If you are pursuing a career in education, a master’s degree in education will open up many exciting opportunities. Depending on your long-term career goals, you could use such a degree to become a school administrator, to branch out into the corporate world as a curriculum developer, or to pursue a variety of other roles.
1. School Administrator
Perhaps the most common reason to pursue a master’s in education is to qualify for roles in school administration. To become a principal, superintendent or other administrator, you almost always need an advanced degree, as well as decent amounts of relevant experience. This is why many administrators are former teachers–and why many teachers actively pursue master’s degrees while working. A master’s in education will also make you eligible for other administrative roles, including curriculum director and special education director, so it is a very valuable credential.
2. Advanced Roles in Higher Education
A master’s in education won’t just help you branch out in the world of primary and secondary education. It will also give you the credentials you need to pursue advanced roles at colleges and universities. If you aspire to someday be a dean or college president, for example, you will need a master’s degree at the absolute minimum. This degree will also help you land a variety of administrative and support roles, including positions in registration and admissions, student support services, institutional research and new student recruitment. It’s also an excellent way to qualify for a variety of rewarding teaching positions.
3. Adult Educator
Teaching and training adults is a lot different than teaching younger students. Advanced skills and knowledge are crucial, and the best way to obtain them is by earning a master’s degree in education. With such a degree under your belt, you can pursue a variety of positions in the world of adult education, including GED preparation, English as a second language education and basic education. Adult educators work as teachers, professors, lecturers and trainers, and their efforts make a profound difference in people’s lives.
4. Corporate Trainer
Many companies and corporations bring in learning consultants and trainers to educate and train employees for a variety of reasons. Some even have dedicated internal training departments. A master’s degree in education will help you qualify for these and other roles in the corporate world. As a corporate trainer or educator, you will design and implement programs that educate employees regarding job functions, workplace policies, new software and more. Corporate trainers and educators are often brought in to educate employees about new service and sales techniques, which helps companies maintain their competitive edge.
5. Curriculum Developer
A master’s in education prepares you for a diverse array of roles in both the corporate and academic worlds. Curriculum developers move easily between these worlds, as they are hired by both educational institutions and by corporations. In the case of the former, they help design and improve curricula for primary and secondary schools and for institutions of higher learning, too. In the case of the latter, they often help develop textbooks and software for educational companies. Their work has a profound impact on the way in which people learn, so it is immensely rewarding.
As you can see, a master’s degree in education doesn’t have to be used to pursue a role as a principal, superintendent or other administrator. It can just as easily be used to branch out into the corporate world or to pursue roles in higher education. It’s never too late to pursue a master’s in education, so explore the options today.
