Earn a M.A., M.Ed. or M.Ed. plus Credentials
Ranked among the best graduate schools of education by U.S. News, the master's degree programs at the School of Education prepare students to become leaders, educators, researchers, advocates, and scholars who promote excellence and equity in every area of education.
Class Schedule
Students in the master's programs participate in weekly, late afternoon classes (4-7pm) on campus in Riverside.
-
Request Information
Loading...
"I received a lot of valuable guidance from the SOE upon enrolling in the Neuroscience & Education program. The SOE also regularly provided us with useful info, including the listing for the student job that accepted and supported me. The faculty I met during my time at UCR became priceless mentors who taught me how fun and exciting research can be, and they inspired me to continue to reach skyward in academia. I cherish my time here, and I know I received the drive and knowledge I need to continue to succeed." – Peter Liu, M.A., '24
Master of Arts (M.A.)
The Master of Arts is a research degree that prepares students for careers in an educational setting, or to pursue a doctoral program –– almost all coursework transfers from the M.A. to the Ph.D., minimizing the time to degree. Students in the M.A. program participate in weekly, late afternoon classes (4-7pm) on campus in Riverside, and the M.A. degree can be earned in 1-2 years, at your own pace. No GRE required.
Choose from six concentrations:
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
The Master of Education is a professional degree designed to prepare students for careers in the K-16 environment. Students in the M.Ed. program participate in weekly, late afternoon classes (4-7pm) on campus in Riverside, and the degree can be earned in 1-2 years. GRE is not required.
Choose from four concentrations:
Master of Education (M.Ed.) plus Credential
The California Teaching Commission (CTC)-accredited dual M.Ed. and credential programs prepare students for careers in teaching. By the time you complete the program, you will have earned a master's degree and a credential to teach K-12 in California, a designation that is widely accepted in other states and gives you access to career options. The programs begin in the Summer. The Bilingual Authorization and Ethnic Studies Pathway can be earned simultaneously through additional coursework.
Choose from two programs:
M.A./M.Ed. Placement 2015 - 2023
Research Opportunities
Our graduate students engage with the following labs and centers according to their research focus.
-
Special Education
Social Cognitive Development Neuroscience Lab - Led by Dr. Katherine Stavropoulos (social and cognitive development, neuroscience), the lab uses neuroscience methods to study social motivation, restricted interests, probabilistic learning, “cute aggression,” and related processes in children and adults, with a focus on individuals with Autism.
Multiplicative Reasoning Intervention Project - Directed by Dr. Asha Jitendra (learning disabilities), this project develops and pilots a supplemental multiplication and division intervention for 3rd‑grade students with math difficulties.
Family Autism Research Center - Under Dr. Jan Blacher (developmental psychology), this is UCR’s first family autism resource center offering free autism screenings, support, advocacy, and conducting research to improve educational access and familial well‑being.
Revolutionizing Early Literacy Project - Directed by Dr. Linda Ventriglia‑Navarrette (language education, literacy intervention), this federally‑funded UC‑endorsed initiative uses its RULE of 3 system to accelerate English learners’ language, literacy, vocabulary, and thinking skills in kindergarten through early grades, significantly boosting performance on standardized assessments.
-
Education Policy
Civic Engagement Research Group - Directed by Dr. Joseph Kahne (civics learning in the digital age), this research group conducts quantitative and qualitative research to promote equitable, informed, and effective youth civic and political participation.
-
Educational Psychology
The Practical Measures, Routines, Representations - Co-led by Principal Investigator Dr. Marsha Ing (educational measurement, STEM teaching and learning), this project designs and examines assessment tools, instructional routines, and visual representations to support ongoing improvement in middle school mathematics instruction.
STEM Teaching and Learning Lab - Directed by Dr. Kinnari Atit (spatial skills), this lab researches how enhancing students’ spatial skills and supporting teacher use of spatial pedagogy can improve STEM learning.
-
School Psychology
School Service Research Collaborative - Co‑led by Dr. Wesley Sims (educator service delivery practices) and Dr. Kathleen King (development and validation of screening measures), this initiative studies and develops evidence-based consultation, implementation, and problem-solving strategies to strengthen universal and targeted academic, behavioral, and social-emotional school supports.
-
Education, Society, and Culture
UCR Lifted Program - Co‑directed by Dr. Farah Godrej (political science) and Dr. Amos Lee (counter-stories, support incarcerated scholars), this program enables incarcerated individuals at Norco CRC to earn a fully accredited BA in Education, Society, and Human Development (with a social justice concentration) from UCR while in prison.
Institute for Teachers of Color Committed to Racial Justice - Co‐directed by Dr. Rita Kohli (racial justice initiatives, teacher education) and Dr. Marcos Pizarro (schooling and the Latinx experience of those schools) this institute provides professional development, leadership building, and community for teachers of color.
Center for Educational Transformation - Led by Dr. Louie Rodriguez (educational equity, Latina/o/x/ education, and community engagement), this center partners with communities and educators to conduct equity-driven research that informs education policy in California.
-
Teacher Education Program AP Readiness Program
AP Readiness Program - Directed by Dr. James Keipp (classroom instruction), this program supports high school students and teachers through Saturday enrichment sessions designed to improve performance and access in AP STEM courses.