Best Online Master's Degrees in Teaching

While a master's degree in teaching sounds similar to a master's degree in education, there are distinct differences between the two. A master's degree in teaching will enable you to become a more effective teacher in a classroom setting by studying theories and incorporating new teaching skills. A master's degree in education prepares you for careers that often take place outside of a school classroom setting. For example, a career in instructional coordination requires a master's degree in education. Instructional coordinators help schools develop curriculums that meet the needs of their students while ensuring compliance with laws and policies created by government entities. This is more of an administrative position. Skills developed with a master's degree in education will involve creative problem-solving and understanding the various factors to consider when developing school programs and curriculums. A master's degree in teaching program will focus on refining a teacher's skills when working directly with students in the classroom. While the average teacher earns less than an instructional coordinator, this should not be the only factor to consider. It is important to know what your career goals are when deciding on a master's program as well as your skill-set and personal interests.

While most entry-level teaching positions in primary and secondary schools require a minimum of a bachelor's degree, a master's degree in teaching will help you gain knowledge about a specific field of teaching. You will learn about differences in students' learning styles, ongoing developments in research regarding teaching and learning methods, and how to develop more flexible curriculums to enhance student learning. An online master's degree in teaching provides more flexibility for non-conventional students. This flexibility is helpful for those who are working or unable to attend in-person courses for other reasons. Obtaining a master's degree in teaching can give you an advantage over other candidates when applying for the same positions. Most importantly, your additional training and education will help you be more effective in meeting the needs of your students.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's in Teaching?

How long it will take you to earn your online master's degree in teaching will mostly depend on your availability and time-commitment. Most schools offer an accelerated track, where you can take many courses at the same time. The length of these programs varies from one to two years. However, many students taking classes online prefer to study on a part-time basis. In most cases, students can complete an online master's degree program within two to four years. Many schools will have courses that are held on a set schedule. During these courses, you will be online at the same time as your professor and classmates. Alternatively, some schools also offer a self-paced program in which you can complete courses on your own schedule. Typically, in self-paced courses assignments are posted for you to complete when you are available. The total number of credits needed to complete an online master's degree in teaching will depend upon the individual school's program, but most are between 30 and 48.

Your curriculum will be based on your area of study and differs between schools. A master's degree in teaching program will combine core, fundamental concepts with elective courses that will deepen your knowledge of specific subject matters. While a first-grade teacher will have courses related to childhood development, a vocational teacher will have courses that focus on learning job-skills. However, both teachers will take the same foundational courses to earn their master's degree in teaching.

Teaching Foundational Courses

Most foundational courses for an online master's degree in teaching will have a few things in common. These may include theories and concepts of learning; ways to develop and implement teaching strategies to promote inclusion; and a research and evaluation component. Foundational courses are typically required by every student in a master's in teaching program regardless of their specialization. These courses must be completed to earn your master's degree in teaching. Foundational courses are common in master's in teaching programs because teaching as a profession shares basic principles, values, and goals. These courses create the basis upon which the rest of the profession operates.

Teaching Specialist & Elective Courses

While pursuing an online master's degree in teaching, you will be able to choose from a variety of elective courses related to different specialized fields and subjects. Common specialties available in a master's in teaching program include:

• Early Childhood Education (infant to 4-years-old)
• Primary/Elementary Childhood Education (Kindergarten to 6th grade)
• Intermediate/Middle School Education
• Secondary/High School Education
• Vocational-Technical School Education
• Special Education

It is worth noting that many of these specialized areas have dual certification programs. Special education for students with developmental and learning disabilities will require dual certification.

Licensure & Certification in Teaching

While rules and policies vary by state, all states require some type of licensing and certification that teachers must have. In most states, a minimum of a bachelor's degree in teaching is required. To be licensed or certified, you may need to pass an exam or take specific classes. It is common to undergo background checks to obtain these. You may also be required to take continuing education courses to renew your license each year. Additionally, most states have programs in place to help fill vacant teaching positions when there are not enough teachers available to fill those positions. These vary by state and are typically referred to as "alternative teacher certifications." In these programs, teachers are allowed to teach students in the classroom while working toward the required degree, license, and certification.

Almost all master's programs for teaching require you to have a bachelor's degree. A GPA of at least 3.0 is standard, but some exceptions may be allowed. While having a bachelor's degree in teaching is an advantage, it's not required. Many students seeking a master's degree in teaching have bachelor's degrees in fields related to the subject they want to teach. If you have a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field, you may be required obtain certifications before being accepted into a program. Most programs have standard application requirements similar to other graduate programs. These include filling out an application, paying an application fee, sending official (sealed) transcripts from your undergraduate school, and letters of recommendation.

