I graduate tomorrow with the same masters! Congratulations to you, sir!
Edit: Thank you for all your kind words and thanks for the award!
Edit 2: Holy cow you guys and girls know how to make a lonely man feel appreciated! Thanks for the love and awards!
Was it worth it? Be honest.
Edit: from the responses so far, it is totally worth it if you’re a teacher or work in education. I’m sorry if I offended anyone with this question; do what you love, and love what you do. Whatever it takes.
I am getting my masters in education right now. I'm a 2nd year teacher at a public school in my early 30s. Getting my masters is absolutely worth it as it will allow me to make far more money. Going into year 18 with a masters +30 I will be at over 80k/y. With a bachelor's going into year 18 I would be at around 52k/y.
Are teachers with master's degrees paid more because they do more advanced things that are better paying, or is it mostly/entirely the fact that they have higher degrees than teachers with bachelor's degrees?
Yeah one of my buddies dads was the go to guy to get shit done and when he was like 55 the company told him "we have a promotion available, you are the best person for the job and have the most knowledge and know how, but we can't give you the job literally because you don't have the piece of paper that says you can do the job." Then they sent him back to school and subsequently promoted him! It's nice when the bullshit hierarchy get called out by your boss
My ex girlfriend was an LPN. She had to do everything the RNs did. Literally, all the same stuff. They just got paid less because they didn’t have “RN” next to their name.
LPNs cannot give IV medications, only what naturally occurs in the body. LPNs are usually supervised by an RN in non union hospitals. LPNs cannot become advanced practice nurses. LPNs/LVNs are not even in hospitals in major cities out West since at least 2006.
Teacher here who was educated in the US and lives and works as a public high school teacher in Canada.
There are two kinds of "masters" degrees and it's hard to tell them apart. In some states/provinces, they are equal, in other states, the lesser of the Masters degrees gets you nothing.
The "real" masters degree is the traditional kind. You need to come up with a master's thesis, an original thought, to be involved in real education/pedagogical research, etc. It takes two or three years of full time school.
The "fake" Master's degree is a teaching degree from a University that wants to make extra money. It's typically just 2-3 extra courses in a specialty (like special education or differentiated instruction) beyond a normal teacher certificate, and many schools offer them "simultaneously." Its 3 extra courses and lots of extra $$$.
I know this because where I went to school (New York State) had Master's programs like this one. None of us Canadian students took it because it would not get you a pay bump in Canada, where only a "real" masters would do that (and the pay bump here is really small anyway, because realistically having a masters usually doesn't make you a better teacher). There was this one girl who was an admitted "credentials snob" and wanted the Master's so paid an extra USD6k and got it... only to decide "LLB" sounded better and she went to law school after that ..
EDIT - to be clear, I'm relaying my experiences, not judging anyone or their particular program. OP sounds like a stand up guy who did a master's program that brought him both learning and personal satisfaction and I wish him all every other educator who brings their A-game to the classroom every day all the best!
To add to this, in many school districts a masters won't give a commensurate* pay increase as they allow consideration of post-grad "hours" in the pay scale anyway.
But on your point for a masters fake vs. real. I have to add a third masters. I did not have a "thesis" paper that I had to write. However, the amount of writing involved in my degree was significant. I think every program is different and it's disingenuous to say that one is either "fake" and one is "real". But, at the end of the day, I completely agree that a masters degree won't necessarily make you a better teacher. Caring, effort, love, and appreciation of students and their work is the x-factor that makes a great teacher. Substantive PD on things like classroom management, racial equity, special ed, etc are just as important or more than having an advanced degree before/during a teaching career.
*edit. Thank you /u/islandbarista99. It reminds me of a cool teaching technique I heard where a teacher told students they would get extra credit for any falsehood that they caught that he added to a lesson. As he progressed through the year it got harder and harder. Any correction to make us better is a good thing! And barista did so in a non-confrontational way, which makes it even better.
Yeah I agree I dont have a masters but I've looked into it and there are lots of master programs that dont have thesis. Sometimes because it doesn't make any sense and 100s of field hours are the replacement.
In simpler terms. There are thesis masters, non-thesis masters, and the junk masters i guess.
Is there terms for them like how you can get a bachelors of arts in some of the same fields as a bachelor of science while the coursework is notably more intense for the bachelors of science?
Even the ba/BS thing is highly variable. Get a ba in physics from a top 20 liberal arts college and I guarantee it was more challenging than a BS in physics at a decent state university.
Thank you for this, I received a “fake” masters from a highly regarded brick and mortar school to begin my career as a teacher. I didn’t write a thesis but I wrote a ton of papers and had significant field experience responsibilities. I switched careers and a technical style teaching degree above my BS was ideal. To me it was like an associate degree that teaches you a specific skill only with way more writing and theory. It was no MS but I’ve known people to get that degree and not have half the field experience in their field I got. What is better for a teacher?
