Elementary school educators view a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in elementary education as a way to further their teaching careers. As much as this is true, an M.Ed. in elementary education can enhance career prospects beyond the classroom, enabling graduates to pursue leadership roles in school, district, and local settings.
Like Worcester State University’s online M.Ed. in Elementary Education program, programs that feature multiple start dates and accelerated coursework may be especially well suited to individuals who need to balance the demands of school with work or family. This flexibility can be ideal for teachers already teaching or education professionals looking to make a career shift and apply their skills outside the classroom.
Why Consider a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education?
Although private or nontraditional schools may not require a specific degree or license for their elementary school teachers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all states require public kindergarten and elementary school teachers to be licensed or certified in the grade level they want to teach. Though it varies by state, a bachelor’s degree is generally required. Furthermore, some states require all teachers to obtain a master’s degree after receiving certification to continue teaching.
However, there are many reasons to consider a master’s degree in elementary education other than meeting certification requirements. In its Occupational Outlook Handbook, BLS reports a projected growth of over 100,000 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers per year over the next decade.
Although salaries for elementary school teachers vary from state to state, an approved master’s degree can qualify teachers for not only a higher-level certificate but also the financial benefits of a salary increase. According to ZipRecruiter, education professionals with a master’s degree earn an average annual salary of $69,749.
Other benefits of getting an M.Ed. include developing your pedagogical skills, expanding your professional network, and becoming a better student advocate. Those wanting to make a positive impact on learning can view the M.Ed. as a path to accomplish that, whether they choose to work in or out of the classroom environment.
How Can You Use This Degree in School Systems?
An M.Ed. in elementary education allows teachers to expand their knowledge in specific subjects such as reading. It also helps education professionals integrate new technologies into their teaching methods. In addition to propelling educators’ careers in the classroom, an M.Ed. may be advantageous for those who want to stay in the education field but not necessarily in the classroom or other school settings.
Some of the non-classroom job possibilities are as follows:
- Curriculum coordinators help teachers build better curricula and teaching strategies. Their duties include working with school administrators, assessing student performance, and facilitating instructional methods for improved student performance.
- Education researchers conduct research to develop and improve teaching and learning methods and strategies. Their responsibilities include collecting data and reporting findings from reports, focus groups, interviews, studies, and classroom observations.
- Elementary instruction specialists aim to help each school department head plan appropriate curricula. They do this by visiting classrooms, speaking to teachers or students, introducing new programs or additional support services, and more.
What Alternative Careers Can a Master’s in Elementary Education Support?
With a background in teaching practices, curriculum, research, best practices, and education trends, graduates can pursue a range of rewarding careers. While Worcester State’s online M.Ed. in Elementary Education program does not lead to initial licensure in Massachusetts, many students can use this program as a platform to pursue related jobs and careers in education.
For example, M.Ed. graduates could pursue other specialized roles like:
- Academic coordinator
- Education consultant
- Instructional designer
- Student dean
An advanced degree helps education professionals in all roles expand their content knowledge and instructional expertise to effectively engage students in accessing and learning a subject matter.
The degree creates many career opportunities for education professionals to apply their skills in various capacities. Graduates of Worcester State’s program have the foundational knowledge and experience to pursue rewarding careers inside and outside the classroom.
Learn more about Worcester State University’s online M.Ed. in Elementary Education program.