Move your career forward while enriching others' lives – and your own.
You’ve made the decision to teach, thereby improving our schools and communities – not to mention the individual lives of your students. Earning a Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) degree could be the next step that launches you into new possibilities in education. University of the Cumberlands’ online MAEd program offers several study options for you to emphasize a specific passion of yours, all with the convenience and flexibility of online courses.
By the Numbers
Programs & Requirements
Master of Arts in Education
A master’s in education is designed to help educators and teaching professionals like you take the next step on their career paths—traditionally toward a job in administration or for educator roles outside of their current area of teaching expertise. Our online degree program offers concentrations that touch on literacy, counseling, and leadership, helping teachers qualify for specialized positions in and around the classroom.
Course Requirements
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS (CORE)
EDOL 547 Diversity in a Multicultural Society
EDOL 630 Research Methods
EDOL 634 Curriculum Management and Assessment
AREA OF SPECIALIZATION – 15 Hours Required
REOL 530 Reading and Writing Foundations (Pre-requisite to all REOL courses)
ENOL 531 Writing Instruction for the Content Areas
REOL 632 Strategies for Reading Programs
REOL 630 Diagnosis of Reading and Writing Problems
REOL 533 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
PROFESSIONAL COURSES – 6 Hours Required
REOL 633 Literacy Leadership
EDOL 647 Teacher Leader in the Professional Learning Community
EDOL 630 Research Methods in Education
EDOL 631 Advanced Human Behavior Development and Learning
SPOL 530 Issues and Trends in Special Education
COOL 530 Introduction to School Counseling
COOL 531 Social and Cultural Foundations (Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling)
COOL 536 Psychological Assessments
COOL 538 Counseling Individuals with Diverse Needs
COOL 540 Counseling Theories & Techniques
COOL 630 Introduction to Addiction Counseling
COOL 631 Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
COOL 632 Advanced Clinical Assessment
COOL 634 Group Counseling
COOL 636 Counseling aspects of Grief and Loss
COOL 637 Counseling Practicum OR 638 Counseling Internship
COOL 539 Lifestyle and Career Development
Level I Certification
ADOL 636 School Law I
ADM 650 Introduction to School Leadership
ADM 661 The School Principal’s Role in Improving School Climate and Culture
ADM 662 School and Community Relations
ADM 670 Resource Allocation: Strategic Management and School Budgeting
ADM 671 The School Principal’s Role in Curriculum Leadership
ADM 672 The School Principal’s Role in Assessing Instructional Program & Monitoring Student Performance
ADM 675 The School Principal’s Role in Creating Organizational Structures and Operations
ADM 676 Human Resource Leadership
ADM 679 Research and Development: Capstone Project
EDOL 544 Creating the Effective Inclusive Classroom (First Course)
MAOL 531 Teaching Math to Learners with Disabilities
REOL 531 Reading and Writing Foundations
SPOL 530 Characteristics, Ident., & Instruction for Students with Disabilities (Pre-requisite to all SPOL courses)
SPOL 533 Collaborative Curriculum and Transition Planning
SPOL 634 Working with Parents (Last Course)
SPOL 637 Methods, Materials, and Instructional Design for Students with Learning and Behavioral Disabilities
SPOL 631 Special Education Assessment and Evaluation
SPOL 632 Consultation and Collaboration for Curriculum Design
SPOL 635 Classroom Behavior Management for Special Student Populations
Teacher Leader
A master’s in education is designed to help educators and teaching professionals like you take the next step on their career paths—traditionally toward a job in administration or for educator roles outside of their current area of teaching expertise. Our online degree program offers concentrations that touch on literacy, counseling, and leadership, helping teachers qualify for specialized positions in and around the classroom.