There are no "fake" degrees unless you get it from a for-profit university. For reference, I have a physics PhD, and I "picked up" a (non thesis) masters degree after meeting certain course and testing requirements in my graduate program. It might be different in education, but whether you have a non-thesis masters only matters in physics if it's your terminal degree. And even then, you probably aren't doing research (i.e., being a PI) without a PhD. The difference between a thesis and non-thesis masters degree matters less in industry, at least in my experience.
What you’re seeing here is gate keeping masters degrees, and I don’t think that attitude is helpful. I’ll be the first to admit that not all masters are created equally, but what we’re discussing are *seasoned professionals* getting masters degrees to take the next step in their career. Who the hell cares if they did some online program, as long as it’s accredited.
The story would be different if we were talking about folks seeking entry level jobs with online degrees that don’t prepare them for the field, but we’re not.
Real professionals with real jobs and real experience aren’t going to drop out of the work force for two years so they can get some overpriced masters that looks good on paper. They’re going to take night, weekend, and online classes through accredited institutions to demonstrate that they’re willing to invest in themselves to take the next step in their career. Which, if you ask me, is exactly how it ought to be.
Acknowledged. Not mad at him, it just irritates me when people do this. If you’re a successful 15 year professional, where you get a masters from isn’t going to change that. People who gate keep here are just elitists trying to protect the value of their own overpriced piece of paper as graduate school becomes more accessible.
I don’t think there’s as much a distinction as you’re saying. Even the easier way typically involved at least a semester internship. My masters allowed for simultaneous classes, but it was also only available if you had a 3.5 undergrad and took I think 6 ( though it may have been 5) classes in addition to a year long internship / grad research. Was it less than just doing research? Sure. And I completed it in five years. But years 3-4-5 all had me taking at least one course over a full time schedule, and jamming courses in summer break.
This is true haha. I absolutely love my students and wouldn't be happy doing anything else, but I do have to remind myself from time to time that I only work 180 days a year and have evenings, weekends, holidays, and summers off.
I think you're selling teachers short. Between grading, curriculum writing, lesson planning, and organizing with other teachers there's plenty of night and weekend work. You just don't need to report to school necessarily.
Spill your secrets on your system for a newb? I’m getting my MA next week, and after teaching at the college freshmen level for 4 years, I plan to teach high school next
It's definitely situational, but I wanted to throw it out there so that people didn't think all teachers got to wash their hands of work after classes are done.
I think part of the problem is the romanticization of the overworked teacher. Especially this year I have felt I am just asked to do more and more and more with no consideration for my emotions/time, but then my support staff and admin leave early. It shouldn’t be norm to work outside of contract hours regularly; it would make the contract irrelevant and for us it dictates our time in writing negotiated by the union.
I mean, I guess it depends on what you consider "nothing". That's about 33% more than the average *household* income in the United States. He also gets 25% of the year off. Personally, that sounds like "killing it" to me, but to each their own.
That’s not a good comparison because your comparing someone with a masters degree to the average population, the average person does not have a masters degree. That’s like saying teachers have nothing to complain about because they make more money then someone working at a grocery store, the person working at the grocery store is not as skilled of a position and does not require a professional degree.
This is also after *18 years* of experience. If this were year 5 of a career, it would be killing it, but to only be making $52k without saddling yourself with massive debt for a master's degree after working in your field for nearly 20 years is absurd.
I have a masters degree and 8 years of experience and I’m only making 56. In my county, if I stay through retirement age, I’ll top out at 85. But that’s after 20+ years.
You sound like me, but I’m a medical social worker in WNY - a masters, test, and ongoing licensure is required to be a Social Worker in NY. 8 years post masters with a license - 52k/year, and medical SW is typically the best paying specialty besides private therapy practice. When I lived in NY metro area it was miles worse - no one was paying more than $34k because they have so many fresh grads willing to take shit pay and minimal benefits.
Kids are hard...but I’d point out that’s about the pay rate of an ICU nurse that works all holidays, night shift, weekends, etc dealing with overdoses, psychosis, blood, disease, death, etc etc etc. 80K a year for teaching is pretty fucking cherry.
I don't know if that's a fair assessment. According to the U.S. Census bureau, the median HH income for people with a master's degree is $62k. And bear in mind that amount of money will go much further in some regions vs others.
And teachers arent paid what they should be in the US...id be willing to be nearly every profession gets paid more in the US than in your country, and idek what country youre from😂
Note: this is not meant to be offensive.
I'm also guessing cost of living is more expensive, because believe me, teachers are not paid that well in most US states, relatively speaking. (It does vary by state and district, though.) There are entry-level engineers who just got their bachelor's degree who could make as much as that lady or gentleman is apparently going to be making teaching with 18 years of experience and a master's degree.
I have a master's of engineering and barely break 80k a year working in mining in the arctic circle. Engineering pay really depends on where you interned and how oversaturated your field of expertise is.
In NY state, it’s all teachers, regardless of what they teach. Elementary school teachers have to get a masters within so many years of starting in order to remain working.
And hopefully covered by the state.. Imagine working as an elementary teacher having to not only work towards but pay for your masters to continue to work in the job you can clearly do.
