Best Master’s in Educational Technology Programs

Penn State consistently ranks as one of the best national universities in the country, one of the best public universities in the country, and one of the best schools for educators at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Penn State World Campus, the online arm of this prestigious public institution, is also consistently ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 10 online programs nationwide. The university is also home to the best online masters in education technology.

The graduate program in educational technology requires 15 foundational course credits, 12 advanced course credits, and six elective credits. The program is one of the few online that focuses on emerging educational technologies, integrating mobile technologies into the modern classroom, and turning everyday tech into instructional tools.

We love Penn State’s M.Ed. in LDT because it positions students for succes in the job market after graduation. The program culminates with a capstone portfolio. Student portfolios are reviewed by expert faculty who mentor you throughout, ensuring your work directly applies advanced design theories to real-world problems like gamification or mobile learning. This format makes Penn State’s M.Ed. in LDT one of the best because it guarantees you graduate with a polished, practical showcase of skills—tailored to your career goals—that top employers in education and industry value, bridging theory and practice with personalized guidance few programs match.

Arizona State University is one of the best schools in the nation, public or private, for educators in all degree programs. U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as having the 18th best education program in the nation, alongside top marks as both a national and public university.

Arizona State University also has one of the most affordable tuition rates among online education programs and has a flexible, year-round academic calendar that allows teachers to enroll in its technology education program in either January, June, or September.

In the classroom, the ASU program in educational technology requires 33 credits and gives students the unique option of aligning their M.A. in educational technology with a concentration in gifted instruction. This unique combination teaches educators how to incorporate technology into everyday instruction as well as how to meet the needs of both advanced and special education students throughout the academic year.

We love ASU’s M.A. in Ed Tech ASU because the program embeds design thinking—a structured, creative problem-solving methodology—into its curriculum. This lets you build digital learning solutions (like VR modules or adaptive platforms) that prioritize learner needs over generic tech trends. This sets it apart as a top program because it equips you with a rare, in-demand skill to craft innovative, user-focused educational tools. And as such, this program is ideal for students who value human-centered design over sterile methodologies. All together, this program provides you with a competitive edge in shaping next-gen learning environments.

Virginia Tech is an excellent option for educators interested in incorporating technology into the classroom. Unlike most other schools, the educational technology program at Virginia Tech focuses on the advanced IT skills needed to run a high-tech classroom or school building. Students will learn the basic setup of networks, several organization-level educational software tools, and the ethics associated with high-tech privacy and monitoring.

What do we love about Virginia Tech’s M.A.Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology? What makes this program unique is the research opportunities offered through its Center for Instructional Technology Solutions in Industry and Education (CITSIE). At the CITSIE, you can engage in projects like designing adaptive learning systems or evaluating corporate training tools. This offering makes it one of the best ed tech masters programs, because it connects you directly to applied research with real-world impact. This hands-on experience builds industry-relevant skills that set you apart as a leader in both educational and professional Ed Tech settings.

North Carolina State University is an integral part of the “Research Triangle” in Raleigh-Durham, NC. Ranked 92nd among all national universities, NC State also ranks in the top 200 online graduate education programs nationwide. The school’s affordable in-state tuition ensures an affordable education for North Carolina residents.

Unlike most of its competitors, NC State offers both an M.Ed. and an M.S. in educational technology. The shorter M.Ed. The program requires just 30 credits and is a perfect fit for aspiring educators, while the M.S. requires 36 credits and is a perfect fit for aspiring administrators.

Another feature of NC State’s ed tech master’s that we love is the inclusion of an optional Digital Leadership and Management Certificate within its 30-credit online program. The Digital Leadership and Management Certificate helps students build skills like strategic tech planning and team management in digital learning contexts. This trains students to not just design but also lead technology initiatives, meeting the growing need for strategic Ed Tech leaders in schools and organizations nationwide.

The University of Missouri’s graduate program in educational technology might be the most flexible online program of them all. The 30-credit program requires only 12 credits of core curriculum. Students can then choose 18 credits, or six courses, of elective work that fits their unique instructional needs.

The primary focus of the program is on education modernization, but electives allow students to focus on integrating technology into mathematics, reading, writing, science, and foreign languages as well.

In addition to being a highly flexible program, the in-state tuition for Missouri residents makes it an affordable choice. U.S. News and World Report ranks Mizzou as one of the top 50 public institutions in the country, one of the top national universities, and one of the top schools for online graduate education.

But what we love most about Mizzou’s M.Ed. is its specialized emphasis in Learning Systems Design and Development. Students interested in this ed tech specialty will master creating comprehensive digital learning platforms, like LMS modules or interactive simulations, tailored to specific educational needs. This unique specialty track provides you with a deep expertise in building scalable, tech-driven systems—skills highly sought after in modern education and training sectors.

