Ultimately, most teachers end up earning a Master’s degree in education. Because they work in this field, it is natural that teachers want to receive the best education they can to better serve their students. It may even be a district requirement that they earn a Master’s degree after a certain number of teaching years. In addition, teachers who are seeking more advanced positions in school leadership or administration will require a minimum of a Master’s degree to be competitive. It can be hard to navigate the program options that are available to you, however. There are three concentrations to pick from.
The MED, or Master of Education, is generally a degree for people who are teachers already and wish to further their academic training. You may choose to pursue this degree because you are seeking a more advanced position or because you want to remain qualified for employment in your field. Typically, you will earn an MED if you already have a four-year degree in the field.
The MED is a terminal degree, which means that you will not go on to earn a doctorate after completion of this program. You will generally not need to complete a thesis, and you can complete the program in a year or two if you are a full-time student.
The MAT, or Master of Arts in Teaching, is a liberal arts degree that does not require a background in education. This means that if you have a Bachelor of Arts degree already but wish to become a teacher in your subject, you can complete the MAT to qualify for teaching positions. You can add the MAT as a fifth year following your four-year program. It is also a good option for those who want a career change.
The MAT is a good degree option for students who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree in the liberal arts but wish to become teachers in that area. If you have arrived at your decision to become a teacher late in your undergraduate program, or if you desire a career change, you can generally complete the MAT in a year to qualify for teaching positions.
Your final degree option is the Master of Science in Education, or MSED. This degree emphasizes education theory and methodologies, and will usually be more concentrated and research oriented. You will usually need a background in education to qualify for an MSED, but this program will prepare you for careers in education other than teaching, depending on your goals and concentration.
An MSED is different from other graduate degree options because it is a rigorous research based program, requires a thesis, and is not terminal. The MSED is often more technical than the MED or MAT. Many graduates of these programs go on to pursue doctorate degrees in education. If you wish to earn a doctorate down the road, this will be your Master’s program of choice. Those who are looking for careers in Educational Policy or School Leadership can find these areas of concentration within such a program.
Your personal goals will ultimately dictate which program you choose. You will have to explore the ins and outs of Master degrees in Education, as well as reflect on what you hope to attain from your advanced degree program. The right program will prepare you to become a professional in an important and rewarding field. If you are interested in working on your Masters in Education, you may want to research additional online classes details.
Ultimately, most teachers end up earning a Master’s degree in education. Because they work in this field, it is natural that teachers want to receive the best education they can to better serve their students. It may even be a district requirement that they earn a Master’s degree after a certain number of teaching years. In addition, teachers who are seeking more advanced positions in school leadership or administration will require a minimum of a Master’s degree to be competitive. It can be hard to navigate the program options that are available to you, however. There are three concentrations to pick from.
The MED, or Master of Education, is generally a degree for people who are teachers already and wish to further their academic training. You may choose to pursue this degree because you are seeking a more advanced position or because you want to remain qualified for employment in your field. Typically, you will earn an MED if you already have a four-year degree in the field.
The MED is a terminal degree, which means that you will not go on to earn a doctorate after completion of this program. You will generally not need to complete a thesis, and you can complete the program in a year or two if you are a full-time student.
The MAT, or Master of Arts in Teaching, is a liberal arts degree that does not require a background in education. This means that if you have a Bachelor of Arts degree already but wish to become a teacher in your subject, you can complete the MAT to qualify for teaching positions. You can add the MAT as a fifth year following your four-year program. It is also a good option for those who want a career change.
The MAT is a good degree option for students who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree in the liberal arts but wish to become teachers in that area. If you have arrived at your decision to become a teacher late in your undergraduate program, or if you desire a career change, you can generally complete the MAT in a year to qualify for teaching positions.
Your final degree option is the Master of Science in Education, or MSED. This degree emphasizes education theory and methodologies, and will usually be more concentrated and research oriented. You will usually need a background in education to qualify for an MSED, but this program will prepare you for careers in education other than teaching, depending on your goals and concentration.
An MSED is different from other graduate degree options because it is a rigorous research based program, requires a thesis, and is not terminal. The MSED is often more technical than the MED or MAT. Many graduates of these programs go on to pursue doctorate degrees in education. If you wish to earn a doctorate down the road, this will be your Master’s program of choice. Those who are looking for careers in Educational Policy or School Leadership can find these areas of concentration within such a program.
Your personal goals will ultimately dictate which program you choose. You will have to explore the ins and outs of Master degrees in Education, as well as reflect on what you hope to attain from your advanced degree program. The right program will prepare you to become a professional in an important and rewarding field. If you are interested in working on your Masters in Education, you may want to research additional online classes details.