Becoming a teacher is no easy feat. It takes hours of coursework preparation, schooling, and knowing how to interact with students and teachers to make a great career out of teaching. For many teachers, a teaching credential is enough to satisfy their state requirements to enroll in a teaching position. However, there are many more resources and educational opportunities that can help teachers refine their skills, develop new ways of interacting with students and staff, and help make a difference in the lives of students. One of the most valuable educational tools for a teacher is a Masters in Education degree.
What is an M.Ed?
An M.Ed is also known as a Master’s in Education. This is a graduate degree that is obtained after a teacher obtains their bachelor’s degree as well as their teaching credential. However, this degree does not guarantee that someone will satisfy their teaching credential. Different states have different teaching credential requirements that might be different than an M.Ed.
Nevertheless, a Master’s degree in Education can help someone develop skills such as:
- Developing curriculum plans for entire classrooms and age levels
- Interacting with diverse groups of students and teachers
- Best practices to teach among students with disabilities and learning deficits
- Policy changes and changes in teaching methods to ensure the best delivery of information
- Conduct research to find the best teaching methods and their effects on students
Who Can Benefit From an M.Ed?
Any teaching professional that wants to refine their skills and improve their career prospects can benefit from a Master’s in Education. Salary outlooks are better for people with M.Ed’s, with the average annual salary at around $61,000 nationwide. On the other hand, those with only a teaching credential earn a salary of around $57,000 a year.
People that want to pursue a Master’s in Education should have a passion for teaching and helping others, as well as continuously strive to improve the experience of their students and staff. In addition, an M.Ed can help educators who want to begin a career in an administrative role rather than remaining in their teaching positions. Such roles include:
- Vice principals
- District School Board members
- District coordinators
- Outreach educators
It’s difficult to know how to prepare for these roles with an M.Ed program. The ability to teach a wide range of classrooms across a district can be gained through a Master’s in Education program. It’s important to remember that teaching is an incredibly complex task for a teacher in a single classroom, let alone an administrator overseeing several teachers and students. However, it is well worth it to earn an M.Ed and begin a career where you are helping improve the lives of students and teachers.
Is an Online M.Ed Right For Me?
Absolutely anyone can benefit from an online Masters in Education degree. These types of programs are available to a wide range of students throughout the nation. For instance, an online Masters in Education Massachusetts-based program can still be made available to students on the west coast of the United States.
The flexibility of these programs is unmatched, with the ability to work around student schedules who work full-time, part-time, or are busy parents.
These online programs are also done relatively quickly, needing only about one year for students to complete them. This is an excellent way for students to experience the benefits of an M.Ed without the hassle of going to a traditional college and spending money on travel expenses.
An online Master’s in Education program is the best option for:
- Students that couldn’t otherwise obtain an M.Ed through in-person classes
- Students that want to better their careers and play an administrative role instead of teaching students
- Teachers that want to improve their overall educational background and someday make a career change
- Students that don’t mine a student-centered approach to teaching online