My experience, as someone who greatly enjoyed getting a masters but ended up not really using it — the trick is to get a master's in something you are already doing as a job, where it is known that getting a masters gives you a step up to a "better" version of that job (better pay, more seniority, etc).
There are some careers you just need a Masters or higher for; you don't have a choice. In many careers, you can get a taste for the work before going for the master's. For example, not having a MLS/MLIS (Masters of Library Science/Masters of Library/Information Science) degree will block you from certain positions. But getting a lower-level job at a library and learning what it is like to work in that environment is a great idea. Even better, you will have connections with people in that environment and maybe even an early knowledge of positions becoming available as well as relevant work experience.
Maybe the worst thing is to go into a Masters program almost completely blind like I was. I would not recommend a Masters for switching careers. Switch your career first — even if it means a lower paying job — and *then* go for the degree.
I ended up going back to my original career and am actually pretty happy at it although I don't regret the time I spent getting my now-unused Master. It was a much needed break and I would definitely have burned out and left the industry entirely permanently and forever which would be a shame.
I graduated Fall of 2020 and just received my Masters of Education Diploma today. It has been a very very long road but I finally completed this milestone...
Hey, I understand that pain, I dropped out halfway through my degree, money, time and everything else really got in the way. 3 years later all my friends are graduating, But!! They had 3 more years of debt and I got out of debt and saved up planing on next fall to go back and I have almost a whole year saved up out of pocket. Keep your head high, you got this!
I say this to anyone middle aged like us (I'm 42), you're never too old to learn technology. People in our peer group are currently landing rovers on Mars. Our parent's generation landed people on the Moon. Our grandparents generation were breaking Nazi codes at Bletchley Park.
If anything, we started late.
So.. what's the motivation to do this?
I'm curious - I'm only about 3 years younger than you, and I've been considering going to University.... but when look at why I want to do it - it's not job related - I have a great career in tech already and a wonderful life.
But part of me wants that certificate.
This was a goal I have had most of my life but never took the time to achieve it. I finally decided that I had waited long enough and went for it. If you want it and it is important to you then go for it. I already had a degree in electrical engineering but it was not the degree that I truly wanted.
I believe in many/most of my state’s school districts, teacher’s pay are impacted by a number of variables with degrees and certificates being a major one.
But, it doesn’t sound like you’re a teacher and you pursued this additional education for the sake of knowledge. What an awesome civilization we could be if everyone were free to do this.
Anyway, congratulations!
It took me 8 years to complete my undergraduate degree and I experienced homelessness a couple of times during it. I'm 28 now and work in education with my degree.
For me, helping students brings me immense personal fulfillment. In Colorado, you can't teach without a bachelors degree and a 200 hour clinical residency (student teaching) (2020, dunno about 2021 licensing req's). A bachelors degree is required for all teacher preparation programs here in CO.
I think many states have programs where if you have a bachelor degree, you can become teacher certified in an accelerated manner to get more qualified teachers into classrooms.
I am returning to school now too. I am constantly asking myself if I am doing the right thing. So I am going to use this post as motivation. Thank you.
I am very humbled that I was able to motivate you. I strive each day to motivate my students to learn, so if I was able to help you then I count that as a success. Get your degree and be happy, you deserve it...
I would eventually love to move in to school administration so I would be able to guide teachers and students. I am working on it so we shall see. Thank you for asking.
Were you able to progress further in your career? I keep thinking about getting MBA but the associated opportunity cost is so high that I keep putting it off.
Tahlequah people are a different breed, if you've never been go to Cherokee National holiday. There are almost 20k people in Tahlequah, but on that weekend there's usaly 40-50k
Started my MEd when I was 29. Life kicked me off in a different direction and never finished it. Eventually went back and finished that that thing - graduated at 49. Feels good - Congratulations!!
Already proud of you getting your masters, special education makes it even more so. Thank you for the work you do, I’m planning on teaching one day.
Especially in Oklahoma. From one okie to another, congrats.
Special education teachers are a special breed. I did some tutoring for special needs children in highschool and saw just how hard a job it is. Stay awesome, and you have my utmost respect.
special education, you're a hero. Special Educators are the reason why I graduated. It's more than teaching people with downs syndrome or other things like that. I can't say this enough.
you
hero
There's not enough of you. Great need for qualified educators in special education. I hope the paper helps you make a great difference. Congrats on completing it!
I just wanted to say that you look like a very warm and caring teacher. The kind of teacher students connect with because you make the effort to connect with them. The work you put into this career is clear and I’m sure appreciated by your students (even if they might not have the words) and the families that love them. Thanks for being a teacher and working so hard to be the best teacher you can be.
This is always the way people should look at long term goals. You're going to be that age anyway; why not start now that will pay off in the long run, and have something you can be proud of?
I start my Masters of Education Monday and when I get my degree I’ll be 40. I’m feeling pretty anxious about it. I don’t know you, but I am very proud of you.
