It’s called “The Master’s Degree Effect”: Students whose teachers had master’s degrees scored higher on the National Assessment of Educational Progress math and reading exams than those whose teachers held bachelor’s degrees.1
If you want to become a teacher who’s highly skilled at helping all students achieve their academic potential, then earning a master’s in education may be your smartest move.
If you’re more interested in steering your career in a leadership direction, it also makes good sense to pursue a master’s degree in education. In most public school districts, you’ll need a master’s in educational leadership administration or the equivalent to become an elementary school, middle school, or high school principal.2
A master’s degree can make “cents,” too, if you want to increase your earning potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that across the U.S. labor force, wages generally rise, and the risk of unemployment falls, with each step up the educational ladder.3
There are many other reasons why education professionals choose to earn advanced online teaching degrees. At Walden University, you’ll find plenty of them in the accredited online college’s MS in Education degree program. Walden offers 15 specializations in its master’s in education degree program, allowing you to tailor your studies to your career goals.
If working with children with exceptionalities is where your teaching passion lies, you may want to choose the Special Education (Non-Licensure) (Grades K–12) specialization. If your interest is in developing your leadership skills, then Teacher Leadership (Grades K–12) might be your reason for earning a master’s degree in education.
If becoming a more effective math teacher is your goal, then you might consider earning an MSEd degree with one of these relevant specializations: Mathematics (Grades K–6) or Mathematics (Grades 5–8). Or, expand your focus with an MSEd with a specialization in Elementary Reading and Mathematics or Mathematics and Science (K–8).
Keeping current with technology is yet another reason for earning a master’s in education online. Walden has you covered, there, too. Whether you’re an elementary school teacher or a high school teacher, you can learn how to leverage technology to benefit your students in the Integrating Technology in the Classroom (Grades K–12) specialization.
Other Higher Education Degree Choices
Walden’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences offers many other online teaching degree programs, too.
Master’s options include Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Special Education and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Elementary Education degree programs. There’s a master’s in higher education that can prepare you for a wide range of opportunities in postsecondary education, training, and professional development. And the MS in Instructional Design and Technology is career-focused and designed to fill your toolbox with relevant skills and credentials.
If you have an MSEd and are ready to expand your expertise and practice, earning a Doctor of Education (EdD) can help prepare you for education leadership at the highest level. Walden’s EdD online degree program offers specializations that include Early Childhood Education (Non-Licensure).
More Reasons to Get a Master’s
Schools of education that offer choice and flexibility can help greenlight your goal of earning a master’s degree, and Walden helps lead the way. The accredited online college designs its higher education master’s programs so you can earn a degree while continuing to work and enjoy your personal life. Walden’s flexible online learning platform allows you to study on your own schedule, wherever you have an internet connection. And you can put what you’re learning to use in your classroom right away.
Walden’s master’s in education online degree program has three learning tracks: MSEd Traditional, which features structured learning and a fixed schedule; MSEd Accelerated, an option that can fast-track your learning; and MSEd One-Credit, which offers a set semester-based tuition schedule. An Enrollment Specialist can give you the information you need to review these choices and find the one that’s best for you.
Is there a master’s degree in education in your future? If the answer is yes, get ready to chart a course to educational excellence with a teaching degree that supports your career goals and aspirations.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering an MS in Education online degree program with multiple specializations. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.
1Source: www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/the-masters-degree-effect/2012/02
2Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm#tab-1
3Source: www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2020/data-on-display/education-pays.htm
Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards through June 2026. This accreditation covers specific Walden initial teacher and advanced educator preparation programs, including the BS in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Special Education, MS in Education (MSEd) – Educational Leadership and Administration specialization, and EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration. The MAT-SPED, MSEd-ELA, and EdS-ELA programs were reviewed by Specialized Professional Associations (SPAs), which define content-area standards for programs, and achieved national recognition.
CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement. Walden’s College of Education and Human Sciences has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement. CAEP is a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.