Choosing Teacher Education Graduate Programs
If any of the above reasons resonate with you, then it may be time to delve deeper into the world of teacher education and its benefits for you rteaching career. The path you pursue may depend on lots of factors like your professional interests, your career goals, and even where you live. Keep these factors in mind as you explore the teacher education programs below:
Masters Programs For Teachers
Earning a masters in education may be required for teacher licensure or certification in some states.[i] Masters programs in education could also be a great way to further develop your skills and knowledge. But what kinds of education masters programs may be available? And, which teacher education path might be perfect for you? Let’s explore a few:
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) – This type of program may cover both the theory and practice of teaching. This program may potentially allow you to pursue an area of professional focus. An M.Ed. may be known as an applied degree, because knowledge you pursue in the program may apply to a range of potential roles.
- Master of Arts in Education (M.A.) – Pursuing this path may potentially allow teachers to enhance their knowledge in a particular subject, like humanities, science, or art. Keep in mind that different teacher colleges may offer different prospective paths of teacher specialization.
- Master of Science in Education (M.S.) – A Master of Science in Education may be defined differently from school to school. (So read program listings careful and reach out to schools for details by following any link below.) This program could focus on math or science curriculum and pedagogy. A M.S. program may allow students to pursue a concentration in an area like administration of public schools or private schools.
- Master of Arts in Teaching – This type of masters in education program may potentially help you enhance your teacher training and strategies. It could be the perfect choice for someone who has a background in an area other than teaching but would like to pursue a potential career change.
- Doctor of education programs – Another potential path could be to pursue a doctoral degree, such as a PhD or Ed.D. A doctorate program with a focus on teacher education may be research intensive, with the potential goal of pursuing original scholarship in the field of education. In addition, doctoral candidates may pursue core classes in areas like educational leadership, education research, and more. A doctorate program typically requires candidates to write and defend an original dissertation. If you’re interested in potentially teaching teachers, keep in mind that postsecondary instructors frequently need to earn a doctoral degree. [ii]
- Graduate certificate in education – A graduate certificate program is a non-degree path that may allow you to explore a particular area of professional interest. For example, 13% of middle school special education teachers said they needed to earn a post-baccalaureate certificate for their current roles.[iii] Other potential certificate programs may cover areas like gifted education, technology education, education leadership, and more. Certificate programs can be a great way to delve deep into a specific topic or sample graduate-level teacher education before making a larger commitment.
Fun Fact:
21% of education administrators earned a post-master’s certificate.[iv]
Format of Teacher Education Graduate Programs
When evaluating teacher colleges and education graduate programs, you may encounter a couple of different program formats. Let’s go over their differences, as well as some potential benefits!
- Online education graduate programs *– Online graduate courses for teachers may let you study from anywhere with an internet connection. You may use technology tools like online message boards or mobile devices to interact with materials, classmates, and instructors. If you think online learning sounds appealing, you’re not alone. About a quarter of grad students under 24 chose online learning in 2016.* Potentially perfect for: Students who have full-time jobs, hectic schedules, or long commutes to campus.
- Education graduate programs on campus – Prefer to learn face-to-face? Pursuing a teacher education program on campus is certainly a path worth considering! You may be able to enjoy potential benefits like the fitness center, student events and get-togethers, or cultural activities on campus. You may even find a community of supportive peers who share your passion for teaching. Potentially perfect for: Those who like to take courses in person, or who want the “traditional” grad school experience.
- Hybrid education graduate programs – Hybrid learning (sometimes known as blended learning) typically involves some combination of on-campus and online graduate courses for teachers. The ratio of online to in-person learning will depend on the program. For example, you may take most courses online but attend one or more short residencies on campus. Potentially perfect for: Students who want some face-time with teachers and peers, but still need the flexibility of pursuing some coursework from home.
Search Teacher Education Colleges & Programs
Every prospective student may look for something a bit different in a school. However, there are a few things you should probably keep in mind! For example, you may want to choose a college or university that is accredited by an organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.[v] You may also want to check out the curriculum offered in your prospective program. Talk to school representatives to learn more about what to expect. Of course, you’ll have to decide on a program format, as well. If selecting a campus or hybrid program, keep in mind that location may be an important consideration too!
Below, you’ll find some sponsored teacher education graduate programs that may interest you. You can use the menu to filter by program level and format to customize your list. Simply click the link on any listing to contact the program directly. Keeping in mind your goals and educational needs. You may find a perfect education graduate program today!
Sources: [i] bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm#tab-4 | [ii] onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1081.00 | [iii] onetonline.org/link/summary/25-2053.00 | [iv] onetonline.org/link/summary/11-9032.00 | [v] studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare-for-college/choosing-schools/consider
* Clinefelter, D. L. & Aslanian, C. B., (2016). Online college students 2016: Comprehensive data on demands and preferences. Louisville, KY: The Learning House, Inc.
