More Information About Masters in Education

What should I know when considering a degree in Masters in Education ?

A Master's in Education degree is the logical choice for anyone with a bachelor's degree who is looking into furthering their teaching career and enhancing their job satisfaction. Earning a Master's in Education offers increased salary rates, rewarding job prospects and potential for career expansion. There are also many specializations within Master's in Education programs. Teachers can focus on teaching, adult education, curriculum and instruction, and many other areas.

Earning your Master's in Education online is the perfect way to continue working while furthering your education. Online Master's in Education usually take on average two years to complete but that depends on your schedule. The great advantage of a distance education master degree is the flexibility, freedom and convenience that are offered to you, the student. Work and study part-time or full time; it is completely up to you. There are many different online schools you can choose from so you can find the best program suited to your career goals.

A Higher Level of Understanding

When receiving your Master's in Education, you can expect comprehensive research methodology, critical discussions on readings and applied classroom learning practicum. Unlike a bachelor's degree in education, a Master's in Education goes well beyond the basic and covers extensive reading material and classroom management skills for a more comprehensive understanding of the curriculum and the students.

Research and discussions will look at the history and theory of curriculum in K-12. This will enable you, as a teacher, to fully grasp the learning concepts and teaching modules of your grade specialty. Furthermore, you will be taught early childhood education theory and classroom management skills. A Master's in Education also examines the principles of supervision, diversity issues in the classroom, various trends and teaching methods.

The skills you obtain from a Master's in Education will provide you with a fuller understanding of your vocation. You will be able to relate to your students, receive their respect and control the classroom with ease. Furthermore, you will greatly improve their level of learning and understanding. With a Master's of Education, you will have an inclusive view of every aspect of teaching which only stands to benefit both you and your students.

Careers and Salaries in Education

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, a teacher with a master's degree will make an average $200 per week more than a teacher with just a bachelor's degree. This can add up to over $10,000 per year, increasing a starting teacher's salary from $31,000 to $48,000 per year.

A Master's in Education allows teachers to continue their careers as elementary, middle or high school teachers if they so choose but at a higher level of pay. They also gain the extra qualifications to further their careers if that is their choice. Those with an M.Ed can advance to educate students at post secondary colleges or universities. There are also numerous opportunities in administration roles for qualified teachers with an M.Ed including assistant principal, principal and superintendent positions.

Post secondary teachers benefit from flexible schedules, intellectual stimulating surroundings and rewarding financial compensation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the yearly median salary for post secondary teachers in 2006 was $56,120. However, the highest 10 per cent of post secondary education teachers made well over $100,000. Jobs opportunities for post secondary education teachers are quickly expanding. In fact, The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 382,000 new jobs will open up between the years 2006-2016. That is a 23 per cent increase and one of the largest numbers of new job openings for any occupation.

Administration roles gained by completing a Master's in Education are also on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, administrative roles including principals, assistant principals and academic deans, will increase by 12 per cent between the years 2006-2016. The financial compensation for education administrators averaged $77,740 in 2006; however, there is potential to make over $140,000 per year as an education administrator with a Master's in Education.

Teaching Quality

A Master's of Education is not only advantageous to you, but it will also benefit your students. The more educational skills and experience you have from a Master's in Education, the better opportunities students will have to learn and understand the subject matter. Under the No Child Left Behind Act, in accordance with the Department of Education, the United States will work towards closing the gap and further enhancing the education for all children in public school. You can do your part to ensure students are getting the most out of their education by attaining a Master's of Education.

In addition to the No Child Left Behind Act, the Department of Education will work towards hiring highly qualified teachers. According to the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, the United States will undergo statewide Higher Teacher Quality (HTQ) improvement programs designed to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and principals. Attaining your Master's in Education is the best move you can make to ensure that you meet the highly qualified teacher status and thus benefit from the incentives offered. These incentives include higher salaries, competitive career placement and supplemental job security.

A Master's in Education is the logical and easily attainable next step to an intellectually stimulating, financially rewarding and overall fulfilling career.

