UW-Stout's 100% online Master of Science (M.S.) in Career & Technical Education is for educators and industry professionals interested in gaining leadership skills and advancing their careers. This program is designed for working adults, and can be completed in as little as two years. People who complete this degree work in career and technical education at the secondary and postsecondary levels, in industry, or in workforce education agencies.
100% of Graduates Are Employed or Continuing Education Within 6 Months
Career-Defining Curriculum
This flexible, career-oriented program focuses on leadership development and teaches degree candidates to design and coordinate programs and curriculum. Students design a personalized program of graduate-level learning experiences with the program director that emphasizes the knowledge, skills and aptitudes needed to achieve the student's individual career goals.
Program Overview
Degree Concentrations
- Teaching: For CTE teachers who want to advance their skills or gain the skills needed for adult-learner instruction. (Thesis required)
- Administration: For individuals looking into CTE leadership roles in higher education or other organizations working with adult learners. (Thesis required)
- Marketing & Business Education: For K-12 teachers seeking to grow as marketing or business educators. (Thesis required)
- CTE Coordinator/Director of Instruction: For individuals with a Wisconsin Tier 2 or equivalent license seeking to be a preK-12 school leader with an emphasis in career and technical education. This concentration leads to Wisconsin DPI licensure for CTE Coordinator and Director of Instruction administrative licenses. (No thesis required)
Note: The CTE Coordinator/Director of Instruction concentration is designed to meet educational requirements for licensure/certification in the state of Wisconsin. If you reside outside of Wisconsin, please note that UW-Stout cannot confirm whether this program concentration meets the requirements for professional licensure in your state, and you will need to contact your state regarding licensure requirements. Please reach out to the UW-Stout Program Director and visit our website for additional information.
Fulfill Your Electives Earning a Professional Certificate
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist Certificate
- Blended and Online Teaching & Training Certificate
- Career & Technical Education (CTE) Leadership Certificate
- Instructional Design Certificate
- Math Specialist Certificate
- Organizational Development & Consulting Certificate
- Practical Skills for Beginning K-12 Career & Technical Educators Certificate
- Reading Specialist Certification
- Reading Teacher Certification
- Strategic Leadership in Talent Development Certificate
- Teaching Adult Learners Certificate
100% Online: Complete Your Degree at Your Own Pace and Schedule
Program Highlights
- Asynchronous and synchronous online delivery; customized hybrid options may be available.
- Financial aid opportunities, including student loans, scholarships, and graduate assistantships.
- Earn the degree in as little as two years, while working full time.
- Flexible curriculum customizable to suit your career goals
"Taking my master's program online allows flexibility in my schedule as I work full time. I appreciate the ability to work towards my degree from anywhere."
~ John SobotaM.S. Career & Technical Education
Use the Request Information form to receive a program summary and learn more about the M.S. Career & Technical Education.
Request Information
Industry-Experienced Faculty Instruction
At UW-Stout, building close relationships with our classroom-experienced and academically accomplished faculty will play a key role in your graduate education and your career in the classroom. Learn more about your future instructors!
$67K Average Starting Salary of UW-Stout Career & Technical Education Graduates
Graduate Ready to Expand Your Impact on Career & Technical Education
Each year, Stout career and technical education graduates are among the most sought-after hires to enter the workforce or achieve promotion with major education and industry employers. Why? Everything you learn at Stout enhances the technical skills and leadership you'll bring to your career. Where others list their education, you’ll be able to identify your experience.
Recent Education Employers
- Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institution
- Blackhawk Technical College
- Chippewa Valley Technical College
- Fox Valley Technical College
- Gateway Technical College
- Madison College (MATC)
- McHenry County College
- Mid-State Technical College
- Minneapolis Public Schools
- Northcentral Technical College
- Region 2 School of Applied Technology
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Waukesha County Technical College
Recent Industry Employers
- Authenticom, Inc.
