Expanding Your Horizons – Career Paths with a Master’s in Education 

According to the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES), in the 2021-2022 school year, 17% of all awarded graduate degrees were in the field of education, which accounted for more than 150,000 total degrees. There is no question that demand continues to exist for highly educated teachers, and plenty of education professionals are seeking new ways to further their careers.  

Earning a graduate degree, such as a master’s in education (M.S.Ed.), means dedicating significant time and resources to furthering your education, so it is natural to wonder what can I do with a master’s in education? Applicants to a program should consider how using a master’s in education degree will benefit their future career goals, whether those goals include teaching in a classroom, working as an administrator, or engaging in other nontraditional teaching roles.  

Although many students who pursue a master’s in education go on to teach, not all of them want to work in a classroom for the rest of their careers. A master’s degree in education has value to employers outside of the traditional education sector, including government and corporate jobs.  

A Master of Education graduate-level degree is available to applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree in education. As with most master’s programs, students can generally earn a master’s in education in two years with full-time study, although program requirements do vary. Master’s in education programs may focus on specializations such as literacy, special education, educational leadership, or specific grade levels like elementary or secondary education.  

In New York, the New York State Education Department requires teachers to earn a master’s degree within five years of earning their initial certification. Other states have similar master’s degree requirements, making a master’s in education the natural choice for those pursuing careers in teaching.  

However, a master’s in education can provide a valuable foundation for other types of careers, as well. Graduates of M.S.Ed. programs who wonder what can I do with a master’s in education may be pleasantly surprised to find job opportunities in government, business, and various fields in education, both public and private.  

Working in education is the natural path for most people who earn a master’s in education. Although many go on to work in the classroom for their entire careers, others pursue job opportunities in other ways while remaining in education.  

The role of educators has never truly been limited to classroom instruction. Indeed, before formalized public education teachers could be found anywhere from the local church or convent to apprenticeships or parent cooperatives. 

Today, educators play a wide range of roles both inside and outside the classroom. In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic and transition to online schooling showed just how essential schoolteachers are to our entire economy. These professionals teach, mentor, and even feed children while their parents work. Educators are expected to do much more than lecture in front of a class. Many are deeply involved in their communities and the lives of their students, even beyond graduation.  

Traditionally, graduates of master’s in education programs continue teaching full time, or they may take on leadership positions in their schools. Common traditional careers with a master’s in education include:  

As of the 2020-2021 school year, nearly 4 million teachers were employed by the public school system in the U.S., making it the largest employer of educators, by far. While working in a public school can be massively rewarding for many educators, it is not the right long-term fit for everyone. Those who pursue a master’s in education but who do not want to work in a public school have plenty of other options available to them, including:  

Educational administration and leadership roles allow graduates of master’s of education programs to remain hands-on when it comes to educating students while taking a step back from classroom duties. Different school districts may have different job titles for administrators and other leadership roles, but all school systems require and seek organizational experts and leaders who can communicate with faculty, staff, and students to foster the best educational outcomes.   

Many roles for educators within the school system are more administrative than instructional in nature, including:  

Although the specifics of each of these roles differ from one another, they share the common thread of overseeing staff, students and facilities, while maintaining high standards and meeting all federal and state requirements. According to O*NET OnLine, 37% of educational administrator jobs require a master’s degree, while an additional 44% require a post-master’s certificate. 

Public school standards in the U.S. are dependent on national and state policies. Using a master’s in education degree to help shape and implement new policies is another way for educators to make a difference. Teachers and schools need strong advocates in government positions and as representatives working for nonprofits organizations or think tanks. Some educators even go on to pursue roles as elected officials to affect change in educational policy. A master’s degree in education can open the door to government jobs in policy analysis, particularly for those with a foundation based on classroom experience.  

Curriculum and instruction design involves creating educational plans and teaching strategies to meet learning objectives, engage students, and assess their progress effectively. Curriculum and instruction design is essential for educational success, and its needs are not limited to the school system. Corporate training, job training, and other teaching environments require a structured curriculum.  

A curriculum designer develops educational programs by establishing and communicating learning goals and then creating lessons plans and developing supplementary materials to help students meet those goals. Curriculum designers may also work directly with instructors who teach the materials and with subject matter experts to ensure their curriculum plans are accurate and up to date.  

Those with a master’s degree in education are well-suited to curriculum designer positions because they have research skills and are knowledgeable about the latest pedagogical methodologies, allowing them to create effective curricula for a wide range of students.  

Unlike curriculum designers who develop and refine curricula, an instructional coordinator oversees and reviews school curricula and teaching standards. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), instructional coordinators “evaluate the effectiveness of curriculums and teaching techniques established by school boards, states, or federal regulations.” Updates to school curricula may be made based on recommendations from instructional coordinators who review student test scores, observe teachers, and confer with school staff and faculty. A master’s degree in education is one way that classroom teachers can get the specialty knowledge necessary to transition to an instructional coordinator position.  

Specialized educational fields are those that do not necessarily fall neatly into another category but still represent possible career opportunities for those with an M.S.Ed. degree. Specialized educational fields may include jobs working within schools or for school systems, specializing in a specific area such as technology.  

An educational technology specialist is a professional who works with teachers and administrators to help leverage technology in the classroom. More and more schoolwork and instruction has moved online, and a variety of educational applications, hardware, and software have come with it. Educational technology specialists may help develop these technologies, train teachers on how to implement them, and help students troubleshoot technology issues. These specialists may work in one school or for a district, consulting across multiple schools.  

A special education leadership role may be an excellent choice for an educator dedicated to accessibility for students of all learning abilities. These leaders in education accessibility may work for nonprofits or governmental organizations advocating for special education policies, funding, or legislation.  

Feeling called to work in education does not negate the entrepreneurial spirit that some educators have and nurture. Working as a self-employed educational consultant or entrepreneur may offer the best of both worlds for some M.S.Ed. candidates.  

Educational consultants can work in tandem with educators in a range of different ways. Many educational consultants work directly with students and parents to help with things like the college application process or career counseling. Because the job title is quite broad, an educational consultant may also work with schools, districts, or other organizations to assess needs, provide tailored recommendations, and help implement solutions to improve academic outcomes. 

Consultants are often self-employed, meaning they can choose their own clients, their own hours, and their own rates. The flexibility of consulting may be attractive for some master’s students.   

Working with children of any age can come with significant challenges, and some educators may feel better suited to working with adults. Adult education, whether teaching at a community college, as a corporate consultant, or continuing education courses, can be extremely rewarding. Those who earn an M.S.Ed. with a background in classroom instruction can be well-suited to make this change, which can often come with different hours and more scheduling flexibility.  

The Esteves School of Education at Russell Sage offers accredited bachelor’s, master’s, post-master’s, and doctoral education programs for aspiring and experienced teachers, counselors, administrators, and behavior analysts. 

Classes are small and collaborative, with lots of personal attention from faculty and interaction with classmates. Reach out today to learn more and to start your application.