The University of San Diego is one of the leading private, Catholic-affiliated universities on the West Coast, with a reputation for academic excellence that has been acknowledged nationwide. To that end, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school in the top 100 national universities. The online graduate education programs offered at USD are also highly ranked, within the top 65 programs across the country.

The school has earned a top ranking for its academic flexibility as well, particularly when it comes to meeting the needs of veterans, professionals, and online students.

A total of 27 core credits are required of students in this program in topics that range from mastery of the Internet to modernization of teaching methods and planning styles. Two elective courses, totaling six credits, help students master the implementation of technology in their area of instructional expertise. With affordable tuition and a year-round calendar, the school is an excellent fit for the typical teacher’s scheduling needs.

But what makes USD’s M.Ed. program special is its special emphasis on integrating technology with traditional pedagogy. This integration is meant to promote equitable learning, with courses like “Technology and Innovation in Education” which addresses digital access disparities. This makes the program ideal for students who aim to design inclusive, tech-enhanced educational experiences that align with national priorities for equity in education. More so than other programs, USD’s M.Ed. program prepares you to address the diverse needs of learners effectively.

Considered one of the best private universities in the Midwest, Purdue University is consistently ranked as a top national university by U.S. News and World Report. The university has also earned accolades for the quality of its online programs, the quality of its education programs specifically, and its flexibility for veterans and others who study online.

Purdue’s Master of Science program in education offers a combined concentration in learning design and technology, giving students the ability to master both lesson planning and today’s technology.

Within the program, students will take 33 credit hours that focus on lesson planning, distance education, technology ethics and privacy guidelines, and technology advocacy within the education system. Students can also opt for an elective course in tech leadership, which could prepare them for administrative roles in their public or private institutions.​

Post University, located in Connecticut, offers a wide array of online programs to educators, including one that blends instructional design with educational technology. The concentration is part of the university’s M.A. in education, which is consistently ranked as a “best value” by several leading publications.

Post University is also ranked as a top regional institution in the United States, offering highly affordable tuition rates to students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. As a private university, these tuition rates are uniform for both in-state and out-of-state online enrollees.

Within Post’s concentration in instructional design and educational technology, students will take several unique courses. These unique courses include topics like educational reform, technology advocacy, and distance education course design. Graduates will be prepared to teach in a traditional classroom as well as in several online, interactive environments, like Blackboard Lean and Schoology.

Western Governors University gets its name from the many governors who came together to form the university several decades ago. The original mission of the university was to create a highly affordable, top-ranked, and flexible institution that could guide adult learners toward earning undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Today, the institution ranks as one of the best and most affordable online universities in America, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Some educators may find themselves able to complete the school’s graduate program in educational technology within a single year. The program’s focus is rather broad, with coursework that focuses on technology integration and advocacy, and ethical deployment of high-tech tools in today’s schools.

Bu what we found most persuasive about WGU’s M.Ed. is its competency-based model. This model lets you progress by mastering skills at your own pace with unlimited access to courses within a flat-rate term. A competency model is ideal for self-motivated students who can make the most out of the affordability and flexibility provided. If you’re a fast learner, you will accelerate degree completion sooner than traditional programs.

UIUC is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois System and easily the flagship public university in the state of Illinois itself.

Additionally, the school is often listed as one of the “Public Ivies” due to its highly selective admissions and excellent academic reputation across the country. Urbana-Champaign typically ranks in the top 20 public universities and among the top 30 national universities, according to U.S. News and World Report. The school’s online education effort is considered one of the ten best in the nation, according to the same publication.

Unique among online programs in educational technology, Urbana-Champaign’s program explores how to promote education reform by using high-tech tools. Students learn how to transform lesson plans, adopt new styles of instruction, and incorporate mobile devices into a hands-on, 24-hour learning environment that today’s students are most comfortable with.

Specifically, Illinois’ M.Ed. in LDL offers a New Learning concentration, which emphasizes transformative digital learning environments like AI-driven platforms or virtual classrooms. These unique courses are taught by faculty renowned in Ed Tech research. By engaging cutting-edge topics and learning from the best, you will be at the forefront of digital education innovation. And you will learn to leverage cutting-edge tools and scholarship to shape the future of learning.

The 32-credit program is also highly affordable, with in-state tuition available to Illinois residents. So for students interested in a unique, future-facing curriculum with an affordable tuition, this program is ideal.

In the online classroom, educational technology students will focus on incorporating technology into the classroom, advocating for educational technology, using technology to solve human resources, ethics, and behavioral problems in schools, and distance education.

This program, with a relatively affordable tuition rate, equips graduates to be better teachers, instructional designers, and online “cyber school” instructors through 36 credits of advanced curriculum.

