Master of Arts (MA) Degree Program in Education Overview
Majors Overview July 25, 2015This article talks about Master of Arts (M.A.) degree programs in Education and their educational requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master of Arts (M.A.) Programs in Education
Licensed educators who seek to enhance their classroom learning settings and want to advance their careers would benefit by enrolling in MA in Education programs. Numerous areas of specialization, including special education, elementary or early childhood education, literacy education, technology and learning, pedagogy, and mathematics, are typically offered in these programs. Coursework may involve completion of classes on leadership, research methods, and literacy. Online study opportunities may be available in some programs.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited school, in addition to submitting letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a written statement of purpose. Additionally, students may be expected to have previous experience as licensed educators.
Coursework
Program coursework can vary according to a student’s area of concentration. For instance, advanced learning and teaching techniques will predominate in the coursework of a program concentrated in pedagogy, while a literacy education concentration would lead to coursework that explores writing and reading principles. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Leadership
•Educational research
•Organizational development
•Multicultural perspectives
•Methods of evaluation
Career Choices
Program graduates can seek advanced pedagogy practices in various educational fields. They can seek jobs in private and public educational institutions. They can choose from possible job titles such as:
•Elementary teacher
•Community college professor
•Instructional Coordinator
•Reading specialist
•Special education teacher
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, elementary teachers and middle school teachers are expected to see a 12% job growth (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Over the same period, high school teachers are expected to witness only a 6% growth. In 2012, elementary-level teachers brought in an average annual wage of $53,090. Middle-grade teachers earned $53,430 and high school teachers banked $55,050 per annum, on average.
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates may seek continuing education by earning a doctorate program in educational leadership, education or educational administration. The program will provide them with the leadership and research skills necessary for qualifying for administration positions within schools or research and teaching positions at universities and colleges. Licensure requirements for students without bachelor’s degrees in fields within education are available through some master’s degree programs.
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