Choosing a career path can be challenging. Then there are people like Ryan McCloud, who knew from an early age that he wanted to be a teacher. While he encountered a few detours, he eventually reached his goal in 2023 when he earned his CAEP-accredited Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University online.
“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but as I got into high school, life threw me some curve balls and I ended up getting my bachelor’s degree in organizational management,” said McCloud, who was born and raised in a Barnsdall, Oklahoma. “After college, while working in the Native American gaming industry, I decided to pursue an alternative teaching certificate. My plan was to only take the state-required courses. But once I started online classes at Southeastern, I fell in love with every part of the experience, so I decided to finish my master’s there.”
Prior to enrolling at SE, Ryan briefly attended another university. But he quickly found their online program structure did not lend itself to a work-life balance, so he sought out a program that would.
“All the professors at SE went above and beyond to support me,” he added. “I mean, there were deadlines, but they were so understanding. They recognized that we were working professionals with families, and they really embraced that. I can honestly say I have never worked with a university that has been as helpful as Southeastern. From answering my questions about enrollment to the academic advisors, it’s just a welcoming environment. The fact that the program was so affordable also made a difference since I was not able to get tuition assistance through work. But there again, SE’s financial aid department went above and beyond to help me.”
Managing Work, School and Family
Ryan found the structure of SE’s online M.Ed. in C&I – General program offered everything he was looking for, allowing him the flexibility to study at his own pace and enough advanced notice to plan ahead.
“The program is broken down into seven-week courses. Each module begins with an introduction, which gives you an overview of your weekly reading and assignments, which is great,” he explained. “And then your discussion boards are in a separate module which makes it easy to see what you need to complete.”
Learning From Cohorts
Ryan said one of the bonuses of the online M.Ed. in C&I – General program at Southeastern is the opportunity to have discussions with fellow students who have different levels of teaching experience.
“Most of my classmates had been teaching for years, which was great because they would share valuable knowledge and real-world experiences,” he added. “A big lesson that stuck with me was about the importance of relationship building and getting to know my students. Going into education, everybody tells you relationships are important but hearing from veteran teachers who can pick something out and say, ‘try this, this works,’ really added another element to the program. Their advice has definitely shaped the way I approach instruction.”
Return on Investment and Future Plans
Initially reluctant about studying online and concerned about the cost of earning a master’s degree, Ryan looks back now and has no regrets.
“I know this degree will give me a good return on my investment, especially because it was so affordable,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to work as an administrator at some level, then maybe go on to earn my doctorate and become a superintendent. I think no matter where I end up, this degree will help me not only satisfy the requirements for the state board of education, but help me improve on my instructional practices so I can be the most effective teacher I can be.”
Coming Back Home
Once certified, Ryan began teaching fourth and fifth grade at Barnsdall Elementary School, the school he attended as a child. After completing his master’s, he decided to stay there, and he is loving it.
“When I was in first grade, it was my teacher’s first year teaching. Now she teaches two doors down from me and she was there to mentor me during my first year,” he explained. “It’s been a neat experience.”
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Southeastern’s Online M.Ed. in C&I Program Offers Several Emphases
The School of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Southeastern is committed to helping you achieve your professional goals while equipping you with in-demand skills. Our affordable, 100% online Master of Education programs are taught by supportive, highly experienced faculty members who provide you with personalized attention and the support you need to be successful. With your CAEP-accredited M.Ed. in C&I degree, you can pursue career advancement in the classroom and beyond. Choose from several in-demand emphasis areas including:
Key benefits of earning your M.Ed. degree online at SE
- 100% online coursework
- Affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition
- Supportive, experienced faculty
- CAEP-accreditation
- Multiple start dates per year
- Accelerated options for faster completion