Master’s in Education Degree in Minnesota
Starting in July 2018, Minnesota adopted a new teacher licensing program to address the state’s current teacher shortage. Additionally, Minnesota has implemented many new incentives, including a teacher shortage loan repayment program.
It is now easier than ever to teach in Minnesota, and with a master’s degree you can ensure that you are earning your full potential. With many loan repayment options, scholarship opportunities and tax credits to help you get your Master of Arts (or science) in education, there is no better time to seek a master’s in education degree in Minnesota. Also, if you are specifically seeking a master’s in teaching, Minnesota offers many options.
On this page you will learn about the benefits of getting a master’s degree, specific information about getting a master’s degree in Minnesota, and the types of master’s degrees offered.
Why Get a Master’s Degree?
Stay Competitive
A bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate may be enough to get you started teaching in Minnesota, but they may not be enough to support a long-term career. As mentioned above, over half of the teachers in Minnesota have a master’s degree. This statistic suggests that in order to stay competitive in your field, getting a master’s degree might be an important step.
Improve Performance
A master’s degree in the field of education can give you a better understanding of educational theory and methodology, as well as additional student teaching experience. These things can, in turn, increase your effectiveness in the classroom. Several studies have shown that the students of teachers with master’s degrees outperform students whose teachers do not have the degree. So, getting a master’s degree can be a win-win for both you and your students!
Increase Your Earning Potential
In Minnesota, teachers with a master’s degree teachers can expect to make approximately $4,000 to $8,000 more than teachers with just a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, teachers seeking a master’s degree might qualify for a $2,500 tax credit. Minnesota also offers loan repayment options and scholarship opportunities for master’s degree students.
Advance Your Career
An advanced degree in education can open the door to a variety of career opportunities. You might want to move into the area of school administration and become a principal or district supervisor. You might decide to focus on a particular specialty, such as special education or STEM. Or, you might decide to move into a different job sector altogether, such as curriculum development or educational research.
Types of Education Master’s Degrees
In general, there are two main types of master’s degrees. A Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree focuses on developing teaching skills in specific subjects and grade levels. A Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree focuses on educational theory and leadership skills. Note that there is no standard system for naming degrees — different institutions may use different designations.
Master of Arts in Teaching
This degree is an umbrella for degrees that focus on different concentrations. Following are some examples:
- Elementary education: Prepares you to teach in grades K–6. Coursework focuses on teaching multiple subject areas (elementary math, social studies, science, and English language arts), literacy, and multicultural perspectives.
- Secondary education: Prepares you to teach in grades 7–12. Degrees that are offered generally focus on one of four subject areas: math, science, social studies, and English.
- Special education: Prepares you to work with students with disabilities.
Master of Education
This type of degree is usually geared toward current teachers who want to move into a leadership role or into another branch of education. Common concentrations for M.Ed. programs are in instructional design, learning and technology, and curriculum development.
Masters in Education Programs in Nearby Sates
Illinois / Iowa / Michigan / Missouri / Nebraska / North Dakota / South Dakota / Wisconsin
