Program Overview

Master's Degree in Business Education

The Master's Degree in Business Education at Ball State University is designed for business and marketing educators at the middle school, high school, and post-secondary levels, as well as business industry trainers seeking an advanced credential or further professional opportunities.

Quick Facts

• Next Start Date: May 11, 2026
• Delivery: 100% Online
• Major Credits: 30
• No GMAT or GRE Scores Required
• Consistently nationally ranked by U.S. News

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in Business Education combines innovation in teaching with a practical approach, allowing educators to immediately improve their instructional methods.

Why a Master's Degree in Business Education?

National Rankings

• Ball State is consistently highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report in best online graduate education programs.
• U.S. News also ranks our Master's Degrees in Education Programs among the best online programs for veterans.

Advantages

• Competitively-priced tuition
• Relevant, flexible courses
• Specialized tracks
• No GRE scores required
• Only a 2.75 minimum undergraduate GPA
• Can be completed in as little as one year
• Requires no thesis
• Courses are offered year-round
• Asynchronous course design
• Transfer in up to nine hours of approved credit

Course Requirements

The Master of Arts degree offers several tracks for business and marketing education educators, including:

Tracks

• Adult Education Track
• Business and Industry Trainer Track
• Community College Track
• Curriculum and Instruction Track
• Customizable Track
• Dual Credit Track
• Educational Technology Track
• Master Educator Track
• Special Education Track

Adult Education Track

• BED 616 Research Methods (3 credits)
• BED 620 Improvement of Instruction with Technology (3 credits)
• BED 693 Philosophy, Organization, and Administration of CTE (3 credits)
• CTE 622 Instructional Materials and Strategies for Improvement of Instruction (3 credits)
• CTE 625 Problems and Issues (3 credits)
• CTE 692 Managing Work-Based Learning Programs (3 credits)
• Electives (12 credits)

Business and Industry Trainer Track

• BED 616 Research Methods (3 credits)
• BED 620 Improvement of Instruction with Technology (3 credits)
• BED 693 Philosophy, Organization, and Administration of CTE (3 credits)
• CTE 622 Instructional Materials and Strategies for Improvement of Instruction (3 credits)
• CTE 625 Problems and Issues (3 credits)
• CTE 660 Organizational Safety and Health (3 credits)
• CTE 692 Managing Work-Based Learning Programs (3 credits)
• CTE 696 Coordinating Training Programs (3 credits)
• Electives (6 credits)

Community College Track

• BED 616 Research Methods (3 credits)
• BED 620 Improvement of Instruction with Technology (3 credits)
• BED 693 Philosophy, Organization, and Administration of CTE (3 credits)
• CTE 622 Instructional Materials and Strategies for Improvement of Instruction (3 credits)
• CTE 625 Problems and Issues (3 credits)
• CTE 692 Managing Work-Based Learning Programs (3 credits)
• Business content electives (12 credits)

Curriculum and Instruction Track

• BED 616 Research Methods (3 credits)
• BED 620 Improvement of Instruction with Technology (3 credits)
• BED 693 Philosophy, Organization, and Administration of CTE (3 credits)
• CTE 622 Instructional Materials and Strategies for Improvement of Instruction (3 credits)
• CTE 625 Problems and Issues (3 credits)
• CTE 692 Managing Work-Based Learning Programs (3 credits)
• Curriculum and instruction electives (12 credits)

Customizable Track

• BED 616 Research Methods (3 credits)
• BED 620 Improvement of Instruction with Technology (3 credits)
• BED 693 Philosophy, Organization, and Administration of CTE (3 credits)
• CTE 622 Instructional Materials and Strategies for Improvement of Instruction (3 credits)
• CTE 625 Problems and Issues (3 credits)
• CTE 692 Managing Work-Based Learning Programs (3 credits)
• Electives (12 credits)

Dual Credit Track

• BED 616 Research Methods (3 credits)
• BED 620 Improvement of Instruction with Technology (3 credits)
• BED 693 Philosophy, Organization, and Administration of CTE (3 credits)
• CTE 622 Instructional Materials and Strategies for Improvement of Instruction (3 credits)
• CTE 625 Problems and Issues (3 credits)
• CTE 692 Managing Work-Based Learning Programs (3 credits)
• Business content electives (12 credits)

Educational Technology Track

• BED 616 Research Methods (3 credits)
• BED 620 Improvement of Instruction with Technology (3 credits)
• BED 693 Philosophy, Organization, and Administration of CTE (3 credits)
• CTE 622 Instructional Materials and Strategies for Improvement of Instruction (3 credits)
• CTE 625 Problems and Issues (3 credits)
• CTE 692 Managing Work-Based Learning Programs (3 credits)
• Educational technology electives (12 credits)

Master Educator Track

• BED 616 Research Methods (3 credits)
• BED 620 Improvement of Instruction with Technology (3 credits)
• BED 693 Philosophy, Organization, and Administration of CTE (3 credits)
• CTE 622 Instructional Materials and Strategies for Improvement of Instruction (3 credits)
• CTE 625 Problems and Issues (3 credits)
• CTE 692 Managing Work-Based Learning Programs (3 credits)
• Electives (12 credits) from:
  • CTE 660 Organizational Safety and Health (3 credits)
  • CTE 696 Coordinating Training Programs (3 credits)
  • EDPS 520 Introduction to the Gifted and Talented Student (3 credits)
  • EDPS 646 Tests and Measurements (3 credits)
  • EDST 671 Evaluation of Educational Programs (3 credits)
  • SPCE 600 Education of Exceptional Children (3 credits)

Special Education Track

• BED 616 Research Methods (3 credits)
• BED 620 Improvement of Instruction with Technology (3 credits)
• BED 693 Philosophy, Organization, and Administration of CTE (3 credits)
• CTE 622 Instructional Materials and Strategies for Improvement of Instruction (3 credits)
• CTE 625 Problems and Issues (3 credits)
• CTE 692 Managing Work-Based Learning Programs (3 credits)
• Electives (12 credits) from:
  • SPCE 577 Introduction to Students with Intensive Intervention Needs
  • SPCE 600 Education of Exceptional Children
  • SPCE 603 Collaboration in Special Education
  • SPCE 632 Introduction to Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
  • SPCE 637 Special Education Law
  • SPCE 686 Introduction: Mild Interventions

MA in Business Education Dual Degree Option

The MA in Business Education can be combined with other master's degrees, allowing students to earn a second master's degree with nine shared credits. The program shares credits with the following online master's degrees:

• M.S. in Accounting
• M.S. in Business Analytics
• Master of Business Administration

It is also possible to earn an MA in Business Education and use coursework from an online graduate certificate to fulfill program electives, including:

• Business Administration
• Business Analytics
• Finance
• Healthcare Administration
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management