Online 4+1 Masters in Education | Accelerated BA to M.Ed. in 5 Years

Degrees

Bachelor's & Masters

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Savings

$1500

Time

5 Years, 2 degrees

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Midway University's M.Ed. 4+1 Program offers a streamlined, affordable path for current undergraduates to complete both their Bachelor's degree and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in only five years of continuous study. By beginning your graduate coursework during your senior year, you gain an advanced credential sooner, positioning you for immediate career advancement and higher pay eligibility. This saves the students time in earning an advanced degree and is a cost savings of more than $1,700.

How the M.Ed. 4+1 Program Works

This program is specifically designed for high-achieving Midway undergraduate students who plan to teach.

Accelerated Credit: Accepted students take two cross-listed graduate courses during their senior year. These credits count toward both your undergraduate and graduate degree requirements, saving you time and tuition.
Fully Online M.Ed.: After graduation, you complete the remaining M.Ed. coursework in a fully online, accelerated format (8-week modules).
Time & Cost Savings: The program is completed in 12 months after your B.A. graduation, representing a cost savings of over $1,700 on tuition, making the M.Ed. among the most affordable programs in the region.

Advance Your Career

The M.Ed. program is a path to professional growth for certified teachers (it does not lead to initial certification).

Teacher Leader Endorsement: The M.Ed. program leads to the Teacher Leader Endorsement in Kentucky.
Rank Change Eligibility: The degree qualifies certified Kentucky teachers for a Rank 2 or Rank 1 classification, making them eligible for a higher salary schedule.
Career Roles: Graduates often advance to roles such as department chair, curriculum specialist, or instructional coach.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate students must apply and be accepted into the 4+1 program during their senior year:
Undergraduate Coursework: Must have completed 90 hours of undergraduate coursework.
GPA: Maintain a minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA.
Teacher Education Program: Must hold current admission to the Teacher Education Program

After graduation with their bachelor degree, students in the 4+1 program must officially apply to the M.Ed. program.

NOTE: Students are encouraged to talk with their advisors early in their academic curriculum planning process so they can schedule these courses.

Top Ranking

Midway University has been recognized by OnlineU as the Most Affordable Online Master's Degree in Education for 2023. At just $295 per credit hour, this is the most affordable program in Kentucky and beyond.

With the M.Ed. 4+1 program, the total cost of earning your graduate degree is just $7,080.

M.Ed 4+1 Program Details

The Master of Education 4+1 program is designed to encourage Midway undergraduates to complete their M.Ed at Midway and earn this extra credential to set themselves apart from others in the workforce.

4+1 M.Ed. Admissions

Students must apply to the 4+1 program and take courses their senior year.

View M.Ed. 4+1 Course Catalog Information

The Road to Certification

We provide comprehensive resources to ensure you are ready to enter the classroom as a certified teacher.

Support & Requirements

Praxis Support: Dedicated resources, workshops, and coaching to help you prepare for and successfully pass all required Praxis exams.
Application Steps: Guidance on applying for formal acceptance into the Teacher Education Program (required after general University acceptance) and applying for final state certification.
Requirements: Clear instruction on state-mandated certification and GPA requirements, criminal background checks, and the accumulation of mandatory clinical hours.

Advanced Pathways

Special Education - Learning Behavior Disorder (LBD): Available concentration (additional coursework) to earn dual certification in Special Education—a high-demand, high-value credential.
Option 9 Agreements: Partnership agreements with local school districts for alternative certification pathways.

Frequently Asked Questions

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We offer a simple online application process for admission to the university. Create your account, submit all materials and track your application status conveniently online. Admissions Counselors are available to assist you with the application process and answer any questions you may have about Midway University and our programs. Give them a call at 1.800.952.4122 or email admissions@midway.edu.

See the specific M.Ed. 4+1 admissions process and requirements below.

Applicants for the M.Ed. 4+1 program must meet the following admissions requirements:

90 hours of undergraduate coursework completed
have a minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA
hold current admission to the Teacher Education Program

Students who meet these requirement can then apply using this online application form to the M.Ed. 4+1 program.

Yes, for teachers who are certified in elementary, middle, secondary, or P-12 education in Kentucky, the M.Ed.program leads to the Teacher Leader Endorsement and either a Rank 2 or Rank 1 depending on the rank held at admission.

No, the M.Ed. program is an advanced program for those who already hold an initial teaching credential.

Candidates will complete 4 years of undergraduate coursework and 1 year of graduate coursework. Graduate courses are offered in regular rotation during 8-week modules requiring attendance in each module to complete the program in the specified timeframe.

Yes, the M.Ed. is a fully online program with all courses offered in the online format.

Students may start the program at the beginning of any of five modules. Modules 1 and 2 are in the fall term, Modules 3 and 4 are in the spring term, and Module 5 is in the summer term each academic year. View the current Academic Calendar online.

No, students in the M.Ed. 4+1 program complete a Teacher Research Project as part of the capstone course, EDU 531, using action research methodology to study a problem of practice in their classroom or school.

The program is a state-approved program offered by a SACSCOC accredited institution.

Students are eligible as “full-time and “part-time” students for Federal loans and may be eligible for Federal and/or State grants. (A full-time student is a student taking 12 credit hours or more per term; a part-time student is a student taking 6-12 credit hours.)

Make sure you get the whole picture before making your decision. First, complete your FAFSA so you can see what financial aid you are eligible to receive and complete your application. Once you are admitted to Midway University, you can meet with our Financial Aid Office to discuss all the eligible aid (federal, state and institutional) that you have access to. This is the only way to figure out the true cost and if you will have any out-of-pocket expenses to cover. We also have specific resource information for military students.

The program is among the most affordable approved masters programs offered by an institution in Kentucky. With two courses covered during the student's undergraduate degree program, the total cost of the M.Ed. 4+1 is $7,080.

Midway’s Teacher Education Faculty are always available via email, phone, face-to-face meetings or Zoom web meetings to assist our students. Our job is to work with you throughout the program to ensure your successful understanding of the professional knowledge and skills in the MED curriculum. Additionally, Canvas Tier 1 support is available to the Midway Community. As a student, you have access to this service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Midway University’s Student Success Center provides both Academic Support and Career Services resources for all Midway students. Academic Support includes one-on-one tutoring, small group tutoring and virtual (or online) tutoring. Workshops are held throughout the year to support student learning.

Career Services resources are available to students, alumni and others within our community to help them gain relevant and practical career readiness training through education and experiential learning within internships, job shadowing, career counseling and strategic corporate partnerships.

Career Outlook

How can a master’s in education work for you? In Kentucky, teachers who have pursued graduate studies or earned their master’s degrees are eligible to earn more per year than their colleagues who have not. (source)

Individuals with an M.Ed. degree often work in educational environments and can serve in roles such as a curriculum specialist or department chair.