If you are a teacher looking for advancement, you have probably thought about furthering your education and credentials. One of the best ways to do so is to complete your master’s degree. The issue is that spending hours on a university bench after spending a day teaching is not something many teachers will be excited about. This path can also be close to impossible if you have family obligations on top. However, online classes could be the solution as they’re much more flexible and could allow you to get your credentials on your terms.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why all teachers should consider getting their master’s degree in education online.
You’ll Get Access to Leadership Positions
One of the biggest benefits of getting your master’s degree is the wide number of positions that will be open to you, especially at the leadership level. You could find a job as a university administrator, for instance. Not only will you be able to enjoy a change of scenery, but you’ll be able to make a real difference in the lives of all the students in a given university or district.
You could also have the chance to shape the curriculum in a way you wouldn’t be able to as a teacher. You could become an education policy analyst, for instance. You’ll be in charge of reviewing policies and issues and giving recommendations. Learning directors can help enhance teaching practice and lead the curriculum. You could also become a curriculum developer if you want to make even more of a mark. If your goal is to change environments and make a bigger impact, then getting a master’s degree online could be a great way to do so.
Online Degrees Are Just as Rigorous and Prestigious
Some people still seem to have the idea that online courses are less extensive than regular ones, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, courses provided online are just as rigorous – that is if they’re from an accredited university of course. This is why you need to make sure that the university and their online master’s in education programme is accredited and respected before you enroll. You should also know that the prestige of the university and course is ultimately what’s going to dictate how respected your degree will be. So, we suggest you check out the rankings for the university first, then start looking at the accreditation and the programmer. Going to a prestigious university will pretty much guarantee that your degree will be respected and that your credits will be transferable.
The Convenience
The biggest advantage of online classes is how convenient they are. You could decide to enrol in a regular programme that will require you to sit at your desk at specific times, or you could go for asynchronous classes that will allow you to attend lectures when you can within a certain timeframe. This could be a great thing if you have a hectic schedule after work.
You also have the chance of stretching your studies if you want to. You could decide to take your classes on the weekend for example, which will allow you to keep your workload manageable. And, if you decide to take classes in the evening, you won’t have to commute, which will save you a lot of time and headaches.
You’ll Become a Better Teacher
Even if your goal is to continue teaching, getting your master’s will allow you to become a better teacher. You’ll be able to get more from your students. You’ll also get a deeper insight into the way their brains work.
You’ll be able to fill a much larger variety of roles as well; you could decide to work with specific types of students, like those with special needs for example. You’ll be able to teach children or adults in all types of environments.
If you’re wondering whether a bachelor’s degree will give you the same level of skills, think again. Those with a master’s degree will acquire several intuitive skills that the average teacher won’t. A teacher with a bachelor’s degree won’t be as equipped to identify gaps in teaching and might not be as good when working with students who are lagging.
Not only that, but you’ll be able to use your skills to improve the performance of your students once you get your master’s. This means less stress for you as a teacher, and more satisfaction as well.
Find Work Outside of Education
Another great thing about getting your master’s is that you’ll be able to work outside of a university setting. Many education masters end up working in the non-profit sector, for instance. Others decide to become content writers and write educational content for students, teachers, and administrations.
Some decide to move into public office, or you could work for the Department for Education. Some even move into the corporate world and apply their skills to train and develop professionals. This could be the perfect opportunity to pivot into another sector, and could also give you the chance to work independently.
Earn More
Then there’s the increase in pay that you could get instantly after you finish your studies. It has been estimated that teachers with a master’s degree earned 29% on average when compared to their counterparts. Some districts will automatically give a raise to any teacher who ups their credentials. Not only that, but there are many cases where you’ll need to have a master’s to even get in the door.
The more feathers you add to your cap, the more attractive you’ll be to top universities. Having a master’s degree will also make you a prime candidate for promotions and professional advancements. So, if you are unsatisfied with your current salary, getting your master’s could be the fastest way to increase it.
As you can see, there are tons of reasons why teachers should seriously consider looking at an online master’s programmer. It is the best way for them to advance their careers, and make an even bigger impact on the lives of the students they work with.
