For those that aren’t aware, Colorado consistently tops national “Best of” rankings, and this is also true of its student population. Colorado is second among all the 50 US States for the proportion of residents having a bachelor’s degree or above (42.7%), making it among the states with the best-educated labor forces in the country. According to an American Community Survey, 92.3% more people in Northern Colorado and Metro Denver have finished high school, which is 4% higher than the national average. For students considering a Master’s in Education in Colorado, you are sure of getting the best from this education-inclined state.
Based on statistics, it has the largest per capita percentage of federal science, research, and education facilities in the nation. From the above facts and statistics, it’s simple to understand why most students establish roots in Colorado and become valued workers in the state. Learners will find a host of colleges/universities offering accelerated program tracks in; Online, On-campus and Hybrid Learning formats.
Let’s get started as we explore these detailed lists of the best Master’s in Education Programs in Colorado.
On-campus Master’s in Education Programs – Colorado
University of Denver
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Degree Offered: Master of Arts in Teacher Education
The University of Denver offers a campus-based MA in Teacher Education. Via this program, candidates will obtain the knowledge and abilities required to work successfully as an academic instructor. Also, some of the remarkable features of the program include; extensive peer support, conveniently scheduled classes, small class sizes, and a closely monitored field/practicum experience with learners from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Licensure and endorsements:
After completing the teacher education program, graduates can apply for a Colorado Initial Teacher License through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
With the skillset gained in the program, practitioners will be able to:
- Provide engaging, applicable lesson and module plans based on standards and results.
- Establish high standards for student accomplishment and offering help are two ways to teach fairly.
- Engage learners in a supporting and inclusive learning community.
University of Colorado Boulder
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degree Offered: MA in Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice
The University of Colorado Boulder offers two main concentrations structured to equip graduates for different roles as advocates, educators, or professional policy analysts in government agencies, schools, community organizations, e.t.c. The two major specializations are Policy Analysis and Evaluation/Community-Based Change.
Via this program, students will gain proficiency in policy analysis, research techniques, program assessment, as well as specialized areas of study like the process of educational reform and the creation of collaborations between residents and outside stakeholders. The program is meant to educate policy analysts and evaluators for work (careers) in state and federal academic institutions or agencies.
Online and Hybrid Master’s in Education Programs – Colorado
Colorado Messa University
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degrees Offered: Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership, Master of Arts in Education in Teaching and Leadership
Colorado Mesa University provides three main tracks of robust graduate programs in educational leadership and teaching. These programs have been designed to train education professionals to become innovative school leaders with technical understanding in budgeting, human resource management, leadership, research, curriculum/instruction/assessment methodologies, and school improvement tactics.
The three available education tracks are;
Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership: Certificate Principal Licensure Track
Master of Arts in Education in Teaching and Leadership: Non-Licensure MA Track
Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership: MA Principal Licensure Track
Courses are provided online and in hybrid formats to provide flexibility and student participation around working professionals’ schedules.
Colorado State University
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Degree Offered: M.Ed. in Education and Human Resource Studies
Colorado State University offers a blend of Online/Hybrid Learning formats to professionals or specialists that:
- Want employees who work in their business and field to receive the best training and education possible to become more equipped for success;
- Are constantly looking for methods to enhance learning processes and programs because you are dissatisfied with how things are currently done.
The curriculum incorporates real-world assignments, experiences, and the most recent adult learning theories. Students will be equipped to use their skills and knowledge to assist others in pursuing lifelong learning. In this program, project-based coursework makes sure that you understand real-world skills and can use them to improve your present work right away.
Learners will participate in both individual and team projects that are intended to mirror the reality of the modern workplace.
Fort Lewis College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degree Offered: Master of Arts in Education: Teacher Leadership
Fort Lewis College offers an Online/Hybrid MA in Education with a concentration in Teacher Leadership. The program places a strong emphasis on the development of effective research based on core principles. The curriculum integrates emerging and current technologies to direct educators in helping students navigate the Internet skillfully and appropriately.
In the course of this academic program, professionals will learn the vital methodology:
- To help ensure that teaching methods and institutional design are advantageous to all students, analyze;
- To assess unique strategies from national and worldwide educational systems.
