September 22, 2026

Whether you’re looking to transition into teaching, already a licensed teacher, or anything in between, a master’s degree for teaching can lead to numerous opportunities. If your bachelor’s degree isn’t already in education, depending on the state you want to teach in, you may need a master’s degree to move into the classroom or to get licensed. Even in states that don't require a master's degree for initial licensure, a graduate program can provide the pedagogical knowledge, practical experience, and professional preparation necessary to support effective teaching and student learning outcomes. Some states may also require teachers to pursue graduate-level education within the first several years of their careers. In addition, many school districts recognize advanced degrees through increased compensation, expanded responsibilities, or opportunities for professional advancement.

As you search for master’s degrees for teachers, you can use this guide to understand the different kinds of graduate degrees in education, who they’re for, and the careers each one prepares you for.

 

Master of Arts in Teaching

Teaching License Earned: Yes

The master of arts in teaching (MAT) degree is the most common master’s degree for prospective educators without teaching experience to enter the classroom. If you’re already a licensed, working teacher, a MAT degree is still a great choice to further your career development and deepen your knowledge of pedagogy and educational theories. If you have a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to transition to teaching, a MAT degree is exactly what you’ll want to become a qualified teacher.

At American University, enrolling in the MAT program does not require any previous teaching experience, just a bachelor’s degree in any field.

Explore the MAT Join Our Next MAT Webinar

Who It’s For:

• Career switchers who have career experience outside of education but want to pivot into classroom teaching. Some states may require teachers without an education bachelor’s degree to obtain a master’s in teaching.
• Licensed teachers who want to deepen their knowledge of teaching theory, study current issues, and learn about new technology in teaching. AU’s Baker School also provides licensed educators with the opportunity to make their classrooms more equitable and antiracist.
• Licensed teachers looking to specialize or gain more expertise in teaching a specific age group or population. For example, AU’s master’s in teaching allows students to specialize in special education, English as a second language, and more.

What You’ll Learn:

This degree provides the combination of teaching methods, theory and practice that you’ll need as a classroom teacher. The curriculum at American University includes a mix of neurodevelopmental research, social-emotional learning strategies, and multidisciplinary teaching methods, all through the lens of equity for all learners.

As part of a MAT degree, you’ll complete student teaching. At American University, you’ll receive a variety of gradually immersive classroom experiences throughout your degree via a practicum course with part-time classroom involvement and full-time student teaching with two separate placements. All students, whether you're studying online or on campus, work with a field placement coordinator who supports finding student-teaching experiences. Many working teachers are able to use their current employment as their classroom experience, contingent on approval. Some of our most common partner schools are:

• Horace Mann Elementary School, District of Columbia Public Schools
• Bethesda Elementary School, Montgomery County Public Schools (Maryland)
• District of Columbia International School, DC Public Charter School
• National Presbyterian School, Private 
• McKinley Technology High School, DCPS

Upon completion of the degree, you’ll be licensed to teach in Washington, DC, after you pass licensure exams. Your teaching license will be reciprocal with Maryland, Virginia, and 46 other US states. Specific state certification and licensure requirements vary by location and district.

Specializations:

Many MAT degrees also offer specializations to help you focus your studies according to your career and future goals. Some examples of the specializations offered at AU are:

• Early Childhood Education (Children from Pre-K through Grade 3)
• Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)
• Secondary Education (Grades 7-12)
• English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
• Special Education
• Special Education: Learning Disabilities

Careers with a MAT Degree:

MAT degrees prepare you for a career in teaching, most commonly in a traditional classroom. MAT degrees can also lead to roles as a tutor or early intervention specialist, or in childcare and other educational settings. Some specific job titles (depending on your chosen specialization) are:

• Kindergarten or elementary school teacher
• Secondary school teacher
• Preschool teacher
• Tutor
• Early intervention specialist
• Adult educator
• Education administrator
• Curriculum specialist
• Educational consultant
• Instructional coordinator
• Training and development specialist

Program Details Join Our Next MAT Webinar

Master of Education

Teaching License Earned: No

A master of education (MEd) degree focuses on the big-picture elements of educational systems rather than the day-to-day practice of teaching. It is not usually a route to classroom teaching for those without a teaching license or experience. Instead, students focus on educational leadership, policy, curriculum design, and administration as well as high-level educational theory and research.

