Is it better to get your teaching credentials and right away to get your masters? Is it harder to get a job?

Question

I'm interested in getting my credential but i've heard that once you have your master, it'll be harder to find a job. Because you will be overqualified for the position. Is this true?

Answer 1

Just the opposite in my experience. Most schools will pay you extra for the Master's degree, and are particularly eager to have such folks there because of some of the new No Child Left Behind requirements mandating "highly qualified" teachers.

Answer 2

In some cases it may be true. This is what they told me when I graduated.
Currently the President requires all teachers to be HQ (highly qualified). Schools need the teachers to eventually get their masters and many schools have tuition reimbursement plans. In the long run the amount of salary along with tuition reimbursements would probably even out to about the same.
I have heard that often the will take someone without a master degree in order to pay less. It depends on the school and the financial state. Essentially it is a gamble. It could help you at one school; hurt you at another.
My advisor strongly urged me to not tell the interviewing school if I had even started classes towards a master degree.
Another factor is your field. If they are in desperate need for teachers in your area they will hire you no matter what they have to pay you.

Answer 3

It depends on the situation and the institution. This is a decision that only you can make, but take time to weigh out the pros and cons. If you are really interested in getting your Masters and motivated right now, I would say go for it. I don't think having your Masters will be a detriment; and it may open up additional doors you haven't even considered in education; working in community colleges, private institutions; career counseling centers like I am doing; general student affairs. . .etc.It would be good for you to go to your School of Education and ask several different professors and teachers currently in the profession about their opinions and then do some soul searching about what you already know you should do and just do it. Good luck.

Answer 4

Some schools may be reluctant to hire you, only due to budget issues. They would love to have someone with a masters, that implies more education & experience to offer, but unfortunately, they have to pay you more. And schools can barely scrape by now.

If you already have your masters and want to teach, I might try at the community college level. If you have a bach, get the teaching cred, then go on to your masters.

Answer 5

I didn't get my master's right away, (kept meaning to...) then family and daily problems kept me from it. Now I have 25 teaching years under my belt in special ed teaching the most difficult kids in our city, and am widely respected throughout my district for my expertise. Now for the "downer"......No Child Left Behind. Now, because I graduated before 1988, and have a "lifetime" certification and no masters, I am labeled NOT highly qualified. My district may make me take a test this year for me to "prove" that I am a good teacher....it just sucks. My advice is get your masters as quick as you can before life's challenges make it too difficult....GOOD LUCK.

Answer 6

it can go against you in poorer school systems that are watching their pennies. If you are a trully tallented teacher. it only helps you by providing documentation saying you are highly sertiffied. which is better for a school system when they seek higher funding. my wife is a teacher 3 of her childhood friends are teachers. one has achieved a masters. after 2 years of teaching she was chosen to be a vice principal. she is the highest paid. you have to have the masters to get the money.
Go get the masters while you still have the knowledge fresh in your head.

Answer 7

Not true at all, and most school, especially high school or colleges prefer or even demand a Masters degree. You can still get your teaching creditials prior to your Masters.