Today’s educators are navigating rapid change — from new technologies and diverse learner needs to evolving expectations around equity, leadership, and impact. In this Q&A, Associate Professor of Education and Master of Arts in Education Program Chair Dr. Shari Farris shares how UMass Global’s newly revised online MA in Education is designed to meet working professionals where they are, connect theory to real-world practice, and help them grow as reflective, research-informed leaders in their classrooms, organizations, and communities.
Q1. Please introduce yourself and describe your current role within UMass Global’s new program.
Dr. Shari Farris: My name is Dr. Shari Farris, and I currently serve as an Associate Professor leading and supporting the newly revised Master of Arts in Education here at UMass Global. In this role, I lead the academic direction of the program, oversee curriculum design and continuous improvement, and work closely with faculty, instructional designers, support staff, and university leadership to ensure the program is rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the needs of today’s educators. I am also deeply involved in supporting students throughout their graduate journey and ensuring the program aligns with accreditation standards, workforce expectations, and best practices in adult learning.
Q2. What inspired you or the university to launch this program at this time?
Dr. Shari Farris: The decision to launch the revised version of our online master’s in education at this time was driven by both the evolving needs of the education profession and UMass Global’s commitment to continuous improvement, access, and innovation. Educators in various settings today are navigating increasingly complex challenges ranging from changing student needs and learning environments to advancing equity, technology integration, and data-informed decision-making. This revision allowed us to thoughtfully reimagine the program so it is more flexible, practice‑based, and aligned with the real-world contexts educators face.
The updated program reflects extensive feedback from faculty, students, and workforce partners and emphasizes meaningful choice, application to professional practice, and clear alignment between coursework and educators’ career goals. By launching this revised program now, the university is ensuring that educators are equipped with relevant skills, confidence, and research‑informed strategies they can immediately apply in their classrooms, organizations, and communities.
Q3. What kind of students will excel in this program? Are there particular backgrounds, interests, or goals that are a great fit?
Dr. Shari Farris: Students who excel in the Master of Arts in Education are reflective practitioners who are motivated to improve their practice and positively impact learners, organizations, or communities. The program is well suited for educators, instructional leaders, trainers, and professionals working in K–12, higher education, nonprofit, corporate training, or related fields. It is also a strong fit for individuals who value inquiry, equity, and evidence‑based decision‑making.
Learners who thrive in this program tend to be curious problem‑solvers who want to connect theory to real‑world practice, explore meaningful problems of practice, and apply what they learn directly to their professional contexts.
Q4. How is this program structured to support adult learners, working professionals, or career changers?
Dr. Shari Farris: The newly revised Master of Arts in Education is designed to serve students from diverse educational contexts, supporting educators and professionals both nationally and globally. The program is intentionally designed with adult learners in mind. Courses are structured to be flexible, applied, and relevant, allowing students to balance academic work with professional and personal responsibilities. Learning experiences are grounded in authentic scenarios and practical applications so that students can immediately connect coursework to their current roles or future career goals. Rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all approach, the program emphasizes purposeful choice and personalization. This structure supports working professionals who want to deepen their expertise as well as career changers who are entering education, training, or related fields and need a strong conceptual foundation paired with practical skill development.
Q5. What support services are available to the students through this program?
Dr. Shari Farris: Students who take the Master of Education online have access to a wide range of academic and institutional support services designed to promote success from enrollment through graduation. These include academic advising, library and research support, writing and scholarly resources, and technology assistance. Faculty also play a key role in student support by providing timely feedback, clear expectations, and guidance throughout each course.
The program is built around a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to engage, reflect, and grow with confidence. Resources are designed to meet the needs of adult learners who may be returning to graduate study after time away or navigating graduate‑level expectations for the first time.
Q6. What do you hope students take away both professionally and personally?
Dr. Shari Farris: Professionally, we want graduates to leave the program with confidence in their ability to analyze problems of practice, make informed decisions, and apply research‑informed strategies in meaningful ways. Students should feel prepared to lead change, adapt to ever-changing educational contexts, and continue growing as reflective professionals.
On a personal level, we hope students gain clarity about their values, purpose, and professional identity, and finish the program with a stronger sense of agency, resilience, and pride in their work. Ultimately, the goal is for graduates to leave, not only with a degree, but with a renewed commitment to learning, leadership, and making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Q7. What excites you most about teaching in this program or mentoring students through it?
Dr. Shari Farris: What excites me most is the opportunity to work alongside educators who are deeply committed to growth, reflection, and meaningful change in their professional contexts. As an Associate Professor at UMass Global and Program Chair for the MA in Education, I have the privilege of guiding students as they connect their lived experiences to research, examine real problems of practice, and develop solutions that have immediate relevance and impact in their work.
I am especially energized by mentoring adult learners as they gain confidence in their professional voice and begin to see themselves as leaders and change agents. Many students enter the program with important questions about their practice or career direction, and it is rewarding to support them as those questions evolve into clarity, purpose, and action. Watching students grow both academically and personally and recognizing how their work influences learners, organizations, and communities is what makes teaching in this program so meaningful to me.
Q8. Is there anything else that you would like to share that we haven’t covered?
Dr. Shari Farris: For those considering an online master’s in education, my encouragement is to view this decision as an investment in both your professional growth and your sense of purpose as an educator. Graduate study is not about having all the answers. It is about being willing to ask meaningful questions, reflect on your practice, and grow into the kind of professional who teaches and leads with intention and impact. This program is designed to meet you where you are and support where you want to go, whether that path involves advancing in your current role, expanding into new educational areas, or rediscovering your professional voice. If you are committed to learning, improving, and making a difference, this journey can be both transformative and deeply rewarding.
If you are ready to deepen your practice, clarify your professional direction, and lead meaningful change in your educational setting, the visit the Master of Arts in Education program to learn more. UMass Global can help you take that next step.
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