Masters in Education Programs in Virginia

It’s no secret that education is the foundation of society. In Virginia, a historic state with a large population of school-age children, highly educated teachers are essential to growth. If you’re interested in earning a Master of Education, Virginia could be an excellent place to get started.

Virginia education is in the midst of overhaul, leading to a boost in demand for teachers, administrators and researchers. A recent education report from the Southwest Times notes that Virginia colleges are trying to make higher education more accessible for students. This may lead to an increase in funding for schools across the state. At the same time, The Virginian Pilot reports that state legislators have submitted a new education plan to keep up with changing federal standards.

Ready to make even more of an impact with your teaching career? Keep reading to learn more or contact graduate education programs in Virginia now.

Earning your Master’s in Education in Virginia

When you start looking at graduate programs near you, you’ll find that there are several areas of specialized study in this field. At some Virginia schools, working teachers can attend class in the evenings or on weekends. Others offer online graduate education programs. If you’re exploring different school options, compare these highly ranked choices.

School	Location	Degrees Offered	Notable Facts
University of Virginia	Charlottesville	M.Ed: administration and supervision, counselor education, curriculum and instruction, communication disorders and research MT: elementary education, English, foreign language and special education	Ranked #18 on the U.S. News Best Graduate Education Programs list
Virginia Tech	Blacksburg	M.A.: counselor education, educational ledership, special education administration and higher education M.S.: curriculum and instruction, technical education, math specialist, reading specialist and integrative STEM education	Heavy focus on STEM subjects and methods of teaching
George Mason University	Fairfax	M.Ed: counseling and development, curriculum and instruction, educational leadership and special education M.S.: educational psychology	Offers a variety of graduate certificates in addition to graduate degrees

 

What Are the Different Master’s Degrees in Education?

There are several types of graduate programs offered at Virginia schools. There is no one best master’s degree for teachers to get. The best degree for you depends on your current experience and your long-term career goals.

• Master of Arts: This is a flexible degree that includes programs in many areas of specialty. Your study may focus on the theory of education and the use of teaching techniques.
• Master of Science: Those who go into an M.S. program may be interested in an administrative position or simply expanding on their classroom experience. Programs often focus heavily on policy and evidence-based instruction.
• Master of Education: Designed for experienced teachers, this degree is optimal for those wanting to learn more about their area of academic focus. At some schools, M.Ed programs lead to positions in counseling or leadership.

Research Initiatives in Virginia

As a graduate student, you can get experience in the growing world of educational research. By exploring different topics in student-led research initiatives, you can clarify your career goals and research interests.

• National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education: This research initiative includes the University of Virginia and several other schools across the country. It focuses on ongoing research on the improvement of early childhood education.
• Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement: Students at George Mason University can look at effective ways to teach STEM subjects in this initiative. 

Scholarships and Grants for Advanced Education Degree Students in Virginia

Virginia has a significant teacher shortage. For that reason, there are many federal, state and private scholarships that hope to encourage teachers and administrators to stay in Virginia after graduation. Explore scholarships at your school of choice and government-funded grants.

• Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program: This program hopes to solve the issue of teacher shortages in Virginia. Those who work in a critical shortage teaching area can earn scholarships for their education expenses.
• Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program: If you work in a low-income district for five years after graduation, you may have some of your federal loans forgiven through this program.
• VA Teacher Scholarship: Current Virginia educators can receive a 15% tuition scholarship at University of Mary Washington.

Working in Virginia with a Master’s in Education Degree

 Earning a master’s degree could change your career trajectory in many ways. Master’s programs in this field pay off for many students. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that more than 20% of completed graduate programs are in the field of education. Teachers at the master’s degree level have significantly higher average salaries than bachelor’s-level teachers. Average salaries for preschool through high school teachers range from $30,000 for $42,000 for bachelor’s degree graduates. For master’s degree graduates, that range jumps to $43,000 to $56,000.

Across the country, job openings for teachers are on the rise. Across all grade levels, job openings are expected to increase 6% to 7%, according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Many graduates choose to stay within public and private school systems. You may choose to work as a classroom teacher or explore supervisory roles in your district. Others move outside the school setting and work in Virginia nonprofits like CodeVA, which aims to provide equitable computer science education in Virginia schools. Virginia is home to many other companies that may hire education graduates.

• New Oasis International Education, which supports international students, educators and host families
• Connections Academy, an online education solution for schools in Virginia
• Inova Kellar Center, which provides a range of services, including academic testing and assessment

With research experience, you may go on to work in professional research centers and organizations.

Professional Research Initiatives

• Educational Equity Initiative: In this initiative, researchers hope to find ways to eliminate disparities in equal access to education in Virginia.
• Rural Virginia Horseshoe Initiative: This research collaboration focuses on the educational needs of rural Virginia and ways to improve student outcomes.
• Virginia Preschool Initiative: This look into the needs of Virginia preschools looks at ways to make preschool more accessible and the ways in which early education benefits children.

Are you ready to take the next step in your education? Use our list of Virginia graduate education programs to request information from the programs that stand out to you today.

Masters in Education Programs in Nearby Sates

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