Every program on this Georgia list belongs to a university inside the state, and nearly all of them are public campuses. Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus leads with a general Master of Education, and the University of West Georgia follows with an instructional technology degree that graduates more students than any other program here.
Many of the degrees below that lead to a certificate are built for people who already hold a Georgia teaching certificate, which changes who gains the most from each one. The sections cover how the schools differ, what the Georgia Professional Standards Commission expects, and what studying online at a home-state campus means for a resident.
Source: IPEDS, read October 6, 2026. Tuition is the 2023-24 in-state rate.
top score, Georgia Southwestern State University
95.3
median in-state tuition and fees across the 10 listed, 2023-24
$6,592
schools in Georgia with a ranked fully online master's in education
22
ranked programs in Georgia that lead to a license
56
This list covers fully online master's programs at universities located in Georgia, one per school.
The 10 Best Online Master's in Education Programs in Georgia
The 10 programs below are at schools in Georgia, scored at the in-state price and listed one per school.
1
Georgia Southwestern State University
Master of Education
Americus, Georgia
95.3- Public
- No license involved
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other
- Degrees awarded
- 153 a year
- Yearly cost
- $4,408
- In-state rate
- $4,408, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $14,722
At Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, the Master of Education is open to teachers who hold or are eligible for a professional or induction certificate. Candidates concentrate in Elementary Education, Middle Grades Education or Special Education. The 33 credit hours are taught asynchronously online and can be finished in as little as 13 months. The GRE and GMAT are not required, and the degree admits students only in the Summer semester, so applicants plan around a single start.
The degree builds advanced practice and does not replace the license from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Tuition for 2023-24 is $4,408 a year for Georgia residents and $14,722 for students from other states. The university awarded 153 master's degrees in the latest federal count, and the degree page describes the concentrations.
2
University of West Georgia
Master of Education with a Major in Media (Instructional Technology Concentration)
Carrollton, Georgia
94.5- Public
- Leads to a license
- Educational/Instructional Technology
- Degrees awarded
- 361 a year
- Yearly cost
- $5,938
- In-state rate
- $5,938, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $18,430
Carrollton, home of the University of West Georgia, hosts a Master of Education with a Major in Media, concentrated in Instructional Technology, Media, and Design. Thirty semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree split into 24 hours of media and instructional technology and 6 hours of psychology and research, and field experiences give the coursework a performance-based and problem-based character.
In Georgia, the Instructional Technology certification connected to this degree is issued through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, and the degree page describes the course sequence. Resident tuition for 2023-24 is $5,938 a year, and out-of-state students pay $18,430. West Georgia awarded 361 master's degrees in the latest federal count, and the credit load is spread across media, psychology and research.
3
Valdosta State University
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Accomplished Teaching
Valdosta, Georgia
94.0- Public
- Leads to a license
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other
- Degrees awarded
- 173 a year
- Yearly cost
- $6,208
- In-state rate
- $6,208, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $18,106
Valdosta State University offers the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Accomplished Teaching jointly with Columbus State and Georgia Southern, three University System of Georgia institutions sharing one online, 36-credit-hour degree that carries NCATE accreditation. Students have seven years at most to finish, and applicants below the standard GPA threshold can use an alternative admission pathway.
The program is classified as a P-12 Service certificate track. Graduates who pass the Georgia content assessment become eligible for the Curriculum and Instruction Level 5 certificate from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Georgia residents pay $6,208 a year for 2023-24 and out-of-state students pay $18,106. Valdosta State awarded 173 master's degrees in the latest federal count.
4
Georgia Southern University
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education
Statesboro, Georgia
93.6- Public
- Leads to a license
- Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
- Degrees awarded
- 135 a year
- Yearly cost
- $6,520
- In-state rate
- $6,520, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $21,424
Statesboro is the base for Georgia Southern University's online M.Ed. in Elementary Education, a P-5 degree of 36 credit hours that can be finished in about one year across summer, fall, spring and summer terms. Field experiences with diverse student populations are built in. The degree leads to a Georgia Level 5 certificate upgrade only, so applicants must already hold a renewable Induction or Professional Level Four certificate in elementary education. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission approves the program.
Teachers certified in another state should note that completing it will not earn them Georgia certification. Georgia residents pay $6,520 a year for 2023-24, and out-of-state students pay $21,424. The university awarded 135 master's degrees in the latest federal count.
