Kamis, 10 November 2011

Enjoy A Career In Teaching With Your Graduate Degree

By Michelle Conner


Students who hope to have a career in education, or those who have already been teaching for some time, often look into earning a Master's degree. Sometimes, earning a Master's degree is your employer's requirement. Other times, it is simply a choice you make to increase your chances of employment as a teacher or in school administration. As a teacher seeking an advanced degree, you generally have three options: Master of Education (MED), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and Master of Science in Education (MSED). It is important to know how to distinguish these degrees and decide which one is right for you.

If you have completed a Bachelor's degree in education already and have been teaching for some time, your likely choice will be the MED, or Master of Education. The MED builds on your undergraduate degree, allowing you to explore more advanced topics in the field. This degree is a good choice if you are hoping for a more advanced position, such as department chair or curriculum coordinator. Keeping yourself educated about such things as Master degree in Education, will keep you ahead of the crowd.

The MED is a professional degree, which is generally terminal. After you earn it, you cannot go on to pursue your doctorate. If advanced academia is your ultimate goal, an MED is not for you. Rather, this program is for individuals who already have an undergraduate degree but wish to continue their studies.

Students who do not have a background in education but are interested in becoming teachers usually go for the MAT degree, or Master of Arts in Education. Most candidates for an MAT have a Bachelor's degree in the liberal arts and are interested in becoming a teacher in their subject. For instance, if you have a BA in English but wish to become an English teacher, you can earn an MAT to qualify for a teaching position.

The MAT is different from the MED in that it does not build on a background in education. Rather, it provides the knowledge you need to enter a career in education with no prior teaching experience. This makes it the perfect degree for students who are changing careers. Like an MED, it is terminal, and students usually are not asked to complete a thesis.

Your final degree option is the Master of Science in Education, or MSED. This degree emphasizes education theory and methodologies, and will usually be more concentrated and research oriented. You will usually need a background in education to qualify for an MSED, but this program will prepare you for careers in education other than teaching, depending on your goals and concentration. Considering how adult education can help with your success is a good idea.

An MSED is different from other graduate degree options because it is a rigorous research based program, requires a thesis, and is not terminal. The MSED is often more technical than the MED or MAT. Many graduates of these programs go on to pursue doctorate degrees in education. If you wish to earn a doctorate down the road, this will be your Master's program of choice. Those who are looking for careers in Educational Policy or School Leadership can find these areas of concentration within such a program.




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