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Before pursuing a graduate degree, prospective students face several questions. That includes internal, rhetorical or outside questions. Is this degree worth the money? What can be done with it? Is this a practical field to spend this much money and time getting in to? Of course, the answers to these questions are heavily dependent on the degree, the student, the field of study, and the school.
The Masters of Education degree, often abbreviated M.Ed, is one of the more popular degrees acquired from institutions of higher learning. According to 2013 data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 21% of all master’s degrees issued were in the field of education. Additionally, the M.Ed is very popular online, with 11% of online students on graduate tracks pursuing the degree.
A widespread belief exists that the only career path of an M.Ed., whether earned online or in a more traditional setting, is becoming a teacher or continuing to teach. However, there are many more jobs for teachers other than teaching. Here are just a few career jobs for teachers other than teaching that M.Ed recipients enjoy:
Tutor
An M.Ed degree provides a great stepping stone into the world of tutoring. It is easily the most flexible of all the educational fields. Tutors often work from home or an office, foregoing the traditional classroom setting expected of M.Ed graduates. Additionally, with the mounting importance placed on SAT and ACT test scores, test prep tutoring is becoming a lucrative business and a very important field to be familiar with. Tutors can earn up to $83,000 a year, all while working on their own time in private practice.
Principal/Administrator
Trying to climb to the top of the education ladder? Look no further! M.Ed. recipients working as school administrators and principals, depending on the district, earn an average of $70,000 a year, and depending on the district, can earn up to over $100,000. This position is perfect for those with leadership and disciplinary skills who seek to make changes from the top down.
Media and Technology Specialist
This job is perfect for a Master of Education who is familiar with technology or passionate about the field. Ranging from developing new software for language or mathematics to a more hands-on approach through “technological classroom design”. For instance, an M&T specialist is often trusted to set up a classroom’s technology, be it AV projectors, SmartBoards, computer systems, or printers. Entry-level jobs in this field often pay around $40,000 a year but can climb up to over $70,000 depending on the assignment.
Curriculum Developer
On a broader scale, an M.Ed. recipient with a creative mind and a penchant for research may go into curriculum development. This job can consist of anything from curating statistics to data entry to helping write a textbook and is often one of the more competitive fields in education. The average pay for an entry-level curriculum developer hovers around $50,000. However, once you’re in, so to speak, you’re in. The job allows for upward mobility and promotion, especially among individuals with a Masters in Education. The M.Ed degree provides a great start for anyone hoping to get into this field or a similar area of study. Removed from the general classroom, they still involve themselves in the educational process.
