Educational Studies (MS)

Program Overview

The Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership (TLEL) offers a Master of Science in Educational Studies degree for individuals interested in the general study of education who are not seeking certification to teach. This program is suited for several types of students.

The program is ideal for professionals working in schools in non-teaching positions and for professionals working with students or schools through human service agencies or in other settings who would benefit from a greater understanding of educational foundations, as well as for teachers and educators from outside the U.S. who desire graduate study in the field of education.

The program also serves teachers interested in obtaining a master’s degree in education but who work in a subject area OTHER than the certification areas offered by Binghamton University (childhood and early childhood education, special education, literacy education, or adolescence education in English, romance languages, mathematics, sciences or social studies).

The program is offered both on campus and online. Students taking the online option will also earn an advanced certificate in community schools.

Degrees Offered

  • MS in Educational Studies

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

The program consists of 36 credits, and students must take at least 4 credits in each of the following educational areas: foundations of education, teaching and learning, and research. Students will work closely with a faculty advisor to select suitable courses from the diverse curriculum and develop an individualized course of study. The program culminates in a research-based master’s paper or project. This involves a formal research paper on a major educational issue or a research report of a field-based study. If the student is teaching, the final project could involve presenting a reflective portfolio and curricular materials, including a review of relevant research.

After You Graduate

Graduates of this program often teach subjects like music, art, physical education and health. With a strong educational background obtained through this degree, many international alumni of the program have returned to their respective home countries to pursue teaching positions.

Please note that although this program is a New York State registered teacher education program, it does NOT lead to certification. Students interested in becoming certified after completing this program should apply to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) on their own, with the understanding that the Department of TLEL cannot predict the outcome. Students are responsible for working with NYSED regarding professional certification matters.

Admission Requirements

Funding/Scholarships

There are many funding and scholarship opportunities at Binghamton. We encourage prospective students to review available program-specific scholarships and awards, and visit the program's website for additional information. Note: Master's students are generally self-funded, although funding opportunities occasionally arise.


For more information, visit the Educational Studies website.