Posted Feb. 7, 2024 — As a fourth grade teacher, Daisy Gomez knew she wanted to continue her own studies with a focus on teaching math. A former professor recommended the nationally ranked master’s degree program at the University of Houston College of Education. “The description described everything I wanted to learn,” she said.

The fact that Gomez lives and teaches in Salinas, California wasn’t a problem — the online master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, with a specialization in mathematics education, fit her needs.

“It was convenient, because it was through an online platform,” she said. “I wanted a program that could add to what I was already doing in the classroom, and this program was perfect for me.”

The College of Education’s online master’s programs again were recognized among the best in the nation, ranking No. 15 on the 2024 U.S. News & World Report list released Wednesday. The rankings assess faculty credentials, innovative use of technology, strategies to spark student engagement and more.

“Students from around the United States, and the world, can take advantage of the expertise of the UH education faculty and our top-ranked programs,” said Dean Cathy Horn. “We’re giving working professionals the flexibility they need to advance their skills and enhance their career potential in a variety of fields, including teaching, special education and higher education.”

Teachers interested in growing their skills in a specific subject or pursuing leadership positions may consider the M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction; the degree offers online specializations in early childhood education; health science education; learning, design and technology; mathematics education; literacy education; and bilingual/ESL education.

Teachers interested in leadership roles in special education or becoming an educational diagnostician may consider the M.Ed. in special populations. And individuals working for colleges and universities who want to advance in student affairs or other administrative roles may consider the M.Ed. in higher education.

Interested in the College of Education’s online M.Ed. programs?

 

Like Gomez, many of today’s graduate students juggle multiple roles — working professional, parent, community volunteer — while seeking to expand their career opportunities. The online master’s degree programs offered by the UH College of Education allow students to take advantage of the flexibility of virtual classes without sacrificing the rigor and personal attention of the College’s traditional programs.

Gomez said her undergraduate classes at California State University, Monterey Bay, pivoted online at the beginning of the Covid pandemic during her final semester, giving her confidence she could thrive in an online format. “One thing that always fascinates me is the ability to feel connected to classmates I have only seen through a screen,” she said. “I enjoy class sessions where professors allow us to work in break-out rooms to talk to peers because it is through these interactions that I have gotten closer to some peers.”

Melissa Gallagher, assistant professor of mathematics education, said building relationships in a fully online format is more challenging than in a face-to-face classroom, but techniques such as encouraging students to engage in small group conversations help her students get to know one another as she gets to know them. “Once relationships are built, the rest usually falls into place pretty easily.”

And online classes offer one distinct advantage.

“We have students from across the country, and our students teach one another about their different contexts,” Gallagher said. “This is not something you could get from an in-person program. One thing we try to do is leverage that variety of contexts in our courses.”

UH tied for 15^th place on the 2024 U.S. News Best Online Master’s in Education Programs list with programs at three other universities.

—By Jeannie Kever