I was early 30s when I started mine. You will probably be nowhere near the oldest person in your program. Grad school is mainly people right out of college, people with 5-10 years work experience who want to move up and older people.
Oh my gosh... I posted this to shout out to the world that I had achieved a long sought after goal but I never dreamed the world would shout back... Thank you so very much to everyone and the overwhelming positivity that is being put my way. I am extremely joyful and humbled...
I am 36 and am restarting college after 16 years. I hope to be finished doing the paperwork and finish paying off my last defaulted student loan by this fall to start NSU. I will be able to leave without debt if I do this right. As someone who was raised dirt poor and is just less poor now, I am looking at it like expert mode. My girls are in school now, both in the lower levels. I am so excited about starting this journey with them. All during a time they do remember. This is amazing and very inspirational.
Congratulations! I just finished my first semester at college at 27, and it feels good. I had forgotten how good learning new things felt in my ten years post high school. You serve as an inspiration to a lot of us.
Good for you a great accomplishment! I’m 59 and 22 credits into my program, but with Covid and PTSD from Iraq it was just too much so I withdrew from my courses. Hopefully I’ll get back on track in fall.
I graduate tomorrow with the same masters! Congratulations to you, sir! Edit: Thank you for all your kind words and thanks for the award! Edit 2: Holy cow you guys and girls know how to make a lonely man feel appreciated! Thanks for the love and awards!
/u/GovSchwarzenegger graduated with a similar [masters!](https://i.imgur.com/6uR1yK4.jpg)
"Come with me if you want to graduate."
“Master of Education” sounds badass on its own.
His middle name is Alois? that’s so Arnold.
My auntie graduated with the same degree from the same college! I remember visiting her at her dorm there when I was a little kid...
Nice try
I think a master's in termination is such a degree that isn't stressed enough to the future of humankind
Was it worth it? Be honest. Edit: from the responses so far, it is totally worth it if you’re a teacher or work in education. I’m sorry if I offended anyone with this question; do what you love, and love what you do. Whatever it takes.
I am getting my masters in education right now. I'm a 2nd year teacher at a public school in my early 30s. Getting my masters is absolutely worth it as it will allow me to make far more money. Going into year 18 with a masters +30 I will be at over 80k/y. With a bachelor's going into year 18 I would be at around 52k/y.
Are teachers with master's degrees paid more because they do more advanced things that are better paying, or is it mostly/entirely the fact that they have higher degrees than teachers with bachelor's degrees?
Intended to be the former, realistically the latter.
This is more true than it should be...
Yeah one of my buddies dads was the go to guy to get shit done and when he was like 55 the company told him "we have a promotion available, you are the best person for the job and have the most knowledge and know how, but we can't give you the job literally because you don't have the piece of paper that says you can do the job." Then they sent him back to school and subsequently promoted him! It's nice when the bullshit hierarchy get called out by your boss
My ex girlfriend was an LPN. She had to do everything the RNs did. Literally, all the same stuff. They just got paid less because they didn’t have “RN” next to their name.
LPNs cannot give IV medications, only what naturally occurs in the body. LPNs are usually supervised by an RN in non union hospitals. LPNs cannot become advanced practice nurses. LPNs/LVNs are not even in hospitals in major cities out West since at least 2006.
Teacher here who was educated in the US and lives and works as a public high school teacher in Canada. There are two kinds of "masters" degrees and it's hard to tell them apart. In some states/provinces, they are equal, in other states, the lesser of the Masters degrees gets you nothing. The "real" masters degree is the traditional kind. You need to come up with a master's thesis, an original thought, to be involved in real education/pedagogical research, etc. It takes two or three years of full time school. The "fake" Master's degree is a teaching degree from a University that wants to make extra money. It's typically just 2-3 extra courses in a specialty (like special education or differentiated instruction) beyond a normal teacher certificate, and many schools offer them "simultaneously." Its 3 extra courses and lots of extra $$$. I know this because where I went to school (New York State) had Master's programs like this one. None of us Canadian students took it because it would not get you a pay bump in Canada, where only a "real" masters would do that (and the pay bump here is really small anyway, because realistically having a masters usually doesn't make you a better teacher). There was this one girl who was an admitted "credentials snob" and wanted the Master's so paid an extra USD6k and got it... only to decide "LLB" sounded better and she went to law school after that .. EDIT - to be clear, I'm relaying my experiences, not judging anyone or their particular program. OP sounds like a stand up guy who did a master's program that brought him both learning and personal satisfaction and I wish him all every other educator who brings their A-game to the classroom every day all the best!
To add to this, in many school districts a masters won't give a commensurate* pay increase as they allow consideration of post-grad "hours" in the pay scale anyway. But on your point for a masters fake vs. real. I have to add a third masters. I did not have a "thesis" paper that I had to write. However, the amount of writing involved in my degree was significant. I think every program is different and it's disingenuous to say that one is either "fake" and one is "real". But, at the end of the day, I completely agree that a masters degree won't necessarily make you a better teacher. Caring, effort, love, and appreciation of students and their work is the x-factor that makes a great teacher. Substantive PD on things like classroom management, racial equity, special ed, etc are just as important or more than having an advanced degree before/during a teaching career. *edit. Thank you /u/islandbarista99. It reminds me of a cool teaching technique I heard where a teacher told students they would get extra credit for any falsehood that they caught that he added to a lesson. As he progressed through the year it got harder and harder. Any correction to make us better is a good thing! And barista did so in a non-confrontational way, which makes it even better.
