Best Master's in Education Programs

Admission to a master's degree in Education will require a bachelor's degree in education, preferably in the field in which the student plans to specialize. Common undergraduate degrees that would be useful for a master's in education include English and liberal arts, history, psychology, sociology and all STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects. These subjects have a high demand for teachers. As a result, a student of education can also choose to focus on any of these subjects.

Usually, students are admitted in September and universities generally accept applications till the middle of April. Most universities will require a bachelor's degree in education or a subject in which the student chooses to specialize for admission to a master's degree in education. A transcript with grades averaging B to B- minimum is also useful, especially for competitive programs.

Moreover, two or more years of teaching experience in an education or a mental health context (or any other relevant industrial experience) may also be required by specific universities. Proof of English language proficiency may also be needed for international students where applicable.

There are a few important aspects to consider before choosing a school for a master's degree in education, as though many different areas of specialization exist, not every school may not offer each and every one, so make sure you know your area of interest and match it with the school program. Moreover, be sure to check the accreditation of the school, the resources offered, and the opportunities for professional development offered. If you desire online options or an accelerated program, check with the school for these as well, and of course check the cost and financial aid options.

A master's degree in education is geared towards helping educators progress in their careers and the coursework is designed towards this end. Common courses offered in this program include:

• Early Child Education: focuses on the skills required to become educators for early childhood.
• Bilingual Education: focuses on dealing with the challenges of teaching students who do not have English as their first language.
• Technology in the Classroom: focuses on how to implement new technology in to the classroom in creative ways and to the most benefit.

Education Foundational Courses

While the courses mentioned above are offered by different universities, there are certain foundational courses commonly offered by most universities and which all students, regardless of specialization, are required to complete as part of the coursework. These courses usually include hands-on training and group projects. Some common subjects include:

• Curriculum Design: This course will focus on giving students the skills to design a curriculum that is designed towards meeting the aims and goals of a particular class.
• Education Policy: This class will teach students the various policies, norms and laws associated with this field.
• Special Education: This course aims to training students in becoming educators for children who have special needs.

Education Specialist & Elective Courses

Apart from the required coursework, most programs offer a range of different courses that students may opt to study as electives. Electives offer students the flexibility to focus on the areas of study that they are most interested in. Elective courses can also be a great way of showing ones interests and areas of specialization to prospective employers. Some of the electives that are commonly offered by universities include:

• Creative Inquiry: This course helps the student to use their skills towards making creative interventions in the field.
• Digital Literacy: This course teaches the student to use digital means towards education.
• Organizational Leadership: This course is geared towards providing leadership skills to future educators.

Licensure & Certification in Education

Colleges and universities offering a master's degree in education require accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This is a professional organization formed from the amalgamation of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council in 2013 and is responsible for accrediting teaching programs in the United States.

The organization is the only officially recognized accreditor by the United States Department of Education. The standards imposed by the CAEP on universities offering this degree makes quality education possible for P-12 students. Students graduating from schools with CAEP accreditation automatically gain a number of advantages, making career opportunities and promotions much easier.

After the completion of a master's in education, there are many internships in education which can offer practical experience required for securing a job in the field.

Many students choose to intern with the Department of Education. Working with the government can be a great option for those interested in educational administration or policy. Projects in this internship may vary between community outreach, research and policy analysis.

Other internship opportunities can include working for a non-profit organization, teaching at an elementary or high school level or working on college campus. With many directions available for internships, this field provides many opportunities for students to hone their skills, utilize what they learn at school, and build connections before entering the industry.

There are multiple post-graduate options after the completion of a master's degree in education. There are advantages and disadvantages to further graduate studies in education . A master's degree can be used as the stepping stone for a Ph.D. in Education, the highest degree in the field, and it prepares students for academic research and teaching at a higher university or college level. Good grades and performance in the Master's level can prepare a student for such post-graduate options. A full time Ph.D. can be a long-term option, but for those looking for speedier schedules, an accelerated Ph.D. is an option.

Affiliation to professional organizations in a field can provide many opportunities. It can help to build contacts, learn about resources and opportunities available in the field, build community, and make the experience of working in that field an enjoyable one. Education has numerous professional organizations for affiliation, especially ones dedicated to teaching.

One of the most popular ones among teachers include the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, which brings together more than 150,000 professionals interested in pedagogy and curriculum development. Another important organization is the Association for American Educators, which works mainly in the areas of professional development for teachers.

You can narrow down the field by joining a professional organization that focus on a level (high school, middle school, etc) or even ones that are dedicated to a particular subject, for example, the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) is just for those dedicated to teaching physics education.

Almost all jobs in higher education are available to graduates with a master's degree in education. The availability of so many different career options and an above average pay grade makes it a very desirable degree option.

Some common areas include higher education administration (such as principal, assistant or vice-principle, consultant, dean), professional counseling and mental health services (therapist, community or rehabilitation counselor), teaching in a field of specialization (whether at the high school, college or university level), research opportunities focusing on innovation in the classroom and at the pedagogical level, among many others. The projected growth for employment in this field is 4% from 2019-2029, which is the national average.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Education

Education is a field with a good growth rate and there will always be demand for trained professionals in their field. There are a number of job options for a graduate with a master's degree in education. Some include:

• Academic advising: This can be a very fulfilling option for anyone who enjoys working with children, identifying what a child excels at and/or wants to do impactful work for growing adults in the early stages of their career.
• ESL teacher: This is a good option for those who love to work with the English language and wish to have a positive impact helping bilingual students succeed.

How to Become a Museum Educator

For those passionate about art or history, becoming a museum educator can be very fulfilling and a graduate degree in education can help you get there. There are many roles and professional responsibilities that can fall under this job title, including Director of Public Programs, Curator of Education, Education Assistant, and so on. Museum work is a growing career option with an estimated growth of 11% within 2019-2029, almost triple the national average.

A museum educator is typically responsible for designing and carrying out all the educational programs at the museum. Hence, a strong commitment to the subject matter and a desire for the success of academic programs is essential. Moreover, the desire to interact with museum visitors is required.

A graduate degree in education along with some years of experience working in the field is essential for this job. A specialization in the particular field such as art history is also very useful. The median salary for a museum educator is $52,140 per year, but the actual figure will depend upon the state and the museum.

How to Become an Education Policy Analyst

Education policy analysis can be a great opportunity for anyone looking to make an impact in higher education through their work. Education analysts work to answer pressing questions in the field of higher education, which has a tremendous impact on the future of children. They're responsible for working and deciding on policies that determine the future of higher education, so a desire to shape education and the skills to identify, work on and research key issues in the education system is a good sign that this position is for you. Often, specific areas of research interest can also be useful in this field.

Analysts often work with large quantities of information, collecting, analyzing and making sense of data to forecast trends and predict best solutions. Project management skills will make applicants more competitive. Analysts typically make anywhere between $60,413- $72,320 a year depending on their position, skill-set and experience within the industry. Sometimes, these jobs can be very demanding and require higher education such as a Ph.D.

Much like other master's degrees, a degree in education can be expensive and add to costs. However, this degree can eventually pay for itself and has many opportunities of earning after graduation.

Loans are available and scholarships and funding opportunities can work to your benefit. Check with individual schools, as many have scholarship and funding opportunities for their students depending upon merit or need. Filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for graduate education with most schools at the time of application provides loans to eligible students.

There are also a number of scholarships or grants available especially for students in education, including:

• Teach Grant: provides scholarships to education graduates who are committed to teaching in low-income areas and in high-need fields.
• The James Madison Memorial Fellowship: offered at the college level to students hoping to pursue a teaching degree in American history, American civics or American government.