Master’s Degree in Education (MSEd)

The following programs are offered leading to a Master’s Degree in Education (MSEd) at Iona University:

• MSEd Literacy (all grades, 30 credits)
• MSEd Special Education (all grades, 30 credits)
• MSEd Special Education and Literacy (all grades, 45 credits)

The Iona University's Master of Education program is recognized as one of the Best Online MSEd Programs in the state of New York, and most students can complete their master’s degrees in one to two years. This allows them to maintain their eligibility for teaching credentials in New York. Additionally, students who choose either of the two Special Education programs are eligible for the tuition-free Interdisciplinary Advanced Certificate in Working with Young Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Their Families (IACD).   

Iona MSEd programs lead to specific certifications in literacy, special education, and literacy/special education. The Iona Education Department does not currently offer any graduate programs tailored to leadership or administration. However, many graduates of MSEd programs at Iona go on to achieve leadership roles and even work in school or district administration.  

For example, Iona MSEd graduate Andy Cavacos is currently the principal at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia. Cavacos notes that his time at Iona “was outstanding, with highly effective and engaging instructors,” and that it “pushed [him] to become open to growth and eager to step up as a lifelong learner.”

In 2023, MSEd graduate Unal Karakas was named superintendent of Valley Stream Union Free School District 24 in Valley Stream, New York. These examples make it clear that Iona prepares its MSEd students to strive for and succeed in leadership positions if that is their ultimate career goal.  

Courses for all MSEd programs at Iona are fully online. The online courses are offered in three formats:

• Asynchronous (OLA): Course content can be accessed at any time to maximize convenience for students.
• Synchronous (OLS): Students must be present for live classroom broadcasts.
• Hybrid: Classes occasionally occur in a synchronous format (less than weekly), but most coursework is completed asynchronously. 

Iona MSEd programs are designed for flexibility, which means even synchronous learning occurs just one evening per week from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Working educators who want to further their careers and maintain their teaching credentials benefit from this scheduling and can balance their course loads with their professional and personal obligations. MSEd courses are never scheduled during the daytime. Educators leveraging online learning are leveraging “a prevalent and indispensable pedagogical approach,” according to Research Gate, continuing their education without sacrificing their current careers.  

In addition to fall and spring semesters, Iona also offers a summer term that provides an accelerated opportunity to make significant progress toward the degree. During the summer, students may complete up to four courses (12 credits), which can be especially beneficial for educators who have more availability outside the traditional school year. This allows many working teachers to shorten their overall time to graduation while continuing to build their expertise and advance their careers. 

Yes, current teachers can use the MSEd degree toward professional certification and salary steps. In New York state, teachers who have earned their Initial Certificates from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) have five years to complete a master’s degree program and apply for professional certification. The MSEd from Iona allows teachers to apply for their Professional Certificates, which will remain valid as long as they complete their continuing education requirements.

According to the United Federation of Teachers, “a salary step is an incremental increase in salary based on previous qualifying professional experience” and is typically determined at the district level. Earning a master’s degree has an impact on which salary step a teacher is eligible to receive, along with that teacher’s years of experience. In New York City public schools, for instance, a teacher with a master’s degree can earn around $8,000 more per year than a teacher with a bachelor’s degree who has the same number of years of experience.  

Yes, all three  online master’s in education programs require completion of a thesis course. For those completing the MS in Integrated Language and Literacy program, students are required to complete a Capstone Project. According to one journal article from Studies in Higher Education, capstone projects allow for “synthesis and application of prior learning” as well as “developing skills and attributes related to employability.” According to Boston University, a capstone project “serves as a bridge between academic learning and professional practice, ensuring students are ready for the workforce or further academic pursuits.”

In the three-credit thesis course at Iona, students review current educational theory and research and then apply the knowledge they gained in the master’s program to real-world problems. Students are encouraged to choose a project rooted in a professional area of interest.