5
Kennesaw State University
Master of Education in Instructional Technology
Kennesaw, Georgia
92.7- Public
- Leads to a license
- Educational/Instructional Technology
- Degrees awarded
- 132 a year
- Yearly cost
- $6,664
- In-state rate
- $6,664, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $20,524
Kennesaw State University enrolls Georgia educators in a cohort for its Master of Education in Instructional Technology, ten courses and 30 credit hours completed online across five semesters. The work follows the ISTE Standards for Educators, and field-based assessments require current access to a P-12 classroom. Endorsements are available in Online Teaching and in Personalized Learning, and educators without a teaching certificate can pursue an Online Teaching Certificate or Personalized Learning Certificate instead.
The degree meets Georgia Professional Standards Commission requirements for S-5 service certification and upgrades a T-4 teaching certificate to T-5, once graduates pass the GACE Instructional Technology assessment. Kennesaw is regionally accredited by SACSCOC. For 2023-24 Georgia residents pay $6,664 a year and out-of-state students pay $20,524. The latest federal count shows 132 master's degrees awarded.
6
Augusta University
Master of Education with a Major in Instruction
Augusta, Georgia
92.6- Public
- Leads to a license
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Degrees awarded
- 342 a year
- Yearly cost
- $6,734
- In-state rate
- $6,734, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $20,002
Augusta University runs its Master of Education with a Major in Instruction at 36 semester hours. The coursework covers teaching and learning strategies, classroom management, instructional technology, teaching diverse learners and using data to inform practice, and it is aligned with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and the Georgia Department of Education TAPS performance standards. Applicants choose from 21 concentrations, including special education and elementary education.
A valid teaching certificate is required for admission, and Georgia teachers use the degree to advance their certification with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Applicants who want the degree for other professional reasons can apply without a teaching credential. Georgia residents pay $6,734 a year for 2023-24, while out-of-state students pay $20,002. The university awarded 342 master's degrees in the latest federal count.
7
Columbus State University
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education
Columbus, Georgia
91.4- Public
- Leads to a license
- Elementary Education and Teaching
- Degrees awarded
- 53 a year
- Yearly cost
- $7,680
- In-state rate
- $7,680, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $12,774
Georgia teachers in Columbus who hold a T-4 credential can aim for the next tier at Columbus State University through its Master of Education in Elementary Education. Completing the degree opens the door to applying for T-5 status, so the coursework builds on a certificate already in hand instead of starting a teaching career. Georgia tests its educators through the GACE, the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators.
The campus is public and charges $7,680 a year for 2023-24 at the in-state rate, with $12,774 for students who live elsewhere. Columbus State awarded 53 master's degrees in the latest federal count, and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission handles the certificate itself.
8
Georgia College & State University
Master of Education in Special Education, General Curriculum
Milledgeville, Georgia
87.5- Public
- No license involved
- Special Education and Teaching, General
- Degrees awarded
- 48 a year
- Yearly cost
- $6,782
- In-state rate
- $6,782, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $20,336
Milledgeville is home to Georgia College & State University, where the Master of Education in Special Education, General Curriculum prepares teachers for grades P-12. Candidates need a Georgia T4 certificate or evidence they qualify for one, at minimum an induction certificate. The degree is organized around school improvement planning: each candidate studies the needs of their own school, writes an improvement plan, and shares the outcomes with local, regional, state and national associations.
The degree advances practice for teachers already in Georgia schools, and it does not replace the certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The online coursework costs $6,782 a year at the in-state rate for 2023-24, while students from outside Georgia pay $20,336. The university awarded 48 master's degrees in the latest federal count, and the program page gives the admission details.
9
University of North Georgia
Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
Dahlonega, Georgia
82.7- Public
- Leads to a license
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Degrees awarded
- 28 a year
- Yearly cost
- $5,556
- In-state rate
- $5,556, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $17,904
Dahlonega is where the University of North Georgia teaches its Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction to cohorts of practicing educators, who move through the courses together. Over 4 semesters and 30 credit hours, candidates complete job-embedded fieldwork in either available direction. One track carries a STEAM endorsement. The other is Educational Leadership, which includes a 250-hour internship toward the Tier I leadership certificate.
