Masters Degree in Education

Education is a constantly changing field due to the introduction of new policies that attempt to make the curriculum more relevant to the world we live in today. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that a lot of states currently only give licenses to individuals who possess a master´s degree in education. Apart from this, any teacher or education professional that is desirous of career advancement would greatly benefit from a master’s degree in education. Considering the fact that a lot of master´s programs vary in their course contents and emphasis, individuals should evaluate the curricula and verify accreditations before selecting an institution.

Masters Degree in Education—Facts

A master’s degree in education can be obtained in a variety of specialties, some of which include: curriculum development and instruction, education supervision, education policy and administration, higher education administration, educational psychology, and several others. Education master´s degrees generally come in two categories; one is tailored for teachers and the other is designed for educational administrators such as principals, deans and other school administrators. Admissions and eligibility requirements include: previous academic transcripts, references and recommendation letters, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject and a personal interview.

Top Schools for an Education Masters Degree

There are several schools in the country that offer a master´s degree in education. A general survey of universities offering education programs was done by U.S. News and some of the top schools in the country include: Vanderbilt University (Peabody), Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Harvard University, Pennsylvania State University—University Park, Michigan State University, University of California—Los Angeles, University of Maryland—College Park, Indiana University—Bloomington and University of Georgia. Some of the top online institutions include: Kaplan University, Walden University, Strayer University, Capella University and Ashford University.

Work Possible with a Masters Degree in Education

Higher education degrees are important for career advancement and several job opportunities typically require individuals with these degrees. Some of the job positions available for holders of higher degrees in education include: elementary and secondary school education administrators, college education administrators, instructional coordinators, adult remedial education instructors, education policy makers with federal and state education boards, lecturers, middle and secondary school vocational education teachers, middle and secondary school teachers and a host of others.

Salary and Outlook in Education

The salaries of individuals with master´s degree in education are usually better than those who only hold bachelor degrees. With this in mind, citing a salary figure is difficult due to several determining factors such as place of employment, geographical location, field, level and experience. However, the average salary of education degree holders usually ranges between $40,000 and $80,000. Lastly, the overall job outlook for education degree holders is favorable due to the increasing demand for professional educators to meet the increasing enrolment in educational institutions.

To conclude, getting a master´s degree in education is necessary for individuals who desire career advancement. However, a careful consideration of the schools, requirements and the cost should be carried out before embarking on any program; this will ensure that the best education can be attained which will in turn result in a more successful future.