An advanced degree studying K-12 Education is the next step for educators who want to gain more teaching knowledge or become an administrator.
They say that the making of the next generation has a lot to do with the education system and the teaching students receive starting from a young age. Those who feel passionate about impacting young people through school may wish to pursue an advanced Master's degree in K-12 Education. This degree is ideal for those who have some knowledge or experience in education, and who want to advance their career further in the field.
Students in this degree will take a variety of courses to prepare them for the challenges in education that lie ahead. Because most programs follow a liberal arts or interdisciplinary curriculum, students will not only take courses in education but also in subjects relating to youth and adolescence. Furthermore, students will get to participate in residencies or internships to gain more teaching experience.
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What type of Master's in K-12 Education should you get?
Because the goal of getting a Master's in this subject is to teach after graduation, a program that leads to state licensure in addition to the degree is ideal. If obtaining licensure is not a huge component of the program, check to make sure the coursework and/or required internship hours at least fulfills some requirements for the license.
An online degree may be best for already working adults who cannot make the time commitment to attend traditional on-campus classes. Because most of these programs do require teaching experience, many students wish to continue teaching throughout getting their Master's. Online classes are usually not only more affordable, but quick to complete.
Check out College Choice's overall Best Online Colleges and Universities.
How much money do people make with a Master's in K-12 Education?
According toPayScale, the average salary of those with a Master's in Education degree is $55,000. Elementary school teachers make a median salary of $50,522, middle school teachers make $52,054, and high school teachers make $53,585. Teachers also receive benefits such as retirement, vacation days, and healthcare.
Those with a Master's do on average make more money that educators with just a bachelor's. Those with a Master's can also move beyond teaching and advance to other positions such as administration, curriculum developer, or principal. Salary will range based on a person's state, economy of the surrounding area and school district, and years of teaching experience.
What can you do with a Master's in K-12 Education?
While the most common career after completing this degree is general teaching, other career paths are available. One could become a principal or administrator in the school or school district, a special education teacher, or school or career counselor. Some Master's offer specializations in K-12 Education that can further direct one's career.
What are the requirements for a Master's in K-12 Education?
A bachelor's degree from an accredited university is required for this program with a competitive minimum GPA recommended of 3.0 or higher. In addition, most schools require some teaching experience that will be verified either through submission of a teaching certificate or resume. Submission of GRE scores, recommendations, and personal essays are also required.
A typical curriculum may include teaching theory courses, psychology, behavior analysis, instructional technology, etc. Depending on the specialization (if applicable), students may need to take extra courses in a particular area. Those who wish to teach a specific subject upon graduation should also make sure they take courses pertaining to that subject.
What are the best online Master's in K-12 Education?
College Choice has ranked the 10 best online Master's in K-12 Education based on two overarching factors: institutional excellence and student return on investment. Institutional excellence was decided based on a variety of factors, such as graduation rate, institutional reputation, endowment size, and student-to-faculty ratio.
Student return on investment was based on financial aid, average student indebtedness after graduation, tuition costs, and expected career for graduates. Data was collected from the National Center for Education Statistics' IPEDS database, PayScale, individual college websites, and the U.S. News & World Report.
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