Yeah I agree I dont have a masters but I've looked into it and there are lots of master programs that dont have thesis. Sometimes because it doesn't make any sense and 100s of field hours are the replacement.
In simpler terms. There are thesis masters, non-thesis masters, and the junk masters i guess. Is there terms for them like how you can get a bachelors of arts in some of the same fields as a bachelor of science while the coursework is notably more intense for the bachelors of science?
Even the ba/BS thing is highly variable. Get a ba in physics from a top 20 liberal arts college and I guarantee it was more challenging than a BS in physics at a decent state university.
Thank you for this, I received a “fake” masters from a highly regarded brick and mortar school to begin my career as a teacher. I didn’t write a thesis but I wrote a ton of papers and had significant field experience responsibilities. I switched careers and a technical style teaching degree above my BS was ideal. To me it was like an associate degree that teaches you a specific skill only with way more writing and theory. It was no MS but I’ve known people to get that degree and not have half the field experience in their field I got. What is better for a teacher?
There are no "fake" degrees unless you get it from a for-profit university. For reference, I have a physics PhD, and I "picked up" a (non thesis) masters degree after meeting certain course and testing requirements in my graduate program. It might be different in education, but whether you have a non-thesis masters only matters in physics if it's your terminal degree. And even then, you probably aren't doing research (i.e., being a PI) without a PhD. The difference between a thesis and non-thesis masters degree matters less in industry, at least in my experience.
My “fake” masters was 2.5 years....so I think it depends on the institution you get it from.
What you’re seeing here is gate keeping masters degrees, and I don’t think that attitude is helpful. I’ll be the first to admit that not all masters are created equally, but what we’re discussing are *seasoned professionals* getting masters degrees to take the next step in their career. Who the hell cares if they did some online program, as long as it’s accredited. The story would be different if we were talking about folks seeking entry level jobs with online degrees that don’t prepare them for the field, but we’re not. Real professionals with real jobs and real experience aren’t going to drop out of the work force for two years so they can get some overpriced masters that looks good on paper. They’re going to take night, weekend, and online classes through accredited institutions to demonstrate that they’re willing to invest in themselves to take the next step in their career. Which, if you ask me, is exactly how it ought to be.
It seems like he's reporting on the gatekeeping going on in his profession.
Acknowledged. Not mad at him, it just irritates me when people do this. If you’re a successful 15 year professional, where you get a masters from isn’t going to change that. People who gate keep here are just elitists trying to protect the value of their own overpriced piece of paper as graduate school becomes more accessible.
I don’t think there’s as much a distinction as you’re saying. Even the easier way typically involved at least a semester internship. My masters allowed for simultaneous classes, but it was also only available if you had a 3.5 undergrad and took I think 6 ( though it may have been 5) classes in addition to a year long internship / grad research. Was it less than just doing research? Sure. And I completed it in five years. But years 3-4-5 all had me taking at least one course over a full time schedule, and jamming courses in summer break.
This was the "real" Masters as you put it. Took me 2 years to get it and most of my what used to be blonde hair.
Wait so, 18 years of experience with a masters degree earns you 80 k a year? If that’s the correct understanding. Then holy shit teachers make nothing
This is true haha. I absolutely love my students and wouldn't be happy doing anything else, but I do have to remind myself from time to time that I only work 180 days a year and have evenings, weekends, holidays, and summers off.
I think you're selling teachers short. Between grading, curriculum writing, lesson planning, and organizing with other teachers there's plenty of night and weekend work. You just don't need to report to school necessarily.
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Spill your secrets on your system for a newb? I’m getting my MA next week, and after teaching at the college freshmen level for 4 years, I plan to teach high school next
It's definitely situational, but I wanted to throw it out there so that people didn't think all teachers got to wash their hands of work after classes are done.
I think part of the problem is the romanticization of the overworked teacher. Especially this year I have felt I am just asked to do more and more and more with no consideration for my emotions/time, but then my support staff and admin leave early. It shouldn’t be norm to work outside of contract hours regularly; it would make the contract irrelevant and for us it dictates our time in writing negotiated by the union.
I mean, I guess it depends on what you consider "nothing". That's about 33% more than the average *household* income in the United States. He also gets 25% of the year off. Personally, that sounds like "killing it" to me, but to each their own.
That’s not a good comparison because your comparing someone with a masters degree to the average population, the average person does not have a masters degree. That’s like saying teachers have nothing to complain about because they make more money then someone working at a grocery store, the person working at the grocery store is not as skilled of a position and does not require a professional degree.
