Master's Degrees

Our educational psychology and quantitative methods program focuses on preparing you, as a researcher, to address problems in diverse educational settings, with the ultimate goal of improving teaching and learning, classroom and school organization, inequities in opportunities to learn, the assessment of educational outcomes, and a range of other pressing educational issues. Educational psychologists have a common philosophy that we learn about educational processes, and ultimately improve them through the collection and study of empirical research data. Our program includes the study of human development, cognition and motivational processes. 

Our master's program in mental health counseling focuses on the development of counseling knowledge and skills, supported by research and other empirical evidence. After completing this program, you will meet the requirements for being license-eligible as a mental health counselor in New York State. Our program is based on a philosophy that emphasizes personal and professional growth, respect for human diversity, multicultural competence, social justice, client strengths and ethical responsibility. The MS in mental health counseling at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period of February 2018 through February 2028.

Our master's program in rehabilitation counseling focuses on preparing you to become a competent and skillful rehabilitation counselor. Our program is fully accredited by the New York State Education Department and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and may lead to you becoming a nationally-certified rehabilitation counselor. As a rehabilitation counselor, you will provide psychological, social and vocational rehabilitation services to people with physical, mental/psychiatric, cognitive or sensory disabilities at various stages in their lives.

Our master's program in school counseling focuses on training school counselors to assist students in grades K-12 in academic, career, personal and social development. Our program is for you if you are seeking certification as a school counselor in New York State. Upon completion of this program, you will be able to work as a school counselor in New York State. 

Our master's program with an advanced certificate in school psychology focuses on the practitioner-scientist model of training and offers experiences in four areas: educational/psychological foundations, assessment, direct/indirect interventions and consultation. The practitioner-scientist model, approved by National Association of School Psychologists, will prepare you to work in schools by utilizing (a) psychological assessments and classroom data to guide interventions, (b) primary and secondary psychoeducational and mental health interventions, and (c) collaboration and pre-referral consultation with parents and teachers. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be eligible for New York State initial certification as a school psychologist. 

Our master's program in economics and education policy analysis is offered through a partnership with the Department of Economics in the College of Arts and Sciences. Consistent with UB's emphasis on innovation and interdisciplinarity, this program allows you to explore the intersection between education and economics. You will be trained to use economic theory and econometric tools to solve real-world issues in education.

Our master's program in education studies can be taken as is or designed and tailored to meet your interests, as well as your professional and academic needs. This program of study is targeted for those whose goals are broad, interdisciplinary and flexible. You can pursue a focus area that allows you to take maximum advantage of courses and resources in the Graduate School of Education. You have the option to create your own multidisciplinary focus area from within our school and across our departments.

Our master's program in educational administration is for you if you are a domestic student working or seeking to work in educational sites other than public K–12 schools in the United States, or if you are an international student interested in leadership, management or policy positions in elementary and secondary education. Our program focuses on developing the intellectual, performance and moral capacity for leadership roles in school districts, colleges and universities, and in training and development programs for other public agencies. This program draws upon the social and behavioral sciences to stimulate new ways of thinking about administering and transforming education organizations.

Our master's program in higher education administration with a concentration in student affairs administration is for you if you wish to pursue a career in college student affairs administration. Our program focuses on providing you with the skills needed to help two- and four-year institututions meet the learning and development needs of all students and to personalize the college campus. Our program is designed to meet the guidelines developed by the Council for Advancement of Standards in Higher Education criteria for master's programs. The guidelines emphasize student development, multicultural issues and practical experience.

Our master's in higher education administration program is for you if you are a recent college graduate or you have work experience in a college setting and want to further your career working in higher education. Our program provides you with the skills needed for a wide variety of entry and mid-level leadership and professional roles in two and four-year colleges and universities, as well as policy and advocacy organizations. Our curriculum prepares you to engage with critical issues in higher education, and there is ample room in the curriculum for deeper exploration of your individual interests.

Our master's program in education and technology is for you if (1) you are in a school seeking to improve your technological and teaching knowledge, or (2) you have technology experience and wish to explore its application in educational contexts. Our program provides you with an understanding of how technology is applicable to the learning process, although the program does not lead to New York State classroom teaching certification.

Our master's program in education studies can be taken as is or designed and tailored to meet your interests, as well as your professional and academic needs. This program of study is targeted for those whose goals are broad, interdisciplinary and flexible. You can pursue a focus area that allows you to take maximum advantage of courses and resources in the Graduate School of Education. You have the option to create your own multidisciplinary focus area from within our school and across our departments.

If you have substantial English content background, wish to be a leader in English education, aim to teach English nationally or internationally, and are not seeking New York State teaching certification, our English education studies program will provide you the tools necessary to achieve your professional goals.  

If you currently teach or plan on teaching and want to learn more about developmental reading, and are not seeking New York State teaching certification, our literacy education studies program will provide you with the tools necessary to achieve your professional goals. Our program will expand your knowledge of the theories, methods, and materials of reading, reading instruction, language, language instruction and reading assessment, enabling you to develop competencies that will enrich students’ capabilities.  

If you have substantial math content background, wish to be a leader in math education, aim to teach math nationally or internationally, and are not seeking New York State teaching certification, our math education studies program will provide you the tools necessary to achieve your professional goals.  

If you possess substantial music content background, wish to be a leader in music education, aim to teach music nationally or internationally, and are not seeking New York State teaching certification, our music education studies program will provide you with the tools necessary to achieve your professional goals. Our graduates integrate digital technologies to enhance music learning, and value music at the core of the curriculum for every student. 

Our master's program in science and the public focuses on preparing you to engage in public activities and debates related to science, promote science literacy and understanding in the public at large, and promote scholarship in science and humanism, science and public policy, and science in the political, religious and secular environments.

Our master's degree program in teaching English to speakers of other languages is for you if you want to (1) teach in college-level English as a second language (ESL) programs, (2) teach in adult-level ESL programs for immigrants and refugees in the United States, and (3) teach in all levels internationally. The EdM TESOL degree has been considered the terminal professional degree for those seeking opportunities to teach ESL/ENL (English as a new language) in national and international institutions of higher education.

Our fully-accredited master's program in information and library science focuses on enabling you to seek professional employment in a wide range of information careers in the United States and around the world. Our program, accredited by the American Library Association, is offered fully online.

Our master's program in school librarianship, registered by the New York State Education Department, is authorized to recommend you for certification for the library media specialist, K–12 initial certificate. This fully online program focuses on preparing you to teach in a 21st century school library. All courses include the latest research-based, best practices occurring in the school library field. You will be exposed to strategies and techniques for teaching information literacy, based on new standards of practice as outlined in the Common Core Learning Standards and the Annual Professional Performance Review.