Many decisions exist during the day, and it can quickly become overwhelming. And with more choices than ever before, it’s no longer about choosing either vanilla or chocolate in the cone. While some decisions are minute in nature, such as dinner choices or which book to read, it escalates when someone chooses to pursue their education at a higher level.
Choices become more integral when looking at master’s programs because they can often concretize the path for life. How to choose the best master’s program for you is not a one-size-fits-all approach. So, how does someone choose the best program, and which elements must one think about when selecting?
Career Goals
Short-Term Goals
If a person has decided to explore a master’s program, they have already assessed motivations and passions, though those can continue to change. But the next step is to determine short-term goals.
One must keep career and professional development goals in mind, and small steps toward those goals must also be in place. Thinking about demands in one’s life currently is essential:
- Family
- Current employment
- Personal goals
- Cost of schooling
What do you want in six months? One year? Plan out what you must do to achieve these goals, and reward yourself for them. Narrowing down the best master’s in education programs for you means not rushing a decision.
Long-Term Goals
As an educator processes short-term goals, one cannot avoid thinking about the long-term effects of a graduate degree. What is the master’s program’s duration while also considering the learning environment and requirements? A teacher needs to consider all types of learning, ranging from in-person, online, or a hybrid version of those two plans.
Are there opportunities to build in independent studies to enhance learning or experience internships? Consider whether the program can open some long-term career doors.
One must do a cost-benefit analysis, as well. A teacher must determine the worth of attending and then thoroughly research that particular career’s projected income and job growth. The decision comes with a hefty price tag and shouldn’t be chosen on a whim. This is a life-changing event that has valuable repercussions.
With the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the massive changes in the world, a professional educator must consider both short and long-term effects. They must evaluate the significance of social-emotional learning, personally, and for those with whom a person is collaborating in the workplace.
Students and teachers are dealing with a change in the educational world, so has this manifested itself in a master’s program? What has been implemented to address the technological requirements in the classroom or the pedagogical strategies needed to address the learning loss that has occurred? These are all questions that require answers to choose the program that will help someone make a program choice.
Format
With the virtual platform dominating the last couple of years, an educator should consider whether the master’s program consists of online courses and find the best online master’s programs for them. This can work well for schedules, as previously mentioned.
If an educator is in the classroom and can practice what is taught in the program, field testing can occur during the designed lessons. But if an educator is moving from an undergraduate program to the next level very early in their career, it may not be the appropriate experience.
The benefits of in-person learning are numerous. Fewer distractions exist, which supports concentration on the information. This environment allows for strong experiences and building relationships, which may be the best option for teachers in cementing philosophies after earning the master’s certification.
Not only students but teachers discover their most enriching experiences can derive from hearty discussions, group collaborations, and differentiated learning within the physical classroom. Consideration for these ideas must occur before choosing a program.
This does not dictate that a hybrid or online environment cannot work for a teacher to complete graduate school. When gauging course requirements, they may determine that a course online can complement an in-person experience or work life while supporting that individual’s busy schedule. Everyone learns differently.
Academic Resources and Opportunities
In conjunction with determining a learning environment, one must also explore the academic resources offered through a particular program. On-campus certainly includes access to its library, but career resources are just as significant:
- Available career guides
- Graduate student pathway guides
- Access to faculty or future faculty experiences
Consider checking in on the Academic/Student Affairs office to ascertain these answers because they all pertain to one’s program choice.
Faculty and Staff
How this connects to faculty and staff is an area imperative to consider when exploring options. Does an educator’s vision of a master’s program align with those they are collaborating with? Do the highlights and plan match up with the current administration’s plan? Is there a connection with the district’s mission and vision statement?
It may not make sense to chase after a master’s degree if one doesn’t have the chance to implement its ideas within the district or classroom, especially if peers don’t have the same academic goals.
Affordability
Most likely, a choice is dependent on the financial capabilities a person can manage, which is why the cost-benefit analysis is so critical. Does the program or school offer scholarships or grants at that level? Does it consider any financial aid at this level, whether a state school or a private institution?
If not, can one be in a position to borrow money, or are there already school loans with which to contend? Resources exist to help out, such as:
Essentially, all these elements play into the “why” factor and determining the best options for graduate school. As one explores potentialities and priorities, decisions must be made for the self and not what others think someone should do or simply building a resume. This is a decision that impacts a professional life forever.
Interested in advancing your career with a graduate degree? Check out our available master’s degree programs and get started today!
