10 Benefits of Getting a Masters in Education

A career in education can be highly rewarding. Whether it’s teaching, consulting, analyzing, or tutoring, working in education allows you to share your knowledge and help others reach their full potential. If you’re looking to embark on a career in this field, below are ten benefits of getting a masters degree in education.

One of the most significant benefits of earning a masters degree in education is that you can greatly improve your teaching skills. The more education you have, and the more trained you are, the more beneficial you will be to your students. A masters in education provides the necessary tools to be able to connect with students and understand their needs. If you currently have a bachelors degree and are keen to pursue a career in teaching, then an MA in education could be your next stepping stone. Not only will you learn about the art of teaching, but you will also gain experience in the field.

Increased Job Stability

Masters degrees also lead to increased job stability. Careers in teaching and education are some of the most stable in the U.S., and that industry is only growing. For example, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, post-secondary teaching is set to increase by 9% between 2014 and 2024. Part of this growth is also due to the increase in online masters degrees, which allow students to study from virtually anywhere. As these changes in enrollment in education increase, the need for qualified teachers also increases. Therefore, a qualification such as an online masters degree UK can help you stay competitive.

Another benefit of a masters degree in education is that it allows you to specialize. If you are already a teacher or are working in the education sector, an MA in education can enable you to specialize in areas such as childhood education, music education, science education, and more. A focused degree allows you to become an expert in a particular area and reach student populations that will benefit from specialized instruction. Other areas that you can specialize in include technology, teacher leadership, and special education.

With a masters degree under your belt, you also open the door to higher earnings. Institutions will pay more to employ the most qualified teachers, which means that you can expect to earn anywhere from $60,000 per year or higher. Salaries can be even higher if you pursue other roles such as a post-secondary educational administrator as they can command upwards of $90,000 per year. While salaries vary according to industry and institution, you can expect to earn healthy salaries with a postgraduate qualification.

Becoming a teacher or an educator with a masters degree also provides you with access to an array of benefits. Again, these will depend on the institution and area that you decide to work in; however, universities and schools tend to provide fantastic perks for their teachers. This includes paid health insurance, sabbatical leave, scholarship programs, free tuition, decent vacation days, and access to other institutional amenities such as gyms and libraries. Most institutions or companies will want to reward their teachers for their hard work and expertise, so the benefits are another aspect of the job to look forward to if you get your MA.

Masters degrees in education also mean that you have numerous career options. While teaching is often the most popular route, people with an MA in education can also find themselves in other areas such as education departments, NGOs, prisons, galleries and museums, consultancy, and more. Education is a broad field that can be applied to an array of industries, so if you’re keen to get an MA, but aren’t sure where you want to work, it’s worth doing some research.

Having a masters degree is not only beneficial to the world of education. Many companies or institutions outside education look for people with advanced degrees because they know you possess other professional skills. This includes traits such as motivation, reliability, responsibility, and an ability to adapt to change. People who undergo postgraduate qualifications develop other transferable skills such as research, communication skills, and being able to think on your feet.

Improved leadership skills are another benefit of a masters degree. Many of these degrees focus on developing leadership traits and how to improve them. Through advanced training and practical experience, you will be more equipped to be a leader in your area. Your experience during your masters degree will also help you gain confidence and improve your ability to lead and make decisions in a classroom.

Like most industries, education can be competitive, especially if you are going against others for a teaching position. While many people with bachelors degrees can get excellent teaching jobs, having a masters degree will give you that competitive edge. This is especially important if you’re going for your very first teaching role.

A masters degree will also keep you competitive in other ways. It gives you more credibility if you want to advance in your institution or apply for more senior roles elsewhere. Also, depending on your specialization, you will have access to more competitive positions in higher-paying areas. For example, you may find that you can get a highly paid role being a technology teacher in another institution, or even within the technical areas of your school.

Last, but not least, another significant benefit of earning a masters degree in education is that you will be making a difference. While this could be said for all teachers, an advanced degree in education will help you better understand how people learn and how best to help them achieve their educational aims.

Masters degrees also expose you to an array of personal, professional, and practical experiences. This allows you to gain an increased sensitivity to the challenges that people face when it comes to education. Not only will you be able to use your experiences and newly acquired knowledge in the classroom, but you will also have more resources at your disposal.