Ask any educator: are you a lifelong learner? You’ll likely receive a resounding yes – and for good reason. Educators understand the value in continuing your education even when you are established in your career; they also understand the value in acquiring this knowledge sooner rather than later. Learn about the importance of obtaining your master’s degree early in your career.
How can a Master’s Degree Impact You Currently?
If you are interested in being at the forefront of education, now is the best time to earn that degree. A master’s degree in education can have a great impact on your life, and there are a variety of paths you can pursue. Obtaining a master’s degree will prepare you to educate students in an ever-changing society and help you deliver instructions quickly and confidently by analyzing technology and applying best practices. Master’s degrees extend beyond the traditional bachelor’s degree.
Education is rapidly changing, and new tools have enabled us to complete our schoolwork online which means it is not necessary to quit your primary job in order to enroll in a master’s program. Students can now get their education without ever leaving their house by taking online classes, downloading mobile apps, and submitting all their classwork online.
The master’s degree provides real-life experiences; it allows professionals to advance their practice by developing deep knowledge of their workplace. This gives students the experience to immerse themselves in a subject they are passionate about. Students in a master’s program are often taught government policy because most of them are going to be employed by the federal or state government.
As you choose what major to pursue, there are two important elements you need to look at: salary and expected job growth. For you to stay certified, there are requirements for more professional development sessions or course work beyond the bachelor’s degree. Educators must be lifelong learners: as an education major, it is necessary to stay abreast of ever-changing situations in education. Getting a master’s degree will help you learn new things, and as a result, you will be able to produce better students.
What Career Opportunities are Available with a Master’s Degree?
Total employment in the U.S. economy is projected to grow by 156 million during the 2012-2022 decade to reach 161 million, representing a 10.8 percent employment increase. Occupations that typically require a master’s degree are projected to grow the fastest, 18.4 percent, from 2012 to 2022.
In a field like education, it is important to look at the potential roles and not limit your options. As the field continues to grow, the need for educators and teachers with master’s degrees will always be in high demand.
For a master’s degree you need to be familiar with what type of program you want to pursue. It is essential to take the time to understand what you need in a master’s program and future career opportunities that relate to that degree. Practitioners in the field of education can improve the economic, social, and environment in their communities. Also, take the time to generate professional contacts; this opens up doors for field experts to mentor you or even help you land your next promotion.
Below are some roles in education that can help advance your career:
School Principal
In this role as a school principal, you will oversee all the instruction and operations of a school. This requires a degree that includes a focus on educational administration.. If you are seeking to be in leadership specifically, the best option is to pursue a master’s degree in leadership.
Instructional Coordinator
This is another career that is outside of the traditional classroom: instructional coordinator. In this role, you will oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. This job requires a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.
School Counselor
A school counselor helps students develop academically, socially, and make plans for after graduation. This role is for people who want to develop academic and social skills for students. School counselors earn an average salary of $58,120 with the top 10% commanding salary of over $93,000. This job requires a master’s degree in school counseling.
School Technology Integration and Director of Technology
To pursue this path you will need a degree in instructional design and educational technology. There are a lot of opportunities for jobs in instructional design and educational technology.
Classroom Teacher
If you want to continue in teaching, the best choice is a master’s of art in teaching. This program will prepare you to be critical in your decision-making and prepares you for how to help students develop and learn information. Teachers are social servants dedicated to helping students reach their potential; they need to be equipped with educational skills to understand people and well-versed on subject matter to meet students’ needs.
What Additional Benefits Does a Master’s Degree Provide?
One of the benefits of receiving a master’s degree is preparing for the constant change that occurs in the field. One way to be prepared for the ever-changing industry is never to stop learning. Additional benefits in earning a master’s degree in education include:
Pedagogy
If you are an educator who wants to advance your knowledge and ability to make a difference, a master’s degree is an excellent fit. The degree prepares you for the constant change in the industry and equips you with the skills to analyze these changes to improve your practice.
Leadership
A master’s degree will give you the skills to become a public or private school or school district leader. Earning a degree will help you develop the necessary leadership skills to do so.
Transformation
The master’s degree prepares students to lead and transform educational fields through innovation and policy. It enables educators to shape the needs of education within K-12 and higher education.
Teaching and Learning
Master’s degree candidates work in a broad range of fields. Obtaining a master’s degree provides students with a broad set of teaching practices, classroom management resources, and effective learning strategies.
A Diverse Network
The degree provides students with a diverse network. Students engage in discussions with other students who have similar interests.
Financial
There is also a considerable financial component to the work. Many states require districts to pay teacher salaries based on degrees. Teachers who hold a master’s of education degree earn 15 to 25 percent higher than teachers who hold only bachelor’s degrees.
How can a Master’s Degree Impact the Classroom?
One of the benefits of a master’s degree is to prepare you for the classroom. Teachers learn how to communicate with students, parents, and the community effectively. With the master’s degree, you learn how to solve problems, come up with valuable solutions, and will be equipped to be a team player. These are skills you will need to be an effective classroom teacher.
Several other skills obtained as you are pursuing a master’s degree that will impact the classroom directly are: classroom management, public speaking, evaluating performance, data analysis, and technology integration. Teachers experience and acquire a complete inventory of high-demand skills.
