MA in Technology Education
Transform your teaching career—and your students’ lives—through the power of technology, whether you’re seeking initial certification or another credential to add to your résumé.
Why Earn a Master’s Degree in Technology Education?
Technology is playing an increasingly critical role in education, and schools across New York state need teachers who can keep up. Take advantage of this demand with an MA in Technology Education. Aspiring and veteran teachers alike will gain the skills to build learning environments that foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving. Under your instruction, students will develop the technological fluency they need to succeed in the 21st-century workforce, studying everything from robotics and engineering design to manufacturing and computer programming.
The technology education graduate program offers three degree tracks. If you’re looking to launch your teaching career, the preservice track leads to New York state technology education teacher certification for grades K-12. For teachers who already have initial certification, the in-service and advanced certificate tracks offer an affordable, accessible pathway to career advancement.
Why Earn Your MA in Technology Education from Adelphi University in New York?
- Tailor your degree to your professional goals: Choose between three flexible tracks (preservice and inservice tracks as well as an advanced certificate) that accommodate the busy schedules of working adults and career changers.
- Benefit from Adelphi’s robust partnerships with public schools across Long Island in New York, where you’ll gain real-world experience in K-12 technology education classrooms along with valuable networking opportunities.
- Stand out from the competition with training in both traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge digital systems, giving you the tools to redefine how students understand and engage with technology in the classroom.
What Can You Do with a Master’s Degree and Certification in Technology Education?
Graduates of the technology education program will be well positioned for a variety of roles in the education field, including:
- Career and technical education administrator
- K-12 technology education teacher
- Robotics and automation instructor
- STEM coordinator/curriculum specialist
- Technology education curriculum developer
This program bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and effective teaching, preparing educators to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.
Emily Kang, PhD
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences
Technology Education Degree Options and Certifications
MA in Technology Education (Preservice)—30 credits
Designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in a technology-related field but without prior teacher certification. The program includes 6 credits of content electives, 18 credits of pedagogical core and 6 credits of student teaching.
MA in Technology Education (In-service)—30 credits
Designed for students with a bachelor’s degree who already have initial teacher certification in another subject area. The program includes 15 credits of graduate electives and extensive practicum experience.
Advanced Certificate in Technology Education—12 credits
Designed for master’s degree-holding educators who have initial teacher certification in another subject area and undergraduate experience in technology-related fields. The program includes essential methods courses, content electives and a practicum.
Exceptional Hands-On Learning
At Adelphi, we believe hands-on experience is key to setting our students up for career success. We also believe in providing students with a well-rounded education, with extensive training in both analog and digital technologies. Our curriculum in the tech education program pairs instruction in authentic fabrication—including heritage trades like woodworking, welding and machining—with a deep dive into robotics programming, CAD/CAM design, CNC manufacturing, 3D printing projects and more.
If you’re within commuting distance of Adelphi, you’ll be able to apply your knowledge to the classroom through field experiences and student-teaching placements. As part of the practicum, you’ll work directly with the K-12 population on exciting engineering-design challenges and technology projects, creating inspiring learning environments where students of all abilities can thrive.
Technology Education Master’s Degree Program Info
Application Requirements
All candidates must submit the following:
- Graduate application and $60 fee
- Personal essay
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all prior institutions and proof of bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution
Additional Requirements
All applicants must demonstrate a commitment to technology education and pass background checks required for school placements. However, each program has specific requirements for admission:
- MA in Technology Education (Preservice): bachelor’s degree with 30 technology content credits (6 prerequisite content credits are included in the program of study)
- MA in Technology Education (Inservice): bachelor’s degree with 18 technology content credits and initial teaching certification in another subject area (all 18 prerequisite content credits are included in the program of study)
- Advanced Certificate in Technology Education: master’s degree, teaching certification and 18 technology content credits (3 prerequisite content credits are included in the program of study)
Applicants with 9-plus technology credits who can complete deficiencies during the program are eligible for conditional admission.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Technology Education Program?
Technology education covers several main areas of classroom education, including communications technology, construction technology, manufacturing technology, transportation technology and energy/power systems. Students learn both the theoretical foundations and hands-on applications of these technological systems. A distinguishing feature of technology education is its emphasis on experiential learning. With a master’s degree in technology education, you’ll have the training to lead students in design challenges, build prototypes, use various tools and materials, and learn through making and creating rather than just theoretical study.
A master’s degree in technology education significantly advances teaching careers by opening doors to leadership roles (department head, curriculum coordinator, STEM program director). The advanced degree enhances teaching capabilities through deeper content knowledge of emerging technologies and research-based pedagogical strategies. With growing emphasis on STEM education, the master’s degree provides job security, competitive advantage in hiring, and often fulfills requirements for professional certification and tenure eligibility, typically paying for itself within three to five years through salary increases alone.
Educational Technology, commonly shortened to EdTech, is a program focused on how to use technology as a tool to enhance teaching and learning across all subjects. An example would be how schools can integrate computers, tablets, software, apps and digital platforms into the existing curriculum.
Technology Education is a program focused on teaching about technology itself as a subject area. For example, students would analyze how technology works, design processes, engineering principles and technological systems.
Educational Technology (EdTech)
Focus: Using technology as a tool to enhance teaching and learning across all subjects
- Integrates computers, tablets, software, apps and digital platforms into existing curriculum, such as using tablets for math lessons, cloud-based learning programs for assignments and virtual reality for history tours
- Improves educational delivery and student outcomes through use of new technologies
- Develops digital literacy, online collaboration skills, and software application knowledge in sessions led by regular classroom teachers or specialized EdTech coordinators
Technology Education
Focus: Teaching about technology itself as a subject area
- Analyzes how technology works, design processes, engineering principles and technological systems through exercises that provide real-world experience, such as building bridges in engineering class, learning about manufacturing processes and designing solutions to real-world problems
- Develops technological literacy and understanding of how technology shapes society for specialized technology education teachers (often in industrial arts or STEM programs)
- Develops valuable professional skills such as design thinking, problem-solving, hands-on construction and understanding technological systems
At Adelphi, our Technology Education program is one of the top in the state of New York for a variety of reasons, including:
- Innovative Partnership With Local School Districts—We have developed an innovative collaboration where graduate students within this program take specialized electives taught by experienced district education teachers in actual school facilities.
- Flexible Online-First Approach—While most programs require a significant on-campus presence, Adelphi’s technology education program is predominantly online, making education accessible to working adults across New York state.
- Three Distinct Pathways—Adelphi offers comprehensive options: Preservice MA (30 credits), Inservice MA (30 credits) and Advanced Certificate (12 credits) to accommodate different career stages and educational backgrounds, providing more flexibility than traditional programs.
- Industry-Standard Equipment Access—Through district partnerships, students work with professional-grade equipment in areas like welding, CNC machining, robotics, automotive diagnostics and CAD/CAM systems, which are typically unavailable in university settings.
Comprehensive Content Alignment—The program directly aligns with New York State Technology Education Content Specialty Test requirements and covers emerging technologies like cybersecurity, augmented/virtual reality, and biotechnology integration.
Awards & Recognition
