Earning A Master's Degree In Education

If you have already completed a Bachelor's degree in education, chances are you are already thinking about pursuing your Master's. Even if you are already employed, you should consider your Master's degree to remain relevant and up to date in your field. Teachers who have been employed for a few years are usually expected to begin work on their graduate degrees in order to be better qualified to instruct their students. Though going to grad school can be hard to balance on top of teaching duties, a Master's in education is a crucial step to your success and job security.

Depending on your state, an advanced degree may be required for certification. In most places, a candidate must have an advanced degree in order to pursue administrative positions within the school, such as that of dean and principle. If you are thinking of becoming a school counselor, be aware that a Master's degree is usually required for this position as well.

A Master's degree in education generally takes about two years, though candidates who are also currently teaching may need to take more time to complete the degree. The degree may require as many as 90 credits to complete, and the standards for staying in many programs are rigorously high.


There are several majors associated with the Master's in education. Curriculum and Instruction is the most common area of concentration for classroom teachers. Students engage in education research in order to become better classroom instructors. Similarly, the Adult Education concentration focuses on classroom instruction that is geared towards those 18 or older. Candidates study literacy, English as a second language, and other subjects related to helping adults who have returned to school.

In the Academic Enrichment concentration, candidates work on furthering their knowledge in their specific area of employment. For example, an English teacher might pursue more advanced studies in the subject of English, while an elementary school teacher might further explore childhood development and psychology.

For a School Counseling concentration, candidates usually have a Bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, or a related field before pursuing certification as a counselor. This degree prepares them for the role of advisor and mentor to students in need of academic and even personal guidance.

Students can also enter an Ed.D or PhD preparatory program, a Master's degree which is intended to precede a Doctorate. A Doctorate in education qualifies a candidate for administrative positions within a school, as well as positions within a college or university. Participants in an Ed.D prep Master's program engage in intense educational research to ready them for a rigorous Doctorate degree.

Depending on your ultimate career goals, getting a graduate school education may be your final academic effort, or it may be a necessary step before entering an Ed.D program. Most teachers find, however, that receiving their advanced degree is mandatory to remaining at the top of their field. Whether your state requires this level of certification for you to remain in the school system, or whether you simply want to offer more to your students, getting your Master in education is the right choice.

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