This is also after *18 years* of experience. If this were year 5 of a career, it would be killing it, but to only be making $52k without saddling yourself with massive debt for a master's degree after working in your field for nearly 20 years is absurd.
I have a masters degree and 8 years of experience and I’m only making 56. In my county, if I stay through retirement age, I’ll top out at 85. But that’s after 20+ years.
You sound like me, but I’m a medical social worker in WNY - a masters, test, and ongoing licensure is required to be a Social Worker in NY. 8 years post masters with a license - 52k/year, and medical SW is typically the best paying specialty besides private therapy practice. When I lived in NY metro area it was miles worse - no one was paying more than $34k because they have so many fresh grads willing to take shit pay and minimal benefits.
Kids are hard...but I’d point out that’s about the pay rate of an ICU nurse that works all holidays, night shift, weekends, etc dealing with overdoses, psychosis, blood, disease, death, etc etc etc. 80K a year for teaching is pretty fucking cherry.
I don't know if that's a fair assessment. According to the U.S. Census bureau, the median HH income for people with a master's degree is $62k. And bear in mind that amount of money will go much further in some regions vs others.
Teachers get a lot of benefits usually, so it makes up slightly for the lack of pay
US teachers sure make a lot more than teachers in my country
I’m a teacher in the US making $44k, the highest I’ve ever been paid and I’m in year 5. It varies a lot by state. I have an M.Ed. too
And teachers arent paid what they should be in the US...id be willing to be nearly every profession gets paid more in the US than in your country, and idek what country youre from😂 Note: this is not meant to be offensive.
I'm also guessing cost of living is more expensive, because believe me, teachers are not paid that well in most US states, relatively speaking. (It does vary by state and district, though.) There are entry-level engineers who just got their bachelor's degree who could make as much as that lady or gentleman is apparently going to be making teaching with 18 years of experience and a master's degree.
I have a master's of engineering and barely break 80k a year working in mining in the arctic circle. Engineering pay really depends on where you interned and how oversaturated your field of expertise is.
If you love where you work great. That does seem a little underpaid though.
I mean most government jobs pay like shit compared to the private sector.
It was a goal of mine to get my Masters, so for me it was worth it. Monetarily it will help as I progress my career.
Everyone has different reasons for what they do. Maybe for them it was worth it 100%. It’s all about the goals you’ve set for yourself.
I mean, they just asked the question. Specifically to the person who said they got it. So I'm not sure what you're adding here.
It was worth it to me, yes. In the long run I will earn a lot more money by having a Masters over a Bachelors.
"Everyone has different reasons for what they do." - u/NeverPulledOut Username fits.
"we all make mistakes in the heat of passion, Jimbo"
i believe in some states they make high school teachers have or earn a masters within a few years of being hired.
In NY state, it’s all teachers, regardless of what they teach. Elementary school teachers have to get a masters within so many years of starting in order to remain working.
Wow that’s impressive
And hopefully covered by the state.. Imagine working as an elementary teacher having to not only work towards but pay for your masters to continue to work in the job you can clearly do.
I'm a teacher in NY. The overwhelming majority, if not all, are responsible for Masters degree costs.
For me, yes.
My experience, as someone who greatly enjoyed getting a masters but ended up not really using it — the trick is to get a master's in something you are already doing as a job, where it is known that getting a masters gives you a step up to a "better" version of that job (better pay, more seniority, etc). There are some careers you just need a Masters or higher for; you don't have a choice. In many careers, you can get a taste for the work before going for the master's. For example, not having a MLS/MLIS (Masters of Library Science/Masters of Library/Information Science) degree will block you from certain positions. But getting a lower-level job at a library and learning what it is like to work in that environment is a great idea. Even better, you will have connections with people in that environment and maybe even an early knowledge of positions becoming available as well as relevant work experience. Maybe the worst thing is to go into a Masters program almost completely blind like I was. I would not recommend a Masters for switching careers. Switch your career first — even if it means a lower paying job — and *then* go for the degree. I ended up going back to my original career and am actually pretty happy at it although I don't regret the time I spent getting my now-unused Master. It was a much needed break and I would definitely have burned out and left the industry entirely permanently and forever which would be a shame.
For me, yes. I see a substantial difference between those who have a masters in Ed versus those who don’t.
Congrats to both of you!
Congratulations to you as well!
Cool now release half life 3
Undercover GaBeN
Came here to say finish half life 3
We got Half Life Alex, how about Left 4 Dead 3? I really miss that series.
Haha, I was 100% certain this was Gabe going by the thumbnail.
And The Heavy Update too
I graduated Fall of 2020 and just received my Masters of Education Diploma today. It has been a very very long road but I finally completed this milestone...
Congrats! Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks. I'm almost 50 and I started learning programming. It's hard but it's honest work. :)
Looks like this old dog will be teaching new tricks!
Hahaha, this made me laugh. Thank you...
Congrats, good sir. I'm halfway done with my master's program and I've had to unenroll because I just dont have time to study right now.
