The Pros and Cons of a Teaching Master's Degree

Teachers should take into consideration both the pros and cons of a graduate-level teaching degree before enrolling in a master's degree program. The Bureau of Labor Statistics points out that nearly 500,000 students graduated with master's degrees in 2001, and education was one of the most common degrees received. Many doctoral students also major in education. These statistics indicate that many teachers see the value of higher education and pursue graduate degrees. But should teachers return to school for master's degrees in education?

Finances

One of the most common reasons teachers get a master's degree is to get a pay raise. BLS statistics show that elementary and middle school teachers do make more money, on average about 30% more than those who hold a bachelor's degree. Those numbers indicate that the cost of the extra schooling for a master's degree can be made up in the salary difference of just a couple years. The cost to obtain a master's therefore isn't a very good argument against getting one. In difficult economic times, many districts freeze salaries, and so getting a master's degree may be one of the few ways teachers can increase their pay.

Knowledge

Sometimes teachers go back to school to learn more about teaching and become better teachers. Master's programs in education often focus on research with a bit of information on pedagogy, but few include much information on the content areas. Teachers who want to learn more about their subject should consider a content-area master's degree rather than one in education. More significantly, some studies referenced by the Center for American Progress show no clear connection between teachers with master's degrees and higher student performance.

Courses

Teachers who intend to further their education at the doctorate level consider the master's in education a good base. For instance, basic research and statistics courses are often similar at both levels. But Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs are both typically much more heavily research-based than master's programs, making them largely ineffective for classroom use. Teachers looking to work outside the classroom but still within education, especially in research or administration, are those most likely to find master's degrees in education helpful.

Connections

It is no secret that higher degrees open up doors for teachers in terms of job options as well as chances to learn from each other through networking. Most colleges require instructors to have at least a master's degree, and some may even require that degree be in the subject they will teach rather than education. Networking can be very helpful to the classroom teacher, learning methods and activities that help other teachers achieve success. These connections gained through a master's degree program can certainly be invaluable.

Verdict

So should teachers get master's degrees in education? It depends upon their future plans and their motivations.

References

"Job Outlook for College Graduates." Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bls.gov.

"Separation of Degrees." Center for American Progress. Americanprogress.org.

"Teacher Education." University of Northern Colorado. Unco.edu.