Find Online Masters in Education Programs

The Benefits of a Masters in Education Degree

A Bachelor's degree is the minimum educational level required for teaching certification in most states and school districts. Why take the extra step to pursue a Masters degree?

A Masters in Education Degree can offer a huge career boost. Highly prized by many schools, a Masters in Education Degree means you will likely be in high demand — and paid accordingly. In fact, research from the Department of Educational Statistics shows that teachers with a Masters degree will earn, on average, $11,200 more per year than their peers with only a Bachelor's degree.

But beyond a great salary boost, a Masters in Education Degree simply means more opportunities and a stronger career for educators. If you have your sights set on school administration, counseling, school psychology, or even a career in instructional design or higher education, a Masters in Education Degree will be necessary.

Is an Online Masters in Education Degree Right for You?

Online Masters in Education degree programs are ideal for self-disciplined students seeking convenience and flexibility. They are perfect for education students who want to pursue a Masters degree while continuing to teach full time, or for those who need a more flexible schedule due to other personal or professional needs. Online degrees are also ideal for students who are interested in a degree program that is available online, but not offered locally.

Like their on campus counterparts, coursework for online Masters in Education Degree programs is rigorous and challenging, and typically includes a final thesis or practicum. It takes focus and dedication to commit to an online Masters degree program, but the benefits of earning your degree online are well worth it.

Masters in Education Degrees

Grade levels:

• Early Childhood Education Programs
• Elementary Education Programs
• Middle/Intermediate Education Programs
• Secondary Education Programs
• Adult Education Programs

Subjects:

• Art Education Programs
• Business Education Programs
• Curriculum and Instruction Programs
• English Education Programs
• Foreign Language Education Programs
• Gifted and Talented Education Programs
• Health and Physical Education Programs
• History Education Programs
• Instructional Technology Programs
• Math Education Programs
• Music Education Programs
• Reading and Literacy Programs
• School Administration Programs
• School Counseling Programs
• Science Education Programs
• Special Education Programs
• TESOL/ESL/Bilingual Education Programs
• Vocational and Technical Education Programs

Teaching Certifications and Accrediting Boards

Teaching is a very influential field that touches millions of students every year. In order to ensure that students are receiving a high quality education from the most qualified teachers, teaching education programs must have the proper accreditation to administer teaching degrees. Accreditation does much more than just provide approval of education programs, it provides security in knowing that you are getting an education that is relevant and helpful for students you may be teaching. If you are interested in a teaching career in your future, it is important that you become accustomed to some of the popular and reliable accreditation boards so that you can rest assured that your degree program is the best quality and will be accepted by certification agencies on a local and national level.

Accreditation is a term that can be disorienting for new or experienced college students. There is regional accreditation, national accreditation, and a huge number of program accreditations. All of these agencies provide specific information about the school in particular and the specific degree program that each school offers. For teaching professionals, it is very important to comprehend the importance of program accreditation prior to choosing a school in any location. Program accreditation is what makes a teaching degree program worth the time and effort, and can pay off in the long run. Our experts have provided a quick guide to introduce you to the different types of accreditation and how they can affect your ability to become licensed below.

CAEP accreditation

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is a leading accreditation board for educational programs in teaching and education. Its goal is to provide excellence in the preparation of educators across the country, and uses accreditation that is reliable through evidence-based studies to provide quality programs. If you are considering a teaching degree program in the future, you should acclimate yourself to the standards and requirements of this organization, so that you know what to look for in a degree program. Organizations such as this one provide high standards for universities to match in order to continue having CAEP accreditation. The standards for accreditation are constantly updated and renewed in order to stay up to date with societal changes and innovations in technology. The values of this agency include the importance of an effective K-12 education, since it caters to the advancement of society in the years to come.

Universities that are accredited by the CAEP have proven that their educational programs meet the standards of high quality educational programs throughout the United States. Most universities, especially online, should display accreditation on their website for you to review. While some universities provide this information clearly and upfront, others may require that you do some research throughout the website to ensure proper accreditation. In terms of licensure, individual states may not accept degree programs that are not completed from an accredited university, so it is vital that this seal of approval is on a university before you choose it. Read more below about regional accreditation, and how it should not be confused with program accreditation. If you desire a career in the field of education, keep in mind the accreditation requirement for each university you review.

What is regional accreditation?

Regional accreditation is awarded to schools based on the entirety of their educational programs. This type of accreditation is more focused on the school as a whole rather than the individual programs within, making it an important part of choosing a university, but not a specific degree program. When you are asked whether or not you attended an accredited university, this is typically referring to regional accreditation. Whenever you are concerned with the specific accreditation of various degree programs, you should consult the specifics of the university for independent degree programs, rather than just regional accreditation. For teaching degrees, a regionally accredited school should be used only when accompanied by CAEP accreditation of the individual educational programs. Although regional accreditation is important in gauging the reliability and trustworthiness of a school, it does little in ensuring that your specific program will be accepted by licensing agencies within your respective state.

How does Teacher Certification work?

There are a few steps involved with becoming certified as a teacher across the U.S. The most general requirement for certification is the acquisition of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Typically, this degree should be in teaching or education, but alternative graduate programs have been developed to transitions non-teaching Bachelor's degree, making this a flexible requirement. After completing a Bachelor's program, students must also successfully pass one or more Praxis exams prior to entering into a certification program or graduate degree program. This examination is designed to test the skills of future educators and is required for all programs. The last requirement for certification is completing of an approved teacher training program. Most degree programs in education and teaching have this requirement interlaced with the curriculum, and it involves on the job learning and internships that prepare teachers to work in an educational setting. Once all of these requirements have been met, certification is earned and licensure can be pursued.

National board certifications

Becoming certified as a teaching professional is typically accomplished on a state-by-state basis. This is great for professionals that have no intention of moving within their lifetime, but is very limiting for individuals that may find themselves moving out of state throughout their career. National board certification in teaching allows graduates to prove their excellence in teaching and become certified for licensure in a large majority of states throughout the country. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is a great resource for teachers that are looking to expand their boundaries so that they are not limited to the area that they are currently certified in. In order to be considered for national board certification, applicants must successfully complete field assessments as well as a standardized test set forth by the board. Having this level of certification can contribute to how extensive a teaching career can be from start to finish.