When choosing an online master's degree in teaching program, there are a few different factors to consider. The first thing you want to do is ensure that the program and school you are interested in is legitimate. Schools that are accredited have had their programs reviewed and approved by government and professional agencies. This ensures that they meet a set of agreed upon standards and guidelines. The U.S. Department of Education is a great resource to search for a school's accreditation status. The next step is to evaluate what you are looking for in a program. Some things to consider include subject-specific courses, opportunities to work towards certifications and licenses, assistance in finding field placements, flexibility in scheduling, and the cost of tuition. A school's website may offer some information and ask you to fill out a contact form for more details. When speaking with a school's representative, make sure to ask about those things that are important to you. After all, you are going to spend a lot of money and time investing in your education, so use all the tools available to you to make the right decision. You also need to make sure that you have the capability to complete your work online. That means having a computer and reliable internet access. Check with the school about any requirements you need to use their software and programs.

If you're already a teacher, a master's degree in teaching will help you be a more effective teacher. If you're interested in teaching Kindergarten, you will help young children learn the basics they need to know to progress through their elementary education. Having a master's degree in teaching is preferred if you want to be a vocational or technical teacher. You also need on-the-job experience. As a vocational teacher you will help kids gain the knowledge and master the skills they will need to enter a trade or technical career. With a Master of Arts in Teaching degree, you can teach children about history or help children who are learning English as their second language (ESL). With a Master of Science in Teaching degree you can teach high school chemistry or specialized mathematics subjects like trigonometry or algebra.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Teaching

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, grade school teaching positions are expected to rise about 4% from 2019 to 2029. This is considered average and similar to other careers. Although enrollments in schools are expected to rise, job availability will depend largely on the location. This is in part due to budget issues. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the 2016-2017 school year the majority of public school funds came from local property taxes and state assistance; the federal government contributed only about 8%. The teaching positions that will have the highest demand will most likely be in the fields of science, language, and special education.

How to Become a Teacher

If you would like to teach, but don't have a post-secondary degree, there are teaching jobs that don't require a degree. Some of these include teacher's assistant, library assistant, or childcare worker. Requirements for licenses and certifications vary by state. Many certifications are either required or preferred for specialized fields, such as special education. If you're interested in teaching primary and secondary school, you will need a bachelor's degree. Students in primary and secondary schools generally range in age from five to eighteen years old. Primary school teachers may have the same group of students in one class throughout the school year and can expect to teach a variety of subjects. Secondary school teachers tend to specialize in one subject. For example, a mathematics teacher in secondary school may teach algebra to one class of students, and trigonometry to another. Students may be grouped by grade and learning ability. Skills needed to teach primary school involve understanding age-appropriate childhood development and knowledge of multiple subjects like English, mathematics, and history. As a secondary school teacher, you will need advanced knowledge about the primary subject you are teaching. A secondary school teacher will need to be able to help students with different levels of skills and knowledge, from fundamental concepts to advanced studies.

How to Become a Guidance Counselor

Becoming a guidance counselor is another career option if you have a Master's in Teaching degree. Many school districts prefer guidance counselors to have prior teaching experience in a classroom setting since most of them work in primary, secondary, and post-secondary school systems. While requirements vary by state, a guidance counselor may need a license in teaching. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a professional organization that includes a list of each state's requirements to become a guidance counselor. The main responsibility of a guidance counselor is to help students get the best educational experience possible. While guidance counselors provide individual and group counseling for students, they may also provide training sessions for faculty and other educational programs. Guidance counselors must have excellent communication skills to work with all parties involved in a student's learning experience. This may involve family members, teachers, administrators, and psychologists. Guidance counselors work to address barriers that may hinder a student's ability to learn. Some examples of those potential barriers include learning or intellectual disabilities, behavioral or emotional issues, and environmental or social issues.

It is common for students pursuing a master's degree in teaching to have a variety of baccalaureate degrees. Many students come from a liberal arts background like psychology, sociology, or history. Others may have science degrees like biology, mathematics, or physics. There are also students who have technical education degrees like computer science or engineering. While it's helpful to have an undergraduate degree in education, it's not necessary. In many cases, if your undergraduate degree is in the same subject you would like to teach, this is transferrable as your knowledge of the subject will be an advantage. According to teach.org, if you don't have a degree that's related to the subject you want to teach, you may have to go through some extra steps to be certified to teach in that area.

One option to consider after earning a master's degree in teaching is pursuing a doctoral degree. Most teachers pursuing a doctoral degree in teaching are seeking careers in academia or public policy. Teachers with doctoral degrees can teach at institutions of higher education, become involved in research studies and projects, and work in leadership roles where they can advocate for improvements in social policies that affect school systems. Professors at colleges and universities need to have a doctoral degree in teaching. Some colleges will allow a teacher with a master's degree to teach classes on a part-time basis with supervision.

Most people enrolling in an online master's degree program for teaching will need some form of financial aid. It is highly recommended to explore any scholarships or grants that you may be able to obtain. The U.S. Department of Education has resources available to help you search for grants that are specific to teaching. These are funds that go toward your college expenses that you don't have to repay. The most popular way to finance an education is by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the first step for many students in securing a government-funded student loan. You must meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify. Another option for financing your college education is to obtain a loan through a bank or credit union. Some employers have programs in which they will help pay for some or all of their employees' tuition costs. Also, public servants and teachers may be eligible for "loan forgiveness" if they meet certain criteria.