What Can You Do With A Master’s In Education? Best Job Options!
Updated: June 19, 2024
Published: October 12, 2020
If you’re considering earning your master’s in education, then you probably want to answer the pressing question: What can you do with a master’s in education? The truth is – a lot! From teaching to administrative positions, a master’s in education is a valuable degree to earn.
We’re going to share master’s in education jobs so that you can discover opportunities once you complete your postgraduate degree.
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What is a Master’s in Education?
A master’s in education is a postgraduate degree that students can enroll in upon completing a bachelor’s degree. The degree is aimed towards teaching instructional theories and best practices within the field of education.
Depending on the program you enroll in, the coursework will vary. However, you can expect to cover topics like instructional design, differentiated learning, educational leadership, curriculum design, teaching for diverse and inclusive classrooms, and more.
A master’s in education typically takes about two years to complete. The duration can vary, but you can expect most programs to run between 12-18 months long.
Once you have a master’s in education, you will boost your earning potential.
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What Can You Do with a Master’s in Education?
If you’re wondering about jobs with a master’s in education, there are plenty to choose from. While you can become a teacher with a bachelor’s degree and licensure, a master’s degree will certainly expand your options in the field of education.
Here’s a look at some popular master’s in education jobs.
ESL Teacher
ESL stands for English as a second language. ESL teachers prepare lessons to help non-native English speakers learn the language. This includes written and verbal coursework. ESL teachers may also develop personalized instruction based on a student’s ability level. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for an adult basic, secondary education and ESL teacher is $55,350 per year.
Education Specialist
An education specialist is responsible for planning and coordinating educational programs within professional, public, or community settings. Along with developing the curriculum, an education specialist will facilitate classes, workshops, seminars, and/or training services. While it’s possible to become an education specialist with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree can open the door to higher pay and a competitive advantage against other applicants without it. Indeed reports that the average salary for this role in the United States is $53,646 per year.
Corporate Trainer
Corporate trainers work within an organization to develop programs that help employees thrive in their respective positions. Corporate trainers are tasked with identifying employees who need additional training, developing training programs, managing budgets for training, and evaluating the success of training programs, to name a few duties. Per Payscale, the average salary of a corporate trainer is $57,254 per year.
Career Counselor
Career counselors support students in discovering their next step in life. Career counselors may work in high schools or colleges. They work alongside students if they need help to submit applications, find a trade school, or to choose what career path to follow. Career counselors can expect to earn an average of $58,120 annually.
Principal
In most states, you need a master’s degree to be a principal of a school. Principals represent the highest administrative position within education. They ensure that the school is running properly. This position is often a lucrative one, with the average salary sitting at $98,940 per year.
Education Researcher
Perhaps you want to work in the field of education, but not directly as a teacher or consultant. You can also consider becoming an education researcher. Assessment and education researchers are responsible for evaluating academic departments to deduce the strengths and weaknesses of their curricula. Their goal is to ensure that departments are operating efficiently and effectively. The average salary for this role is $67,375 per year.
Earning Your Degree Online
A master’s in education is a great degree to have if you want to excel in the field of education. However, it can also become a costly degree. As per Education Data Initiative, the average cost for a master’s degree in education is $55,200. The degree can afford you many career possibilities, but at the same time, you’ll need to weigh the costs.
On the bright side, you can earn your master’s in education degree in an affordable manner. The University of the People grants students with access to a fully online, tuition-free, and accredited master’s in education program.
Our master’s in education in advanced teaching costs between roughly $3,180 and $4,140 (depending on how many specializations you choose to pursue). With an online degree, you can choose when and where to learn as everything is digital. Plus, you’ll be enrolled with peers from over 200 countries and territories, allowing you to learn alongside a diverse student body.
Check out all the other benefits that come along with earning your master’s in education degree at the University of the People.
Closing Thoughts
You asked, “What can you do with a master’s in education?” and we provided you a look at just some of your options. Keep in mind that with a master’s in education, you can also apply for jobs that require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, too. You’ll have a leg up against those without the master’s degree because of your extra education and knowledge.
Essentially, a master’s in education will expand your possibilities in terms of what positions you may hold. And, once you earn your master’s in education, you can continue on your educational journey to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD) or Doctor of Education (EdD). Or, you can jump right into the field and gain on-the-job experience.