There is no question that prospective employers value job candidates with an advanced degree. People holding a masters degree in education, more commonly known as an M.Ed., have a proven ability to critically analyze materials and have knowledge beyond the fundamentals of educational theory.
Many people who earn a a masters of education do not hold an undergraduate degree in education. In fact, some universities are more likely to grant admission to candidates who have a varied educational background with an undergraduate degree in any field or discipline.
Masters of Education Degree Job Prospects
In general, students with an educational background seek to earn a graduate degree to improve career prospects within an elementary, secondary or post-secondary school system. Others want to conduct research at the masters level and will then pursue a doctoral degree to teach at the university level or become an advanced researcher for educational organizations.
However, those who enter a masters of education degree without an educational background seek to earn credentials for a variety of careers including:
- career counselors
- corporate trainers
- education consultant
- social Workers
- counselors
- education outreach specialists for museums, zoos or other such venues
- consultants and entrepreneurs
In Canada, the largest suite of advanced degrees in education are offered through the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. It provides an extensive number of graduate studies programs, at the masters and doctoral levels.
Specialized degrees offered at OISE at the masters of education level include: Adult Education and Community Development, Counseling Psychology, Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development, Second Language Education, Developmental Psychology and Education, Sociology in Education and Educational Administration. In addition, OISE offers a number of collaborative programs under the masters of education degree umbrella.
Careers and Salaries Range for Masters of Education Graduates
Payscale.com reports that average salaries for people with a masters of education degree can range up to more than $100,000 for those who secure executive positions, such as an Executive Director, normally available to those with this advanced education.
The website lists salary ranges for graduates with a masters of education by university. For example, M.Ed. degree holders from the University of Georgia have salaries ranging up to $85,814. Those with the same degrees from Harvard University earn roughly the same, according to the survey.
Graduates who have earned a masters of education degree have doors opened for a variety of education careers well beyond traditional classroom teaching. These degrees continue to be popular because of the range of specialized learning available at universities and the resulting career opportunities.
Shelley Aylesworth-Spink - Shelley Aylesworth-Spink has worked in support of communications, marketing and advertising for nearly 25 years in the private and public ...