Located in the heart of the nation’s capital, George Washington University is one of the top private schools in the nation. Of particular note to educators are the school’s 100 research centers in science, technology, instruction, and many other fields. The university is ranked as one of the best schools for research, as well as a leading national university and one of the best schools for online graduate and undergraduate degree programs.

GWU’s M.A. in Educational Technology Leadership, one of the first fully online programs in the U.S., draws on over 30 years of experience to deliver a curriculum focused on advanced tech integration, AI literacy, and leadership strategies. What better place to learn about innovation in education, than a school that lead the charge in online learning? GWU’s long-standing online expertise ensures a refined, accessible education that equips you with cutting-edge skills to lead in diverse, global Ed Tech industry.

Considered the flagship public university in the state of Florida, the University of Florida is a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant institution. In fact, it’s one of the only universities in the United States to hold this distinction.

The University of Florida is also considered one of the top 50 national universities, one of the top public universities, and one of the best schools for online education nationwide, according to U.S. News and World Report.

The graduate program in educational technology at UF is focused primarily on distance education, high-tech instruction, and building online communities. Educators can also choose electives that focus on gifted instruction via technology, instruction design, and integrated media and communications in the classroom. The school offers both in-state and out-of-state tuition rates that make it a top choice for Florida residents.

What we love about UF’s M.Ed. is how it prepares students for real world success in the job market. It accomplishes this by requiring a Practicum in Educational Media, where you design and implement a real-world tech project. For example, you can develop an e-learning module, under faculty guidance over a semester. This provides hands-on, portfolio-ready experience that demonstrates your ability to apply Ed Tech skills effectively. And this helps you build a practical edge that’s highly valued in instructional design and classroom innovation jobs nationwide.

Based in Philadelphia, Drexel University is a leading institution for high-tech degree programs and hands-on experience. Drexel is top-ranked by U.S. News and World Report for its co-op program, where students spend three months of each academic year working in a professional position related to their field of study.

With the school’s quarter-based academic calendar and an all-online list of graduate courses, the school’s flexibility makes it possible to complete the program in as little as two years. Students can also add internships and co-ops, extending their enrollment duration by up to a year as they pursue professional experience in the field.

Drexel’s MS in Educational Technology stood out to us because of its unique approach to education theroy. Specifically, the program emphasizes game-based learning and emerging technologies, with courses like “The Learning Sciences” and “Instructional Design Methods” that incorperate fun strategies. In these courses, you learn to create engaging tools like educational games or AR modules that make the learning process more enjoyable. This makes the program a great fit for students who enjoy game design and apprecaite learning methods which value the ‘fun factor’.

At 30 credit hours, the M.A. program in educational technology at Northern Arizona University is one of the shortest in the country. Despite its shorter length, however, the program has innovative course offerings that most educators will enjoy.

The school’s primary focus within this program is not on technology proficiency but instead on building a curriculum around technologies and encouraging the creation of vibrant, tech-focused student communities. The program is a great foundation for teaching online or for moving many components of the teaching process online.

Northern Arizona University is ranked as one of the best regional public institutions in the southwestern part of the United States. The school’s online education programs are also ranked in the top 100 programs nationwide and offer students a highly affordable, in-state tuition rate that is much lower than other regional institutions in Arizona and neighboring states.

But here is the key point. NAU offers an Education Technology Masters ideal for students interested in youth education. Specifically, NAU’s M.Ed. offers a K-12 Teacher Emphasis, nationally recognized by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The program focuses on turning educators into real world leaders with high-demand skills in digital coaching and systems integration. This makes it one of the best education technology masters. Because its ISTE alignment ensures you master industry-standard competencies, after graduation you will be prepared to drive technology adoption in schools with credibility and expertise.

The University of Cincinnati is one of Ohio’s most competitive public universities, with a top-ranked national reputation in both academics and athletes. The school itself ranks in the top 50 national universities, according to U.S. News and World Report. More specifically, its online education degrees rank in the top 30 nationwide.

The school is also ranked as one of the best for veterans, with a highly flexible academic calendar that allows students to “enter and exit” the program as time permits.

The school’s focus on educational technology lies within its M.A. in educational leadership. Within this program, students can choose and educational technology concentration that teaches them how to both integrate technology into the classroom and how to advocate for greater use of technology in an entire school or school district. The program requires 33 credits and, for Ohio residents, offers in-state tuition that represents significant cost savings.

But what makes this program stand out from others is its high value certificate track. UC’s M.Ed. includes an embedded Graduate Certificate in Blended and Online Learning and Design. This track allows you to create seamless hybrid and virtual learning experiences with tools like LMS platforms and multimedia. The fact that this program provides dual credentials in one program makes it worthy consideration. Graduates of the program will be equipped with specialized skills for the growing field of online education, which enhances both your versatility and employability.