master's degree

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Home : 2001 : December : 14

master's degree
By JM

HI...I am a beginning teacher and have been checking into gettting my master's degree also. I just thought I'd share some of the things that I have found out.
1. A lot of universities will not let you officially begin
a master's program until you have taught for 2 years.
2. A lot of school districts do not like you to take classes your first couple of years due to the stress of teaching.
3. Some school districts will help you with paying for your degree...so you may want to check that out.
4. A lot of school districts have a program where you can earn master's credits through a program

set up by colleges where you only have to go to class like one Friday night and all day Saturday for one weekend. It's set up so you only have to go 2 days the ENTIRE SEMESTER to earn the credits. That way, you could possibly take 2 or 3 classes a semester and it would only take up a few weekends.
5. A LOT of school districts will hire a person with a bachelor's degree over a person with a master's degree for a beginning job because it's cheaper for them to pay a bachelor teacher than a master teacher. I have been told that it's hard to find a job when you're starting out with your master's degree, rather than if you earn it while you teach.
6. Most states require that teachers get an initial teaching certificate when they first gradutate. To renew your license, you have to have so many hours of continuing education and master's classes count for that!
I know this sounds like a lot, but it gives you something to think about. Trust me...I've been doing my homework on the same topic and have decided to wait! My advice....get a job first. Make sure that you'll want to get your master's in early childhood. You may get in and want to get your master's in something else like administration. Hope you're not overwhelmed now-I just wanted to share what I've learned!!! Good luck!