What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Getting Your Master’s is Education?

What Can You Do with a Master’s in Education?

Before you begin to consider the advantages and disadvantages of such a graduate program of study, it is important to understand what a Master’s degree in Education entails and what kinds of jobs it can qualify you for in the future. One of the great things about such a degree is that the field of study is quite broad; this opens up doors for many job opportunities while allowing you to hone in on your own interests when it comes to education.

One of the most popular jobs pursued with a Master’s in Education is that of a counselor at just about any academic level. Whether you want to work with younger children in primary education or are interested in counseling at the college level, your Master’s degree will be invaluable in landing you interviews for such jobs. Working as a counselor can be extremely rewarding, as such a job allows you to make a positive impact on students’ lives while helping them work through and overcome life obstacles.

For those who would prefer a more administrative job following completion of a Master’s degree program, such an education degree can also qualify you for a career in school administration. People in such positions have the responsibility of representing the school and doing their best to get things done that are in the best interest of that educational institution. This may include anything from working with parents to keep the school running smoothly and efficiently or even working with government agencies to increase funding to the school itself.

Of course, those with a Master’s degree in Education also commonly work as teachers. While a Master’s degree may not be a requirement to teach in many states, it can work to a teacher’s advantage in terms of being eligible for promotions and raises down the road. As you can see, the possibilities when it comes to a Master’s degree in Education are quite broad.

Advantages of a Master’s Degree in Education

Going off the above information, there are clearly a number of career advantages that a Master’s degree in Education can make available. Those with such a Master’s degree have a better chance of finding a niche in the field of education that they are truly happy with. Rather than having limited options that typically come with a Bachelor’s degree, those with a Master’s degree are more free to pursue careers in their own areas of interest.

Furthermore, a person with a Master’s degree tends to make hundreds of thousands of dollars more over the course of a lifetime than somebody with an equivalent Bachelor’s degree. Therefore, having a Master’s degree in Education can be a great move for anybody who is concerned with finances and wants to live as comfortable of a life as possible.

Not to mention, while tuition per credit hour tends to be significantly more expensive in a Master’s program than in a Bachelor’s program, the fact remains that there are a lot of funding and scholarship opportunities out there for graduate students. Many colleges will hire those with teaching experience part- or even full-time to teach sections of college classes in exchange for tuition and other reimbursement. These are known as graduate asssitantships and are a great way to pay one’s way through a Master’s program while gaining relevant experience in the field at the same time.

Disadvantages of a Master’s Degree in Education

While there are a number of advantages to getting a Master’s degree in Education, it is important to weigh the good with the bad in order to make a well-informed decision. For starters, some claim that a Master’s degree in any field, particularly in Education, can make a person come off as being over-qualified for a number of jobs. This is one thing to keep in mind when making such a decision. Of course, the validity of this claim can vary greatly depending on one’s own unique situation and career aspirations.

One of the biggest downfalls that most people can agree on when it comes to obtaining a Master’s degree in Education is the sheer time investment that is required in order to do so. Most graduate degree programs in this field require around 30 or more credit hours in order to earn the degree, and graduate classes are much more intensive and demanding than the average Bachelor’s class that a person may be accustomed to. Taking even one graduate-level course of three credit hours at any given time can be overwhelming for some, which means that it can take years to obtain a degree. This is especially true of those who also work full time or have a family to care for while in school.

Furthermore, physically being able to attend classes can also be a challenge. Unless you live close to a campus, it can be difficult and time consuming to make it to classes several days per week. Fortunately, an increasing number of colleges these days have begun to offer completely online Master’s in Education programs, so this can be a viable option for those who have other obligations that would keep them from being able to attend classes on a physical campus regularly.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are a number of both advantages and disadvantages to pursuing a Master’s degree in Education. While it does take a lot of time, dedication, and potentially money to obtain such a degree, it can also greatly broaden one’s career prospects and lead to a more rewarding life in the process. To determine whether or not a Master’s in Education program is right for you at this juncture in your life, you must weigh the pros and cons carefully while considering your own life priorities and goals.