Admission Into Masters Education Programs

All masters of education programs require students to already have an undergraduate or bachelor's degree in the field of education or another similar field. They also often require applicants to have several years of teaching experience before becoming accepted into a graduate program. They generally also require applicants to have a passing score on the GRE, test required for entrance into most graduate school programs.

Coursework for Masters of Education

The coursework in masters of education programs centers on teaching and curriculum. However, some programs also allow students to gain a specialty in specific area of education including areas like curriculum and instruction, adult education, school counseling, academic enrichment, and higher education. Individuals who want to teach or work in a college or university setting may use their masters of education degree as a stepping stone to getting into a doctorate program in education.

Job Potential with Master's in Education

Many teachers go on to get their master's degree, because they can earn more money. The average teacher in the United States with a bachelor's degree earns about $44,000 annually. The average earnings of a teacher with a master's degree are about $51,000 annually. Educational administrative occupations like public school principals that require a master’s degree make on average from $74,000 to $82,000 annually, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are also some great business occupations that a masters of education degree is also very useful in. These include corporate educators and training managers who had average salaries around $87,000 annually in 2008, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Other occupations that this degree is useful in are curriculum development, instructional development, and human resources training.