Is a Master’s in Education Needed to Become a Teacher?

A shortage of teachers across the country is straining our educational system. When the National Center for Education Statistics surveyed public schools in August 2024, 64% of the schools surveyed reported that they faced challenges because they did not have enough qualified applicants for open teaching positions.

The shortage of qualified teachers makes entering the profession an attractive goal. However, anyone who is considering launching a teaching career likely has several questions: What are the requirements to become a teacher? Is a bachelor’s degree sufficient, or is a master’s degree in education necessary to become a teacher? If you have been thinking about enrolling in a Master of Arts in Education degree program with the goal of becoming a teacher, it is important to explore what it takes to become a teacher and the benefits of earning a graduate degree.

What Does a Master’s in Education Entail? 

Completing a graduate degree in education is not always one of the requirements to become a teacher, but it can significantly enhance teachers’ expertise and enable them to strengthen their teaching practice. For example, completing a Master of Arts in Education enables an individual to:

• Develop and assess curriculum
• Research educational problems and use software to analyze and report related data
• Evaluate practices and systems that support underrepresented minority groups’ ability to succeed
• Use critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills in evaluating education-related problems

Course requirements for a Master of Arts in Education degree typically encompass about 30 credits. Students take courses in subjects such as:

• Curriculum development trends, which provides students with insights into curricular planning and related decision-making and helps prepare students for leadership roles
• Educational assessment and evaluation, which offers students expertise in assessment and evaluation at the classroom, school, and school district levels
• Social justice, diversity, and equity, which gives students knowledge and skills in how schools function in culturally diverse environments
• Teaching English learners, which enables students to study second language acquisition and bilingual education, as well as the factors that can influence language acquisition and bilingual education
• Special education, which focuses on educating students who have disabilities and who are in a general classroom setting

In addition, Master of Arts in Education degree programs typically require students to complete a master’s thesis. This provides students with the opportunity to develop and research a relevant question in curriculum and instruction.

What Are the Requirements to Become a Teacher? 

Each state has its own unique requirements to become a teacher, so it is important to research the requirements in the state where you want to teach. Typical requirements to enter the teaching profession are outlined below.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree 

Completing a bachelor’s degree is the first step on the path to a teaching career. For example, individuals can earn an undergraduate degree in education or early childhood education. Individuals who want to become special education teachers can earn their bachelor’s degree specifically in special education.

Aspiring teachers who have a bachelor’s degree in a field not related to education can complete alternative certification programs to gain expertise and credentials to enter the teaching profession.

Gain Experience in Teaching

Education-related bachelor’s degree programs typically include student teaching requirements that provide students with the experience they need to start a teaching career. Alternative certification programs also offer student teaching opportunities that enable individuals to acquire the experience they need to become teachers.

Obtain Licensure as a Teacher

Specific requirements for obtaining teaching licenses vary by state, so aspiring teachers need to become acquainted with licensure requirements in the state where they want to work. The requirements for getting a license frequently include passing an exam, as well as passing a criminal background check. 

Consider Earning a Graduate Degree in Education

In general, whether you need to complete a master’s in education to teach depends on each state’s specific requirements. Some states require individuals to earn a master’s degree to work in certain teaching positions. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some states require high school teachers to complete a master’s degree after they have obtained a teaching certificate and a high school teaching job.

Regardless of whether graduate degrees are required to teach, earning an advanced degree can enhance expertise and bolster any teacher’s credentials.

Benefits of Earning a Master in Education 

While the minimum requirements to become a teacher do not always include earning an advanced degree, the benefits of earning a graduate degree can make it a worthwhile endeavor. For example, with an advanced degree, teachers can:

• Move into leadership roles. Schools seek teachers who hold a master’s degree to fill leadership roles and share their expertise in areas such as teaching methods and classroom management.
• Become more marketable. Having a master’s degree can give teachers an advantage when seeking employment in the field of education and make them eligible for a broader range of positions.
• Learn from experienced faculty. When enrolled in graduate school, students have the chance to interact with professors who can share their unique experiences in education and how they have addressed challenges associated with working in the field.
• Earn higher salaries. According to salary data from the National Education Association, teachers who have completed a master’s degree earn higher salaries than teachers whose highest level of education is a bachelor’s degree.

Meet the Requirements to Join the Teaching Profession

Knowing what it takes to become a teacher and following through to meet teaching requirements can establish the foundation for a rewarding career. When putting their expertise in education to use, teachers can change students’ lives.

Individuals who are interested in earning an advanced degree in education can explore the Notre Dame de Namur University Master of Arts in Education degree program to learn how it can help them reach their career ambitions. Offering students the opportunity to strengthen their teaching practice, boost their curriculum development skills, and enhance their expertise in instructional design and assessment, the program can help teachers excel in the classroom and beyond. 

Start advancing your expertise in the field of education today.