UND named as a top school for online master’s degree in teaching

University achieves ranking held by only 6 percent of postsecondary institutions in 2022

OnlineMastersDegrees.org, a research-backed site that ranks accredited online master’s degrees across the county, has named the University of North Dakota as one of 2022’s best schools for earning a master’s degree in teaching online.

“Our goal was to find the master’s programs that are making online learning a priority,” said Kyle Darland, co-founder of OnlineMastersDegrees.org. “Each school in our teaching ranking offers at least one partially or fully online master’s degree option, and for a price students can afford.”

OnlineMastersDegrees.org researched and analyzed more than 7,700 accredited schools using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and from the schools themselves. The website’s data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying teaching programs.

Primary data points included:

• Number of online master’s programs in subject area.

• Number of online students.

• Online program tuition and fees.

• Percentage of students offered institutional aid.

• Amount of institutional aid awarded per student.

UND’s recognition comes when enrollment in master’s degree programs is on the rise. In October  2021, the Council of Graduate Schools reported a 7.3 percent increase in first-time graduate student enrollment in fall 2020. First-time, part-time student enrollment rose by 13.5 percent. The CGS report cites the growth of online and hybrid learning options as a primary driver of these trends.

This recognition also coincides with the announcement of two new program offerings for educators by the UND College of Education & Human Development:

• Master of Science in Teaching & Leadership: This renewed 100 percent online program, designed for those who already have a teaching license and desire to gain advanced skills and certifications in the K-12 field, is one of the only programs in the United States to offer a K-12 Classroom Assessment & Grading course. In addition, it is the only program in North Dakota that includes the entire continuum of teaching and learning: curriculum, instruction, assessment, grading and reporting.

• K-12 Instructional Coaching Certificate: This 100 percent online, 12-credit certificate prepares K-12 educators to effectively assume various instructional coaching roles and responsibilities, including designing school-based professional development to aid in instructional growth for teachers.

UND’s faculty have extensive experience as effective K-12 teachers, instructional coaches, principals and district leaders in roles such as professional development director, assistant superintendent, chief academic officer, chief talent management officer and more. Their award-winning faculty publish in top-tier K-12 practitioner journals, such as Educational Leadership, School Administrator, Principal Leadership and the American School Board Journal.

Graduates readily obtain jobs in a variety of positions, including master teacher, instructional coach, assessment director, principal, behavioral support specialist, STEM director and curriculum specialist, to name a few.

“Our goal is to deliver innovative, relevant and impactful programming for North Dakota and throughout the United States. Our 100 percent online coursework is designed for working professionals who desire learning the most up-to-date K-12 knowledge and skills while never having to leave home,” said Laura Link, director of Master’s in Teaching and Leadership. “Nowhere else but UND will students be prepared to implement mastery-based assessment practices; fair and meaningful grading practices; and classroom and school conditions that foster learning clarity, equity and support for all students and teachers alike.

“We’re proud of what we offer students and the K-12 profession.”