For those of us who lived through Y2K, it’s almost funny to reflect on the tension and fear leading up to the New Year. When the clocks hit midnight on December 31, we were warned that computers would go haywire, data would disappear, and life as we know it would come to a standstill. Of course, the world didn’t end, but in a lot of ways, 2000 marked the beginning of a massive change. The internet revolutionized industry, new technology expanded the job market, and virtually every aspect of our society—including education—changed as the Information Age began in earnest.
At FSU’s College of Education, we understand that learning has evolved and continues to change to this day. One of the major shifts that we are seeing is the rise of post-secondary degrees. Now, more than at any other point in history, there are more individuals with master’s degrees and doctorates. In fact, according to Vox, there were the same number of master’s degrees in 2015 as there were bachelor’s degrees in the 1960s.[i] Education has always been one of the most popular post-secondary degrees in America, and that trend continues to today.
In the past, getting a master’s degree meant changing your life to accommodate class schedules. For many people, that potentially meant delaying your career, disrupting your family life, or even tying you to a geographical location. Thanks to the rise of the internet, however, more individuals can get a master’s degree. Online classrooms, like the ones found in the FSU College of Education’s online programs, allow you to complete coursework on your schedule. Want to keep working at your current job? Not a problem! Have to move to a different part of a country? Continue learning wherever you are!
Why are so many people getting a master’s degree? A master’s degree comes with a number of perks and benefits, particularly for educators. Getting a master’s in education means:
- More job opportunities
- Increased income potential
- Becoming a better teacher
- Better access to other career sectors
More Job Opportunities
While a majority of educators choose to stay in the classroom, some decide that they want to be school administrators. Getting a master’s degree is typically one of the first steps to start a career in school administration. Since many school administration positions also value teaching experience, earning your master’s degree online enables you to continue teaching in a classroom, expand your résumé, and receive the training you need to achieve your career goals.
Learn more about Florida State University’s Educational Leadership program.
Increased Income Potential
Teachers who hold a master’s in education typically earn more money. The amount of money varies from state to state, but Teacher.org found that an elementary school teacher can expect to earn around $7,000 more each year with a master’s degree.[ii] Certain school districts even offer an automatic wage increase when teachers complete their master’s degree.
Find the right online master’s degree for you at FSU’s College of Education.
Become a Better Teacher
Teaching is an art form and getting a master’s in education helps hone your craft. Depending on the master’s degree, you will receive additional training on how to engage students at a high level. If you decide to go straight from your bachelor’s degree to FSU’s master’s program, you will enter your first classroom feeling more prepared and confident in your own abilities.
Better Access to Other Career Sectors
With a bachelor’s in education, you will typically teach at a public or private school. With a master’s degree, you could potentially enter the corporate and non-profit sectors. Oftentimes, those positions involve training or developing personnel at various businesses and organizations. Applying what you’ve learned in your master’s program as an educator can open up new doors for you outside of the classroom.
If you are ready to begin your journey towards your master’s degree, you’ll find the right program for you at FSU’s College of Education. Rated as one of the best in the nation for online graduate programs by U.S. News and World Report, the FSU College of Education offers a number of online degree and certificate programs. Whether you’re looking for our Educational Leadership certificate or our Curriculum and Instruction program, you can expect individualized attention from experienced instructors and access to a collaborative and supportive community of learners.
Learning has evolved, so make the most of it by discovering how the FSU College of Education’s online degree and certificate programs can benefit your career.
[i] https://www.vox.com/2014/5/20/5734816/masters-degrees-are-as-common-now-as-bachelors-degrees-were-in-the-60s
[ii] https://www.teacher.org/topic/teacher-salary-what-to-expect/