Admission requires current teacher certification and passing GACE exams, and graduates become eligible for a Georgia teaching certificate upgrade. Georgia residents pay $5,556 a year for 2023-24, while students from outside the state pay $17,904. North Georgia awarded 28 master's degrees in the latest federal count.
10
Georgia State University
Master of Education in Special Education
Atlanta, Georgia
80.7- Public
- Leads to a license
- Special Education and Teaching, General
- Degrees awarded
- 34 a year
- Yearly cost
- $8,484
- In-state rate
- $8,484, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $23,982
Atlanta teachers who already hold a certificate can take the Master of Education in Special Education at Georgia State University and focus on autism spectrum disorders, behavior and learning disabilities, deaf education, early childhood special education or intellectual disabilities. A capstone course, EXC 7980 Research in Special Education, replaces a thesis. The minimum is 30 semester hours over about 4 semesters, a pace built for working professionals.
The degree does not lead to initial teacher certification in Georgia. Certified teachers who meet field-specific requirements can apply it toward a Level 5 advanced certification upgrade, and the university offers a separate M.A.T. in Special Education for people seeking a first certificate. Resident tuition is $8,484 a year for 2023-24, with $23,982 for out-of-state students. The university awarded 34 master's degrees in the latest federal count.
How We Rank
Every eligible program is scored out of 100. Each figure becomes a percentile against the 1771 ranked programs, and the percentiles are weighted as below. The methodology page explains each choice.
- Degrees awarded: 50%. Master's degrees the program conferred in the latest reported year, counted up to 50. Past 50 a year a program is clearly established and more volume adds nothing.
- In-state tuition and fees: 50%. The university's graduate in-state tuition plus required fees for a full-time year, 2023-24, the price a Georgia resident pays. Lower cost scores higher.
Reading the cards. The tuition figure is each school's in-state graduate rate for a full-time year, 2023-24, with its out-of-state rate beside it where the two differ.
Source: federal IPEDS records, read October 6, 2026. Tuition and fees are each school's graduate in-state rate for 2023-24. Scores are our own.
Which Online Master's Programs in Georgia Lead to a License?
5 ranked programs at schools in Georgia lead to a license, certificate or endorsement, scored the same way as the list above, one program per school. The Georgia teacher licensure guide covers what the state asks for beyond the degree.
| Rank | School | Program | Credential the school names | In-state rate, 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of West Georgia | Master of Education with a Major in Media (Instructional Technology Concentration) | Instructional Technology certification (listed in UWG professional licensure disclosure) | $5,938 |
| 2 | Valdosta State University | Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Accomplished Teaching | Georgia Level 5 Curriculum and Instruction certificate upgrade (existing certificate holders) | $6,208 |
| 3 | Georgia Southern University | Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education | Georgia certificate upgrade (Level 5), elementary; requires existing Georgia Level 4 certificate | $6,520 |
| 4 | Kennesaw State University | Master of Education in Instructional Technology | Georgia S-5 service certification in Instructional Technology / T-5 upgrade (existing certificate holders) | $6,664 |
| 5 | Augusta University | Master of Education with a Major in Instruction | Georgia certificate advancement/upgrade (level-up), existing teachers | $6,734 |
What Does an Online Master's in Education Cost in Georgia?
An online master's in education at a school in Georgia costs a resident from $4,408 to $8,484 a year in graduate tuition and fees across these 10 programs, with a median of $6,592, for 2023-24. These are full-time yearly charges at the in-state rate, and many universities bill online students per credit instead, so the program's own figure may differ.
Which Georgia Universities Offer the Best Online Master's in Education?
Georgia universities offer the best online master's in education through public campuses that each specialize differently. Georgia Southwestern State University leads on a general Master of Education, helped by a low in-state price and a large graduating class. West Georgia's Instructional Technology, Media and Design degree is the volume leader, and Kennesaw State's Instructional Technology master's is delivered in cohorts across ten courses.
Valdosta State's Curriculum and Instruction in Accomplished Teaching runs online as a 36-credit-hour degree shared among University System of Georgia colleges. Georgia Southern and Columbus State both offer elementary education, and Augusta University's Master of Education in Instruction is a fully online, 30-semester-hour degree. Georgia College, North Georgia and Georgia State round out the list with special education and curriculum degrees.
What Does Georgia Certification Add to an Online Master's in Education?
