Reply To: Masters in Ed vs. Music Ed

[nafmeadmin]

When choosing a school to pursue a masters degree, it is important to understand the purpose of the masters program you are applying for… Some schools have research-oriented degree programs that prepare you to go on to earn a doctorate, while others provide a more practical, hands-on approach that some teachers prefer. In addition, some schools offer degrees that may be earned over the course of several summers, which allows you to keep teaching in your current position, while others require that you become a full-time student. One advantage of attending full-time os the possibility of graduate research/teaching assistantships, which often provide tuition/stipends to offset the cost of pursuing your degree.

When deciding the type of degree or the specific university, it is helpful to have an idea of where you want to go next/why you want to obtain the degree. It is also important to talk with faculty at the school to find out where their degree program lies in this spectrum to make sure that the program is a good fit for your future needs.