When people think of a master’s in education, they usually associate the degree with teachers. While in most cases, people with a master’s in education do become teachers, there are other jobs you can get with that degree as well. In fact, due to budget cutbacks, teaching jobs are becoming few and far between in most parts of the country. Not only can it be disheartening for those who have recently graduated, but it can also be worrisome for those in the teaching field who think they have no other options. The truth is, there are other choices.
Administrator
Maybe teaching didn’t turn out to be as fulfilling as you had hoped, or maybe you feel like you aren’t reaching enough students. A master’s in education can lead to becoming a school administrator. An administrator can be a department supervisor, principal, or even superintendent. Most of these positions require a certain amount of teaching experience. This is a great way to capitalize on your degree and experience, and turn it into a new way to exact change for the students in your care.
Higher Education Instructor
Becoming an instructor at a college or university is another possible option. Jobs in higher education can be more versatile than ones in K-12 schools and offer the opportunity to teach classes you are interested in. Typically, you will need at least a degree above the level you are teaching. For example, if you have a master’s in secondary math education, you can teach community college level math. Each higher education institution is different, so be sure to verify each one’s job requirements first. Visit the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium and explore their job searching tools and resources for more information.
State Education Employee
This a great way to exact change in education from higher up. Each state has an education department, which you can find by visiting your state’s website. Many of the job titles within the education department require experience teaching and/or a master’s in education. Some may require additional examinations that are administered by the state, so verify what is needed to apply for these positions. These kinds of jobs offer some of the perks of being a public school employee like retirement system benefits, sick days, and vacation days without working directly with students.
Curriculum Developer or Trainer
The landscape of education is in constant flux, especially with the introduction of the Common Core Learning Standards. As such, there is always a market for authorities to come in to schools and train faculty and staff on the latest learning theories and strategies. These kinds of positions typically require some experience in teaching and a master’s in education. They also have the benefit of offering more flexibility than what is offered in the classroom and can pay more as well.
Having a master’s in education can appear limiting at first, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you have several years of teaching experience under your belt or none at all, there are many different directions you can take your degree. And while teaching experience helps, it’s not a requirement.
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