Learning

The Master of Education in Learning has been approved for initial and add-on licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students who successfully complete the special education concentration and certificate, or the ESL concentration and certificate, are eligible for endorsement for licensure. For information on where this program will help you achieve professional licensure, please visit Northeastern’s consumer information website and review the professional licensure disclosure. For questions regarding professional licensure, please contact Jennifer Madonna, director of field experience and licensure, by emailing [email protected].

This practice-based concentration prepares you to design engaging, technology-enhanced learning experiences across on-ground, online, and blended environments. You’ll apply learning design theory, models, and digital tools to create inclusive solutions grounded in learner needs, organizational context, and real-world constraints. Graduates are equipped to lead innovative, socially just learning design initiatives across diverse industries and professional settings.

Ideal for: Instructional designers, eLearning developers, training specialists, educators transitioning to corporate learning, and technology innovators

Designed for K–12 educators and educational leaders, this concentration prepares you to improve learning environments while building the skills needed to lead change in schools and communities. You’ll develop instructional coaching, data literacy, curriculum design, and technology integration skills to support evidence-based decision-making and professional learning communities. Graduates are prepared to lead inclusive, socially just educational initiatives that respond to evolving policy, practice, and learner needs.

Ideal for: K-12 teachers, curriculum coordinators, instructional coaches, school leaders, educational data specialists, and community education professionals

This concentration builds specialized expertise in special education, preparing you to support diverse learners in inclusive educational settings. You’ll engage with evidence-based practices, policy, advocacy, and IEP development alongside a community of educators committed to advancing special education.

Licensure Pathways

• Non-Licensure Track: Fully online option for educators seeking advanced knowledge without pursuing Massachusetts licensure.
• Licensure Track (Massachusetts): Online coursework meets the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) standards for an additional license as a teacher of students with moderate disabilities (PK–8 or 5–12). Open only to students who already hold an initial teaching license in another subject.
  • Pre-Practicum: 40 hours in an inclusive Massachusetts public school classroom
  • Practicum: 150 supervised hours, including 75 hours of direct teaching, in a Massachusetts public school

Ideal for: Licensed teachers, aspiring special education teachers, educators interested in deepening their knowledge of educational theory and practice in special education

This concentration prepares you to support English language learners through culturally responsive teaching, language acquisition theory, and evidence-based instructional strategies. You’ll engage with a community of educators focused on advancing multilingual education across diverse learning environments.

Licensure Pathways

• Non-Licensure Track: Fully online option for educators seeking specialized ESL knowledge without pursuing Massachusetts licensure.
• Licensure Track (Massachusetts): Online coursework meets the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) standards for an additional ESL license (PK–6 or 5–12). Open only to students who already hold an initial teaching license in another subject.
  • Pre-Practicum: 40 hours in a Massachusetts public school classroom with ESL learners
  • Practicum: 150 supervised hours, including 75 hours of direct teaching, in a Massachusetts public school classroom with ESL learners

Ideal for: ESL/ELL teachers, bilingual educators, language program coordinators, and educators working with multilingual populations

Where our alumni work

• Boston Public Schools, MIT, Microsoft, Massachusetts General Hospital, NYC Department of Education, Tufts University, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and community organizations.

What our alumni do

• Graduates hold roles such as instructional designer, learning experience designer, training manager, curriculum coordinator, ESL specialist, special education teacher, and educational consultant.

Career outlook

• In-demand roles include instructional designer ($75K–$95K), training manager ($80K–$110K), instructional coach ($71K), curriculum specialist ($73K), ESL coordinator ($55K–$80K), and special education teacher ($70K).
• School leadership and instructional coordinator roles show strong growth, with 21,000+ annual openings nationwide.

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:

Domestic Application Guidelines

International Application Guidelines*

_{*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.}

• Online application

• Professional resumé

• Unofficial, personal copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended; official transcripts are required at the time of enrollment

  • The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents. Please review the FCE requirements by country.

• English language proficiency proof

• Two recommendation letters

• Personal statement (500-1000 words in a PDF or Word document) identifying your educational goals and expectations from the program; please be aware that the university’s academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose

Please refer to the CPS Apply Now page to learn about additional materials that may be required

Join us for our virtual drop-in session on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. ET to connect with faculty and enrollment staff regarding the application process. No registration is required—simply click the link to join and get application support in real time.