Monday, June 11, 2012

Master of Arts in Education ր Should I Specialize?

You have probably already noticed that there a dozens of choices when pursuing a MasterҀs degree in Education.  In fact, there are so many different options, you might find it challenging to decide on the right one for you.  Take the time to look carefully before you begin, since graduate level coursework rarely transfers from one institution to another.
Graduate-level education programs fall into two basic categories:  general and specialty.  When deciding which one will be right for you, start with what you are doing right now.  Are you currently a classroom teacher?  Do you enjoy what you are doing?  Do you see yourself wanting to do the same thing five or ten years from now?  If the answer to these questions is yes, you may want to consider a general MasterҀs in Education degree program, such as Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle School Education, Secondary Education or Adult Education.  These programs offer the professional advantages of an advanced degree, without locking you in to a narrow focus.  You will also learn that if your career takes you out of education into the private sector or non-profit world, most employers will acknowledge the accomplishment of your advanced degree but will not necessarily be concerned with your major emphasis.
On the other hand, if you are considering a career in fields that include guidance, curriculum or administration, a specialty MasterҀs in Education degree program like Counseling, Curriculum & Instruction or Educational Leadership is almost always required, so you will need to specialize.  When deciding on whether to specialize, you must also ask yourself this question:  Do I have a passion for an academic subject?  If the answer is an emphatic yes, you may want to seriously consider a MasterҀs in Education degree program that focuses specifically on that subject.  Not only does a MasterҀs degree in a core subject like Math, Science, English or Social Studies deepen your knowledge, it can prepare you for curriculum work within the K-12 educational system.  A subject-based MasterҀs degree in Education can also offer you the opportunity to become an instructor and teach your subject at two-year colleges and sometimes even lower level courses at many four-year institutions.  If you choose to leave the classroom for the private sector, this is also the type of degree that education companies are looking for, where you might find yourself actually writing content for textbooks, software and other educational materials.
Lastly, donҀt take my word for this.  Seek out the people who are doing what you want to do and find out how they got there.  Ask someone to be your mentor. Their advice will be invaluable.

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