What Is A Master’s in Education in Multiple Subject Teaching?

Most college students enrolled in graduate education programs want to teach one specific subject, but it’s possible for students to earn a Master’s in Education in multiple subject teaching. Many schools today have a set budget that they can use for hiring teachers, and those schools often need workers capable of teaching more than one subject to save costs. These programs focus on the practices and methods that teachers can use in multiple subjects.

Courses in the Program

Most programs designed to help students earn a Master’s in Education in multiple subject teaching require that students take two or more courses each semester. Each of the courses they take will typically count as three credit hours, and those students need to take a minimum of 30 credit hours to earn their degree. Some programs let students choose between taking classes focused on elementary school or high school students, but most of the multiple subject teaching programs focus solely on kids in eighth grade or lower. Students usually take courses that give them tips on teaching math, science, history and other subjects and courses on classroom leadership and administration.

Is a Thesis Required?

Though the completion of a thesis isn’t necessarily required for graduation, many graduate programs do require the completion of a capstone project. While similar to a thesis, this project involves more research, and it also requires that students put their project into practice. For example, a student might look at using music to increase attention in a classroom. After writing a hypothesis, the student will use research and practical knowledge to back up his or her claims. Most programs ask students to complete their studies and spend one final semester working on their capstone projects.

Do You Need to Student Teach?

Student teaching is a major component of many education programs, and to earn a Master’s in Education in Multiple Subject Teaching, you need to spend at least one semester in a student teaching program. As a student teacher, you temporarily replace a teacher working in a local school, but that teacher will sit in the back of the room and supervise your work. Some programs ask that students take a seminar that covers the basic of student teaching or a field experience class and pass a skills test before beginning a student teaching experience. Depending on your program, your professors may also require that you keep logs and notes about your teaching experiences and write a detailed paper about those experiences later.

How Much do Teachers Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay of elementary school and kindergarten teachers is $53,090 per year. The BLS put the number of elementary and kindergarten teachers working in the field at more than 1.5 million and estimates that those schools will add more than 180,000 jobs in the near future. Those fresh out of graduate school may make less than those with more experience, but those with a graduate degree make more than those with only an undergraduate teaching degree.

Related Resource: Master’s in Sports Leadership

Most elementary school teachers teach two or more subjects to their students every day. They give those children a basic understanding of math, science and other topics. Earning your Master’s in Education in Multiple Subject Teaching is one of the best ways to find work as a teaching in an elementary school.