Teachering postgraduate degree will help make you the master

A Master of Education degree may be just the ticket for new or established teachers finding it hard to get ahead.

Peter Stiles is the acting head of education at Excelsia College.

For a new or established teacher finding it hard to gain a permanent position or progress their career, a master of education degree may be the ticket.

Australia’s education system is facing a serious challenge: student populations are growing and hundreds of new classes will need to be established while older teachers are retiring and others are abandoning the profession. The demand for new teachers will be very high in coming years.

According to federal government projections, in the five years to November 2019 the number of job openings for primary and secondary school teachers is expected to exceed 50,000 each.

There will continue to be very strong competition for these positions alongside ongoing casual and temporary appointments.

With a master of education, teachers are likelier to get ahead of other candidates in applying for positions, to secure a permanent role earlier, and to be likelier to be considered for management positions.

While postgraduate study demands sacrifices, the long-term benefits make it worthwhile.

When weighed against other job applicants, most of whom will have only a bachelor degree, teachers holding a postgraduate degree in education will stand out to employers. It demonstrates dedication and professionalism, and will earn respect among peers.

With so many teachers with a bachelor degree unable to find more than casual work for years on end, many are failing to meet accreditation requirements. A master of education may help to overcome this problem, especially for more junior teachers, providing career security.

A postgraduate degree will position a teacher to move into leadership positions sooner within a school, such as year-level co-ordinator, department head or school principal, enabling a faster move up the salary scale.

A postgraduate degree also will open doors beyond primary and secondary schools. If a teacher is interested in school administration, curriculum development, tertiary teaching, educational research or other education careers, a masters may be required — and will help open such opportunities.

Educators with postgraduate degrees also will be well-positioned to participate in local, state and national discussions of educational reform.

If deeply committed to improving the state of Australian schools, as well as the lives of the students, holding a masters may provide more leverage and give voice in important discussions.

By reconsidering and refining teaching methodologies, continuing to study subject areas, and staying on top of emerging educational theories and developments, teachers will be offering their best to students and their school community.

Excelsia College’s newly designed online master of education program was introduced in response to the burgeoning Christian school movement but is open to any registered teacher ready to advance their career. It and other masters programs offer flexibility to balance work and family life while finishing a degree in as little as 16 months.

The master of education is also aligned with Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership professional standards for teachers, giving graduates a practical local focus.

Excelsia welcomes students from all walks of life and with various beliefs, and whether they teach in the public or private education system.

Peter Stiles is the acting head of education at Excelsia College.