Mastering Your Future – The Benefits of Earning a Master’s in Education

Earning a master’s degree in education is an excellent choice for teachers who want to continue their teaching careers in the classroom or pursue leadership or administrative roles.  

A master’s in education (sometimes abbreviated as M.S. Ed or MSEd for Master of Science programs, or MAT for Master of Arts in Teaching programs) is a graduate-level degree for teachers and other educators that allows them to further their expertise and careers. In many cases, such as in New York State, working teachers must earn a master’s degree to maintain their teaching credentials. Education master’s programs may have a specific focus, such as literacy, special education, health education, or arts education.  

Why get a master’s in education? A master’s in childhood and special education is an ideal option for individuals who want to enter the education field, while other master’s options can be a good choice for current educators who want to continue their careers in the classroom, learn more about chosen specialties, and improve their long-term career prospects.  

There are many professional advantages of getting a master’s in education, including the possibility of earning higher salaries, career advancement in the form of leadership positions, and keeping your licensure in good standing.  

One of the benefits of a master’s in education is continued licensure eligibility. Teachers are licensed through the states where they practice. In New York, new teachers are eligible for licensure after completing their undergraduate degrees. However, they must earn a master’s level degree within five years of their initial licensure to maintain their credentials.  

A master’s in education can also improve an educator’s prospects for compensation. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, teachers who have a master’s degree have a median annual salary that is nearly $15,000¹ higher than that of teachers who only have a bachelor’s degree — $67,000 vs. $52,500.  

Among the other benefits of earning a master’s in education is more career advancement opportunities. An educator with a master’s degree in education may be eligible for more leadership roles in and outside the classroom. Teachers who want to move into administrative roles or transition to consultant or corporate positions are also likely to require a master’s in education degree to make that change.   

The value of a master’s in education lies in its exploration of educational theory and specialized expertise within a chosen concentration. For example, a master’s in education with a focus on literacy equips educators with the skills to enhance student literacy while also providing them with effective teaching strategies. Additionally, it fosters continuous professional growth, ensuring that educators can refine their methods and expand their knowledge long after completing the program. 

Pedagogy is the study of how people learn and how best to teach. A master’s in education can offer a more thorough understanding of current, evidence-based pedagogical theory in an educator’s chosen specialty. A better understanding of pedagogy can set the stage for becoming a more creative and more effective teacher.  

After getting some classroom experience under their belts, educators may want to specialize in various chosen fields. Most Master of Education programs are built around a specific focus, such as literacy, special education, or administration. Without a master’s-level understanding of these specialties, it can be difficult to pursue more specialized roles within education.  

Along with a deeper understanding of pedagogical theory comes the opportunity to be a more effective teacher. When you understand how different people learn best and how to create an environment that supports those learning preferences, you ultimately have better outcomes for your students.  

A master’s in education can open many doors to new career opportunities, even for seasoned educators.  

In the United States, many decisions about educational standards and budgets are made at the state and federal government levels. Earning a higher-level degree in education can offer insight into how these decisions are made, while also giving graduates the credentials they need to get in the room and influence those decisions.  

While most university professorships require a doctoral degree, a master’s degree can give educators a leg up on teaching at higher levels. Teachers with a master’s degree may be eligible for positions at community colleges or adult learning programs, which may align with future career goals and offer a change of pace from elementary or secondary education.  

Not all teachers want to develop their careers in the classroom or even in a school setting. A master’s degree can open the door to new opportunities as curriculum consultants for businesses, teachers in international positions, and consultants in nonprofit museums or other institutions.  

Earning a master’s degree involves a level of personal commitment. Upon completion of a master’s program, graduates often end up with more than what they learn in the classroom, including access to a robust professional network and improved confidence.  

According to the Harvard Business Review, being able to network effectively can mean the difference between career success and career stagnation. Graduate school is the ideal place to expand your professional network, as you have access to both experienced faculty and a cohort of likeminded classmates for developing relationships. A robust professional network can be the best way to find a new job when the time comes, especially considering that many open positions are never advertised.  

The more confident people are in their abilities, the more likely they are to apply for new positions, ask for promotions and raises, and advance in their chosen careers. One survey found that 99% of workers believe confidence is important or very important in finding a new job, and 94% found that it is just as important for completing daily work once they were hired. A master’s degree can help educators develop professional confidence that will carry them through career challenges and advance them into the roles they want.  

Being a lifelong learner is an advantage in every career. Technology and our understanding on human behavior will only continue to evolve over time, which means the best educators need to be open to learning new techniques for the duration of their careers. Earning a master’s degree can help reinforce the lifelong learner mentality, while also acting as a source of personal pride and fulfillment for many graduates.  

Earning a master’s in education can have repercussions outside of your personal career, including impacts on the education sector as a whole and locally, as well as on national education policy.  

Educators with advanced degrees are more likely to contribute to the education sector in an impactful way. That contribution may manifest as efforts to lobby elected representatives for positive change, run for positions on school boards, or write op-eds (opposite the editorial page) to spark public movements. A master’s degree lends more authority to opinions and makes people more likely to listen.   

The deeper understanding that comes along with a master’s degree can help graduates advocate for their schools and their students. Educators with master’s degrees may find themselves advocating for change and more equity in the educational sector because they are able to speak from a position of authority as well as experience.  

Russell Sage is the perfect place to earn your master’s in education. Students at Sage benefit from access to a highly experienced faculty and a dedicated cohort that is ready to learn alongside you. Sage was also the first college in the nation to partner with The Center for Positive Education, meaning that each student in the Esteves School of Education graduates with training in Positive Education. If you are ready to expand your career horizons as an educator, apply today.