- Big Dot of Happiness
- City of Eau Claire
- Memorial Medical Center
- Midwest Dental
- Marshfield Clinic Health Systems
- Rundle-Spence
- ThedaCare
- Veteran's Health Administration (VA)
General UW-Stout Graduate Studies Application
All prospective graduate students at UW-Stout must follow a standard application process through Graduate Studies. Beyond that, each graduate program has specific requirements that must be met to be successfully admitted to the program:
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
Eligibility
To be admitted with full status to the program, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Have earned an overall GPA of at least 2.75.
Program-Specific Application Requirements
To successfully apply for the program, first complete the UW System Application and receive your Application ID. Then, use this ID to fill out the UW-Stout Graduate Studies Collection Form, where you will provide the following:
- Goal Statement which demonstrates that your career goals align with the objectives of the program. Also state the concentration you plan to pursue: teaching, administration, or CTE Coordinator/Director of Instruction.
- Current resume.
- Two letters of recommendation, including one from a current supervisor, indicating characteristics and experience that make you a good candidate for the program.
For the CTE Coordinator/Director of Instruction concentration only, the following additional steps are required:
- Include a copy of a current or previous teaching license with application materials submitted to the Graduate School.
- Complete a National Background Check.
A deficiency in these requirements does not preclude admission but may involve additional steps to obtain full admission to the program.
*The Collection Form Site requires an Application ID provided upon completion of the UW-System Application
“The completion of my degree has affected me in several ways. As a returning adult student, it was a personal accomplishment. I am more confident in my ability to perform in the classroom as well as being an example to others of lifelong learning. I also feel that I am more prepared to compete in today's workforce with my degree.”
- Jacqueline Newman
"When I started this program I was a little concerned about it being all online and that I would miss out on the camaraderie with fellow classmates and learn from their experiences. However, I have found that not to be true."
- Teresa LaMacchia
Advisory Committee Members
| First Name | Last Name | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex | Birkholz | Instructor | Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College |
| Kristin | Creviston | Associate Registrar | Chippewa Valley Technical College |
| E.J. | Daigle | Dean, Advanced Manufacturing | Dunwoody College of Technology |
| Kevin | Dietsche | Instructor | UW-Stout |
| Laura | Feyma | Family Consumer Science Educator | New Richmond High School |
| Brad | Gast | Dean of Business & Industry and Continuing Education | Northcentral Technical College |
| Shannen | Jochim | Adult Student Services Advisor, Stout Online | UW-Stout |
| John | Kleven | Instructor | Chippewa Valley Technical College |
| Dani | Lewandowski | CTE Coordinator | CESA 11 |
| Julie | Opalenik | Student | UW-Stout |
| Laura | Reisinger | Assistant Professor | UW-Stout |
| Michael | Rick | CTE Coordinator/Technology Education Teacher | Delavan-Darien School District |
| Deanna | Schultz | MS CTE Program Lead | UW-Stout |
| Shannon | Schultz | Manager, Education, Testing, and Assessment Center Data Analyst | Fox Valley Technical College |
| Brian | Seguin | Director of Instruction | Menomonie Area School District |
| Michael | Shiels | Dean, School of Applied Technologies | Waukesha County Technical College |
| Debbie | Stanislawski | Professor; Program Director | UW-Stout |
| Sharon | Wendt | Education Director | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction |
| Matt | Simoneau | Professor | UW-Stout |
Customized Tuition & Fees
UW-Stout degree programs using the all-inclusive customized instruction model are designed with the adult learner in mind. Other universities will present costs and value differently, so make sure you're comparing apples to apples. If you're comparing UW-Stout's online degree customized instruction (CI) tuition to our competitors, keep in mind:
- Customized instruction tuition rate includes the textbook rental fee.
- There are no additional or hidden university-based semester or technology fees.
- Students in customized instruction programs pay the same rate of tuition regardless of where you live.
More Value for Your Money
Customized Instruction also provides:
- Program Director/Coordinator: Faculty with academic and industry expertise.
- Student Services Advisor: One point of contact, providing dedicated support throughout your degree program.
- Course Sequences & Matrices: Plan ahead with clear program outlines so you know what courses are offered when.
- Stackable Courses & Programs: Many of our courses and certificates can be applied to our degree programs.
- Flexibility: Courses are designed to offer the flexibility and convenience working professionals need to get ahead in their careers without sacrificing their current income and responsibilities.
