Master's Degree Programs Available in English Education

Many teachers from all fields decide to earn master's degrees within the field of education. Some choose a more general path, but many find that specializing their field of study makes them a valuable asset to current and future employers, opening up many doors with their subject area. For English majors and teachers, getting a master's degree in English education is an attractive option that can certify one to teach, increase one's salary, allow one to advance to department chair, or from secondary school teaching to the college and university level.

And since the field of English education encompasses highly sought-after skills like research, writing, and analysis, other career opportunities are available to those with a master's in English education such as educating other teachers, conducting research in colleges and universities, editing and consulting for publications and educational organizations, and direct curriculum and training programs within the education field. The following are the various types of master's degrees in English education that are available, both in traditional schools and online. Research the various characteristics of each type of program and decide which one's right for you.

M.A. in English Education
Getting an Master of Arts in English education is for those who already hold a bachelor's degree in English education and are certified to teach. This degree will instruct those students in advanced competence within the English education field. This degree is a good fit for English teachers who wish to learn more about the field of English and of teaching English. For those who want to become department heads or teach English on the college and university level, an M.A. in English education is a good fit.

M.Ed. in English Education
Many teachers certified in secondary English education (grades 7-12) pursue a Master of Education to advance their training and earn a pay raise. Getting an M. Ed. with a concentration in English education can make secondary English teachers more attractive candidates both within the fields of English education and education in general. Teachers with this degree will have the freedom to earn more money and get advanced positions teaching English, as well as move around within the broader field of education. This is an attractive option for English teachers who enjoy teaching English now, but think they may want a larger array of career options within the field of education down the road. Some Master of Education programs will also include getting certified in teaching, making this a good choice for those who have a bachelor's degree in English to move into the English education field.

M.A.T. in English Education
This program is specifically geared towards students who have earned a bachelor's in English or related field heavy in English credits who wish to earn a master's degree as well as teacher certification. This degree is designed to initially certify one to teach secondary English (some with ESOL endorsement as well) while working towards a master's degree in English education. The Master of Arts in Teaching degree is perfect for those who have decided to go into teaching after already graduating with a non-teaching English degree and who wish to immediately pursue advanced education training to gain a pay raise and make themselves a more attractive job candidate.

M.A. or M.Ed. in ESL Education
ESL stands for "English as a Second Language." This specialization within the English education field has exploded in recent years as immigration has made it more in demand. Teachers in this field teach English to both K-12 students and adults, helping them develop a working vocabulary to read, write, and communicate fluently in English. These master's in ESL programs not only focus on how to teach English as a second language, but also on how to take cultural differences into account when teaching to make students more comfortable and able to learn. Many teachers who earn this specialized master's in English education are bilingual, which is certainly an asset, but it is not necessary to pursue a career in this field. This degree can be pursued by those with a bachelor's degree in English education, elementary education, and English.

Sources:
GradSchools.com
GuideToOnlineSchools.com
NYU Steinhardt
University of Southern Florida