A Master’s Degree in Education

A Master of Education degree is a professional degree that can lead to a career in teaching, an administrative-level position or more specialized roles in educational institutions. Many graduates become principals or school district administrators. Recently, more graduates have taken an interest in educational technology and have become reading and technology specialists.
 
Programs allow students to specialize and obtain a master’s degree in:
  • elementary education
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • literacy education
  • physical education
  • special education.

Types of Master’s Degrees in Education and Teaching

The different types of master’s degrees in education include:
  • Master of Adult Education (M.Ad.Ed.)
  • Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.)
  • Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
  • Master of Education (M.Ed.)
  • Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed. or M.S.E.)
  • Master in Teaching (M.I.T.).

Some of the many options for specializations in education include:

  • Curriculum and Instruction
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Education Administration
  • Education Curriculum and Instruction
  • Educational Leadership
  • Educational Technology
  • Elementary Curriculum
  • ESL Curriculum and Instruction
  • Guidance Counseling
  • Higher Education and Administration
  • Leadership Studies
  • Literacy Education
  • Principal and School Administrator.

Requirements

Admission to any of the master’s programs usually requires a bachelor’s degree. Most schools require students take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) prior to applying for admission. Schools may have a minimum GRE score requirement. Also, usually three letters of reference are required.
 
International students are usually required to submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Many times the school will also require a minimum grade point average during the undergraduate studies.

Time to Completion

A master’s degree usually follows at least three years of undergraduate studies and takes about two years to complete. Students also have the option of obtaining their master’s degree education online. These students may have a full-time job and want the flexibility of taking courses at home at their leisure. Many teachers who have bachelor’s degrees pursue a master’s degree while working full-time so they can climb the ladder both professionally and financially.

Master's in Education Coursework

The coursework for each student will depend upon his particular area of specialization. Some courses include:
  • Curriculum Design: K-12
  • Diversity Issues
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • History and Theory of Curriculum
  • Learning and Instruction
  • Principles of Supervision
  • School Administration
  • Teaching and Learning with Technology.

Early Childhood Education coursework may include:

  • Analysis and Research
  • Curricula
  • Early Childhood Development
  • Early Childhood Education Theory
  • Language Arts
  • Math
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Trends and Teaching Methods.

Potential Costs

The cost of tuition for this degree can vary greatly depending on the school. An online master’s degree in education is the lease expensive option, costing around $11,000. The next most affordable choice is attending a state college or university, followed by private institutions, which are the most expensive.
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