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Online Teaching Degree Concentration Within the MEd in Curriculum and Instruction Program
You're viewing a Program Concentration
Total courses 4 (of 12)
Term length 10 weeks
Concentration Overview Why choose a concentration in online teaching?
As part of your master's in education, choosing a concentration in online teaching adds a special focus to your degree. Spurred by the pandemic and refined through advances in technology, online teaching is no longer a temporary solution — it’s an integral part of classrooms across the country.
The Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching can help you develop the knowledge and instructional tools to succeed in an increasingly digital educational environment. As school districts continue to prioritize remote and hybrid instruction, advanced online teaching skills are needed now more than ever.
Skills you’ll learn:
- Curriculum development
- Strategies for online education
- Research-based teaching tactics
- Online instructional methods
- Inclusive teaching techniques
- Data and technology for education
Courses & Curriculum Career-focused courses in online teaching
The Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching was designed with the advice of educators who teach online every day, to help you stay ahead in the evolving world of education. Your concentration courses will prepare you for the demands of online, hybrid and tech-enhanced classrooms by specifically focusing on any gaps you may have in meeting the unique needs of students in a remote learning environment.
Note: The MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching program at SNHU will not lead directly to licensure.
Your 3-course concentration in online teaching explained
Your entire MEd in Curriculum and Instruction degree consists of 12 courses (36 credits). For 9 of your courses (27 credits), you’ll take core master's-level classes in curriculum and instruction, culminating with an online seminar and a capstone course. If you choose this concentration, the remaining 3 courses (9 credits) needed to complete your degree will focus specifically on online teaching.
Courses may include:
Technology in Online Education
Course ID:
EDU 614
In evaluating online strategies and tools, educators will gain the skills needed to appropriately select new and innovative ways of approaching their instruction. Special attention will be paid to creating learning activities that leverage teaching strategies and technology tools in order to provide experiences that meet the needs of a diverse group of students in an online environment.
Strategies for Online Instruction
Course ID:
EDU 630
With a focus on the intricacies of online instruction, educators will analyze and apply strategies for student engagement, differentiation, instructional delivery methods, and feedback. Special attention will be paid to the diversity of student populations and how online instructional strategies can benefit all students.
Methods of Online Instruction
Course ID:
EDU 635
In the context of the grade level and content area that educators teach, educators will learn how to apply instructional strategies and pedagogical practices into their lesson planning in support of engagement and learning. Educators will create lessons and explore how to build them in a learning management system.
Visit the course catalog to view the full MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching curriculum.
Minimum Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7 12th Gen or AMD Ryzen 7 5000 series
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070 (Laptop GPU) or AMD Radeon RX 6750M+
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 (32GB recommended for multitasking and creative work)
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD (1TB recommended for longevity)
- Display: 15.6” FHD (1920x1080), 60Hz+ (QHD optional for creative/visual work)
- OS: Windows 11 Home or Pro
- Internet/bandwidth: 5Mbps download, 1Mbps upload and less than 100ms latency
Additional Information:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Where to purchase: You may purchase any computer brand you wish from any location/reseller, relying on the minimum specs provided to ensure the acquisition of an appropriate machine. We recommend asking your preferred vendor if they offer a student discount, since many do.
- Mac users: You must verify your machine offers comparable specs.
- Devices that don’t meet minimum requirements: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device.
- Microsoft Office software: Office 365 is available to all students for free. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion.
- Antivirus software: This is strongly recommended for online students. Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Licensure and Certification Disclosures
The online MEd in Curriculum and Instruction degree program does not lead to licensure. SNHU also offers online post-licensure Master of Education (MEd) programs for currently licensed individuals who are interested in furthering their professional development and enhancing their credentials.
However, since state requirements for adding endorsements vary greatly, SNHU does not guarantee that the completion of those programs will result in rank, endorsements and/or salary increases. It strongly encourages interested individuals to contact their state licensure board prior to enrolling.
SNHU provides additional information for education programs on our Licensure and Certification Disclosures page.
Apply for free in minutes
Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!
Upcoming term starts: July 6, 2026 | September 21, 2026
Next term starts:
April 20, 2026
Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?
Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.4% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2025 survey with 8,718 respondents.
What to expect:
10-week terms
Learn around your schedule
24/7 online support
Dedicated to your success
Our instructors are at the heart of SNHU's mission of student success. With real-world education experience and a dedication to our students and their learning, our faculty are with you every step of the way.
Featured Faculty
Dr. Brandon D. Simmons
Dr. Brandon Simmons is an adjunct instructor with SNHU and the curriculum and data coordinator for the second-largest virtual public school in the country.
