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The demands on the modern teacher are high. From balancing the educational needs of varying learning styles to investigating how to use technology to further education, there are many teaching components that are only touched upon in an undergraduate degree program. Many teachers find that they desire additional education after completing their undergraduate degree, turning their thoughts toward a master’s in education.

Is a master’s in education worth it? Why pursue a graduate degree in education? The answer can be found by taking a closer look at some of the benefits involved. That will help you make the right decision for your career.

 

What Are the Benefits of Earning an M.Ed.?

As you consider whether or not to pursue a master’s in education degree, you must consider the benefits of continuing your education and weigh those against your career goals. By earning a master’s degree in the field, you open the door to these specific benefits:

Improve Your Teaching Skills

Today’s teachers understand the challenges of meeting the needs of modern students. The more education you can have as a teacher, the better equipped you will be to meet the needs of your students. A master’s in education gives you the tools you need to reach students where they are, better engage and manage your classroom, and improve educational outcomes for your students.

Focus on a Specialty

Your education undergraduate degree, particularly if you were trained to teach elementary grades, was fairly general in scope. While you would have been introduced to several specialties and subject areas, they were not the main focus of your training. After some years of teaching, you may find that a particular specialty really appeals to your passions.

One of the benefits of a master’s degree in education is the chance you have to pursue that particular specialty through a concentration. Whether it’s reading, history, special education, or even administration, an M.Ed. expands on the foundation you built in a bachelor’s degree and helps you take the next step in your education.

At Post University, our online Master of Education degree offers five concentrations. Students can study curriculum and instruction to gain additional skills in the classroom or in curriculum development. Tech-savvy teachers can pursue a concentration in educational technology or learning design and technology. Teachers interested in the future of the classroom may wish to study online teaching. Finally, teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) is a popular choice for teachers considering a role in ESL education.

Earn Additional Income

Teaching salaries can be structured to reward teachers for their level of education and their years in the classroom. Some school districts offer some sort of financial incentive to public school teachers who have a graduate degree. While this will vary depending on where you choose to teach, you could earn a higher income with additional education in the field.

Develop Leadership Skills

Many master’s in education degrees focus on developing leaders in the field of education. By improving your abilities through advanced training, you will be the teacher in your school that others look up to when they have questions or concerns about their own students. You will also gain confidence in your ability to make decisions in the classroom, and this will naturally make you a better leader in the field.

Become a Principal or School Administrator

If you picture yourself in an educational leadership role, you most likely need to get a master’s degree, preferably in leadership or administration, if possible. Elementary and secondary school administrators typically need a master’s degree as a minimum degree requirement. These more elite positions are highly competitive, and you must have the right training to consider applying for one of these leadership roles.

Keeps You Competitive

The education world can be highly competitive, especially if you are looking for your first teaching position. Having a master’s degree could make you more appealing as an applicant, giving you an important competitive edge.

If you are already established, it can open the door to new opportunities. If a new school opens or a desirable opportunity presents itself inside your existing school, having a master’s degree on your resume will help you stand out. This can be a helpful step to getting a promotion or advancing your career.

Not only that, but your specialization can open the doors to more competitive positions. By having a specialty degree in technology in the classroom, for example, you may be able to work in the technical areas of your school, or if you focus on early childhood you could be first in line for a position in your favorite grade.

Finally, pursuing a master’s in education gives you the chance to get the continuing education credits you need to keep your license active. This, in turn, keeps you competitive, because you are not left scrambling to finish your continuing ed in time for your license renewal. Each state is different when it comes to licensing renewal, so you will need to check renewal requirements with your home state or state you plan to teach.

Increased Credibility

Teachers are experts in education, but teachers with master’s degrees are considered even more credible. Your thoughts on curriculum choices and educational goals could hold more merit in your district. Your increased skills and knowledge could help you gain more trust with the parents of your students, your coworkers, and administrators. You could have more opportunities to lead committees and contribute to policy discussions because of your graduate-level training.

Tuition Reimbursement Options

If your school or district needs specialists or educators with advanced training, you may find that you have tuition reimbursement options available to you. These allow you to tap into district funds to pay for a portion of your education in return for using that education to help the district and its students.

If you are planning to teach in a high-needs area, you may be able to get funds to pay for your education through the TEACH-Grant program. The TEACH-Grant is primarily for undergraduate training, but it may be applied to master’s degrees in select cases. In return for TEACH-Grant money, you agree to work in the challenged school district for a set number of years. If you complete that requirement, you do not have to pay back the funds.

Should You Enroll in an Online or Campus M.Ed. Program?

This list offers a number of answers to the question, “Should I get my master’s degree in education?” What you may need to ask yourself next is whether you should enroll in an online or on-campus M.Ed. That answer depends on your needs.

If you are currently teaching full-time, you will appreciate the flexibility of an online program that will work around your teaching career. This allows you to go to school in the evenings and on weekends while focusing on your students during the school week. If you are just graduating from your bachelor’s degree program and want to go on to get a master’s degree, then learning on-campus may fit your learning style and needs better.

For many, the flexibility of an online degree program is ideal, because it allows the student to start or continue their teaching career while pursuing an advanced degree. Post University offers a fully online Master of Education program that helps today’s educators learn what they need to respond to modern teaching challenges. With five different concentrations available, the Post University M.Ed degree program could fit your needs and goals well. Reach out to the admission office today to learn more about this program or to start the enrollment process.

Thank you for reading! The views and information provided in this post do not reflect Post University programs and/or outcomes directly. If you are interested in learning more about our programs, you can find a complete list of our programs on our website or reach out directly!

Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from any Post program. To learn more about Post’s program and its outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions advisor.