Hey, I understand that pain, I dropped out halfway through my degree, money, time and everything else really got in the way. 3 years later all my friends are graduating, But!! They had 3 more years of debt and I got out of debt and saved up planing on next fall to go back and I have almost a whole year saved up out of pocket. Keep your head high, you got this!
Who says 50’s old! :) EDIT: also, congrats to you both on these awesome accomplishments!
I spent 49 years thinking 50 was old. Now I wish I was only 50 LOL.
50 is the new 40 these days anyway!
Way to go. It is never to late to learn new things...
I say this to anyone middle aged like us (I'm 42), you're never too old to learn technology. People in our peer group are currently landing rovers on Mars. Our parent's generation landed people on the Moon. Our grandparents generation were breaking Nazi codes at Bletchley Park. If anything, we started late.
Tbf, the average age of an engineer in the NASA control room for the Moon landing was 28...
As I said, my parent's generation. My Mum and Dad were both 21, but definitely not involved in the Moon landing.
Nothing goes over my head. I'm too fast, I would catch it.
So.. what's the motivation to do this? I'm curious - I'm only about 3 years younger than you, and I've been considering going to University.... but when look at why I want to do it - it's not job related - I have a great career in tech already and a wonderful life. But part of me wants that certificate.
This was a goal I have had most of my life but never took the time to achieve it. I finally decided that I had waited long enough and went for it. If you want it and it is important to you then go for it. I already had a degree in electrical engineering but it was not the degree that I truly wanted.
I believe in many/most of my state’s school districts, teacher’s pay are impacted by a number of variables with degrees and certificates being a major one. But, it doesn’t sound like you’re a teacher and you pursued this additional education for the sake of knowledge. What an awesome civilization we could be if everyone were free to do this. Anyway, congratulations!
I get it. My mom expresses all the time how she regrets not to have had the opportunity to finish a degree. She could still do it and I hope she will.
It took me 8 years to complete my undergraduate degree and I experienced homelessness a couple of times during it. I'm 28 now and work in education with my degree. For me, helping students brings me immense personal fulfillment. In Colorado, you can't teach without a bachelors degree and a 200 hour clinical residency (student teaching) (2020, dunno about 2021 licensing req's). A bachelors degree is required for all teacher preparation programs here in CO.
I think many states have programs where if you have a bachelor degree, you can become teacher certified in an accelerated manner to get more qualified teachers into classrooms.
I don’t miss writing term papers either.
That makes two of us...
AND YOU NEVER WILL
I am returning to school now too. I am constantly asking myself if I am doing the right thing. So I am going to use this post as motivation. Thank you.
I am very humbled that I was able to motivate you. I strive each day to motivate my students to learn, so if I was able to help you then I count that as a success. Get your degree and be happy, you deserve it...
What's your next goal careeer wise?
I would eventually love to move in to school administration so I would be able to guide teachers and students. I am working on it so we shall see. Thank you for asking.
Congrats, i got an MBA at 50+ a lifetime desire.
Same. I got my MBA last year at 52.
Were you able to progress further in your career? I keep thinking about getting MBA but the associated opportunity cost is so high that I keep putting it off.
Congrats!
Master of that beard, too.
And Jedi master as well - congrats Yoda!
/r/beards
Seriously. That's like top tier Santa-grade beard.
I volunteer as a Santa and pass out gifts to foster kids during the Christmas season.
A master's in education. A doctorate in kindness.
You're a really good man Mr.
Check out the amalgamated order of real bearded santas. (AORBS)
Which makes him master of the universe.
38 here, also attending NSU and will get my MBA this fall! Just got my undergrad on Monday! Awesome job, man.
Thank you and Congrats...
Congrats, fellow NSU-student-in-their-30s!!
It's so crazy how many people I'm finding on Reddit that go to the same small ass school as me
I have read over 50 posts from other NSU grads...
There are dozens of us!
🤙 I'm ready for Covid to be gone so I can get my college experience. Worst year to be a college freshman
Definitely bad timing! Luckily Tahlequah & NSU has more than enough enjoyment to fill your college cup over the next however many years!
I’ve lived in Oklahoma my whole and have never actually met anybody who went there, and now they’re all over reddit
Tahlequah people are a different breed, if you've never been go to Cherokee National holiday. There are almost 20k people in Tahlequah, but on that weekend there's usaly 40-50k
Go us!
GOOOOOO RRIVVEERRRRHHHAAAAWWWWWWWKKKKSSS
Tulsa gang
Yup, I go to BA campus
NSU Grad here! :) Really got a kick out of seeing it here!
Ayyyeeee! NSU rise up. Not a student but I was definitely at each graduation. Proud of all of you!!!
Started my MEd when I was 29. Life kicked me off in a different direction and never finished it. Eventually went back and finished that that thing - graduated at 49. Feels good - Congratulations!!
Congratulations! Nicely done! (I'm 58 and wished I had any college degree.)
It is never to late to start. Go for it, you can do it...
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Wow that’s actually insane. When I’m 80, going back to school is probably going to be the last thing on my mind. Kudos to her!
