Does having a Masters make it harder to get a teaching job?

Question

I am finishing my MA and want to get secondary teaching credentials for California. With an MA, I can make more money (a few thousand a year.)

An MA might make make me more knowledgeable and a better teacher, but is it possible that it might be harder to get a job because I'd be higher on the pay scale? Would they rather hire a BA to save money?

Answer 1

I have 2 masters and they are both in a different area that my bachelors. This actually makes me more marketable because I can do so many things. I would never get my masters in the same thing I have my bachelors in.

Answer 2

I'm going into education.  My professors at school encourage us to all get our Masters.  But they also warned us to be teaching first before getting our Masters so that we have a job first and don't have to worry about being over qualified.  That is what I'm doing now.  I think its great you are getting a Masters!  I know some areas of education require  a Masters, but as I am going into Elementary Education I will need to first get a job as a teacher then continue school and get my Masters.    Going into Secondary will help with a Masters degree. Good job on getting the Masters.

Answer 3

I don't have experience with the educational landscape in California, but I have heard this warning from a number of sources around here as well (Kansas City area). I have never heard of a district systematically rejecting master's degree holders in favor of bachelor's degrees to save costs. I'd say go for it. You don't want to work for a district that's pinching pennies that tightly anyway.

Answer 4

It is definitely better to have a master's.  Some private and charter schools actually require it.  Plus, you can then teach at community colleges and online.  I have some teacher friends who teach high school full-time and teach on-line a few times a week.  I wish I had gotten my master's while I was still in school and it was so much easier to do so.  Good luck!

Answer 5

That's exact opposite.  Many states now require to have a MA or MEd to teach.  MA without any experience is placed at level 2 out of 5, which really doesn't cost them that much money.  Having an MA even allows you to teach in small colleges.  Most schools try to save money by not hiring PhDs.  In some system, PhDs are paid the highest scale at 5 out of 5, even without much experiences.

Answer 6

not necessarily.

Im sure that you *could* find an instance of this - trying to lower initial costs - but we are all encouraged to get our masters... usually our pay scale is tied into further education. Districts know that eventually all candidates will have their masters...

Teaching experience, subject matter field and drive are the things most looked at by hiring committees.

You will be fine. good luck!

Answer 7

not necessarily. i think you do a good job marketing why your skills would make you a better candidate. i mean look at your question. dont doubt yourself.