Over the course of a career, many professional educators attain degrees beyond the B.A. or B.S.
These are some of the most common post-graduate degrees offered by universities in the United States:
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
This program is undertaken before beginning service as a teacher, since it is intended to prepare candidates for the classroom. Alongside the study of core topics like educational psychology, teaching methods, and the sociology of the school, it includes a student-teaching practicum in a classroom environment. Most M.A.T. programs require at least one year of full-time study and lead directly to state licensure in a particular area (e.g. elementary education, special education, or a secondary school specialty like language arts or mathematics).
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
For mid-career teachers, there are many master's-level programs that have different areas of focus or specialty, like curriculum development, speech pathology, or school leadership. Often teachers receive an additional salary increment for earning advanced degrees, and some schools or districts may subsidize tuition for their employees. While the total credit requirements are similar to the M.A.T., M.Ed. programs are often pursued by working teachers on a part-time basis over several years. Many secondary school teachers may also earn master's degrees or doctorates within their particular content area.
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Like other doctoral degrees, completion of an Ed.D. requires original research and the production of a substantial dissertation. It is typically undertaken many years into a teaching career and often functions as a gateway to high-level positions like school principal or senior district administrator. Some professors of education also hold the Ed.D., though the Ph.D. is also common.
