Advanced degrees are usually helpful in improving and strengthening your skillset as a teacher and preparing you to move into administrative or leadership roles.
A Master’s in Education plays a crucial role in helping you further your teaching career and advancing your knowledge of how students learn.
After obtaining your master’s in education, you may be wondering about the next degree to pursue.
In this article, we will review what a master’s in education is all about and the degrees you can pursue after obtaining one.
The Next Degree After A Master’s In Education
To further advance your knowledge after obtaining a Master’s in education, you have two options of doctorate programs to choose from;
- Doctor of Education (EdD)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education
The program you decide to enroll in depends on the career you are interested in pursuing.
- Read Also: Do You Need A Masters To Get A Phd?
Doctor Of Education (EdD)
The Doctor of Education curriculum focuses on research and the application of ideas designed to benefit the industry.
Graduates learn to influence educational policy, affecting positive change from the top. This degree helps you stay competitive in your field while preparing you for a variety of administrative roles.
It is targeted at professionals who want to learn to leverage educational leadership skills. A residency is required for completion of this program.
Research has found that the most common careers for individuals with an EdD are;
- Post-secondary education administrators – $94,340 per year
- Elementary and secondary school education administrators – $98,880 per year
- Top executives – $104,980 per year
- Instructional coordinators – $64,450 per year
Doctor Of Philosophy (PhD) In Education
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education is intended for individuals interested in post-secondary academia or research positions.
This degree requires a dissertation on original and significant research within traditional educational and community-based educational contexts extending from early childhood through mature adulthood.
The PhD in Education tends to lend credibility, expertise, and social mobility and as a graduate, you will be skilled in research and technical expertise.
Students of the program can conduct research in their area of interest and make discoveries and contributions to knowledge in the process.
Compared to the Doctor of Education (EdD), the Doctor of Philosophy curriculum is more heavily focused on research and it is less widely applicable across industries.
PhD in Education graduates typically work as post-secondary professors or education researchers. The PhD in Education may also be applied to administrative positions related to education such as chief learning officer, superintendent, dean, or even director of education.
What Is A Master’s In Education?
A master’s in education is an advanced or postgraduate degree that students can enroll in upon completing a bachelor’s degree.
It was designed with the intent to help teachers strengthen their subject knowledge, pedagogy, and classroom skill set. A master’s in education teaches instructional theories and the best practices within the field of education.
The coursework will vary depending o the program you enroll in. However, topics like instructional design, differentiated learning, educational leadership, curriculum design, and teaching for diverse and inclusive classrooms are standard and you can expect to cover them.
Typically, a master’s in education takes about two years to complete. Although the duration varies depending on the school and program, most EdD programs run between 12-18 months long.
An advanced degree like a master’s in education not only boosts your earning potential, but also positions you to move into leadership roles, becoming school principals, policymakers, or higher education administrators, among other opportunities.
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What Can You Do With A Master’s In Education?
A master’s degree in education provides you with a wider range of options or careers to choose from. The following are some popular jobs for holders of a master’s in education.
ESL Teacher
ESL is an acronym for English as a Second Language. ESL teachers prepare lessons to help non-native English speakers learn to speak, read, write and understand the language.
Their coursework is both verbal and written. ESL teachers may work for public or private schools, and language academies, or offer private lessons out of the homes or the homes of students.
These professionals may also develop personalized instruction based on a student’s ability level. According to statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for an adult basic, secondary education, and ESL teacher is $55,350 per year.
Education Specialist
Education Specialists plan and coordinate educational programs within professional, public, or community settings. They work hand in hand with teachers and administrators to develop new teaching methods, curricula, and assessment methods.
They also facilitate classes, workshops, seminars, and/or training services. As an Education Specialist with a master’s in education, you are liable to get bigger and better opportunities, higher pay, and a competitive advantage against other applicants.
According to a report by Indeed, the average salary for an Education Specialist in the United States is $53,646 per year.
Corporate Trainer
Corporate trainers work in professional settings to develop programs that help employees thrive in their respective positions.
They are charged with the responsibility of identifying employees who need additional training, developing training programs, managing budgets for training, evaluating the success of training programs, and so on.
They also train teams in person to develop their skills or create entire training programs used to teach and train staff or employees. The average annual salary of a corporate trainer is $57,254.
Career Counselor
Career counselors help students begin, change, or advance their careers. Theirjobb description may include one-on-one conversations, assessments, activities, and projects designed to help career seekers make the most of their strengths.
Career counselors may work in high schools or colleges and earn an average of $58,120 annually.
Principal
A principal leads the whole school community, including students, teachers, staff, parents, and community partners. The principal is the highest administrative position within the field of education. They are the liaison between the school and the district leadership and ensure that the schools are run properly.
In most states to qualify or get to the rank of a principal, you must hold a master’s degree in education. Principals earn an average annual salary of $98,940.
Education Researcher
Education Researchers are neither teachers nor consultants. These professionals create and conduct studies that yield information regarding particular aspects of education.
They evaluate academic departments to deduce the strengths and weaknesses of their curricula ensuring that departments are operating efficiently and effectively. On average, the annual salary for EducationResearchers is $67,375.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Masters Degree To Get In Education?
– Master of Education.
– Master’s in Teaching.
– Master’s in English Education.
– Master’s in Mathematics Education.
– Master’s in Special Education.
– Curriculum and Instruction.
– Early Childhood Education.
– Higher Education.
Why Should I Do Masters In education?
A master’s degree in education helps you to understand your role better as an educator. It gives you insight into the way the administration system works. It also provides you with a better understanding of the teaching methods, and the theories behind them.
What Is The Difference Between Masters In Education And Masters In Teaching?
The major difference is that while the master’s in teaching focuses more directly on teaching and classroom management, the master’s in education is a broader degree, applicable to not only a classroom career but also to jobs in administration, curriculum development, and education policy.
Can I Teach With A Masters In Education?
Yes, you can. A Masters in Education allows you to work at specialist institutions or a higher level with an older age group.
What Do Teachers Usually Get Their Masters In?
Teachers usually get their master’s degrees in Education (M. Ed.), Arts in Teaching (MAT), or one of any number of teaching master’s degree programs that focus on a specific subject area.
Is It Worth It For A Teacher To Get A Masters Degree?
Statistics show that teaching professionals with master’s degrees earn higher salaries in every state compared to teachers with bachelor’s degrees.
Do Most Teachers Have A Masters Degree?
Most public and private schools require teachers to have a bachelor’s degree and state-specific certification. Even though a master’s degree is not a requirement, nearly half of all teachers do possess a master’s degree. This is according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Where Can I Work With Masters In Education?
Special Education Teacher jobs.
Social Educator jobs.
Nursing Instructor jobs.
Professor of Nursing jobs.
Clinical Instructor jobs.
Early Childhood Educator jobs.
Teacher jobs.
Head of Faculty jobs.
Can I Get A Master’s In Education With A Bachelor’s In Something Else?
Yes, you can. Certain programs accept students with any bachelor’s degree. In some cases, programs even accept associate degree graduates into a master’s program.
What Is The Difference Between Bachelor’s Of Education And Master’s Of Education?
A bachelor’s degree is a four-year degree program that is earned at the undergraduate level, while a master’s degree is a postgraduate degree that is usually earned in two years on average.
Conclusion
If you wish to advance your studies after obtaining your master’s education, there are two options available for you. Either you pursue the Doctor of Education program (EdD) or the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (EdD).
Pursuing any of these advanced degrees not only increases your knowledge in the field of education but also opens doors to career advancement and greater earning potential.
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