So, thoughts on a master's degree

[Backroads]

I know, I know, these days college degrees aren't much for value, but in the education field they can boost me a few pay grades.

I'd like to explore Montessori more, but I also have a strong interest in library and media. The Montessori master's degree would have more trustworthy job opportunity in my area, but I could do most of library/media education online.

Thoughts?

[omegaseamaster75]

If you are in the education field. Education is key more degrees = more $$$$, Sounds like a no brainer to me.

[Backroads]

Mostly trying to decide what subset of education to go.

[Guest]

My brother is a teacher, and his master's degree didn't do much for him. He ended up getting an administrator's certificate and is a vice principal now. 

[Guest MormonGator]

If you are looking for money, drop teaching immediately and go into business/engineering or something. Sorry to be blunt, but it's true. 

I got my degree in English, but I didn't get it for money, I got it to show people who said I "wasn't college material" that they were wrong. I even took a pic of my degree and sent it a teacher who said that. (Yup, I carry grudges). 

 

Or do what Eowyn said. It's probably the better option than just straight up teaching. 

Edited January 7, 2016 by MormonGator

[Ironhold]

My grades were so consistently high during my undergrad years that I was already accepted into a local MBA program before I even applied; my GRE was just a formality. 

 

The big thing that you need to do before you consider going for a master's degree is to evaluate the school in question. Accredation. Course requirements. How those courses are taught / structured. Applicability towards your goals. Et cetra. 

 

Not only will this ensure that you're not sending your money down a hole, it'll help ensure that the set-up is a good fit for your personal life. For example, "being able to take classes online" may sound like a good idea because you can see to matters no matter where you happen to be, but you'll need to work with family and friends to ensure that they understand "From _____ to _____ I'll be doing course work; please do not disturb me." I've lost count of how many arguments I had with my parents during my undergrad and grad years because they equated "my being on the computer" with "me goofing off."

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

I don't know from personal experience, but Elder Eyring is a huge fan of graduate degrees. He talks about it in his book: Major Decisions: Taking Charge of Your College Education.

He says that if the only thing you get from your undergrad degree is entrance into grad school, it was worth it. He feels that grad school is where people learn to make the crucial decisions that can effect many and the better you are at making these kinds of decisions the more money you stand to make.

Of course Gator is right you'll make more money in business than in education...but I think Elder Eyring meant that you can make more money in your field with more education/decision making power. For example a school janitor may put in more hours and work harder physically but his decisions affect very little...and his mistakes are easy to correct. A principal makes decisions that effect more people so he gets paid more. And so forth.

I love that Elder Eyring took time to share a story of someone he knew that learned to make decisions and did well in her career without a degree (natural talent?) so it is not always about the degree but about decision making ability.

Now, I'm sure we all know people who didn't get a job in their degree and may feel that education was wasted, or time was wasted, but remember careers are not the only reason to get an education. The scriptures and our leaders have a grander purpose in mind when they counsel us to get educated.

So I say go for it..get all the education you can. And get it in an area you love, because money can't buy happiness. Also remember that you don't have to go to school to get a great education, but for certain careers that diploma is necessary. So think about your long term goals.

And yes, I'm taking my own advice. I'm currently taking online classes and my goal is to get a Master's Degree in Social Work. I know there's no $$$ in social work because I'm already in that field. But I want to make a difference in people's lives.

[Guest MormonGator]

I don't know from personal experience, but Elder Eyring is a huge fan of graduate degrees. He talks about it in his book: Major Decisions: Taking Charge of Your College Education.

He says that if the only thing you get from your undergrad degree is entrance into grad school, it was worth it. He feels that grad school is where people learn to make the crucial decisions that can effect many and the better you are at making these kinds of decisions the more money you stand to make.

Of course Gator is right you'll make more money in business than in education...but I think Elder Eyring meant that you can make more money in your field with more education/decision making power. For example a school janitor may put in more hours and work harder physically but his decisions affect very little...and his mistakes are easy to correct. A principal makes decisions that effect more people so he gets paid more. And so forth.

I love that Elder Eyring took time to share a story of someone he knew that learned to make decisions and did well in her career without a degree (natural talent?) so it is not always about the degree but about decision making ability.

Now, I'm sure we all know people who didn't get a job in their degree and may feel that education was wasted, or time was wasted, but remember careers are not the only reason to get an education. The scriptures and our leaders have a grander purpose in mind when they counsel us to get educated.

