Master of Education - M.Ed.

The Online Master of Education program is meticulously designed to empower educators with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital learning. As online education continues to expand, this program offers a unique opportunity for educators to become leaders in this dynamic field. Through a comprehensive curriculum that blends theory with practical application, candidates will explore cutting-edge instructional strategies, digital tools, and pedagogical approaches tailored specifically for virtual classrooms. Whether you are an experienced educator looking to refine your skills or a passionate professional eager to make a transition into the world of online teaching, this program provides the essential foundation for creating engaging, impactful, and inclusive learning experiences in a virtual environment.

By enrolling in this program, you are taking a decisive step toward shaping the future of education. The demand for skilled online educators has never been higher, and this program will position you at the forefront of this exciting transformation. You will be supported by a community of experts and peers who are equally committed to innovative teaching and learning. With flexible online coursework that fits your schedule, you can immediately begin applying what you learn to your current or future teaching roles. Now is the time to enhance your educational impact and broaden your career opportunities by becoming a master in online education. Sign up today and start your journey toward making a lasting difference in the lives of students around the globe.

“By joining the Online Master of Education program at Monarch, you’ll not only master the art of virtual instruction, but you’ll also gain invaluable real-world experience through our unique online practicum, where you’ll engage directly in teaching Bachelor-level students on the Monarch Digital Campus. This hands-on opportunity allows you to apply cutting-edge strategies in a live classroom environment, ensuring that you graduate fully prepared to lead and inspire in the digital age of education.”

Dr. Miray Barsoum - Director of the Education Programs

M.Ed. Module Sequence & Progression

The candidate begins their journey of learning by completing a set of core courses focusing on the principles of teaching pedagogy and teaching philosophy. The core-courses provide the candidate with a solid foundation upon which to develop a scholarly yet applied manuscript within the field of education.  The core-course modules specifically covered include: teaching pedagogy, online teaching , career progression and developing case studies.  Within the first 6 months, the candidate will also begin a 12 month practicum that includes teaching a course within the Monarch Bachelor program. The practicum typically spans two semesters of the Bachelor program.

The research skills course helps to lay the foundations for the understanding of research methods at the graduate level. The research skills module is followed by the research plan perfecting module where the candidate will fashion a 10 to 15 page research plan in cooperation with the supervisor of the program to provide a roadmap for the contemplated research along with a clear research objective and statement. Once the research plan is approved the candidate moves into the writing portion of the thesis stage and completes the manuscript. 

There is no defense for the M.Ed. program as it is sufficient for the candidate to simply submit the thesis for evaluation upon completion. However, M.Ed. candidates may opt to defend their thesis in committee (viva voce) at the next doctoral workshop in order to gain valuable experience. This option is valuable for all candidates wishing to continue on to the doctoral level, D.Ed.

Completion Requirements

The fully online M.Ed. program is designed around a set of core courses that introduce the graduate student to teaching philosophy, its concepts and implementation. Research concepts, in particular, literature research methodologies are covered within the research portion of the program. The program requires the completion of two research skills courses, a 10 to 15 page research plan, and the final M.Ed. thesis work. During the program the candidate will also complete a 12 month teaching practicum within the Bachelor program at Monarch in order to obtain real world teaching experience. 

Module Duration & Descriptions

The M.Ed. program is designed for working professionals who wish to acquire core-teaching skills along with an integrated review of the scholarly material within the education field. There is no group work in the program. There are no exams. There is no field work or interviewing required in the program as the M.Ed. focuses on the integration of practical skills combined with a review of scholarly material. Assessment in the M.Ed. program is completed by way of the completion of course modules, practicum completion, and the submission of the research plan and final thesis manuscript. The standard duration of the program is 18 months. Candidates have a maximum of 36 months to complete the program.

M.Ed. Core Course Modules

This 8-week course offers a comprehensive exploration of contemporary teaching strategies, focusing on how educators can enhance their effectiveness in the classroom. It covers essential topics such as how knowledge is constructed, how learning works, and building rapport with students. Participants will also learn effective lesson planning and delivery, strategies for engaging students, and course and assignment design. Additionally, the course emphasizes using feedback to improve learning. The final project involves creating a comprehensive course plan that integrates these key strategies, ensuring participants can directly apply their learning to their teaching practice.

This 8-week course prepares educators to excel in online and blended learning environments. Participants will explore online and blended learning resources, apply the Community of Inquiry Model to their teaching, and draft learning goals for a personal project. The course emphasizes the importance of teaching presence and using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to create accessible and engaging online courses. Participants will also develop learning activities and assessments that integrate UDL principles, culminating in the creation of a comprehensive online course.

This 8-week course examines the role of teaching efficacy in academic career advancement, considering the varying expectations across universities. Participants will develop a teaching philosophy and a teaching portfolio that includes essential components like lesson plans and a syllabus. The course also introduces the Career Framework for University Teaching to help evaluate and advance academic careers.

This 8-week course equips educators with the skills to develop impactful teaching case studies, including creating compelling narratives and comprehensive teaching notes. Participants will learn to design case studies that foster critical thinking and engagement in the classroom. The final project involves developing a case study, complete with teaching notes, that will be added to the Monarch Business School Library, contributing valuable educational resources to the academic community.

M.Ed. Research Modules

The Research Skills 1 module introduces the candidate to the important concepts of knowledge and how to evaluate research papers available through various academic networks. Research integrity, reliability and quality are the focus of the module. Upon completion of the module Candidates will be able to discern good quality research from poor.  Candidates will be able to examine a chosen piece of research and critique the research based on the chosen method and methodology and whether the research achieved its stated goals and aims. 

The research plan module focuses on the development of a 10 to 15 page research plan that outlines the intended research to be carried-out by the candidate. The research plan is developed with the assistance of the professor to ensure quality completion and understanding of the necessary components required of a graduate level academic research plan in business studies. Successful completion of the module is considered with the approval of the research plan by the Administration and the continuation of the program into the research phase.

The research phase of the M.Ed. portion begins with the successful completion of the research plan module. At this stage, the candidate continues the research portion of the program by executing the authorized research plan. The M.Ed. research manuscript is divided into four distinct sections that are developed as an integrated whole: 1. Introduction and Background of the Problem, 2. Literature Review and Critique, 3. Methodology 4. Synthesis and Summary. The M.Ed. manuscript is a scholarly piece of research that focuses on the scholarship within the area of teaching. It should show mastery of the scholarly literature and an understanding of graduate literature research methodology. Successful completion of the M.Ed. manuscript concludes the program and prepares the candidate for further academic or applied research within education and academia. The M.Ed.  is the perfect stepping stone to the D.Ed. – Doctor of Eduction.

M.Ed. Practicum

The 12-month online teaching practicum at Monarch is a cornerstone of our Master of Education program, offering you the unique opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting. During this practicum, you will actively teach within our Bachelor program’s online courses, allowing you to develop, refine, and implement practical teaching strategies tailored specifically to the digital classroom. This immersive experience not only enhances your pedagogical skills but also provides invaluable insights into student engagement, assessment, and the nuances of virtual instruction. By the end of the practicum, you will have gained the confidence and expertise necessary to effectively lead and innovate in the rapidly expanding field of online education.