybrid, and On-Campus Options for UMES Education Students

UMES offers education graduate students flexibility through fully online, hybrid, and traditional on-campus formats, making it a notable online master's in education in Maryland. The Career and Technology Education (CTE) M.Ed. stands out as entirely online¹, while other master's programs, such as the M.A.T., Counselor Education M.Ed., and Special Education M.Ed., are primarily delivered through hybrid or on-campus classes.

Delivery Formats for Education Programs at UMES

The CTE M.Ed. is a fully online program designed for practicing educators¹. Courses are structured in 8-week sessions, with both synchronous and asynchronous components¹. Synchronous sessions allow real-time interaction with instructors and peers, while asynchronous work offers self-paced assignments. This format enables working teachers to complete the degree in as little as 12 months full-time, or up to five years part-time³. The hybrid and on-campus options for other education programs follow standard 15-week semesters or shorter 8-week terms², blending in-person and online activities based on course requirements.

Online Learning Experience: Synchronous and Asynchronous Components

UMES virtual courses generally run in 8-week modules and are primarily asynchronous², meaning students can log in and complete work at times that suit their schedules. However, certain classes include scheduled synchronous meetings for discussions, group projects, or live lectures². The CTE M.Ed. balances both formats to foster community while accommodating working professionals. Technology requirements are standard for higher education online learning: a reliable internet connection, a computer with a webcam, and access to the university’s learning management system. UMES provides technical support and orientation resources to help distance learners navigate the platform successfully.

Field Placements and Practicum Requirements

A notable feature of the CTE M.Ed. is its zero clinical hours requirement, which eliminates the need for a separate practicum or student teaching experience, because the program admits only individuals already employed as CTE teachers in Maryland¹. Practice-based learning occurs naturally on the job. For other education programs, field placements are typically required and can be arranged within a student’s local community or school district. On-campus and hybrid students often complete practicums through partnerships with nearby schools, while distance learners coordinate with program faculty to identify appropriate sites.

Support for Online and On-Campus Students

Both online and on-campus learners have access to academic advising, library services, and career counseling. The Director of Virtual/Distance Educational Programs, Dr. Etahe Johnson, oversees the online learning experience and can address questions about remote study. For the CTE program specifically, Dr. Tyler Love serves as the graduate director. While on-campus students benefit from face-to-face networking and campus resources, UMES strives to provide equivalent support through virtual office hours, online tutoring, and interactive course tools to ensure online students feel connected and engaged.

What UMES’s Master’s in Education Costs: Tuition, Fees, and Aid

What will you actually pay for a master's in education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore? The answer depends on your program, residency, and how well you tap into financial aid opportunities.

Tuition by Program and Residency

UMES structures graduate tuition by credit hour and residency status. For most M.Ed. programs, the 2025 per-credit rate is $353 for in-state students and $654 for out-of-state students. The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, based on the most recent available data, charged $332 per credit in-state, $458 for a regional rate, and $616 out-of-state, with an additional $41 in mandatory fees per credit.¹ The M.Ed. in Counselor Education stands apart at $687 per credit, with an annual tuition of $12,366 and annual fees of $1,728. These figures provide a baseline; program-specific fees may apply.

Total Estimated Program Costs

To understand the full investment, multiply the per-credit rate by required credits. A typical 30-credit M.Ed. totals about $10,590 in-state or $19,620 out-of-state (excluding fees). For the MAT, often around 36 credits, the in-state cost lands near $13,428 including fees, while out-of-state reaches roughly $23,652. Counselor Education, a 60-credit track, would total approximately $41,220 in tuition alone. These numbers represent sticker prices, but most students reduce costs through financial aid.

Affordability as an HBCU

As a historically Black university, UMES delivers competitive value compared to other Maryland public institutions, such as University of Maryland-Baltimore County. In-state rates sit well below private university graduate programs, and out-of-state tuition remains moderate by regional standards. The university's mission makes advanced education degrees accessible to a diverse student body, including those from underserved communities.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Multiple funding sources help lower out-of-pocket costs: - Graduate assistantships: Provide tuition remission and a stipend in exchange for research or administrative work. - TEACH Grants: Award up to $4,000 per year to students who commit to teaching in high-need schools after graduation. - Hazel Scholars Scholarship: Specifically for education majors from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, and Sussex County, Delaware.¹ - Federal aid: Direct unsubsidized loans, work-study, and income-based repayment plans are available.

