If you are an educator, you may already know that advanced degrees exist in education. However, you may be wondering if pursuing these advanced degrees is worth it and whether they can help you advance your career. While a master’s in education can lead to a pay increase, it is also a great source of both personal and professional development. Below, we are going to look at some ways in which earning a master’s in education degree can make a positive impact on your life and the lives of your students as well as some great reasons why it is worth it.
Become a Better Teacher
All teachers are encouraged to invest in professional development. A master’s degree helps them improve professionally by arming them with new and improved teaching techniques and skills. These new skills and techniques can help them engage with their students better. While a teacher may have a mastery of their subject material as well as instruction skills, completing an advanced degree takes their skills to the next level which leads to better student engagement and ultimately better learning outcomes.
It Opens Up New Positions
There are so many positions in the education system, with lots of teachers not knowing about these positions. With a master’s in education, these positions become available to you and you may even end up going in a different career trajectory after getting your masters. For example, many teachers end up in teacher leadership training once they complete their degrees. Some educators also end up in the non-profit or corporate sectors.
While many teachers are only interested in educating the next generation, some are interested in making an impact outside the classroom. A master’s in education gives them the skills they need to apply the science of teaching in the corporate and non-profit centres as development and training professionals.
Transitioning into Administration
If you are interested in transitioning into administration, you should strive to earn your master’s degree in education as soon as possible. Effective administrators understand curriculum development, leadership and how to engage students, parents and other staff members.
An on-campus or online master’s programme will arm you with the knowledge and credentials required to tackle all the challenges above plus many others that come with the job. A popular option for those who want to get into administration is enrolling in an online master’s degree in education programme with a focus on creating leaders in education. Also, an online degree allows teachers to keep working as they will need experience when they apply for administrative positions.
It Leads to Better Pay
While there are educators who are only interested in earning a master’s degree in education so they can become better educators, the increased pay that comes with an advanced degree is always welcome. A teacher with a master’s degree might earn 10-20% more than one who does not have one.
In addition to better pay, having a master’s degree makes you a better hire. Because of this, you increase the chances of always being picked first when you apply for jobs. This makes advancing in your careers a lot easier than if you did not have the degree.
It Opens Up Networking Opportunities
Whether you go back to college to earn a masters or do it online, doing either opens up lots of opportunities for professional networking. Even if gaining a master's degree might be costly, the connections you end up making are invaluable.
The people who end up in your professional group can help you come up with lesson plans or solutions on how to navigate different situations in the classrooms. These connections will also come in handy when you decide to look for a job outside the classroom, maybe in the corporate or non-profit sectors.
It Helps You Develop Your Speciality
A master’s degree helps you become an authority in a specific field and gives you the instructional skills you need to focus on a specific area. For example, you could be interested in teaching a specific age group or in creating nice areas of study. Either way, an advanced degree will help you thrive and be able to help students see better outcomes.
Unique Job Opportunities
In many places, a master’s degree is usually enough to teach at the college level. Having a master’s degree can help you land a teaching position at the local college. You could teach during the weekends, evenings or the summer for some extra cash if you have some free time.
You Can Become an Advocate
Getting your master’s degree and becoming an educational leader can help you become an expert in your locality. Because of this, you get a voice that you can use to advocate for your students. Your advocacy can also be geared towards bringing system-wide changes that help your students.
The reasons for becoming an advocate differ with each person who follows this path, but the most common one cited is ensuring students get the best education possible. You can become a part of making that possible.
It Makes a Career Change Easier
Transitioning to a new career can be difficult, especially if you do not have the right qualifications or experience. Having a master’s degree can make it easier to change careers to another area in or outside the school. Additionally, the master's degree makes you seem like a serious candidate who has a passion for education and can also compensate for the experience you do not have.
When you are in the world of education, you might want to be a student again, to pursue new opportunities or to work outside the classroom. All of these can be made possible by earning a master’s in education degree. With the advanced skills you gain by completing a master’s degree, you will be able to expand your horizons and open up a lot more career opportunities compared to those with a bachelor’s degree. For those who want to earn their degree while working, an online degree is a great option.
