10 Jobs for a Master of Education: Advance Your Teaching

Published on: January 2, 2024

One of the most common misconceptions about the field of education is that it contains limited job opportunities, with many people believing all education graduates proceed to pursue careers as classroom teachers. However, the number of Master of Education careers available is surprisingly high. Not only are graduates able to pursue advanced teaching roles, but those with an M.Ed. can also consider administrative and curriculum development positions.

If you are a professional seeking to expand your career in education, this list is some of the top M.Ed. job opportunities to consider:

1. Advanced Classroom Teacher

Advanced classroom teachers are educators with a proven track record of improving student outcomes, and they can provide specialized instruction to individual students in their classrooms. Generally, the best way to become an advanced classroom teacher is to pursue a graduate degree in education, such as an M.Ed. degree.

Some advanced classroom teacher positions include:

Literacy specialist
Math support specialist
Instructional and curriculum developer
Departmental chairperson

Through a graduate degree program, you could explore advanced topics in teaching and education related to student engagement, teaching strategies and curriculum development, which uniquely prepare you for these specialized positions as an advanced classroom teacher. This is an opportunity to continue working directly with students while incorporating your strengths and interests into your teaching strategy.

2. School Principal or Administrator

School principals and building administrators typically oversee the day-to-day operations of an entire educational establishment. These professionals may work at the elementary, middle or high school levels. Their primary responsibilities include:

Selecting and implementing curricula
Assessing, evaluating and mentoring teachers
Monitoring student progress and achievement
Creating and enacting policies
Managing the building budget
Overseeing staff
Creating and implementing safety and security plans

According to the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments, educational leaders and administrators are critical in creating a healthy, safe and nurturing space where all students can thrive. Given that administrators must balance the needs of their staff, students and families, it can be a challenging position — but also incredibly rewarding. By pursuing a specialized graduate degree in educational administration, you could become an expert in education policy development as well as curriculum planning and assessment.

3. Curriculum Developer

Curriculum developers are both educators and specialists who create curriculum programs that align with existing standards and are designed to meet the needs of all learners in a classroom.

According to Indeed, the primary responsibilities of a curriculum developer include:

Designing curriculum programs
Creating course materials that align with the curriculum standards
Researching the latest educational technology and incorporating it into the curriculum
Analyzing student results to modify or enhance curriculum
Training educators to effectively implement the curriculum

A master’s degree in education can provide educators with the advanced training needed to pursue a career as curriculum developers. The coursework for the graduate degree program often goes in-depth into curriculum development and the teaching strategies required to effectively execute a curriculum program.

Within this field, there is opportunity to work in either the public or private sector, offering more flexibility and versatility in your career.

4. Instructional Coordinator

Instructional coordinators are sometimes referred to as curriculum specialists, and they are primarily responsible for selecting, implementing and overseeing the curriculum within a school building or district.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some job responsibilities of an instructional coordinator may include:

Implementing new curriculum
Providing teachers and staff members with professional development and training related to the curriculum
Verifying that all curriculum is in line with current standards and guidelines
Developing and suggesting teaching strategies to execute the curriculum most effectively

Instructional coordinators must recognize the importance of assessing all curriculum regularly, as this is the only way to ensure it remains in line with existing standards. Additionally, instructional coordinators often support teachers in implementing the curriculum and differentiating their teaching practices to meet the needs of all learners.

One key advantage of working as an instructional coordinator is that you would likely be able to specialize. Many instructional coordinators work at the elementary, middle or high school level, or they focus on a specific subject area.

5. Special Education Teacher

Special education teachers are trained to work with children of all ages who have additional cognitive, emotional or physical needs. These educators may work in an inclusive special needs classroom or provide support to a general education classroom teacher with special needs students in their classroom.