The coursework areas in this field include;
- Century Curriculum Design
- Emerging Technology in Education
- Introduction to Graduate Research
- Culminating Research Project
In addition, the elective courses in this curriculum include;
- Effective School Leadership
- Teacher Leadership
- Action Research/ Teacher Leadership
- Transforming Assessments and Data Analysis
- Student-Focused Differentiated Instruction
University of Northern Colorado
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Degree Offered: Master of Arts in Teaching/Elementary Education
The University of Northern Colorado offers an On-campus/Online MA in Teaching with a concentration in Elementary Education. The program’s goal is to train graduate-level teachers who can successfully teach in educational environments in an immensely complex, varied, and technologically advanced world. The course emphasizes the scope and depth of research, skills, theory, teaching knowledge, and theory.
Coursework areas in this academic program include;
- Elementary School Practicum
- Conceptions of Schooling
- Introduction to Graduate Research
- Elementary School Curriculum
- Capstone Seminar and Elementary Student Teaching
- Teaching Foundational Reading
- Content Literacy for Different Learners
- Educational Psychology for Instructors (Teachers)
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Columbia College of Missouri
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Degree Offered: Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Columbia College of Missouri offers an Online/Hybrid M.ED in Educational Leadership to deserving students. The Master of Education degree is intended for licensed teachers with prior classroom experience who understand the compliance approach to measuring the level of performance within the academic settings. Classes are practical, theoretical, and foundational, allowing students to understand better the research and regulations that underpin administrative choices.
The coursework equips teachers to be change agents by establishing the tone and providing direction for their districts, departments, schools, and classrooms. In addition, the M.ED curriculum covers the psychology and theoretical underpinnings of educational leadership, along with methods for classroom and behavior management.
Students will choose from one of the following concentrations:
- Reading Specialist Certification
- School Leader (K-12) Certification
- Instructional Coach
- Gifted Certification
Johnson and Wales University (JWU)
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Degree Offered: Master of Education in Teaching and Learning
Johnson and Wales University provides an online M.ED in Teaching and Learning. The curriculum incorporates experiential learning, application, theory, and research. Candidates will use various methods to evaluate students’ performance and adjust to their social and developmental requirements while adopting successful teaching strategies that engage, motivate, and focus learners.
Via this program, you will develop the skills of reflection, responsiveness, and perseverance to persistently focus on well-being, achievement, learning needs, and student access.
Some of the coursework areas in this rewarding field comprise;
- Assessment for Learning
- Instructional Resources and Strategies
- Instructional and Curriculum Design
- Exploration of Learning and Teaching
- Managing and Monitoring Pupils’ Learning Standards
- Capstone: Diverse Roles of Teachers
Online Master’s in Education Programs – Colorado
Adams State University
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Degree Offered: Master of Arts in Educator Preparation
Adams State University offers an online MA in Educator Preparation for working adults with existing professional teacher’s licenses. In this program, candidates will develop core competencies in advanced education areas. You’ll also gain a robust knowledge of educational instruction and the curriculum necessary to enhance youth learning. The Master in Educator program comes with specializations or concentrations in;
- Education instruction and curriculum
- Educational Leadership
- Education Instruction and Curriculum with Endeavor STEM Certificate
The coursework areas include; Education diversity learners, Curriculum and Assessment, and Principal Licensure.
Colorado State University-Pueblo
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degree Offered: Master of Education
Colorado State University provides an Online Master of Education degree that equips students with the most recent research on learning, teaching, and system change to develop Master’s Teachers for PK–12 classrooms. Candidates in this Master’s program are expected to be certified teachers who are in the classroom right now. As a result, it will educate educators to excel as “Master” educators in their classes and institutions.
The curriculum is in line with the key principles of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). It is based on a set of skills that are common to the majority of NBPTS certifications as well as the Colorado Teacher Quality Standards.
The Master in Education academic program is available in the following concentrations:
- Instructional Technology Concentration
- Linguistically Diverse Concentration
- Music Education Concentration
- Educational Leadership Concentration
- English Concentration
- Art Education Concentration
- Curriculum and Instruction Concentration
- Early Learning Concentration
- Health and Physical Education Concentration
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degree Offered: Master of Arts: Teaching English To Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL)
UCCS offers an online MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The curriculum is specifically intended for teachers, education personnel, and aspiring teachers with current English Language Learners (ELLs) in their classes who want to learn how to support such pupils better.
