Master’s in Education Degree in Oregon
A Master’s in Education program improves your instructional skills and opens doors to new opportunities and higher salaries. You become a more qualified, more knowledgeable, and more valuable teacher able to engage students and achieve better results.
New research rates Oregon as one of the most attractive states for teachers. According to the Oregon School Boards Association, the average teacher’s salary for public school teachers (K-12) for the 2016-2017 school year was $65,290. It’s important to note that a number of variables impact teacher salaries, including the time spent teaching, the district in which you teach, the type of qualifications you possess and the level of job competition in your area. Those who have completed a master’s degree program generally enjoy a higher salary than those who have not – typically earning in the range of $10,000 more per year.
A Master’s in Education also opens doors to pursue school administration or higher education careers or jobs outside the field of education. Teachers move to positions as corporate trainers, education consultants, or to jobs in professional organizations and nonprofit groups. So, depending on your individual strengths and interests, obtaining a Master’s in Education is a good investment in your own professional development.
Earning your Master’s in Education in Oregon
Oregon offers multiple opportunities to earn a Master’s in Education in a traditional campus setting, online, or through a hybrid program that combines both approaches.
Oregon Schools with Education Master’s Programs
| School | Specializations Offered | Location |
| Oregon State University | EDD, EDM, MS, MAIS
| Corvallis |
| University of Oregon – Eugene | Ranked 3rd in 2017 US News report on Best Education Graduate schools in Special Education. | Eugene |
| Portland State University | The Graduate School of Education offers more than 50 degree, licensure, and continuing education programs. | Portland |
Graduate students should check with the institution they’re interested in attending to see if the school offers scholarship, grants or fellowship opportunities. For example, Oregon State University offers options for financing your education.
Other scholarship programs may be available through other organizations and foundations, including:
- Phi Delta Kappa
- Teach Grants, Federal Aid
- Scholarships.com
- Oregon GEAR UP (for students interested in research initiatives)
Working in Oregon with a Master’s in Education Degree
Employment of teachers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment growth and wages will vary by region. Job prospects are expected to be particularly good for teachers in high-demand fields like special education, mathematics, science, and bilingual/English learner education.
A Master’s in Education degree opens career opportunities and leads to higher paying jobs in education with greater responsibilities such as a school administrator, or a job in higher education.
There are also numerous research opportunities available in Oregon for those with a master’s degree in an education field. A few of these options include:
Diverse opportunities for those who possess an advanced degree in education also exist outside the field of education; employers understand that those who’ve earned a Master’s degree in Education know how to motivate others and communicate effectively, valuable skills that transfer into other fields. A variety of opportunities in the corporate world or the nonprofit arena are available depending on an individual’s unique strengths, talents and interests. To name a few:
- Positions in education technology (ed tech) at companies such as OpenSesame
- Careers in nonprofits such as Education Northwest
If the salary information and career outlook sound good to you, begin your journey today by requesting information from the schools listed on this page!