Position
Adjunct instructor
Joined SNHU
2019
Education
- PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Instructional Technology from North Carolina State University
- EdD in Educational Leadership and Superintendent's Licensure from UNC Wilmington
- MBA in Organizational Leadership and Management from Methodist University
- Master of School Administration from UNC Wilmington
- MA in Education Instructional Technology from East Carolina University
- Graduate Certificate in Distance Learning from East Carolina University
What SNHU Instructors are Saying
"The MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching provides these educators, as well as others, the opportunities to revise and bolster their existing knowledge and skills in the hybrid learning environments to better meet the needs of their students."
Dr. Daniel Tanguay, academic dean
"Having skills and strategies to leverage technology for the best interest of students is another great item in our teacher toolbox. What we offer is not just a theory, but it's a theory connected with a practice."
Vickie McCullough, adjunct instructor
"These courses were created with the input of educators who work in virtual learning environments and with an eye on the future need for educators prepared for the unique challenges of online teaching and learning. The need for skilled online educators is going to continue to grow, and we need educators to be ahead of the curve, ready with the knowledge and skills to take on those roles."
Dr. Kelly Hoban, adjunct instructor
What does an online course look like?
You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:
- Schedule of weekly assignments
- Discussion boards
- Grades
- Instructor announcements
What support services are available?
- Chat with your advisors
Get hands-on help from dedicated academic and career advisors. - Drop in for tutoring
Work with a tutor, any time of the day or night – no appointment necessary. - Learn from industry professionals
Instructors lead discussions and offer guidance – and they’re just an email away. - Use the online library
Access 600,000+ resources or chat with a librarian 24/7. - Reach out for accessibility help
Receive accommodations as an eligible student with disabilities. - Focus on your well-being
Connect with professionals to improve your health and wellness.
Why SNHU?
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- U.S. News & World Report
Named SNHU the 2024 Most Innovative University in the North - The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
Awarded SNHU the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology - Google.org
Gave SNHU a $1 million grant to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 250,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free
No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.
All it takes is 3 simple steps
Step 1: Complete the online application – it only takes minutes.
It's easy, fast and free.
Step 2: Submit additional forms.
Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)
Additional Requirements:
- Resume including any relevant K-12 instructional or curriculum development experience for at least six months
- Non-Licensure Acknowledgment form
Step 3: Make your decision.
After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.
Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu
Accreditations
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think
As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.
Online graduate tuition
Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 36-credit degree*
Full- and part-time students
$659
$1,977
$23,724
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$470
$1,410
$16,920
*before previously earned credits are applied
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:
$1,977 $3,954 $5,931 $7,908If 3 of your prior learning credits ($659/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $21,747
If 6 of your prior learning credits ($659/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $19,770
If 9 of your prior learning credits ($659/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $17,793
If 12 of your prior learning credits ($659/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $15,816
How we estimate your tuition cost:
We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a master's degree. Most master's degrees require 36 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 12 credits, requiring a minimum of 24 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.
Ways to save on online tuition
Transfer your credits
Transfer credits toward your master's degree program at SNHU. If you’ve taken one course or many, we’ll evaluate them for you.
Apply for financial aid
Fill out the FAFSA to see if you’re eligible for grants or work-study. (You could also be offered loans, though you’ll have to pay those back later.)
Military discounts and credit
Earn credits in leadership, technology and more – while taking advantage of an online graduate tuition discount for active-duty service members and spouses.
Explore scholarships
Getting free money for college – from SNHU or an outside organization – could help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Earn credit for exams and certificates
Bring in credits from popular options like CLEP, Sophia Learning, Google and other common credit for prior learning (CPL) experiences.
Tuition Reimbursement
Learn how you can save money with tuition reimbursement from your employer.
Benefit from your employer
Take advantage of an online tuition discount through your organization’s partnership with SNHU. Check with your employer to see if your organization partners with us and if you’re eligible for additional tuition savings and partner education benefits.
Career Outlook What can I do with my concentration in online teaching?
While the Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching does not lead to licensure or certification, it can be a helpful step toward a rewarding career.
Schools are always looking for teachers with advanced skills, and being comfortable with strategies, methods and tools for online teaching is highly desired in education spaces. For example, you may be able to seek instructional coordinator roles, where you could be responsible for creating, implementing and assessing curriculum for online programs.
Note: Instructional coordinators in public schools may be required to have a state-issued license.
Occupations
With a concentration in online teaching, you could find yourself working in a variety of educational environments, like:
Elementary Schools
Instruct young learners in basic subjects, leveraging support structures for online learning.
