Master of Education (M.Ed.) Degree Program in Elementary Education Overview
Majors Overview August 2, 2015This article talks about Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree programs in Elementary Education and their education requirements, coursework, job and wage outlook, and continuing education and licensure choices.
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Programs in Elementary Education
A master’s degree in elementary education is designed to train those interested in teaching children in grades K-6. Some schools admit students with a bachelor’s degree seeking teaching licensure. Students are taught teaching methods and made to participate in student-teaching. The program graduates typically meet the teacher licensure norms of their state.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree. In some programs, applicants are required to have completed specific bachelor’s coursework in a wide array of disciplines, such as sciences, math, literature, social studies, literature, physical education, and art.
Coursework
Program coursework is devised to train students to teach all subjects, including science, math, reading, English, and social studies. They learn about designing curricula and gain professional experience by taking part in internships in classroom environments supervised by a licensed teacher. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Learning assessment
•Psychology and human relations in elementary environments
•Learning and development theory
•Elementary reading instruction
•Math teaching techniques
•Learning assessment strategies
•Classroom management
•Integrating special needs students in the classroom
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth rate of 12% has been predicted for elementary school teachers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Opportunities in the suburbs are not as common as those in rural and urban areas. Minority teachers and those boasting fluency in a foreign language are likely to enjoy good job opportunities due to the rising non-English speaking and minority populations. In 2012, elementary school teachers (excluding special education teachers) brought in an average annual wage of $53,090 (BLS).
Continuing Education and Licensure Choices
State licensure is compulsory for public school teachers in all states (BLS). Program graduates are trained to be able to obtain teaching licensure. Licensure requirements vary by state; common requirements include student-teaching experience, sufficient education, and the passage of one or more exams. Pursuing doctoral degree programs in elementary education could lead to a career in research or university-level teaching. Students can gain expertise in conducting original research and completing a dissertation in a subject area in the field.
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