AU’s MEd program is located in Washington, DC, the hub of the nation’s educational legislation. It gives our in-person students unmatched access to practical consulting and experiences with national organizations based in DC, including the federal government, nongovernment organizations and nonprofits focused on education, and educational advocacy groups. Online and on-campus students can take advantage of faculty connections within the DC region when looking for internships, research opportunities, and post-graduation employment. Additionally, our Northwest DC location provides students easy access to major school systems in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Explore the MEd Join Our Next MEd Webinar

Who It’s For:

• Teachers, faculty members, and administrators who want to understand how policy decisions influence educational outcomes, resource allocation, and student achievement
• Aspiring education leaders seeking to drive meaningful change at the school, district, college, university, or system level through strategic policy development
• Advocates and nonprofit professionals committed to advancing educational equity, improving access, and influencing reform efforts in their communities
• Career changers and public service professionals interested in combining their passion for education with roles in government, research, policy analysis, or educational consulting
• Higher education professionals looking to better understand the policies that shape student access, affordability, accreditation, financial aid, and institutional success

What You’ll Learn:

With an MEd program, you’ll learn about educational leadership, organizational change, education law and policy, economic inquiry in education, qualitative and quantitative research strategies, and education program and policy implementation.

At American University, all MEd students also complete a hands-on consultancy project in which small student teams work as consultants for respected education organizations, such as America's Promise and the School Superintendents Association (AASA). Teams develop research questions, collect and analyze data, and critique or create education policies to address each partner's specific needs, producing practical solutions and giving students real-world work experience.

Depending on your exact focus and program, you may also be able to earn additional certifications. For example, the Administrative Leadership Specialization at American University prepares you to earn the Standard Administrative Services Credential (ASC), which prepares you to serve as a principal or assistant principal in Washington, DC, and elsewhere.

Specializations:

MEd programs often offer specializations to help students tailor work to their goals. Some common specializations and concentrations include:

• Policy and Leadership Studies
• Administrative Leadership

Careers with an MEd Degree:

An MEd degree prepares you for a range of education careers inside and outside of individual schools, including in educational technology and policymaking. Some types of careers you’ll be qualified for include:

• Administration and leadership: Work in K-12 education as a principal, vice principal, instructional coordinator, or other various roles in higher education.
• Corporate training and development: Execute programs aimed at training or boosting employee knowledge in any industry.
• E-learning: Work with faculty and instructional staff to create, enhance, and manage online learning experiences for students.
• EdTech: Be part of the development or implementation of hardware and software tools that enhance classroom experiences and improve student outcomes. 
• Education policy: Work in roles that focus on advocacy, standards, laws, regulations, and practices at all levels from an individual school to the federal government.

With an MEd degree, you can also pursue careers in curriculum development and education consulting.

Subject Area Master’s Degrees

If you’re already a licensed teacher with a bachelor’s degree in education, your master’s degree doesn’t necessarily have to be teaching specific. Instead, you might choose to get a master of arts or a master of science degree in the subject area where you teach or would like to teach later in your career. For example, as a high school science teacher, you may choose to pursue a master’s degree in biology. Whether a given master’s degree will qualify you for any title or pay increases depends on your specific school or district.

Some subject-area graduate programs, such as American University’s master’s in literature and master of fine arts in creative writing, offer specialized teaching courses as electives, so you can learn pedagogical theories and techniques specific to your teaching area.

Other Master’s Degrees for Teachers

In addition to the most common master’s degrees for teachers, some schools offer specialized degrees that focus on an area of education—such as curriculum design or education technology—but are not classified as MAT or MEd degrees. These degrees are less common and not uniform. If you’re looking at one of these degrees, some questions to ask yourself include:

• What careers will this degree prepare me for?
• Does this degree help me obtain a teaching license? 
• Is the degree/program accredited? By which accrediting body?
• Does this program offer the practical training and experience I want?

Doctorate of Education (EdD)

If you already have a master’s degree, you may choose to continue your education even further. An EdD degree is ideal for education professionals who already have a master’s degree and significant work experience who want to further develop their expertise to reach higher positions and/or conduct research in education. For example, AU’s doctor of education (EdD) in policy and leadership degree will develop your knowledge and skills in these areas:

• Systems change
• Personal leadership
• Social justice
 and antiracism
• Policy and research

Our new Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) track also prepares students for leadership roles in higher education.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Interested in pursuing a master’s degree as a teacher or other education professional? AU’s Baker School of Education offers graduate programs with a focus on antiracist pedagogy, hands-on learning experiences, and practitioner-based learning. We integrate equity and antiracist educational practices into every course we offer rather than as an elective or as an aside. Our in-person and online learning options are designed for working professionals (inside and outside of education) to get ahead and become better educators.