[RELATED] 10 Traits of Successful School Leaders >> vs. MAT [Career Opportunities and Salaries] Teachers choose to become teachers because they love to teach, not to become millionaires. However, earning a master's degree not only helps you expand your spectrum of career opportunities, it can also significantly increase your earning potential. Though estimates vary greatly, a U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report examining graduate degree "wage premiums" for those who hold a master's over a bachelor's degree indicates significant differentials in the education field. According to the most recent BLS data, "Education administrators had the highest percentage wage premium, with 44 percent higher wages for master's degree holders than for bachelor's degree holders. The wage premium for preschool and kindergarten teachers was nearly as high, at 43 percent. " The differential for elementary and secondary school teachers ranged from 24 to 28 percent.
There are a variety of graduate degree programs offered to educators. Though they might seem interchangeable, there are more differences than you might think. Knowing the differences will help you find the right education you need to advance your career. Read on for some general guidelines about the difference between a Master's of Education and a Master of Arts/Master of Science in Teaching. Degrees can vary widely by institution and by state, so please verify that any program meets your professional goals before starting your master's degree. Master's of Education The Master's of Education provides you the opportunity to expand your career options both inside and outside the classroom and explore a number of fields in education including leadership, curriculum & instruction and special education. This degree often focuses on practical, field-based experience that helps you understand and critically evaluate education practices and provides strategies that can be immediately applied to your service.
Determination of whether a course counts as arts-related is made by the AIE Faculty Director in dialogue with the course professor.
Most degrees will prepare you for initial licensure in your state. What is an MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) A Master of Arts in Teaching is designed to give current and prospective teachers the hands-on, practical skills they need to be effective in the classroom. If you are currently teaching and wish to gain additional subject-specific skills and strategies, an MAT offers many opportunities to focus on: Childhood Education Elementary Education Secondary Education Special Education Gifted & Talented Education And more Similarly, if you are looking to change careers and move into the teaching field, the MAT will offer you the education you need to do so and prepare you for initial licensure in your state. Another reason the MAT degree is an excellent option for career changers is that there is typically a required student teaching component, which will enable you to practice and experience an actual classroom. Much like the degree, MAT degree programs typically take about two years to complete and are offered in varying formats at many schools across the country.
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Many top programs also offer a variety of specializations that enable you to focus on your areas of interest. For example, the highly regarded online Master of Education program offered by the University of San Diego, designed for educators with two or more years of teaching experience, is valuable whether you wish to transform your classroom or transition into school leadership while also positioning yourself to explore other opportunities in the world of education. [RELATED] Download our free eBook to learn the top reasons to earn your Master of Education degree >> Joseph Lathan, PhD Dr. Lathan has 18 years of experience in Higher Education Administration with 16 of those years in Online Education Administration. His areas of expertise include online learning pedagogy and online teaching and learning best practices. Dr. Lathan earned his B. in Psychology from Empire State College, his M. in Education Administration from Michigan State University, and a Ph. D. in Organizational Leadership from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Programs Target Education Academics The Master of Arts in Education (MAE) is an advanced academic degree that lets professional educators advance their careers, and in some states it is one of the requirements for a teaching license. If you are currently teaching and would like to become a principal, or a school or mental health counselor, the MAE will help you reach those goals. Within the scope of the masters in education, you may choose among specializations like Language and Literacy, Early Childhood Education, or Higher Education Administration. If you choose to concentrate on Curriculum and Instruction, for example, you will focus on how to teach effectively and develop methods of instruction especially suited to helping different groups of students learn. Scholarships From Colleges University of Michigan-Flint The University of Michigan-Flint has several graduate scholarships, one reserved for students in the masters in education program. The Ralph and Emmalyn Freeman Master of Arts in Education Scholarship is given to students in one of the following four concentrations: Early Childhood Education, Literacy K-12, Special Education, and Technology in Education.
The goal of this post is to provide a helpful overview of the vs. MAT breakdown. One of the key similarities between the two degrees is that they're both a proven way to pursue your passion for education while also expanding your career opportunities and earning potential. What is an (Master of Education)? A Master of Education degree is designed for current educators who wish to expand their understanding of teaching theories, pedagogy, strategies and more. Though the degree is well-suited to teachers seeking new ways to make an even greater impact in the lives of their students, those who choose the pathway often hold aspirations of expanding their career beyond the classroom. For example, if you are interested in becoming a school principal, designing curriculum working in a college or university setting, or positioning yourself for business roles such as a corporate trainer, an will equip you with the skills required to be successful. In addition, programs typically offer students the choice of specializing in specific areas such as: Curriculum & Instruction School Leadership Inclusive Learning & Special Education Literacy & Digital Learning STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Traditionally, programs take about two years to complete; and now more schools offer flexible online formats that enable you to work a full-time teaching job while working toward your Master of Education degree.