For teachers wanting to advance in their careers, furthering their education is an obvious next step. However, there are some concrete reasons why getting a master's degree is a wise move. Here are our top four.
Increased pay
Not every teacher aims to become a principal, but that doesn’t mean they can’t benefit from a graduate degree. Having a master’s degree can increase the yearly salary for teachers. Plus, loan forgiveness programs can often make a master’s degree have a great return on investment!
Opportunities in administration
If leadership is on your mind, getting a master’s degree related to administration can help teachers advance to other roles within the school or district. (If you’re looking, Southern Nazarene University has programs in Educational Leadership and Special Education Administration available online or one evening a week!)
Improved performance
Getting in a classroom with other educators from different districts and backgrounds gives teachers different perspectives to draw from. Julie Miller, a professor in educational law at SNU, said in her classes, growth comes from students connecting with other students and taking that knowledge back into the workplace.
More achievable than ever
With the rise of nontraditional programs, attending school while working full-time and parenting is more achievable than ever. For example, SNU offers degree programs that meet one evening a week or entirely online.
As an educator, it’s important to constantly be seeking your own education. You understand knowledge is something no one can take away from you. Getting a master’s degree is just one step in a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
