There are many reasons educators set out to pursue a master’s degree. For starters, it furthers one’s educational credentials and helps enhance their teaching skills.
Having a master’s degree opens more doors for leaders in schools. It also helps teachers stay informed about the best ways to teach and the latest tools available.
And, of course, it increases a teacher’s earning potential. A master’s in instructional technology is just one type of master’s degree a teacher can pursue. Read on to find out more about a master’s in instructional technology and the benefits of getting this degree.
What is a Master’s in Instructional Technology?
A master’s in instructional technology is an advanced degree designed to teach educators how to utilize technology effectively in the classroom.
To enhance students’ achievement, programs such as this explore various educational tools, and the approaches educators can take to incorporate them into their instruction.
It puts emphasis on authentic real-world application that teachers can bring straight back to their classroom. It inspires teachers to create new and exciting ways to teach. This can include single lesson plans or the entire subject curriculum.
A master’s in instructional technology will redefine the way teachers approach technology instruction in order to create and design lessons that were previously unimaginable.
Taking between one to two years to complete, this 30-36 credit hour degree has options to be completed in person or online at a variety of universities.
While the price of a master’s degree varies, The US News and World Report estimates the payout being between $8,000 and $32,000, at the highest end.
Who Should Pursue a Master’s in Instructional Technology?
A master’s in instructional technology is a degree suited for many. Teachers frequently discover that this master’s degree is quite useful, since much of the material they study can be directly applied to their classrooms.
Instructional designers, such as professionals who create lessons and materials for instruction, are also good candidates.
Additionally, this degree would be perfect for school technology coordinators or educational technologists.
Online program coordinators and distance learning teachers might find a master’s degree in instructional technology to be a perfect fit for their roles.
Finally, any teacher at any level preschool-higher education would be able to gain beneficial knowledge by earning a degree in instructional technology. It is a master’s that is applicable, easy to implement, and adds excitement to every classroom.
There really isn’t any staff in the educational field that couldn’t gain valuable learning from pursuing this degree.
How a Master’s in Instructional Technology Can Advance Your Career
Receiving a master’s in instructional technology can advance your career in many ways. For starters, it can increase your earnings between 10%-15% or $3,000 to $7,000 depending on your experience and the state you teach in.
Based on a typical teacher’s salary, this can make a big difference in your annual income. The sooner in your career you receive your masters, the faster you can start earning this pay increase and reap the financial benefits of it.
Having a master’s degree is required for some teaching positions. A school principal, instructional coordinator, or educational consultant all often require a master’s degree to even be considered for the position. Additionally, media specialists or learning coordinators require a master’s degree.
Without this additional schooling, you won’t be able to advance your degree outside of entry level teaching positions. For some, that is right where they want to spend their career. Others may need to consider other avenues they are interested in and what post graduate schooling is required for those higher-level educator roles.
Benefits of a Master’s in Instructional Technology
There are other reasons besides the thicker paycheck to pursue an instructional technology degree. The content you learn in these courses is directly applicable to your teaching.
It is a make-and-take masters, a degree where you can practice your learning with your students in real time. It is also a master’s that is very valuable in this 21st century world.
Almost every educational setting utilizes technology in some way or some form. Without any background in technology, one would not be very marketable for even the most basic teaching roles.
Finally, a master’s degree in instructional technology will help you to engage students more effectively by incorporating technology in innovative and exciting ways in their daily activities. Instructional technology provides opportunities for modification and redefinition from old and past teaching practices.
By using the skills educators acquire in their instructional master’s degrees, students will be able to redefine how they work to master standards and meet learning targets.
There are many reasons educators set out to pursue a master’s degree. It advances their educational credentials and enhances their teaching skills. It creates leadership opportunities and makes teachers more marketable.
Not to mention it redefines approaches to instruction in ways that were previously unimaginable. Technology is the world we live in, and will be the world our students work in. It is the past, present and future, and a degree in instructional technology will only benefit everyone it touches.
Love technology? Love teaching? Love teaching people how to use technology? Love leading and working with students and adults alike? If you said yes, what are you waiting for? Get a degree in EdTech!