Special education teachers are called upon to make sure all students receive the effective and engaging education they deserve. They are responsible for:

Providing students with immersive and engaging instruction that meets their particular needs
Collaborating with families and school staff members to ensure all students have access to the resources they need
Working with families and school staff members to develop an Individualized Education Program (or IEP) for students in their classroom
Monitoring student progress and adapting accordingly

Teachers working in special education classrooms face unique challenges, particularly as the growing mental health crisis continues to affect students of all abilities. To become a trauma-informed teacher who understands the cultural shifts taking place today, aspiring special education teachers should consider pursuing an M.Ed. degree or another education graduate degree that offers specific, nuanced instruction in advanced industry topics.

6. Educational Consultant

Educational consultants are experienced professionals who work with a wide range of clients to improve outcomes and enhance educational experiences. Educational consultants commonly work directly with students (and their families) who are transitioning from one level of education to the next, such as from high school to college. In addition, they may be hired by a school building or district to evaluate the current community culture and effect changes to improve the overall experience at that facility.

Educational consultants may be responsible for:

Evaluating and analyzing educational data and student results
Conducting interviews with students to identify their strengths and interests
Creating academic plans that help students achieve their career goals
Providing educators with additional training and coaching to help them meet their career goals

One of the most appealing facets of this career path is that consultants have an opportunity to specialize in and focus on certain areas that most interest them. While most educational consultants spend at least a few years teaching in classrooms first, they may quickly shift into this field after earning a graduate degree and specializing in a niche area, including education policy development, curriculum design, student support, reading comprehension and digital learning platforms.

7. College or University Lecturer

At their very core, educators are passionate about inspiring others and providing the information they need to achieve their goals — which is why so many M.Ed. graduates consider higher education careers. The opportunity to train and empower the next generation is appealing, particularly among those with substantial experience working in the classroom.

Postsecondary teachers may work at the college or university level, and according to the BLS, their job responsibilities may include:

College lecturing and academia work
Developing college-level coursework designed to meet the changing needs of the educational field
Guiding and mentoring students enrolled in undergraduate education degree programs
Collaborating with colleagues to create an innovative and challenging curriculum for students

To pursue any higher education teaching positions, you must first earn a graduate degree or higher in the education field.

8. Corporate Trainer or Developer

Corporate trainers work with professionals in a given field to deliver advanced training so they can continue to hone, develop and refine their skills. In the education realm, corporate trainers typically provide professional development for teachers related to specific subjects, such as instructional design and technology, digital learning platforms, education reform and more.

Trainers and program developers who specialize in the educational field often create corporate training programs that help educators maintain their teaching certifications and credentials. Given the depth and breadth of the M.Ed. program, it’s not surprising that many graduates go on to pursue a career in this dynamic field.

9. Education Policy Analyst

An education policy analyst works to shape and influence the laws regulating the education industry across the United States, specializing in education reform and advocacy. Education policy analysts find work in both the public and private sectors, with some analysts working for government agencies and others for think tanks that aim to shape and redesign educational policy.

Education policy analysts are responsible for:

Collecting and analyzing educational data
Reviewing existing laws
Shaping education policy to improve student outcomes

To develop an in-depth understanding of educational policy and its impact on life inside the classroom, aspiring policy analysts should consider an M.Ed. degree.

10. Educational Technology Specialist

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in modern education, highlighting the need for qualified educational technology specialists.

Educational technology specialists may work for an individual school building or district, and according to ZipRecruiter, they are primarily responsible for:

Investing in and implementing the most effective educational technology
Monitoring the use of technology
Repairing and replacing technology
Supporting teachers as they incorporate new technology into their lesson plans

Students who earn an M.Ed. degree are uniquely qualified for this position, as they have an advanced understanding of EdTech solutions and how to execute them. Their experience navigating online learning platforms equips them with the advanced technological skills to succeed in this position.

Advance Your Career in Education at Park University

At Park University, we offer a variety of degree programs designed to elevate your education career. Our Master of Education in Educational Leadership prepares graduates for advanced teaching roles and specialized positions, while the Educational Specialist in Educational Administration (Ed.S.) degree allows graduates to consider positions as a principal or school building administrator. Regardless of your career goals in this field, we have a degree program to help you grow personally and professionally.

Request more information today about the graduate degree programs available at Park University.