Course Requirements
Core Courses (12 hours)
EDOL 630 Research Methods
REOL 533 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
EDOL 643 Best Practices for Coaching and Mentoring Teachers
EDOL 647 Teacher Leader in Professional Learning Communities
Teacher Leader Endorsement Curriculum (18 hours)
ADOL 653 Assessment of and for Student Learning
ADOL 655 Team Leadership
EDOL 562 Theories of Teaching and Learning
ADOL 631 School Program Improvement
EDOL 542 Change, Professional Development and Teacher Improvement
EDOL 634 Curriculum Management and Assessment
TEACHER LEADER CORE CURRICULUM – 12 HOURS
EDOL 630 Research Methods
REOL 533 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
EDOL 643 Best Practices for Coaching and Mentoring Teachers
EDOL 647 Teacher Leader in Professional Learning Communities
TEACHER LEADER ENDORSEMENT CURRICULUM – 18 HOURS
BADM 533 Marketing Management
BADM 535 Managerial Economics
BADM 690 Special Topics in Business
BADM 532 Organizational Behavior
BADM 537 Legal and Ethical Environment
BADM 631 Managing in a Global Environment
TEACHER LEADER CORE CURRICULUM – 12 HOURS
EDOL 630 Research Methods
REOL 533 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
EDOL 643 Best Practices for Coaching and Mentoring Teachers
EDOL 647 Teacher Leader in Professional Learning Communities
TEACHER LEADER ENDORSEMENT CURRICULUM – 18 HOURS
ENOL 534 British Literature
ENOL 534 British Literature (Repeat with Different Topic)
ENOL 535 Studies in Modern Literature
ENOL 535 Studies in Modern Literature (Repeat with Different Topic)
ENOL 550 Creative Writing
ENOL 536 Young Adult and Children’s Literature
TEACHER LEADER CORE CURRICULUM – 12 HOURS
EDOL 630 Research Methods
REOL 533 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
EDOL 643 Best Practices for Coaching and Mentoring Teachers
EDOL 647 Teacher Leader in Professional Learning Communities
TEACHER LEADER ENDORSEMENT CURRICULUM – 18 HOURS
HHP 533 Health and Fitness Psychology
HHP 534 Exercise Physiology
HHP 536 Foundations of Physical Activity in Health Promotion
HHP 630 Health Promotion through Physical Activity
HHP 632 Current Issues in Health Promotion
HHP 635 Youth Health and Fitness
HHP 637 Applied Sports Medicine
HHP 638 Administration and Management Strategies
HHP 639 Special Topics
TEACHER LEADER CORE CURRICULUM – 12 HOURS
EDOL 630 Research Methods
REOL 533 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
EDOL 643 Best Practices for Coaching and Mentoring Teachers
EDOL 647 Teacher Leader in Professional Learning Communities
TEACHER LEADER ENDORSEMENT CURRICULUM – 18 HOURS
REOL 534 Methods and Materials for Teaching Reading in Elementary
ADOL 653 Assessment of and for Student Learning
EDOL 539 The Modern Elementary School
SPOL 635 Classroom Behavior Management for Special Student Populations
REOL 531 Reading and Writing Foundations
EDOL 542 Change, Professional Development and Teacher Improvement
TEACHER LEADER CORE CURRICULUM – 12 HOURS
EDOL 630 Research Methods
REOL 533 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
EDOL 643 Best Practices for Coaching and Mentoring Teachers
EDOL 647 Teacher Leader in Professional Learning Communities
TEACHER LEADER ENDORSEMENT CURRICULUM – 18 HOURS
MAOL 530 Topics in Mathematics I 1
MAOL 530 Topics in Mathematics I 1
MAOL 630 Topics in Mathematics II 1
MAOL 630 Topics in Mathematics II 1
MAOL 631 Topics in Geometry 1
MAOL 631 Topics in Geometry 1
TEACHER LEADER CORE CURRICULUM – 12 HOURS
EDOL 630 Research Methods
REOL 533 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
EDOL 643 Best Practices for Coaching and Mentoring Teachers
EDOL 647 Teacher Leader in Professional Learning Communities
TEACHER LEADER ENDORSEMENT CURRICULUM – 18 HOURS
HIOL 531 Selected Topics
HIOL 531 Selected Topics
HIOL 531 Selected Topics
HIOL 531 Selected Topics
HIOL 531 Selected Topics
HIOL 531 Selected Topics
TEACHER LEADER CORE CURRICULUM – 12 HOURS
EDOL 630 Research Methods
REOL 533 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
EDOL 643 Best Practices for Coaching and Mentoring Teachers
EDOL 647 Teacher Leader in Professional Learning Communities
TEACHER LEADER ENDORSEMENT CURRICULUM – 18 HOURS
ADOL 653 Assessment of and for Student Learning
ESLO 610 Teaching ESL in a Multicultural Society
ESLO 615 Phonology for ESL Teachers
ESLO 620 Methods and Materials for Teaching ESL
ESLO 630 Methods and Materials for English as an International Language
ESLO 635 Teaching ESL through Reading and Writing
TEACHER LEADER CORE CURRICULUM – 12 HOURS
EDOL 630 Research Methods
REOL 533 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
EDOL 643 Best Practices for Coaching and Mentoring Teachers
EDOL 647 Teacher Leader in Professional Learning Communities
TEACHER LEADER ENDORSEMENT CURRICULUM – 18 HOURS
SSE 535 Introduction to School Safety
SSE 544 School Emergency and Crisis Preparedness
SSE 553 School Security, Crime, and Violence Prevention
SSE 562 Physical Plant Security
ADOL 641 School System Administration
ADOL 637 School Law II
Take the Next Step
Mission and Goals
Through UC's MAEd program, you'll gain an understanding of critical concepts and master crucial higher education skills. This program is designed to support a lifelong pursuit of professional achievement, responsible service, and leadership.
