It’s no secret that a career in education is a sound choice for those who enjoy working with kids and who want a job that gives them a chance to give back to the community. A career in education also offers a fair amount of job stability. That’s because not only do public schools need teachers in the classroom, but also charter and private schools. And that’s not even considering fields where educators may be employed in the business domain.
Teachers do much more than stand in front of a group of pupils and share knowledge. They are mentors and cheerleaders; they provide a safe environment for children to explore, discover and grow. They work nights and weekends (and, yes, even some in the summer) to make sure they are prepared for the classroom. And they do it because they want to make a difference in the lives of their students.
Do you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than teaching but you aren’t finding fulfillment there? We have a program for you. Are you a teacher who wants to do even more to help build a better school for your students? We have a program for you.
Why pursue a master’s in education? As explained in Magoosh: “a Master’s can enhance your ability to get the job you want. Prestigious private schools and well-funded public school systems may prefer to hire teachers with a higher level of education. Additionally, a Master’s degree can make you more eligible for certain desirable duties and responsibilities. You could teach AP classes, lead extracurricular programs for gifted students, or secure a seat on a school board.”
University of Phoenix offers master’s programs both for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than teaching who want to enter the field and for current teachers who are seeking advanced knowledge. You can choose to specialize your Master of Arts in Education, positioning you to share your love of learning with students, teach in the corporate or nonprofit world, or move into leadership roles in your district.
If you are thinking about a career change, consider these statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: In May of 2018, “the median annual wage for high school teachers was $60,320.” During this same time period, “the median annual wage for elementary school teachers, except special education, was $58,230.” The job market for teachers is projected to increase approximately 7% for elementary school teachers and 8% for high school teachers through 2026.
University of Phoenix’s Master of Arts in Education/Elementary Teacher Education, Master of Arts in Education/Secondary Teacher Education, and Master of Arts in Education/Special Education programs are designed for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree in another discipline but are ready to enter the education field. If you want to make a difference, teaching is one of the best ways to do it. Even better, you get to watch the impact you make because you are able to witness students’ growth on a daily basis.
Those who are already teaching may cite several reasons for getting a master’s in education. One of the most talked about is increased pay. Teachers who hold a master’s degree do often receive a ‘bump’ in salary. According to the National Council on Teacher Quality, the majority of large school districts in the US pay teachers who have advanced degrees more. However, increased pay is certainly not the only reason, nor is it necessarily the primary reason, teachers choose to pursue a master’s in education. Many dedicated teachers choose to pursue an advanced degree so that they can keep up with changing curriculum and expectations. They are committed to staying relevant and are themselves lifelong learners. For teachers who want more opportunities in the education field, a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Phoenix can help you advance more quickly by preparing you for K – 12 principal licensure.
Whether you want an advanced degree that will help you incorporate innovating, enriching strategies or curriculum or you want an advanced degree that will help you develop assessment skills and understand societal impacts on education, University of Phoenix’s Master of Arts in Education is a great option.
Would you love to make a change but you aren’t sure how to do it? You could go back to school and enter a bachelor’s program for teacher education (in fact, University of Phoenix offers those options too!). But if you already have a degree, then you really should consider a master’s degree. As David Recine points out in Magoosh: “Master’s degrees are also more cost effective in two potential ways. For one thing, less time spent in school nearly always means less money spent on tuition. For another, Master’s degree programs are usually designed to be more accommodating of non-traditional students. This would mean students who have adult financial obligations and full time jobs. Graduate classes are often scheduled in a way that allows you to continue working as you prepare for your new career.”
An online master’s in education is especially attractive for busy adults. University of Phoenix’s programs offer the flexibility you need (you’ll take one course at a time and most courses are six weeks long) and the value you want (an affordable degree from an accredited institution). The approximate length of the online master’s in education is only 16 to 21 months, which means you can look forward to completing your degree in less than two years. In addition, our tuition guarantee means you won’t have to worry about tuition hikes all the way to completion. University of Phoenix is committed to helping you achieve your educational dreams and giving you the tools to help the next generation achieve theirs — all with the support you need to make it happen.