Certified teachers working with ELLs in small numbers, individual settings, and whole classes will immensely benefit from this program. Practicing teachers with a teaching credential from the Colorado Department of Education (TESOL) can leverage this opportunity to earn a “MA TESOL”.
Coursework areas in this program include;
- Introduction to Multicultural Education/Linguistically Diverse
- Literacy for All Learners
- Theories and Materials for ELLs
- Language and Linguistics
- Practicum in Multicultural Education/Linguistically Diverse
- Seminar: Community and Parent Involvement
- Capstone
Colorado State University Global
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degree Offered: Master of Science in Teaching and Learning
Colorado State University Global provides an online MS in Teaching and Learning structured to improve students’ leadership skills, intelligence, and expert understanding of cutting-edge trends in K–12 education. The program aims to impact educational professionals by focusing on research-based methods, instruction, program management and development in K-12 academic environments.
In addition to learning strategies for encouraging academic achievement and lifelong learning, candidates will also learn to assess and evaluate learning and teaching practices to address specific instructional demands.
Coursework areas in this program include;
- Evaluation and Assessment
- Technology and Innovation
- Models of Instruction and Learning Theories
- Legal, Ethical, and Social Issues in Modern Learning
- Fundamentals of Writing and Research
- Practice and Theory in Backward Design
- Action Research
William Howard Taft University
Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
Degree Offered: Master of Education (MEd)
William Howard Taft University offers an Online MEd to students via the robust distance learning platform. The curriculum centers on management, instruction, and leadership in various public and educational service settings. Practitioners with experience instructing (teaching) in private or public schools that seek to upgrade their classroom management abilities, broaden their understanding of educational administration, and move up the district pay scales will find this loyal very fulfilling.
In this program, coursework areas include;
- Educational Finance
- Educational Technology
- Diversity, Leadership
- Instructional practices and curriculum design
- Psychological Foundations of Education
- Social and Philosophical Foundations
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Regis University
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Degree Offered: M.Ed. in Elementary Education
Regis University provides online M.Ed. in Elementary Education via its online learning platform. The program is tailored for candidates pursuing preliminary licensure within Colorado. Upon graduation, participants will be fully ready to teach all types of pupils in grades K-6. Also, the institution will assist learners in developing autonomous and independent educators.
In this graduate program, graduates are encouraged to create their methods of teaching, thereby making them resilient and adaptable teachers. Notably, the M.Ed. curriculum at Regis is built for convenience and flexibility.
On-campus, Hybrid, and Online Master’s in Education Programs – Colorado
University of Colorado Denver
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degree Offered: Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education
The University of Colorado Denver provides MA in Early Childhood Education to prospective students via Online/Hybrid Learning. The curriculum equips teachers to work with young children in inclusive, varied early learning environments. Graduates acquire techniques that immerse the pupils in linguistically and culturally diverse community-based or public school environments, emphasizing family-based practices.
The personalized learning concept allows students to tailor the curriculum by choosing coursework outside the major area of focus to suit their interests and needs. Also, graduates will gain in-depth knowledge on increasing learning in their early childhood classroom and institution by utilizing cutting-edge technologies and creative approaches.
Coursework areas in this program include;
- Working with Communities and Families
- Research In Schools
- Capstone project in
- Early Childhood Education
Western Colorado University
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degree Offered: Master of Arts in Education
Western Colorado University offers MA in Education that integrates online learning with applied and practical learning in the modern K-12 classroom. The curriculum trains educators who are responsive and inclusive to the vital needs of the pupils. To earn an MA degree, candidates must choose from one of the following concentrations:
- Educational Administration
- Reading Leadership
- Teaching Leadership
- K-12 Online Teacher Leadership
- Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Leadership
- Educator Effectiveness
Are You Ready?
Yes, you should be. No one can dispute the prestige and societal repute that comes with being successful in one’s academic pursuits.
As a more learned educator, you boost your chances of finding better employment possibilities in academia and widen your career options by obtaining a master’s in education. Obviously, you’ve been enlightened by this article. Now, it’s time to take the bold step and start applying for your chosen program.
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