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It’s no secret that teachers are getting burnt out nowadays. From navigating Zoom classrooms to caring for children from diverse socioeconomically and ethnic backgrounds, to being asked to juggle more items than they can handle, teachers today are wondering if they truly knew what they were getting into when they signed up to become educators. Throughout undergraduate education, teachers are taught various practices and foundational techniques for teaching and managing a classroom in order to effectively push their students from one grade level to the next. However, as more teachers are becoming aware of systemic issues like pay gaps and a lack of emphasis on technology, the decrease in education majors is reaching all-time lows leaving many to wonder if they should consider a master’s degree to boost their pay, credibility, and understanding of new research-based teaching methods for running a K-12 classroom.
Over fifty years ago, the United States had 1 in every 5 bachelor’s degree holders earning a degree in education. Today, that steady pipeline has diminished resulting in a plummet of upwards of 150%. This downhill trend has resulted in various issues not only for our economic development but also for our school systems. Whether it’s working overtime, handling behavioral issues, or managing health concerns like COVID-19 and unvaccinated children, the issues are getting out of hand. Not to mention, the added financial burdens of the teacher pay gap, which has merely increased by $29 during 1996 to 2021, from $1,319 to $1,348 in 2021.
So, what are teachers supposed to do? Is there any hope? Luckily, studies have shown that obtaining a master’s degree does assist in some of these areas, particularly with a substantial increase in pay, and knowledge of what the data suggests are the best ways to handle the predicaments teachers are facing. ACU Online has developed a comprehensive and advanced Master of Education in Instruction and Learning (M.Ed.) program for educators looking to increase multiple facets of their teaching and learning in order to propel change within their school systems.
With the Master of Education in Instruction and Learning, educators like you can improve their craft while simultaneously enriching their passion by becoming master teachers The M.Ed. in Instruction and Learning consists of 30 credit hours with a completed timeframe between 18-20 months. With courses like Humans at Work: EI, Resiliency, and Vocational Formation, Applied Digital Skills for Classroom Teachers, Creating Effective Learning Environments, and Assessing Today’s Learners, educators can even prime themselves for future careers beyond teaching like becoming administrators, curriculum developers and more.
Equipping you to handle the growing diversity of today’s classrooms, you can advance your career by studying curriculum rooted in three concentrations to assist you in combining data-driven skills and decision-making techniques with faith-based principles to broaden your understanding of pedagogy. These concentrations include:
Our Education and Teaching concentration is designed for current teachers who have obtained their bachelor’s degree in a field other than education (and have obtained an alternative teaching certification), and who are interested in seeking to develop their instructional practices and advance their careers. Whether those career goals include developing a curriculum, moving school districts, or pursuing more teaching opportunities, our Education and Teaching concentration is a great avenue for teachers looking to better themselves and their students.
For aspiring leaders, our Education Leadership concentration aims to equip seasoned educators with the skills to oversee fellow instructors, communicate interpersonally, create and execute curriculum standards, and enhance student support systems to better support your district’s overarching mission. This is a perfect opportunity for administrators looking to move up the ranks within their districts and enact change from the top, down.
Our last concentration is our most technically inclined and a great choice for any educator looking to learn more about how to increase digital literacy in their classrooms. With our Learning with Emerging Technologies concentration, you will focus on interactive skills like course design and development, problem-solving techniques, emerging technology methods, the theory and structure of instructional design, adult motivation, and self-directed learning methods.
Getting your master’s in education can reap significant benefits to your overall career as an educator. On average, teachers with master’s degrees can expect to expand their career choices as well as increase earnings of about 10-15%, depending on your state. These careers can include:
- Instructional Technology Coordinator: work with teachers and staff on developing curriculum and effective learning strategies for technological teaching | $65K average income
- Instructional Design Specialist: use advanced technology and methods to design teaching materials for diverse learning environments. | $65K average income
- Curriculum Developer: responsible for managing instructional materials, providing recommendations, and making adjustments to the current student’s curriculum to adhere to educational standards. | $64K average income
- Professional Development Trainer: train and develop special plans and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of employees and teachers. | $63K average income
- Education Policy Analyst: conducts and develops research into educational issues while simultaneously working with departments to propose solutions. | $70K average income
Don’t let the issues of our current educational system dictate your passion to teach, serve, and inspire students. You can make the change happen by choosing to gain the needed skills and experience today. The country needs teachers like you, and ACU Online is here to help get you where you want to be. Learn more by visiting our website or by calling 877-219-8300.