Charter Schools
Create and deliver hybrid-format instructional lessons that meet both curriculum requirements and the mission of the charter school.
Middle & High Schools
Create engaging online curriculum for active learning to support students for state testing and college prep.
2%
The expected increase nationally in instructional coordinator roles – including training and library roles – through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1 This is on par with the average growth across all occupations.
$74,620
The median annual salary nationally for instructional coordinators in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.1 Statistic not based on wage data for SNHU graduates.
Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not on SNHU graduate outcomes, and do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best master's degree to get in education?
The best education master's degree you can earn is the one that teaches you skills that can help you advance your career.
Southern New Hampshire University offers several focused online concentrations in MEd in Curriculum and Instruction.
Created in response to teachers looking to strengthen their online teaching skills, SNHU's Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching helps educators fill the gaps in their professional experience.
"I think the most prominent advantages in the online instruction concentration ... are the practicality, relevance and overall essential need of the coursework in today’s classroom," said Laura Denithorne, an adjunct instructor at SNHU.
"Schools are continuing to incorporate online learning in a hybrid and/or blended learning format, validating online learning is not going away," adds Dr. Daniel Tanguay, an academic dean at SNHU. "With that in mind, educators still need to develop practical knowledge and skills to effectively manage and work within the online learning environment."
"The MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching addresses this need and provides educators the opportunity to improve learning outcomes for their students through the creation of new and more innovative learning experiences," he said.
Not only that, an education master's could help you beyond the classroom. If you're thinking about transitioning into administrative roles or other advancement opportunities, a master's may be a requirement to be considered.
Read more: Is a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Worth It?
Can you get an online teaching job with an online degree?
Yes, you can get an online teaching job with an online degree. However, eligibility often depends on your credentials and experience in online instruction, which is considered a specialized skill set within teaching.
It’s important to research the programs you’re interested in to make sure the outcomes align with your career goals. If you’re pursuing initial licensure, confirm that the program meets your state’s requirements.
If you’re already licensed, earning your next degree online can be a great option. In fact, many online master’s degrees in education are designed for educators who are already teaching.
For example, Southern New Hampshire University offers a Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching.
The concentration courses focus on the technology you can use in classes, the strategies to keep your class engaged and instructional methods that are appropriate for an online setting.
Concentrations that focus on online teaching aren't common — in fact, SNHU is an early adopter of programming in this space. If you're interested in learning more about becoming an online teacher, contact an admission counselor to find out how you can succeed in the virtual environment.
What is the best college for an online teaching concentration?
Best is often subjective, just as it is here. If you want to earn your degree in online teaching, there are a lot of factors as to what the best choice is for you.
At Southern New Hampshire University, we have a Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching program intended to support licensed teachers with the skills they need to facilitate online learning with their students. Some of the benefits of earning this degree from SNHU include:
- One of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation
- 24/7 access to the classroom
- Instructors with master's degrees or above and real-world teaching experience
- Skills for teaching in remote and hybrid environments
- Career support for life after graduation
"This focus on online teaching within the MEd program will provide educators a learning opportunity to help them gain the fundamental online teaching knowledge and skills needed to develop and effectively implement the curriculum," said Dr. Daniel Tanguay, an academic dean at SNHU. "By better preparing our educators and supporting their learning needs, we can help ensure that our students receive the best educational experience they need to be successful and achieve their own personal and academic goals."
Tanguay also mentions that the courses in the online teaching concentration "allow students the opportunity to reflect on their impressions and bias, while building awareness of how to address them in the field of virtual education."
How fast can you get an online teaching concentration?
Earning a Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Online Teaching in a short amount of time will completely depend on your schedule.
Do you have the time to do classwork full time? Do you have responsibilities outside of work — like family or other obligations — that would require you to space out your classes?
Either way, creating a schedule that works for you is perfectly fine. At Southern New Hampshire University, we have many students that attend full time and quite a few others that take classes part time.
SNHU offers 5 graduate terms a year, and each one is 10 weeks long. If you want to be a full-time student in this 36-credit program, it could take you about 15 months to complete. This means you'd take 2 courses per term.
But if part time is more your speed, you can take just 1 class per term. Our main goal is that you're successful in your program and beyond. And taking 1 course per term may be your way of achieving that.
What is a concentration?
At colleges and universities, a concentration is a focused area of study within a larger degree program. A concentration generally replaces elective coursework in the major or discipline, allowing students to focus their studies on an area of interest.
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Sources & Citations
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm (viewed April 22, 2024)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.