Online Master’s and Doctoral Degrees

The Doctor of Education in educational leadership prepares K-12 and higher education leaders to address population growth issues, cultural diversity, policy analysis and design, problem-solving, and the change process through content-specific coursework and summer field-based leadership internships. It is designed for students who are fully employed in school districts or other educational agencies and features 66 hours of challenging, relevant curriculum taught using a cohort design with collegial support.

Visit the Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership's Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership page for more information.

Our evening classes are taught on campus and allow attendance in real-time via Zoom. You may choose to complete your professional MBA without setting foot on campus by using Zoom, attend classes in person, or take advantage of both options.

There also are classes which are taught entirely online, allowing you to complete lessons and meet deadlines at your own pace.

Visit the Master of Business Administration webpage to learn more.

Modern problems call for modern solutions. Design your own master’s degree program by combining three or more traditional graduate areas of study at SFA. Select from online or distance programs to complete your degree from afar.

Note: This program is very unique and you must choose a specific combination of coursework to complete the program fully online.

Visit the Division of Multidisciplinary Programs' Master of Interdisciplinary Studies page for more information.

The online Master of Public Administration program prepares graduates for future management and leadership positions in the public sector, including local, state and federal governments and nonprofit agencies. Public administrators in these positions implement policies, administer programs and provide vital services that promote community, state and national well-being.

Visit the Department of Government's Graduate Programs page to learn more.

The Master of Arts in mass communication program will be individually designed to meet the specific objectives of each student. It takes into consideration the nature of previously completed undergraduate and post-graduate work, as well as any professional and related occupational experience.

Visit the Department of Media and Communication's Graduate Programs page to learn more.

Prepare yourself for a career in the growing field of intelligence and security studies with our Master of Arts in national security. Offered completely online, program courses are designed to maximize student preparation for a wide range of intelligence careers and directly address necessary skills outlined by the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Visit the Department of Government's Master of Arts in National Security page to learn more.

In the Student Affairs and Higher Education program at SFA, students delve into college student development and administration, joining a community of professionals with similar career goals. Graduates find roles in academic advising, accessibility services, admissions, student activities, leadership programs, fraternity/sorority life, campus recreation, career services, orientation programs, student conduct and residence life. The curriculum, based on the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS), emphasizes college student development, assessment, and student success, grounded in student affairs professional competencies. The 42-hour program includes courses in student development, leadership, administration, finance, ethical/legal issues, research and evaluation. Classes are available part-time or full-time, primarily online via Zoom (synchronous) and asynchronous formats.

Visit the Department of Human Services & Educational Leadership’s Master of Arts in Student Affairs and Higher Education page to learn more about the program.

The Master of Arts in Teaching is an exciting and innovative graduate program that prepares students to teach in Texas public schools. By exploring the roles of teacher as researcher, scholar-practitioner and educational leader, the master's program cultivates a learning community of faculty members and students through dialogue and critical inquiry. This program is designed for students who have earned an undergraduate degree but are not certified to teach.

Visit the Department of Education Studies' Master of Arts in Teaching page for more information.

The Master of Education in curriculum and instruction features evidence-based research to promote expanding skills and knowledge of professionals in diverse EC-12 educational settings. A holistic approach through theory, research and practical application allows students to develop multitiered skills within their concentration to best meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. This online graduate degree is designed to increase education professionals’ opportunities and career option within public, private, nonprofit and corporate EC-12 educational settings.

• Early Childhood – 18 hours specializing in Early Childhood to equip candidates with knowledge and skills that are focus on all early childhood educational environments. 3 hours of an elective required.

Visit the Department of Education Studies' master of education in curriculum and instruction program page for more information.

The Master of Education in curriculum and instruction features evidence-based research to promote expanding skills and knowledge of professionals in diverse EC-12 educational settings. A holistic approach through theory, research and practical application allows students to develop multitiered skills within their concentration to best meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. This online graduate degree is designed to increase education professionals’ opportunities and career option within public, private, nonprofit and corporate EC-12 educational settings.

• Instructional Coach – 18 hours in a variety of all level curriculum and instruction courses to well prepare the candidate to effectively serve a district as an instructional coach or in curriculum development. 3 hours of an elective required.

Visit the Department of Education Studies' master of education in curriculum and instruction program page for more information.