Georgia certification adds a layer the degree alone does not supply, because the Professional Standards Commission issues certificates and the university only recommends you. Georgia organizes educator certificates into tiers from Pre-Service to Lead Professional, and the programs on this list that lead to a certificate mostly move a certified teacher up a level or add a field.
Georgia Southern's elementary degree upgrades a Level 4 certificate to Level 5, and Kennesaw's graduates add Instructional Technology to an existing certificate after passing the matching GACE assessment. Valdosta's degree requires a content assessment as well. Augusta, Columbus State and Georgia State also lead to certificate upgrades, while Georgia Southwestern and Georgia College are degree programs that do not lead to a certificate. Our Georgia licensure guide walks through the exams and the requirements for educators arriving from elsewhere.
How Does Studying Online at a Georgia University Work for Residents?
Studying online at a Georgia university works the way an on-campus degree does for pricing, because Georgia residents pay the in-state rate, and the cost chart above shows how far apart the campuses sit. The schedule differs by school. Kennesaw State teaches in cohorts with a few synchronous online sessions per class each term, and it expects you to work in or reach a K-12 classroom for project work.
Field experiences generally happen in your own school or district, so ask the program who approves your site. Georgia belongs to NC-SARA, which settles that its schools may enroll students online but, per NC-SARA's professional licensure statement, does not speak for any licensing board. If you move, the new state decides what your Georgia degree counts for. Federal rules at 34 CFR 668.43 oblige a school that advertises licensure preparation to tell you where it qualifies.
Which Georgia Online Master's in Education Suits a Technology or Special Education Career?
A Georgia online master's in education suits a technology career at West Georgia and Kennesaw State, where instructional technology is the focus and both programs lead to Georgia's instructional technology service certification. West Georgia's page also lists a certification-only option and an Online Teaching Endorsement for educators who want to lead online learning without a full degree.
Special education sits at Georgia College and Georgia State, whose general-curriculum and special education master's programs are at the lower end of the list by graduate volume, so they suit candidates who want a smaller cohort. Georgia State's leads to a Level 5 certificate upgrade, while Georgia College's does not. Check each program page for the certificate field it prepares you for, because the commission approves fields one by one.
Questions About Online Master's in Education Programs in Georgia
What Is the Cheapest Online Master's in Education in Georgia?
How Are Online Master's in Education Programs in Georgia Ranked?
Do Georgia Online Master's in Education Programs Lead to a First Teaching Certificate?
Most Georgia online master's in education programs on this list serve educators who already hold a certificate, upgrading it or adding a field such as instructional technology. A candidate with no certificate should confirm the route with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission's Induction certificate page before enrolling.
Which Georgia University Has the Biggest Online Master's in Education Class?
The University of West Georgia's Instructional Technology, Media and Design master's has the largest graduating class among the Georgia programs ranked here, with Augusta University's Master of Education in Instruction close behind. Both are public campuses, and the cost chart shows where each sits on in-state price.
Can a Georgia Teacher Finish an Online Master's While Working Full Time?
A Georgia teacher can finish an online master's while working full time, and several programs assume it. Georgia Southern's elementary degree is a 36-credit-hour online program for current teachers, and Kennesaw State needs you to have classroom access for field work. Ask each school how many sessions meet live.
Where Do Georgia Online Master's Students Complete Field Experiences?
Georgia online master's students usually complete field experiences in their own school or district, arranged with the university. Programs that rely on a working classroom, such as Kennesaw State's instructional technology degree, expect you to supply the setting, so confirm who approves the site before you apply.
Where Do the Figures for Georgia Come From?
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
- IPEDS Institutional Characteristics, 2023-24
- Georgia Professional Standards Commission, tiered certification
- Georgia Professional Standards Commission, Induction certificate
- Kennesaw State University, M.Ed. in Instructional Technology
- Valdosta State University, Curriculum and Instruction in Accomplished Teaching
- Augusta University, M.Ed. in Instruction
- Georgia Southern University, M.Ed. in Elementary Education
- NC-SARA, professional licensure
- eCFR, 34 CFR 668.43
Tuition and degree counts come from federal records each college reports about itself.
Show the federal record for all 10 colleges ranked, in 1 state
Georgia Southwestern State University University of West Georgia Valdosta State University Georgia Southern University Kennesaw State University Augusta University Columbus State University Georgia College & State University University of North Georgia Georgia State University