Education Careers & Outcomes
All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum and Assessment Director: $120,130
Curriculum and Assessment Director: $120,130
Plan coordinate, and direct skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization’s staff.
Instructional Coordinator: $63,740
Instructional Coordinator: $63,740
Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, implement it, and assess its effectiveness.
Principal: $98,420
Principal: $98,420
Elementary, middle, and high school principals oversee all school operations, including daily school activities.
School Counselor: $60,510
School Counselor: $60,510
School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment.
Educational Development Specialist: $61,570
Educational Development Specialist: $61,570
Training and development specialists plan and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees.
Postsecondary Teacher: $79,640
Postsecondary Teacher: $79,640
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.
Common Questions
A Master of the Arts in Education – otherwise known as an MAE or MAEd – is designed to help educators and teaching professionals take the next step in their career journeys, traditionally toward a job in administration or for educator roles outside of their current area of teaching expertise, such as literacy, counseling, and leadership.
Our online Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) degree program offers concentrations that touch on literacy, counseling, and leadership, helping teachers qualify for specialized positions in and around the classroom. On the other hand, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree is designed to give classroom educators the skills they need to create a better learning experience for their students, often by diving deeper into their area of study or pursuing coursework to help them integrate technologies into their curriculum.
Whether you’re investigating a school counseling position or wanting to move into a school administration position, such as principal or superintendent, earning your MAEd online is an excellent way to gain the skills and practical insights needed to advance your career. Depending on the concentration you choose, career options with an MAEd can vary from working in school counseling, to taking the position of school principal, to postsecondary teaching.
Our MAEd program offers courses in the following five concentrations: Literacy, School Counseling, School Principal, Special Education, and Teacher as Leader. Within our Teacher as Leader curriculum, you may choose a content area in which you'd like to dive deeper.
Earning a graduate degree is an investment in your future; for working educators, this is even more true for earning a Master of Arts in Education. While our online degree program does not lead to initial teaching licensure, it can provide additional certifications and advancement opportunities in areas impacted by higher education. If your career plans include the pursuit of opportunities covered in one of our key concentration areas, then, yes, earning your MAEd at UC is definitely worth it!
Yes! University of the Cumberlands' School of Education is accredited through Kentucky's Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB) and has national accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) at the initial-licensure level and advanced-level. UC’s School of Education has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement.
For more information:
KDE/EPSB – State Accreditation
University of the Cumberlands' School of Education is further accredited through Kentucky's Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB), 100 Airport Road, 3rd Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. (502) 564-4606. Fax: (502) 564-7080.
CAEP – National Accreditation
The School of Education at University of the Cumberlands (UC) is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) at the initial-licensure level and advanced-level. CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement. UC’s School of Education has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement.
CAEP Address: 1140 19th St NW #400, Washington, DC 20036
CAEP Phone Number: (202) 223-0077
You will be working with staff in the School of Education to make sure you are on track. UC offers a variety of programs in education so certain requirements do not apply to everyone. It is important to review your specific Plan Program/Curriculum Contract to know what is required of you.
The School of Education has provided a list of items you are required to have turned in by the time you complete your program. The list can be seen on your MyUC account located under the “Student Tab”. The list appears in red and will show the item(s) that are past due. Please do not be alarmed when you see this, it is a computer glitch and you need not worry. We are simply letting you know what is still needed from you at this point, as well as, what will be required of you to complete the program. It is our hope that you will have a smooth transition when you exit your program.
Certification & Reciprocity for Education Programs
Learn more about the certification process for Cumberlands education programs.

Faculty Experts
Learn more about the professors you will interact with during your studies.
Dr. Darren Testani

Dr. Debbie Richard

Dr. Eric Jay Rosser

Graduation Education Handbooks & Resources
Education students in our graduate programs will need to access program handbooks, forms and other resources throughout their academic career.
Request Information
Ask us your questions and find out if the Master of Arts in Education program is right for you.