So I say go for it..get all the education you can. And get it in an area you love, because money can't buy happiness. Also remember that you don't have to go to school to get a great education, but for certain careers that diploma is necessary. So think about your long term goals.

And yes, I'm taking my own advice. I'm currently taking online classes and my goal is to get a Master's Degree in Social Work. I know there's no $$$ in social work because I'm already in that field. But I want to make a difference in people's lives.

 All true and good points!!! 

 

In the end, it's better to be happy than rich, but you do need your basic needs met, so it's a trade off. 

[Crypto]

I know, I know, these days college degrees aren't much for value, but in the education field they can boost me a few pay grades.

I'd like to explore Montessori more, but I also have a strong interest in library and media. The Montessori master's degree would have more trustworthy job opportunity in my area, but I could do most of library/media education online.

Thoughts?

Online accredited degrees are still not valued as highly as in campus degrees, though things are quickly changing. The big kaveat on online degrees is that a lot of people find it more of a struggle to effectively schedule their time, and use effective online communication. You will probably have no problem with that though.

If you plan on moving up, or changing jobs getting Montessori(Had to look that up) might be the better choice. Otherwise if it's just for continuing education while on job, and it's something you enjoy it makes sense to go with the convenient choice that you would enjoy.

Edited January 7, 2016 by Crypto

[Palerider]

Hopefully what I say will be helpful ......two of the four of our kids have been working on Masters. Our son was the first one in our family to complete his. He did his online thru the University of Missouri. One weekend a month he attended class all day on a Saturday at Southeast Missouri State. He now works in the Mental Health field. He will go up in pay quite a bit when he passes the test for his liscense. I believe he can't take it for another year.

of our three daughters our oldest daughter is working on her Masters to be a Nurse Practineer and she is doing this online. I am not sure thru which online program etc. it will take her longer as a wife and mother of three. Her husband does help her and encourage her very very much.

[Backroads]

My brother is a teacher, and his master's degree didn't do much for him. He ended up getting an administrator's certificate and is a vice principal now.

What state is your brother in? The Utah pay scale rewards higher degrees considerably well.

They do make good money, but you couldn't pay me enough to go into administration. Parents. Shudder.

Edited January 8, 2016 by Backroads

[Backroads]

Online accredited degrees are still not valued as highly as in campus degrees, though things are quickly changing. The big kaveat on online degrees is that a lot of people find it more of a struggle to effectively schedule their time, and use effective online communication. You will probably have no problem with that though.

If you plan on moving up, or changing jobs getting Montessori(Had to look that up) might be the better choice. Otherwise if it's just for continuing education while on job, and it's something you enjoy it makes sense to go with the convenient choice that you would enjoy.

Everyone I know who did their M.Ed online says they would have preferred a class setting, but since most programs require you to be actively teaching at the time, online programs tend to be the most schedule - friendly.

[Guest]

What state is your brother in? The Utah pay scale rewards higher degrees considerably well.

They do make good money, but you couldn't pay me enough to go into administration. Parents. Shudder.

 

He spent his teaching career in Washington state, but his vice principal position is in Idaho. Idaho pays teachers so badly compared to Washington that it was pretty much a lateral move, salary-wise. But he wanted to be back in Idaho with family. 

[pam]

If nothing else do it for yourself.

[Guest]

To me, it depends on if I can afford the cost.  Taking out another student loan on a Master's Degree is a drag.  A lot of companies - I don't know how this works with teachers - pay a certain amount to pursue higher education.  I completed mine completely out of my pocket.  I didn't do it thinking the degree will pay for itself.  It may or it may not.  In my job, I didn't get a cent of raise from completing a graduate degree because to get that raise I'll have to take the promotion to manager and that means no more flex schedule and no more working from home.  It simply allowed me to pit my resume against the outsourced guys so they won't replace me for a $20/hr programmer in India.  But even then, I went to take a Master's course because I really wanted to learn everything I can about Systems Engineering and auditing classes was just not that much of a challenge.

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

"I know there's no $$$ in social work because I'm already in that field. But I want to make a difference in people's lives."

 

I was thinking that perhaps this didn't come across the way I intended.  I didn't mean that someone in business or engineering can't make a difference...they can they just do it in different ways.  

[Sunday21]

Does your school board honor online degrees? If so Western Governors is both inexpensive and online. My sister is doing a master with this school. If your school board does not honor online degrees then I would try a university that has both an onsite school and an online program in which case, your employer does not know that you did the degree online.

