The educational landscape is constantly evolving and adapting to the needs of our changing times, making it one of the most dynamic fields to be involved in. A graduate degree program for education is designed for experienced educators as well as professionals looking to take their careers in a new direction, giving them both the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge and a functional skill set that could be applied in a real-world setting.
A Degree Designed to Help: Master’s in Education
One of the most common misconceptions about the educational field is that all educators work in classrooms. While the classroom environment in a teacher’s role is ideal for a lot of educators, a master’s degree in education could lead your career outside of this typical setting.
The master’s degree in education curriculum is designed to provide students with a future-forward education, one rooted in the best educational practices of our times that focuses heavily on the most recent research. By analyzing the current issues shaping education today and understanding how to take a data-based approach to learning, students in this graduate degree program are able to fine-tune their career path to accommodate their interests and goals.
What Is a Master of Education?
Known to many industry insiders as an M.Ed. degree, a master’s degree in education is a graduate degree program that promotes the development of advanced teaching skills. It accounts for the changing landscape of the field and incorporates the latest research and trends into its curriculum. As a result, students who enroll in this program have the opportunity to gain advanced skills and knowledge to become more effective educators.
Should I Get a Master’s Degree in Education?
Pursuing a master’s degree in education offers a variety of benefits, including:
- Improving your leadership and classroom management skills.
- Enhancing and building upon your existing teaching skills.
What Could I Study in a Master’s in Education Program?
One of the most common reasons teachers and aspiring educators opt to enroll in a master’s degree program is that it gives them an opportunity to specialize. Many teachers find that they develop an interest or passion for a particular area of education once they start working in the classroom setting, and a master’s degree program allows them to pursue that passion in a way that fuels their career forward.
Specializations
These are some of the most common specializations students consider when enrolled in a master’s in education degree program:
Curriculum and Instruction
No matter if teachers are employed by a large school district, a charter school group, or a private school, they may have opportunities to help design the curriculum and instructional methods that are used in their facilities. For some teachers, the ability to play a hands-on role in curriculum development is particularly rewarding, and they go on to pursue a graduate degree with a specialization in curriculum and instruction.
This area of emphasis prepares educators to:
- Effectively evaluate and assess other educators.
- Design new and engaging learning materials that help the school reach its goals.
- Review and edit existing curricula to bring it up to modern standards.
- Train other faculty members in new curricula.
English Language Learners
The demand for teachers with experience teaching English to speakers of other languages, or TESOL, is on the rise. Educators who have a TESOL certification or earned a master’s degree with a specialization in TESOL have the opportunity to learn to evaluate the needs of students who speak another language as well as develop a personalized plan to help them become fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English. Teachers who graduate with this degree may find themselves working with students in the classroom setting or adult English learners. They may find job opportunities either in a physical classroom or in the virtual sphere.
Educational Technology
Technology is redefining the learning experience for students of all ages and stages. Even in early childhood and elementary classrooms, teachers are working with state-of-the-art technology to improve learning outcomes and create a dynamic, engaging environment for their students.
An educational technology specialization uniquely prepares graduates to implement the most recent technology in the classroom setting. Teachers who want to continue to work in the classroom but are also passionate about up-and-coming technology often find this specialization particularly appealing, as it helps them continue to modernize and redefine classroom life. This specialization allows educators to become proficient in the latest educational technology tools and remain aware of the technology trends that will continue revolutionizing the educational field.
Educational Leadership
An educational leadership specialization is designed to prepare educators to level up their careers, arming them with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead effectively in the school setting. Covering a wide range of topics—such as ethics, educational laws, community building, and organizational leadership techniques—this specialization is ideal for those who want to become principals, department heads, or superintendents.
Popular Career Paths
The concentration you select for your M.Ed. program paired with your personal interests in the field of teaching could influence your career journey after graduating. These are some of the most popular career paths among holders of education master’s degrees.
K-12 Teacher
To land a position as a classroom teacher of elementary through secondary students, most schools require you to have earned a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field. In addition, you must have a teaching certificate from the state in which you wish to teach.
However, there are many existing teachers who want to continue working in the classroom setting after earning their graduate degree. Many teachers find that a master’s degree program helps expand their skill set and develop advanced knowledge in a particular sector of education.
Technology Specialist
Educators who pursue a concentration in educational technology may be able to find work at an individual school or within a district as a technology specialist. The technology specialist often works closely with administrators and educators in a building to effectively implement new technology, train educators to use it properly, and address any issues and tech troubleshooting that may arise. This is an ideal position for those who enjoy collaboration and are passionate about incorporating technology into the educational experience for learners at all levels.
Higher Education
Even teachers need to rely on good teachers to become better at what they do. Educators interested in the field of higher education could find that a master’s degree is a worthwhile investment. After completing their degree program, they often go on to work as instructors or professors at the collegiate or university level. They are able to lean on their advanced knowledge of the best teaching practices of today to develop the teachers who will lead the classrooms of tomorrow.
Educational Leadership
Educational leadership is a common career path after earning a master’s in education degree. With a combination of experience in the classroom and practical knowledge about organizational management, graduates could pursue positions as principals, deans, department supervisors, or even superintendents. In order to focus your career on educational leadership opportunities, you may want to pursue a master’s degree with a concentration in educational leadership, as that program would offer the specialized coursework to prepare you to effectively manage a team of professionals who are passionate about education.
Elevate Your Career With a Master’s in Education Degree
With a master’s in education degree, you could take control of your professional pursuits in a way that aligns with both your formal experience and personal passions. At Post University, we offer an online master’s degree in education rooted in the best research-based educational practices, ensuring you receive an academic experience that is relevant to your career goals.
Are You Ready to Get Your Master’s in Education Degree?
If you have decided that a Master’s Degree in Education makes the most sense for you, check out the MEd program at Post University to find out more. You can go online and visit the school website or contact us for more information.
Post University is proud to offer a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Administration, Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching, and a Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners (TELL), these certifications include coursework that could help you build a foundation of valuable insights. Plus, for your convenience, these graduate certificates in education are offered entirely online. Get in touch to request more information about this certificate program, or start your application today.
The Master of Education degree is not designed to fulfill the educational requirements for any educational credential, such as a state teacher’s license or TESOL certification.
Post University assists in researching and providing information regarding licensure; however, each state has different requirements for such licensure outside of the required education. Such state requirements may include licensure exams, background checks, certain work experience, and more. It is ultimately the responsibility of each student to manage their own licensure process and to ensure that all requirements are met in order for the student to obtain licensure. Post University does not speak on behalf of any licensing board or body and does not guarantee licensure.
Requirements for licensure are subject to change without notice. Learn about teaching certification requirements through the state departments of education: https://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html.
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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 programs and their outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions advisor.