For current and future educators, the difference between a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Arts in Education is an important distinction. While both prepare professionals to enter into the diverse field of education, each individual degree is more suited to personal and career goals and paths.
Master of Arts in Teaching
A Master of Arts in Teaching degree is designed to provide educators with advanced skill and knowledge in classroom teaching. Programs focus on areas such as classroom management, subject specific instruction, instructional procedures, and methods of teaching. Examples of course work include the foundations of education, educational psychology, assessment procedures, testing and measurements, fundamentals of curriculum development, and child to adolescent development. Educators enrolled in these programs are also likely to complete several credit hours in classroom observation and student teaching.
Additional concentrations are also often available in a Master of Arts in Teaching program. Common concentrations include elementary and secondary programs, which most often prepare teachers for working in kindergarten through fifth grade or sixth through twelfth grade classrooms, respectively. These distinctions are important to various requirements for state certification and licensure in public and charter school systems. Some universities also offer specializations in middle school or special education as well. Additional information on state requirements and other considerations for classroom teaching can be reviewed at the National Education Association website.
Master of Arts in Education
Educators interested in administrative positions within a school district or system are most likely to benefit from a Master of Arts in Education degree. Common course work within these programs often includes educational evaluation, issues in education, educational research, staff training and professional development, student development theory, financial considerations in education, organizational development in education, and administration in diverse populations.
There are a number of specializations that are offered by various institutions within the Master of Arts in Education degree program. Each specialization is designed to best prepare graduates with the skills necessary to perform specific job functions within the education field and in a school district. Some possibilities for specializing in a particular area of education in the graduate education degree curriculum include educational technology, educational leadership, curriculum design, training and development, and higher education. Additional information on career options for educators outside of classroom instruction can be found at the American Association of School Administrators.
Additional Requirements and Certifications
In each state, requirements for certification and licensing for classroom teachers, administrators, and other staff vary. In addition to these requirements, many districts will prefer or require additional professional certifications in order to consider candidates for positions. Some potentially beneficial certifications or trainings include English as a Second Language instruction, technology in the classroom, and school principal.
Related Resource: Master’s in Education in Early Childhood Education
There are a number of reasons for a future or current educator to consider pursuing a graduate degree in teaching or education. Whether working toward completing required education to maintain state certification to teach in a classroom or continuing on to complete a graduate degree in order to enter into a different field in education, understanding the difference between a Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Arts in Education can be an integral part of the process.
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