The Masters in Educational Technology is becoming a highly sought-after degree – but what exactly is educational tech, and what will this qualification allow you to do? Educational technology is all about how a curriculum is created and structured, and how new technology can improve that curriculum. For example, bringing laptops and Internet-based technologies into a school curriculum would be the work of an educational technology specialist. This is a very unique field and the job market is competitive, but it can be a highly rewarding career for anyone seeking to blend a passion for teaching and education with a passion for tools and innovation.

Think a Masters of Educational Technology is the right program for you, but you’re not sure where to study? We’ve gone ahead and looked into your options already and picked out some of the best programs around.

The Best Masters in Educational Technology Programs

The Penn State Online Masters in Educational Technology program stands out as being one of the best degrees available in this field – online or off. Even though you’re not studying with a live teacher in a classroom setting, this course will convey all the most cutting-edge information you need to know about educational technology in a clear, concise and logical format. The course is designed so that it can be taken to a relative newcomer, with only a general education background, while still providing plenty of value to someone who has been specializing in educational tech for years already.

Michigan State University is another star graduate school when it comes to the Masters in Educational Technology. This degree is perfect for anyone already working anywhere in the K-12 system who has a strong desire to utilize technology to aid in learning, but isn’t sure how to go about it. This course will give you the technological savvy you need to effectively use new tech in creating better educational outcomes.

Masters in Educational Technology Online

As mentioned, the Penn State course above is offered online. But it’s not the only high quality offerings for someone seeking to achieve a Masters in Educational Technology on their own time.

Pepperdine offers a distance learning course which is primarily (although not 100%) online. Pepperdine was one of the first universities to catch on and start offering these degrees online, so they’ve had plenty of practice and worked out any kinks so the program runs smoothly every year. Many students have gone through this program now and enjoyed greater career success as a result.

The University of British Columbia is another school which is recognized as many top educators in the know as being a leader in the field of educational technology. UBC stays up to date on all the newest technological trends and finds ways to apply them to learning settings. If you want a degree from a school which is on the cutting edge of educational tech, UBC is a good choice.

DeVry University is a third university offering a Masters in Educational Technology online which is worthy of a mention. DeVry’s program will teach you not only about technologies that are currently in use, but will give you access to an excellent network so you can stay up to date on the latest happenings in your field even after you graduate.

Masters in Educational Technology Jobs

By now you may have a better idea of where you might want to study, but what can you actually do with your degree after you qualify?

One of the more common jobs is as a technology specialist in a school – there’s a demand for such specialists at all levels throughout the K-12 system. This role involves helping to install new tech systems, set up school networks, and generally maintain any technology used for educational purposes such as computers and audio-visual equipment. The number of roles in this fields looks set to increase significantly in the next few years.

Masters in Educational Technology Salary

Typical salary for a professional in an educational technology role is around $58,000-$60,000 per year. However the masters in educational technology can differ quite a bit depending on whether you work at elementary or secondary level.