The Master of Education in curriculum and instruction features evidence-based research to promote expanding skills and knowledge of professionals in diverse EC-12 educational settings. A holistic approach through theory, research and practical application allows students to develop multitiered skills within their concentration to best meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. This online graduate degree is designed to increase education professionals’ opportunities and career option within public, private, nonprofit and corporate EC-12 educational settings.

• Reading Specialist – 21 hours of reading specialist courses designed to develop the candidate’s knowledge and skills and culminate in a Texas Reading Specialist certification

Visit the Department of Education Studies' master of education in curriculum and instruction program page for more information.

Become a leader in the field of public-school athletic administration with our newest Master of Education in educational leadership concentration. With the important incorporation of field experiences, the fully online athletic director program prepares effective school leaders by teaching the specific skills and knowledge necessary to supervise both coaches and student-athletes.

Visit the Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership's athletic director concentration program page for more information.

Choose from a 30-hour Master of Education or an 18-hour certification preparation

The online principal certification preparation program is nationally accredited through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education​. It has a more than 90% pass rate on the TExES and maintains a rigorous curriculum taught completely by highly qualified professors with successful leadership experience.

A scholar-practitioner approach incorporates theory and practice-based learning that focuses on research-based leadership practices, curriculum and instructional leadership, data-driven decision-making, special programs, law, and school and community leadership.

Visit the Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership's Principal Certification preparation program page for more information.

The Master of Education in special education degrees and certifications offered through SFA Online provide graduate-level preparation for careers in the classroom or in a professional administrative environment. Special education programs at SFA are aligned with national standards for special educators and state standards for special education teachers.

Degree and certificate options:

• Master of Education in special education without teacher certification preparation
• Master of Education in special education with educational diagnostician certification preparation
• Educational diagnostician preparation (certification-seeking only)

Visit the Department of Human Services' EC-12 special education page for more information.

Students in this program will take an 18-hour core, which will provide them with the knowledge and skills to better serve the needs of the diverse EC-12 student population in Texas.

Visit the Department of Education Studies Master of Education in Teaching and Learning webpage for more information.

The Master of Music in music education is designed to provide teachers with advanced skills and knowledge for successful teaching in public schools or colleges. Professional skills are fostered to prepare teachers for leadership roles in the classroom, in educational research and with curriculum design.

The concentration areas offered online for this degree are choral, elementary/general music and instrumental.

Important: In addition to applying to SFA, you also must apply to the School of Music. Visit the Music Admissions webpage for up-to-date information and instructions.

The 36-hour theory-composition track of the Master of Music is designed to provide advanced analytical and creative opportunities for promising composers and music theorists. Requiring a thesis, this field of specialization prepares students for further academic work or for careers as college/university teachers or freelance composers.

Important: In addition to applying to SFA, you also must apply to the School of Music. Visit the Music Admissions webpage for up-to-date information and instructions.

The Master of Science in human sciences provides graduate education to professionals in the field of human sciences. The fundamental focus of the discipline is on humankind and the human condition throughout the life cycle. Online, the program provides four emphases in which students may focus their studies:

• human development and family studies
• family and consumer sciences
• interior design/health care interior design
• food, nutrition and dietetics

Visit the School of Human Sciences Master of Science in human science page for more information.

The Master of Science in Nursing – family nurse practitioner program prepares graduates to provide innovative, responsive and culturally competent care that is necessary to support and enhance individual and community health, especially those in medically-underserved areas. Nurse practitioners are essential to improve access to quality health care and to reduce health disparities.

Visit the School of Nursing's MSN-FNP page for more information.​

The Master of Science in Nursing with a focus as a nurse educator gives students the core knowledge to develop nursing curriculum, teaching methodologies using innovative technologies and simulation, and evaluation strategies for the classroom or the clinical education setting. Through the online program, students are prepared for a variety of career options, including teaching in high school health occupation programs, community colleges or universities and serving as a nurse educator in hospitals or corporations.

Visit the School of Nursing's MSN - nursing education page for more information.

This program meets the needs of all resource professionals, as well as the public they serve, through a holistic emphasis on communicating and interpreting a variety of natural, cultural and historic resources. Whether you are a biologist, park ranger or historian, our curriculum will provide you with a range of techniques and skills needed to effectively connect with an array of modern audiences.

Visit the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture's resource communications graduate program page for more information.

Be an advocate for your home community without having to leave it. Our completely online advanced standing track of the Master of Social Work program allows students to graduate fully prepared for the social work profession without moving away from the communities they love.

To be considered for advanced standing, applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

For information, including admission qualifications, visit the M.S.W. program page.