Article References

Bureau of Labor Statistics
Education Administrators
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos007.htm
Teachers- Post Secondary
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos066.htm
Teachers- Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle and Secondary School
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos069.htm

Department of Education
No Child Left Behind
http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherqual/index.html

What are the leading schools offering programs in Masters in Education ?

• University of Phoenix - Education Founded in 1976, University of Phoenix Online is the largest private university in the United States offering Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in Education. The University of Phoenix also meets individual requirements set by state education departments which means a degree earned at the University of Phoenix is guaranteed to be honored in all states in the U.S. ( More Info )
• Liberty University Online With more than 40 online degrees offered, Liberty University is a convenient, flexible, and affordable way to earn an accredited degree from a solid, Christian perspective. ( More Info )
• Walden University Walden University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offers Ph.D., master's and bachelor's degrees in management and doctoral and master's degrees in psychology, education and health and human services to meet the specific needs of adult learners. Walden University has over 30 years of experience delivering programs from a distance while maintaining its student-centered focus on quality and integrity. ( More Info )
• Regis University Online Founded in 1877, Regis University Online offers college education in the form of Bachelor and Master Degrees in Business, Information Technology, Education, and Management. Accelerated online learning allows students to progress at an individually comfortable pace and tailor-fit courses to match their career goals. ( More Info )
• Western Governors University Western Governors University emphasizes mastery of essential skills and knowledge in your field, basing progress toward your online degree on passing rigorous assessments (such as tests, projects, assignments, etc.) instead of accumulating credit hours. We call it competency-based learning. WGU offers Bachelors and Masters degree programs in Healthcare, Business, MBA, IT and Education. ( More Info )
• Jones International University Founded in 1993, Jones-International University is the first regionally accredited online university providing quality education for busy adults. JIU offers customized degree programs for a Bachelor Degree in Business or an MBA, Masters in Education, and Masters in Business Communication. ( More Info )
• California Coast University Online Established in 1973, California Coast University has enabled working adults without the time or access to a physical school with the opportunity to complete degree training programs that can open new career doors. Flexible distance-learning classes ensure that students will earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in Business Administration, Management, Psychology, and Health Care Administration in as much or as little time as they have available. ( More Info )
• Capella University (Graduate) Capella University offers online graduate degree learning in Education, Human Services, Psychology, Business, and Technology. Students earn master and doctorate degrees while preparing for professional entry-level and advanced career opportunities - all without entering a classroom. ( More Info )
• USC Rossier School of Education University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education is one of the world's premier centers for graduate study in urban education. Experienced faculty and staff prepare and develop educational leaders through the latest technology and online capabilities to provide students with options for successful learning. ( More Info )
• Ashford University (Graduate) Founded in 1918, Ashford University (Graduate) specializes in Teacher Education and Organizational Leadership. Students choose from Master degrees in business, psychology, criminal justice, and teaching. The accelerated classes will offer you a swift path to program completion for a degree in MBA or Master of Arts in Teaching/Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology. ( More Info )
• Graceland University Founded in 1895, Graceland University is a religiously affiliated school which offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. The school offers Nursing and Education degrees in an entirely online format via its Global Campus. The Global campus offers convenience for busy working professionals who want to further their nursing or education careers. ( More Info )
• Dominican University Dominican University online offers a series of Masters in Education programs designed for working teachers who wish to advance their careers and increase their pay. The programs offered are MAED's in Elementary Education, English as a Second Language and Reading. The Master's programs can be taken whenever and wherever the students want to, so long as an Internet connection is available. ( More Info )
• New England College The New England College online master degree programs were developed by industry leaders and respected academia. These programs were designed with the intention of providing a specialized degree for busy professionals who want to augment their current education and experience in their field to remain ahead in an increasingly competitive market. ( More Info )
• The University of Scranton The University of Scranton Online is designed for working teachers, and its Masters in Curriculum & Instruction prepares working teachers for higher pay, transitioning into administrator roles and overall better effectiveness in the classroom. Students can choose from two different concentrations – an MS in Curriculum and Instruction or an MS in Educational Administration. ( More Info )