Do you consider yourself a lifelong learner? Are you thinking about increasing your job marketability? Are you interested in advancing your current degree or even adding additional certifications? Would you like to increase your salary? When you begin to investigate options to reach your goal, you will find numerous programs available for educators, all with varying levels of coursework, time commitment, and potential outcomes. With so many possibilities, making a decision can be difficult!
What is a Master’s Degree?
Graduate programs usually consist of a limited number of courses on a very specialized topic. These programs usually require the shortest amount of time to complete, often within a year. The coursework is highly concentrated and designed to meet the needs of a specific career path. Programs such as these allow you to be more flexible by adding additional areas where you can teach or supervise such as a reading specialist, principal, or superintendent letter of eligibility.
These programs provided real-world skills and assist in preparing for any necessary professional certification tests. A master’s degree requires more courses and often takes around two years to complete. These programs provide more in-depth knowledge within a particular field such as reading and literacy, educational administration, special education, or learning, design, and technology. This type of degree has broader applications because you have the opportunity to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Many leadership positions within a school such as department leaders, coaches, and administrative positions may require master’s level knowledge. A doctorate degree requires the most intense coursework as well as a longer time commitment. These programs often take two, three, or more years to finish and require the completion of a dissertation. Beyond gaining knowledge in your field, doctorate coursework has a heavy focus on research, analysis, and writing. Many schools look for doctorate degrees for their top executive positions and can allow individuals to transition their career into academia.
Ultimately, when making a decision you need to reflect on your personal career goals and determine how much time you are willing to commit to your program. Point Park University offers a variety of Master in Education and Master of Arts programs that can easily meet the needs of educators, even those that are currently in the classroom. Point Park’s programs offer a high level of flexibility with in-person, online, and hybrid programs. Many of the programs follow the cohort model which means that you will move throughout the program with the same group of classmates, enhancing your knowledge, and building relationships that last into the future. I still reach out to the support system I build at Point Park when facing challenges or celebrating successes within my current district. Each program is led by highly dynamic educators in their field, provides highly focused content in your area of concentration, as well as allows for opportunities to practice your skills throughout your coursework.
Advantages
Increased Job Opportunities
When looking at the benefits of completing a master’s program, increased job opportunities is often at the top of the list. Adding additional certifications and degrees can open doors both in the present as well as in the future. As someone who sits in a variety of interviews, a candidate with multiple degrees is more coveted than someone with a single degree. Districts are always looking at both their current needs as well as ways to address plans for the future creatively. They also are looking for teachers who are highly skilled. A master’s program can often provide both of those qualities. On the flip side, as someone with additional certifications, I recognize that when I am in search of a new position I have more choices than other educators. I am not limited to simply a handful of positions. The ability to be versatile in an ever-changing climate is so incredibly important!
Increased Salary
Financial compensation is often another advantage of obtaining a master’s degree. Most school districts have salary scales that take into consideration not only the number of years you have been with the district but also the type and level of degree you possess. Salaries in my district are broken down into steps such as Level I, Level II, Masters +15, Masters +30, and doctoral degrees. While retirement is far in my future, I recognize the importance of setting myself up for financial success now and in the future.
What You’ll Learn in a Master’s Degree Program
Ultimately my driving force for returning to the classroom as a student was that I wanted to enhance my skill set and ultimately increase my professional opportunities. I constantly want to grow my knowledge base so that I am better able to problem-solve with my teams. That does not mean that I will always have the answers, but that I have a means and path to work toward a solution.
I believe that I possess a growth mindset and I want to model and share that with those I work with. In addition, I am constantly trying to build upon my leadership skills. I recognize that successful programs, schools, and districts are the result of high-quality transformational leaders. I strive to be one of those and Point Park University has given me the tools so that I will be able to reach that goal.
Advantages of a Graduate Degree through Point Park University
In my case, I completed a master’s program and honestly enjoyed my courses, professors, and classmates so much that I decided to apply for a second program to add a Principal Certification. Were the classes rigorous? Absolutely! I grew as an educator and leader in ways that traditional professional development cannot replicate. Was the work meaningful? You bet!
Everything that I was learning, I was able to apply within my current position. Most importantly, my professors and all of the staff from admissions to graduation supported me every step of the way. The end result not only was I able to grow as a leader in my school but my certifications and degrees also gave me the flexibility and skills to change positions when the timing was right.
Interested in continuing your education? Check out our education graduate programs and take your next step today!