How to Choose Between a Graduate Certificate and Master's Degree in Education
Master's degree or graduate certificate?
The real question is: What do you need your next credential to do?
Whether you're looking to build expertise, earn an add-on certification, or move up in your career — what fits now doesn't limit where you go later.
Alumna Prentice Garrett-Cooper found that out through UL Lafayette's Graduate Certificate in Instructional Coaching, before continuing into the master's program.
"I was in the last class for the certificate when I realized how useful the master's program would be," she says. "I wanted to have the skills to build a curriculum, effectively deliver it, and guide others in delivering it. So, I decided I'm just going to finish the degree."
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers fully online graduate certificates and flexible master's degree pathways designed for educators ready to advance their careers.
Find the Pathway That Matches Your Goals
Finding your path starts by identifying your destination.
If you want to...
Strengthen teaching across your school: A graduate certificate in instructional coaching can help you develop skills to support teacher growth and professional learning.
Improve curriculum and instructional practices: The online M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction can help you deepen your expertise in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.
Prepare for school or district leadership: The hybrid M.Ed. in Educational Leadership can prepare you for administrative roles through a blend of online coursework, in-person learning, and data-driven projects.
Specialize in supporting gifted learners: An online graduate certificate in gifted education or online M.Ed. in Special Education: Gifted can help you build expertise in developing curricula to support gifted learners.
For educators who already hold a master's degree, the graduate certificate also provides the coursework required by the Louisiana Department of Education to add gifted certification to their teaching credentials.
Testing the Waters with a Graduate Certificate
Graduate certificates focus on one area. They help educators build a clear skill set without leaving the classroom.
They can fit teachers who want a specialized role, a stronger skill area, or courses for another teaching credential.
They can also be a simple start for educators who may want a master's degree later. Eligible courses from UL Lafayette's online graduate certificates can count toward related master's degrees. That lets you move ahead now and decide later.
UL Lafayette offers two fully online graduate certificates for educators who want focused skills in instructional coaching or gifted education while they keep working.
Courses in both programs can count toward related master's degrees. That helps you make progress without signing up for a full degree right away.
Graduate Certificate in Instructional Coaching
If you like helping teachers improve, instructional coaching may be your next step.
Instructional coaches work with teachers as peers. They help improve classroom practice, share proven methods, and support learning across a school.
UL Lafayette's online graduate certificate in instructional coaching prepares experienced teachers for those responsibilities and leads to a Louisiana Department of Education Instructional Coach add-on endorsement. Many students start with the certificate before applying those credits toward the online M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction.
Graduate Certificate in Gifted Education
If you want to help gifted students reach their potential, gifted education may be your next step. Gifted education specialists build lessons that challenge advanced learners, support social and emotional growth, and meet each learner's needs.
The University’s fully online graduate certificate in gifted education prepares educators for those responsibilities with coursework required for the Louisiana Department of Education to earn gifted certification.
That makes the certificate a pathway for educators at different points in their careers. If you already hold a master's degree, you can complete coursework to pursue gifted certification without earning another degree. If you don't yet hold a master's degree, eligible certificate coursework can apply toward UL Lafayette's M.Ed. in Special Education: Gifted if you choose to continue.
Why Choose a Master's Degree in Education?
A master's degree may be the better fit if you want broader study in curriculum, leadership, or advanced teaching practice.
UL Lafayette offers master's programs in Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership and Special Education: Gifted.
Formats vary, with online options available for the Curriculum & Instruction and Special Education: Gifted degree programs and a hybrid format available for the Educational Leadership degree program. Review each program's details to determine the best fit for your goals and schedule.
Start Where You Are, Continue When You're Ready
Choosing the right credential is only the first step. The program experience can shape how prepared you feel to take on your next role. As you compare education programs, consider the curriculum, format and support available to you.
Moving into the online M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction gave Garrett-Cooper a chance to build her skill in curriculum design. It also gave her the support she needed as an online student.
“The professors were prepared, knowledgeable and easy to get a hold of,” she says. “I didn’t feel different because I was online. It was like I was going to a brick-and-mortar campus every day, even though I wasn’t.”
Whether you start with a graduate certificate or choose a master's degree, UL Lafayette offers education paths that can help you build the skill you need for your next career goal.
Advance your career as an educator with UL Lafayette’s online programs.
Q&A
Question: How do I choose between a graduate certificate and a master's degree?
Short answer: Start with your short-term goal. A graduate certificate may fit if you want focused skill, an add-on endorsement, or a quick step before a full degree. A master's degree may fit better if you want broader study in curriculum, leadership, or advanced teaching practice.
Question: Can graduate certificate courses count toward a master's degree at UL Lafayette?
Short answer: Yes. If the courses are eligible, UL Lafayette's online graduate certificates can count toward related master's degrees. That lets educators start with a certificate and move into a master's later.
Question: Which UL Lafayette education programs are fully online?
Short answer: UL Lafayette offers fully online graduate certificates in instructional coaching and gifted education. The M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction and M.Ed. in Special Education: Gifted are also online. The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership is hybrid.
Question: What should I choose if I already have a master's degree and want gifted certification?
Short answer: The graduate certificate in gifted education may be the right path. If you already hold a master's degree, the certificate gives the courses needed by the Louisiana DOE for gifted certification.