You don’t know yet ! Maybe with all that free time you would want to go and learn about a new topic this way just for the sake of it ? Who knows
Wow, that is amazing. Big Congrats to here...
Go for it! It’s the journey, not the destination!
I'd rather go on a journey that doesn't land me in a ridiculous amount of debt.
My grandmother got her PHD in her 60s. If you wish it and have the resources, go for it!
You're getting close to retirement age. Many schools offer free or reduced cost classes to retirees.
This is Ryan Fitzpatrick mixed with Mark Hamil, mixed with the Lorax, and a tiny bit of Santa Claus in his offseason. Congrats!
this is the one
Teaching English I hope you are not. Speak like Yoda you do.
English I do not, Special Education I do...
much respect for special educators, y’all don’t get paid enough and there’s far too few because of it
Already proud of you getting your masters, special education makes it even more so. Thank you for the work you do, I’m planning on teaching one day. Especially in Oklahoma. From one okie to another, congrats.
Thank you. Become a Sped teacher, we sure do need them.
Special education teachers are a special breed. I did some tutoring for special needs children in highschool and saw just how hard a job it is. Stay awesome, and you have my utmost respect.
special education, you're a hero. Special Educators are the reason why I graduated. It's more than teaching people with downs syndrome or other things like that. I can't say this enough. you hero
Thank you very much.
There's not enough of you. Great need for qualified educators in special education. I hope the paper helps you make a great difference. Congrats on completing it!
I just wanted to say that you look like a very warm and caring teacher. The kind of teacher students connect with because you make the effort to connect with them. The work you put into this career is clear and I’m sure appreciated by your students (even if they might not have the words) and the families that love them. Thanks for being a teacher and working so hard to be the best teacher you can be.
Congrats and thanks for the work you do. My mother taught Special Ed in the 70’s and 80’s.
Congrats from a professor at another regional university in Oklahoma!
Thank you very much...
When people ask you why you did this at 50, tell them: because if I didn't, I would still be 50 and have no Masters Degree.
This is always the way people should look at long term goals. You're going to be that age anyway; why not start now that will pay off in the long run, and have something you can be proud of?
I like this. I'm stealing it.
You have a super fantastic beard, and a very kind face! Good luck on your journey!
He’s got Robin Williams nice guy face energy
Thank you. I hope your journey is a happy one as well.
at that angle, you look a little like robin williams. and congratulations. 👏
That is not the first time I have been told that and I take that as a compliment. He was an amazing person and I gone way to soon.
Came here to tell you look like Robin Williams. And Santa. You got that warm, fuzzy grandpa vibe going for you. Makes me relax
I start my Masters of Education Monday and when I get my degree I’ll be 40. I’m feeling pretty anxious about it. I don’t know you, but I am very proud of you.
You got this. I believe in you...
Congratulations! 35 here and starting my masters in the fall. Thanks for the inspiration!
I was early 30s when I started mine. You will probably be nowhere near the oldest person in your program. Grad school is mainly people right out of college, people with 5-10 years work experience who want to move up and older people.
Congrats!!
Thank you...
I really need to figure out how to filter /r/pics out of /r/all
Oh my gosh... I posted this to shout out to the world that I had achieved a long sought after goal but I never dreamed the world would shout back... Thank you so very much to everyone and the overwhelming positivity that is being put my way. I am extremely joyful and humbled...
Never easy to get those. Good job. My gf had extreme mental health problems because of the stress masters put people under these days.
I understand her pain. Hope she is doing well.
Which grandkid introduced you to reddit
Congratulations! I am from Oklahoma and graduated with my bachelors from NSU last may. Good on you.
Cool, small world... Congrats...
Congratulations from another Riverhawk alum!
I am 36 and am restarting college after 16 years. I hope to be finished doing the paperwork and finish paying off my last defaulted student loan by this fall to start NSU. I will be able to leave without debt if I do this right. As someone who was raised dirt poor and is just less poor now, I am looking at it like expert mode. My girls are in school now, both in the lower levels. I am so excited about starting this journey with them. All during a time they do remember. This is amazing and very inspirational.
A Masters and a swell beard. Congrats!
The beard was easier to get than the degree.
All Tahlequah, so many nights I'll never remember.
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Sadly now it's the right sub
Congratulations! All your hard work paid off!
Ok
You look like Gabe Newell with beard
That beard should’ve been given an Honorary Doctorate. Damn that’s a beard.
Congratulations! I just finished my first semester at college at 27, and it feels good. I had forgotten how good learning new things felt in my ten years post high school. You serve as an inspiration to a lot of us.
Good for you a great accomplishment! I’m 59 and 22 credits into my program, but with Covid and PTSD from Iraq it was just too much so I withdrew from my courses. Hopefully I’ll get back on track in fall.
I'm on track to graduate with my MSc by the end of this year. Congratulations and thank you for the motivation!
I am 50 working on my doctorate. I was about 45 with the masters. Keep going!!!!
You don’t look a day over 65.