Edited January 14, 2016 by Sunday21

[Vort]

Western Governors' is also very, very legit, founded as it was by 19 state governors. (Though it is a private university, not publicly funded as far as I know -- a bit of irony.)

[Sunday21]

Be aware that most school boards have a set policy in terms of reimbousement for degrees. It is likely that the policy is spelt out in a collective agreement. If you have an employee advisor, a union rep or even a payroll clerk, someone will know the answer. Clue number one, do you pay union dues? If so, there is a union! Call the union first. If there is a chart somewhere it is unlikely that anyone thought to give fewer points for an online degree.

Edited January 14, 2016 by Sunday21

[Guest]

I'm a high school science teacher in Ohio.  I have a Masters degree in Education, my undergrad degree is in science.  I make a measly $33K/ year as a teacher and I have 6 years of experience.  Ultimately the only locations teachers make decent money is if you get a job in a wealthy district (neighborhood public school).  I have to keep a second job to make ends meet.  It's exhausting.  

The Educational Masters degree was simple enough - much easier than my science BA.  But I still have $6K in debt I'm working on paying off.  I pay about $1500 off a year and Each year I get charged between $500-600 in additional interest.  Ultimately, my $9K loan will end up costing me $15K in the long run.  Banks are taking advantage of students for sure, smh.

Ultimately, there's 1000 teacher applicant for every 1 opening in Ohio.  I can't recommend pursuing a teaching career.  Besides the low pay, it's not what it was 10 years ago.  Teachers have been stripped of their authority and administrators consider teachers expendable.  Students are money, and the move toward privatization of schools is just a way for businessmen to make money off of children.  Testing and data based teaching completely neglects what the students really need.  

If you are going to get a Masters degree get it in something you would be interested in teaching at a college level.  If I had a Masters in science I could teach college science classes.  Not that the money is much better there because most colleges don't give full time teaching jobs, they pay many adjunct teachers per class.  But at least you can do some teaching and get a real job doing something with a decent paycheck.

On a final note, if you're still determined to become a teacher, God help you on your first 5 years because it ain't easy, and we'd welcome another strong woman to the ranks of those of us who strive to do what's best for the kids regardless of how poorly we are treated, and who are striving to get teachers better pay and respect across the nation.  

I can only hope to one day live in a country that values education.  

[Guest]

My brother has had the same struggles as a teacher with a Master's degree. He decided to go into administration, which was more schooling and etc. I'm not sure he's happy about that route, either, because administration has its own politics and challenges. 

Education is a tough career. I am thankful for and admire those who love it and keep at it. 

[Backroads]

13 hours ago, Tuckabee said:

I'm a high school science teacher in Ohio.  I have a Masters degree in Education, my undergrad degree is in science.  I make a measly $33K/ year as a teacher and I have 6 years of experience.  Ultimately the only locations teachers make decent money is if you get a job in a wealthy district (neighborhood public school).  I have to keep a second job to make ends meet.  It's exhausting.  

The Educational Masters degree was simple enough - much easier than my science BA.  But I still have $6K in debt I'm working on paying off.  I pay about $1500 off a year and Each year I get charged between $500-600 in additional interest.  Ultimately, my $9K loan will end up costing me $15K in the long run.  Banks are taking advantage of students for sure, smh.

Ultimately, there's 1000 teacher applicant for every 1 opening in Ohio.  I can't recommend pursuing a teaching career.  Besides the low pay, it's not what it was 10 years ago.  Teachers have been stripped of their authority and administrators consider teachers expendable.  Students are money, and the move toward privatization of schools is just a way for businessmen to make money off of children.  Testing and data based teaching completely neglects what the students really need.  

If you are going to get a Masters degree get it in something you would be interested in teaching at a college level.  If I had a Masters in science I could teach college science classes.  Not that the money is much better there because most colleges don't give full time teaching jobs, they pay many adjunct teachers per class.  But at least you can do some teaching and get a real job doing something with a decent paycheck.

On a final note, if you're still determined to become a teacher, God help you on your first 5 years because it ain't easy, and we'd welcome another strong woman to the ranks of those of us who strive to do what's best for the kids regardless of how poorly we are treated, and who are striving to get teachers better pay and respect across the nation.  

I can only hope to one day live in a country that values education.  

I'm actually already a teacher. I've been teaching for about 6 years now, all told. I'm glad I teach in Utah rather than Ohio as your salary sounds awful (I make more money than you with just a bachelor's degree.)