Career and Salary Info for a Master of Education Degree

Earning a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree opens up new career options for educational professional as well as increases salary potential. Typically, school districts follow a pay grid based on experience and education. A master's degree results in a larger initial salary and greater potential earnings over the course of a teacher's career. In addition to enhancing the practice of teaching in a traditional subject area, the M.Ed. degree can point teachers in new education career directions.

Master of Education in School Counseling

Most states require school counselors to earn a Master of Education in school counseling, and approved M.Ed. in school counseling programs are designed to meet all state credentialing requirements. Typical courses in a graduate program for school counselors include counseling theories, ethical and legal issues, cross-cultural counseling, behavior management, career development and statistical inference.

School Counselor Career Information

School counselors work with students in elementary, middle and high schools with different emphases at each level. In general, however, school counselors seek to remove barriers to a student's social and academic success. They accomplish this through such methods as individual and group counseling, facilitating programs about alcohol and drug issues and seeking to identify and intervene for students with serious family problems. At the high school level, school counselors assist students with decisions about and preparation for their future.

Salary Info for School Counselors with a M.Ed.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for elementary and secondary school counselors as of May 2012 was $62,970. Junior college counselors averaged $56,730.
Master of Education in Learning Technologies

In addition to K-12 and college teachers, this M.Ed. degree program also prepares graduates for careers as corporate trainers and new media specialists. In many programs, graduate students can elect an area of focus based on their career goals. Those who wish to enhance technology use in their schools or school districts can concentrate in K-12 technology integration, while those more interested in creating materials for education and training focus on multimedia design and development. Core courses can include curriculum and instruction, instructional systems and research.
Instructional Technologist Career Information

Instructional technologists are commonly classified as a type of instructional coordinator who evaluates and improves technology integration in schools. In this capacity, they are likely to lead training seminars in how teachers can better meet state standards for technology use in their lessons. Other duties of instructional technologists may include curriculum development, differentiating content for students at varying levels, designing Web-based learning tools and conducting research.
Salary Info for Instructional Technologists with a M.Ed.

According to the BLS, the average salary as of May 2012 for instructional coordinators as a whole was $62,420. There was no specific salary breakdown for instructional technologists.
Master of Education in Educational Administration

Experienced teachers seeking to assume leadership roles in their schools can earn a M.Ed. in Educational Administration to become licensed as administrators. Graduates with this degree can pursue jobs such as curriculum coordinator or assistant principal, as well as leadership positions in educational organizations outside the school. Graduate programs develop advanced skills in curriculum design and teaching strategies, school finance, school law and management strategies.
Educational Administrator Career Information

Educational administrators establish school policies and performance goals, as well as manage staff and administer school funding. In a K-12 setting, school principals and assistant principals work closely with teachers to ensure objectives are being met in the classroom. In their multifaceted job, principals also meet with parents, students and community agency representatives. Principals' job duties may increasingly involve engaging in public relations and fund-raising efforts to draw support from community businesses. Principals also may help develop school-to-work transition partnership programs as well as other programs to serve the diverse needs of students.
Salary Info for Educational Administrators

According to the BLS, the overall average salary for elementary and secondary principals as of May 2012 was $90,980. Salary averages for educational administrators in elementary and secondary schools vary by geographic location. In the northeast metropolitan areas, principals earned average salaries of between $103,560 and $124,080.