The financial aid office can also point to external scholarships and institutional grants.

What Graduates Actually Pay: Net Price and Debt

After factoring in aid, the net price for UMES is approximately $13,338 per year. Education program graduates leave with a median debt of $27,000, a manageable amount given the early career salary boost. UMES graduates see median earnings around $47,697, yielding an earnings-to-debt ratio of nearly 1.8, a strong return that validates the investment in a UMES education degree.

Questions to Ask Yourself

How to Apply: Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Applying to a Master’s in Education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore means meeting general graduate school standards and fulfilling additional requirements set by your chosen specialization. The process is straightforward but requires careful attention to test scores, deadlines, and supporting documents.

General Admission Standards

All UMES M.Ed. applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0¹. If your overall GPA falls below that threshold, the admissions committee often reviews the last 60 credits of undergraduate work for a higher performance trend. The university charges a nonrefundable $30 application fee for every graduate submission¹.

Program-Specific Testing Requirements

Required exams vary widely across specializations, so check your program’s specifics before applying: - Special Education M.Ed. program: Requires PRAXIS I. No GRE is needed. - Career and Technology Education M.Ed. program: Requires PRAXIS I, but you may substitute PRAXIS CORE, ACT, SAT, or GRE scores. - Counselor Education: Typically requires the GRE. A test-optional pathway is not available for this track. Many other M.Ed. programs may accept alternatives to the GRE, but you should verify with the School of Education before applying¹.

Required Application Materials

Most UMES education programs ask for a similar set of documents: - Official transcripts from every college or university attended - Three letters of recommendation, ideally from academic or professional references familiar with your teaching or counseling potential - A personal statement or statement of purpose explaining your career goals and why UMES aligns with them - A current resume or curriculum vitae highlighting relevant experience Some specializations may request additional items like a writing sample or interview, so confirm the details on the program page.

Deadlines and Submission

UMES operates on a rolling admission basis for many departments, but education programs often enforce firm cutoffs. Key deadlines for 2026 include: - Special Education M.Ed.: May 1 (summer start) Deadlines for Career and Technology Education and other specializations may differ; contact the graduate coordinator or check the School of Education website for the most up-to-date dates. Submit all materials through the online application portal by the deadline to ensure full consideration. Late applications are reviewed on a space-available basis only.

What Can You Earn With a Master’s in Education From UMES?

Here’s a snapshot of key financial outcomes for recent UMES graduates, drawing on the latest available data.

UMES Education Graduates See Strong Salary Growth

Program-specific earnings for UMES M.Ed. graduates are not yet published, but national benchmarks show that education master’s holders earn between $58,000 and $85,000 per year.

How UMES Stacks up Against Other Maryland Education Schools

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore offers a compelling value among Maryland public institutions, especially when you consider its historically Black university (HBCU) mission and low tuition. We compared UMES to two other public universities with strong education programs, Towson University and Salisbury University, using data from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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Other University of Maryland Eastern Shore Schools

1. Massachusetts
2. Missouri
3. Montana
4. Montana
5. New Mexico
6. Oklahoma
7. Oklahoma
8. Pennsylvania
9. Pennsylvania
10. South Carolina
11. South Carolina
12. Texas
13. Washington
14. Wisconsin

Earning a master’s in education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a strategic move for educators who value affordability, community, and quality. As an HBCU with CAEP-accredited programs, UMES delivers a supportive environment where you can specialize in school counseling, career and technology education, or special education, often through flexible online or hybrid formats designed for working professionals.

Take the next step by exploring the program listings on this page to compare specializations, tuition, and delivery options. For licensure requirements, visit our Maryland state page. Your application could be the start of a meaningful career in one of the nation’s most vital professions.