Is a Master’s in Education Right for You? What New Teachers Should Consider
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by
Alex Skov
Starting your teaching career is an exciting milestone, but it’s natural to wonder what comes next. One question many new teachers face is whether pursuing a Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) is worth the investment they would need to make. The answer depends on your goals, timing, and financial situation, but for most educators, it’s a smart career move that pays dividends both personally and professionally.
Let’s explore what you need to know to make the right decision for your teaching journey, including the benefits of pursuing an M.Ed. and what to consider when choosing a master’s degree program.
The Benefits of Earning a Master’s Degree for New Teachers
When you’re settling into a new education career and getting used to juggling lesson plans, grading, and classroom management, the idea of returning to school might feel overwhelming. However, the benefits of earning an M.Ed. can be substantial and long-lasting, helping fast-track your career advancement and sustain your love of teaching.
Higher Earning Potential
According to the National Education Association, teachers with master’s degrees earn between $3,600 and $10,400 more annually than their peers with only bachelor’s degrees. Over the course of a career, this difference adds up significantly.
Nathan Cohen, a teacher from Michigan, put this in perspective when he appeared on the Front of the Class podcast: “Over the last 22 years that I’ve had my master’s degree, the amount of money that I wouldn’t have without it is astronomical.”
Cohen earned his master’s in curriculum and instruction early in his career and advises others to do the same.
“I would encourage every teacher to get a master’s degree. Your pay increase is definitely worth it,” Cohen said. “I did it right when I finished college, so I did it my first and second year of teaching, which was not easy, but that was the recommendation that I was given — to just do it right away.”
Similarly, Cole Cooper saw his investment pay off immediately when he earned his Master’s in Educational Leadership. The degree helped him land his first administrative position, which came with a $17,000 salary increase — enough extra money to allow his wife to stay home and raise their son.
Unlike Cohen, however, Cooper had been teaching for nearly a decade (and coaching for even longer) by the time he earned his master’s degree. This made it even more shocking when an HR business manager informed him about the bump in pay he’d be receiving.
“I’m sitting there looking at her like, ‘What? Are you kidding?’” he said. “Why didn’t I get my master’s right off the bat? I could have made a lot more money.”
Career Advancement Opportunities
Cooper isn’t the only teacher who has found more job opportunities after earning an advanced degree. Your master’s degree can open doors to leadership roles that are generally unavailable to teachers with only a bachelor’s degree, including:
- Instructional coaches who support other teachers
- Curriculum specialists who design learning materials
- Department heads who lead subject-area teams
- School administrators like assistant principals and principals
Dr. Alicia Abbey, the principal of Morningstar Catholic School in Florida, credits her master’s degree with launching her leadership career.
“That’s how I became a principal,” she shared on Front of the Class. “I definitely encourage people to go [back] to school whether you think you’re going to use it right away or not because it will come in handy at some point.”
Enhanced Teaching Skills and Confidence
Completing advanced coursework isn’t just about the future, either. It can make you a more effective educator now, allowing you to immediately apply what you learn in your own classroom. Because master’s programs dive deep into topics like differentiated instruction, educational psychology, and classroom technology integration, this can have a direct impact on improving outcomes for your students.
What New Teachers Should Consider When Choosing a Master’s Degree
While the benefits of earning an M.Ed. are clear and potentially even life-changing for teachers, timing and planning are two major factors when it comes to pursuing a master’s degree.
When to Start Your Program
Jason Piechowiak has two master’s degrees and more than 20 years of experience as a substitute and full-time teacher, and his advice is straightforward: “Get good at what you’re doing, then go back to school.”
The case for gaining some firsthand classroom experience before beginning graduate coursework is easy to make, too.
“I didn’t go back to school until 8 years [into teaching] and I felt like it was extremely valuable simply because a lot of the coursework in these graduate programs ask you about experiences and what you would do differently, or how would you incorporate this new technology or this new practice into what you’re already doing,” Piechowiak explained in a recent podcast, “and I feel like if you don’t have the experience, it makes the classes that much harder.”
This doesn’t mean you need to wait 8 years like Piechowiak, though. Even 1 full year of teaching experience can provide valuable context that makes your graduate coursework more meaningful and applicable.
If you’re also pursuing your teaching license, programs like Moreland University’s M.Ed. with teaching credential empower you to earn both your U.S. teaching license and a master’s in education in as little as 12 months — 100% online. Moreland also offers graduates of its TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program the opportunity to add-on an M.Ed. with about 3 months of additional course work.
Choosing a Specialization
There are many master’s programs designed specifically for educators, and even within M.Ed. offerings, there are various specializations that align with different career goals and student populations. Moreland University’s M.Ed. program allows teachers to choose from the following 6 high-impact specialization areas, for example:
- Early Childhood Education
- Special Education
- Educational Technology
- Teaching Multilingual Learners
- Educational Research
- Globalization in Education
When you’re preparing to pursue an M.Ed., consider your interests, your school’s needs, and your long-term career aspirations when selecting a specialization. This will help you increase your immediate impact while planning for the professional future that you envision for yourself.
Program Format and Flexibility
Master‘s degree programs come in all shapes and sizes. Some people are able to enroll in class full-time without having a job, but most working teachers seek out programs that fit their schedules and can be completed while they maintain a regular education role. Many teachers look for programs with that meet the following criteria:
- A flexible online format that allows for study from anywhere
- Asynchronous coursework can be completed on your own timeline
- Cohort-based learning that builds connections and idea exchange with other educators
- Practical lessons you can immediately use in your classroom
Moreland’s 100% online, 12-month M.Ed. program is designed specifically with this criteria in mind to make earning an advanced degree simpler for working teachers.
Cost and Return on Investment
Graduate school is an investment, but it’s one that typically pays for itself relatively quickly. With many school districts offering higher pay scales for educators with advanced degrees, teachers can often make up the cost of a master’s within the first few years after graduation.
When evaluating program costs, it’s important to consider factors tuition and fees and the availability of payment plans and student loans, as well as long-term career benefits like the potential salary increases offered by school districts noted above.
Practical Next Steps for Teachers Considering Master’s Degrees
If you’re considering pursuing an M.Ed., start by:
- Researching your district’s salary schedule to understand the financial benefits
- Identifying your areas of interest and potential specializations
- Connecting with other teachers who have earned advanced degrees
- Exploring program options that fit your schedule and budget
- Considering if the timing is right based on your experience level and career goals
Always remember that while earning an M.Ed. has immediate benefits for teachers and students alike, the real value of a master’s degree is in how it positions teachers for long-term success and impact in education.
Enhancing Your Teaching Career with an M.Ed.
Adding a Master’s in Education to your resume represents more than just completing advanced coursework. It shows your commitment to professional growth and student success. While the decision requires careful consideration of timing, cost, and program choice, benefits like higher earning potential, career advancement, and refined teaching skills make it a worthwhile investment for most educators.
For more information about what new teachers should consider when thinking about earning an M.Ed., check out Moreland’s complimentary resource The K-12 Teacher’s Guide to Master’s Degrees for more details about degree types, salary comparisons, and strategies for pursuing graduate studies while teaching full-time. You can also explore the The First-Year Teacher’s Guide to Success for additional support as you navigate the beginning of your education career.
