How to Choose Between a Graduate Certificate and Master's Degree in Education
Master's degree or graduate certificate?
The real question is: What do you need your next credential to do?
Whether you're looking to build expertise, earn an add-on certification, or move up in your career — what fits now doesn't limit where you go later.
Alumna Prentice Garrett-Cooper found that out through UL ˾'s Graduate Certificate in Instructional Coaching, before continuing into the master's program.
"I was in the last class for the certificate when I realized how useful the master's program would be," she says. "I wanted to have the skills to build a curriculum, effectively deliver it, and guide others in delivering it. So, I decided I'm just going to finish the degree."
The ˾ offers fully online graduate certificates and flexible master's degree pathways designed for educators ready to advance their careers.
Find the Pathway That Matches Your Goals
Finding your path starts by identifying your destination.
If you want to...
Strengthen teaching across your school: A graduate certificate in instructional coaching can help you develop skills to support teacher growth and professional learning.
Improve curriculum and instructional practices: The online M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction can help you deepen your expertise in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.
Prepare for school or district leadership: The hybrid M.Ed. in Educational Leadership can prepare you for administrative roles through a blend of online coursework, in-person learning, and data-driven projects.
Specialize in supporting gifted learners: An online graduate certificate in gifted education or online M.Ed. in Special Education: Gifted can help you build expertise in developing curricula to support gifted learners.
For educators who already hold a master's degree, the graduate certificate also provides the coursework required by the Louisiana Department of Education to add gifted certification to their teaching credentials.
Testing the Waters with a Graduate Certificate
Graduate certificates focus on one area of practice, helping educators develop targeted expertise without stepping away from the classroom. They're well suited for teachers preparing for a specialized role, looking to strengthen a specific area of practice, or completing coursework required for an additional teaching credential.
They can also provide a flexible starting point for educators considering a master's degree. Eligible coursework from UL ˾'s online graduate certificates can apply toward related master's degrees, allowing you to make progress now without having to decide your entire education path upfront.
UL ˾ offers two fully online graduate certificates designed for educators who want to develop focused skills in instructional coaching or gifted education while continuing their careers.
Curriculum in both online graduate certificates can apply toward related master's degrees, allowing you to make academic and professional strides without committing to a full degree program.
Graduate Certificate in Instructional Coaching
If you're energized by helping fellow teachers strengthen their instruction, instructional coaching may be your next step. Instructional coaches partner with educators as peers to improve classroom practice, introduce evidence-based strategies and support professional learning across a school.
UL ˾'s online graduate certificate in instructional coaching prepares experienced teachers for those responsibilities and leads to a Louisiana Department of Education Instructional Coach add-on endorsement. Many students start with the certificate before applying those credits toward the online M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction.
Graduate Certificate in Gifted Education
If you're passionate about helping gifted students reach their full potential, gifted education may be your next step. Gifted education specialists create learning experiences that challenge advanced learners, support their academic and social-emotional growth, and help schools meet students’ unique needs.
The University’s fully online graduate certificate in gifted education prepares educators for those responsibilities with coursework required for the Louisiana Department of Education to earn gifted certification.
That makes the certificate a pathway for educators at different points in their careers. If you already hold a master's degree, you can complete coursework to pursue gifted certification without earning another degree. If you don't yet hold a master's degree, eligible certificate coursework can apply toward UL ˾'s M.Ed. in Special Education: Gifted if you choose to continue.
Diving into a Master's Degree in Education
A master's degree may be the better choice if you're seeking broader preparation in curriculum development, educational leadership or specialized instructional practice.
UL ˾ offers master's programs in Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership and Special Education: Gifted.
Formats vary, with online options available for the Curriculum & Instruction and Special Education: Gifted degree programs and a hybrid format available for the Educational Leadership degree program. Review each program's details to determine the best fit for your goals and schedule.
Start Where You Are, Continue When You're Ready
Choosing the right credential is only the first step. The program experience can shape how prepared you feel to take on your next role. As you compare education programs, consider the curriculum, format and support available to you.
Continuing into the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction gave Garrett-Cooper the opportunity to deepen her understanding of curriculum development while receiving the support she needed to succeed as an online student.
“The professors were prepared, knowledgeable and easy to get a hold of,” she says. “I didn’t feel different because I was online. It was like I was going to a brick-and-mortar campus every day, even though I wasn’t.”
Whether you begin with a graduate certificate or pursue a master's degree, UL ˾ offers education pathways that help you build the expertise you need for your next career goal.
Advance your career as an educator with UL ˾’s online programs.
