Professional Institute for Educators Graduate Programs FAQ

Our two MEd degrees are designed for those interested in becoming educational innovators.

The MEd in Educational Program Design is recommended for K–12 educators who have yet to earn a master’s degree and are seeking a graduate-level experience that helps them become experts in designing creative programming that weaves together theory and real-world practice. 

The MEd in Educational Technology is for K–12 educators interested in a graduate-level experience that builds their expertise and understanding of the unlimited uses of technology in the classroom, while preparing them to be ed tech coaches and leaders.

Though the majority of our MEd students are in-service teachers, our programs can also work for those interested in being educational leaders in the workforce.

Since our program can be done asynchronously, it is designed for educators across the country.

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If fully enrolled, the time-to-degree path for our MEd programs is 21 months. Time-to-credential for the Graduate Certificate falls between one and three years.

Current K–12 educators will put together the following materials.

• Complete the application.
• Order official transcripts from each undergraduate school attended. Transcripts should be sent directly by the Registrar’s Office by mail or secure email to the Office of Admissions, 320 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 or gradcredentials@uarts.edu.
• Include a one to two page Statement of Academic and Professional Goals.
• Include a CV or résumé containing relevant academic and professional experience.
• Provide two letters of recommendation (MEd applicants only).

Application materials can be submitted to the Office of Admissions in the following ways.

• ONLINE: most materials can be uploaded directly to your online application before or after submission.
• BY MAIL: mail them to the Office of Admissions, University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
• Please note that we are unable to accept transcripts and letters of recommendations directly from the applicant.
• Email: gradcredentials@uarts.edu.

No, neither a portfolio nor an audition is required for admission. These programs are centered on professional education and teaching practice, not creative performance or materials.

No, Praxis scores are not required.

No, these programs do not lead to Pennsylvania Department of Education state certification for entry into public schools. These programs are designed for K–12 educators.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with priority given to students who apply for fall start by February 15. The deadline for fall admission is August 11.

Though we do not require a minimum GPA, we strongly recommend that applicants earn an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and have a minimum of one year of K–12 teaching experience.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. You will be notified of an admissions decision within two to three weeks of submission of a completed application.

Elective classes are offered year-round. Core MEd courses are only offered in the fall and spring. Elective courses are offered online and in-person across multiple locations throughout the region.

No! Our degrees can be completed online. Our instructors are experts at online engagement and will ensure you feel connected even from a distance.

For the MEd in Educational Program Design, each applicant selects an area of emphasis to complement the core MEd curriculum. Arts and Educational Technology are also offered as standalone, 15-credit Graduate Certificates.

Matriculated students earn an official credential from UArts upon completion of the course of study. Matriculated programs that involve an official application and acceptance process are the

• Master of Education in Educational Program Design,
• Master of Education in Educational Technology, and
• Graduate Certificates in Educational Technology and the Arts.

Nonmatriculated students may enroll in some of the same course options available to matriculated students. Students who elect to do so are considered nonmatriculated, and their corresponding course sections are designated with an NM following the course code.

UArts offers matriculated students the following benefits.

• An official UArts photo ID, which is necessary for accessing UArts buildings and services and enables students to receive discounts at local restaurants, stores, entertainment and admission to cultural venues, such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rodin Museum
• UArts library borrowing privileges and use of the UArts library, borrowing privileges, access to extensive digital resources
• UArts alumni status: UArts alumni are eligible for library privileges; a 25% tuition discount on all Professional Institute for Educators classes; and discounts on insurance, hotels and local cultural venues. Visit our Alumni Benefits and Services page for a full list of benefits.

MEd: Up to six credits of graduate coursework may be transferred from accredited institutions outside of UArts and/or nonmatriculated graduate credit earned from UArts.

Graduate Certificate: Up to three credits of graduate coursework may be transferred from accredited institutions outside of UArts and/or nonmatriculated graduate credit earned from UArts.

Credits may be applied upon approval by the program director. All transfer credits must be graduate-level courses or upper-level undergraduate classes taken for graduate credit at an accredited college or university, and the student must have earned a grade of B- or higher. Additional information, such as syllabi, may be requested in order to determine course content applicability. Only credits are transferable, not grades.

Our programs are designed for K–12 educators currently in the classroom. If you have taught in K–12 classrooms but are not in the classroom at present, and plan on going back into the classroom, you may apply to the MEd or Graduate Certificate. We also accept students who are looking to be workforce education professionals.

If you are looking for certification or licensure, contact your State Board of Education. University of the Arts offers degree programs for certification in Music and Art Education. 

Yes, courses are offered online, hybrid (a blend of online and in-person) and in-person. Online and hybrid courses have the same learning objectives and use the same faculty and curriculum as our in-person courses.

MEd students take EDPD 702 Capstone Project: Master of Education as their final course, which brings together the sum of the MEd core and area of emphasis coursework. Students select and develop a project proposal (your choice of either a Curriculum Project, a Research Project or an Action Research Project), which is reviewed and approved by the student’s Advisor and Capstone Committee. Students present their projects to the committee at the end of the course.

We advise students to enroll in one certificate at a time, complete the requirements for that certificate and, of course, encourage interested students to pursue additional certificates, an MEd or coursework that build on knowledge and skills for the classroom.

Visit Tuition & Fees for current tuition rates.

Federal financial aid is available for MEd programs. Contact Student Financial Services at 215-717-6170 or finaid@uarts.edu for more information.