Northwestern online M.Ed. program ranked among top 100 by U.S. News

Aleen Wolken, a 2017 Master of Education (M.Ed.) graduate, works as a second-grade teacher in the Linn-Mar Community School District. Northwestern's M.Ed. program has been ranked among the nation's best online programs.

Northwestern College’s Master of Education program is ranked 69th out of more than 350 schools in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Online Master’s in Education Programs ranking.

Only two Iowa schools were ranked higher than Northwestern’s program, which is also one of the two highest ranked Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) programs. Northwestern shares the 69th ranking with one other CCCU institution, as well as schools like the University of Dayton and Rutgers University.

“These rankings affirm that our mission to offer superb opportunities for professional and spiritual growth, provide flexibility for working adults, and maintain an affordable tuition structure is on target,” says Gary Richardson, dean of Northwestern’s Graduate School & Adult Learning division. “To receive recognition at this level is humbling and gratifying. We are grateful for our college administrators’ intentional focus upon online learning and the support of departments across campus in providing excellent service to our graduate students and adult learners.”

Northwestern offers the M.Ed. degree in eight tracks: early childhood, early childhood + endorsement, educational administration + K-12 principal endorsement, master teacher, special education, special education + endorsement, teacher leadership, and teaching history. Graduate-level endorsements and certificates are also available. Northwestern began offering online graduate programs in education in 2015 and now has 465 students enrolled.

The U.S. News rankings are based upon student excellence and engagement, faculty credentials and training, services and technologies, and expert opinions.

Northwestern is also tied for 116th in the online bachelor’s degree program category and is the highest ranked institution in Iowa. Northwestern offers two degree-completion online programs: early childhood and RN to BSN.

Northwestern’s Graduate School & Adult Learning division offers flexible, affordable programs designed to help adult learners meet their professional goals. Many programs have 100% online coursework, including master's degrees in education (eight tracks); school and clinical mental health counseling; graduate-level education endorsements and certificates; undergraduate degree-completion programs in early childhood education and nursing; and certificates in medical and legal interpreting. The division also offers an on-campus master's degree in physician assistant studies, which is accredited by the ARC-PA.