https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 17:00:53 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1283545 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 09:37:12 +0000 cmomma17 1283545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: sorry to bump an old thread, but I'm curious if you made an decision here? I'm interested in the exact same degree! But not sure if it is ultimately worth it! </p> <p>@anagram: would you mind sharing info about your online degree with me? how long did it take you to finish while working? (wall me if you don't mind sharing) :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1045070 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 19:48:06 +0000 yoursilverlining 1045070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: If you only plan to teach online or to tutor, are you really sure you need a masters? I know a lot of the K-12 online schools have gotten tons of pushback from many states because their standards are, well....less lenient. Are you sure they really all require a masters? If you are interested in teaching above the K-12 level, but only want to work PT, adjunct pay is beyond crap (seriously, it's like 2k a class - often less than that. You can't make a car payment, let alone live on that salary). </p> <p>A friend of mine teaches ESL online and tutors in English online, and she doesn't have a masters, only her BA. Not sure if that is something you would be interested in, but there are online options that don't require a masters. </p> <p>I'm almost always a big believer in getting as much education as you can, but if you really only plan to work part time, I don't honestly know if spending $25k+ would be worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1045058 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 19:38:04 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 1045058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not a teacher, but have significant student loans. They.suck.</p> <p>@Cole: Good luck in whatever you end up doing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1045049 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 19:31:40 +0000 mrs. 64 1045049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilteacherbee: That's sad. :sad: Hope NC starts making education more of a priority soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1045044 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 19:29:52 +0000 mrs. 64 1045044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm currently getting my masters in reading education. I'm already an elementary teacher. I'm not sure the masters is worth it for you because it is a significant amount of time and money for what you are interested in. However, if you are planning on getting the certification I probably would go ahead and get the masters just in case things change in the future and you wanted a school position. I would hunt around for less expensive programs though. My program is at a well respected public university and it will be far less than $25k. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044893 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 18:11:53 +0000 lilteacherbee 1044893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@TurtleDoves: because NC is nuts.</p> <p><a href="http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2013/08/02/new-cut-to-masters-degree-supplemental-pay-will-affect-more-teachers-than-lawmakers-previously-thought/" rel="nofollow">http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2013/08/02/new-cut-to-masters-degree-supplemental-pay-will-affect-more-teachers-than-lawmakers-previously-thought/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044882 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 18:05:54 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1044882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilteacherbee: WHY? That makes no sense; how would they justify that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044881 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 18:04:43 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1044881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: My mom is an English/Literature teacher and certified Reading Specialist with a Master's degree. She makes 50% more than she did without it. That is my only experience with it! Note: she has her teaching certificate and is a HS teacher.<br /> I'd say do it.<br /> In my profession, you could also make double with a master's degree and that is why I am pursuing it (well, my program is joint masters + Ph.D, but that wasn't by choice). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044868 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 17:58:39 +0000 ladybee 1044868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilteacherbee: we get paid more for a masters (which is why I just finished mine) and its a significant difference. That stinks that you don't get the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044854 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 17:49:04 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1044854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: That is true in the elementary/high school level. However for the collegiate level, a masters is a minimal requirement. Which is why I am just so surprised that about the pay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044846 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 17:44:21 +0000 lilteacherbee 1044846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: Yeah I know that literally EVERY state is better for teachers than mine- we're ranked #50 for teacher pay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044778 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 17:02:06 +0000 Cole 1044778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all, it really helps to have this community as a sounding board!<br /> @swedishfish: I actually am most interested in teaching through an online school but I figured I could also do more specialized tutoring. I probably should have been more clear about my background, I taught for 3 years in a private Montessori school and after the school closed I switched nannying. I have been working with a family with two students with mild delays as a tutor and liason with the various specialists and their school so it is easier to say nanny since the morning hours are spent with toddlers and the afternoon is spent with the older children. Ultimately though I have been working in education and have some unique experiences to bring to the table so I know finding a job won't be an issue. But yes, I am not sure it is worth it if I don't want to work full time.</p> <p>@Anagram: Would you mind sharing what school you went to? I have looked at a few in state schools here and they are all still really pricey, I have some more digging to do still but I was floored by the prices!</p> <p>I think one place I am struggling is with the idea of going back to get a teaching certificate when for a little more time and money I would have the certificate and a masters. I will look into just the teaching certificate further though especially since the masters programs I am finding are so expensive.</p> <p>Thank you again for all of these things to ponder! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044770 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 16:59:11 +0000 swedishfish 1044770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilteacherbee: @Mrs. Pen: it completely depends on where you live. My state has better salaries for teachers and we are required to obtain a Masters degree in order to keep our teaching licenses. But we have a much higher cost of living than other areas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044734 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 16:35:25 +0000 lilteacherbee 1044734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: agree.</p> <p>I actually considered doing the same thing (reading specialist) right out of college, but I ended up going into early childhood education instead. I teach a public pre-k program and DH is a 3rd grade teacher, so education is something I'm pretty passionate about. My state actually passed legislation in the past month that said teachers who receive their master's degree after this coming spring will not be paid any higher than teachers with just a bachelor's. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044664 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 15:52:46 +0000 TheReelDeal 1044664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like a Masters would not be worth it. If your state does not require one to teach I would focus on getting your teaching certificate, that should be a little less expensive and would seem worth it in the long run. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044650 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 15:42:44 +0000 Anagram 1044650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: any reason why you're set on that particular program that costs 25k? For education masters, there are MANY completely legitimate universities that started offering their education- related Master's programs as online programs, since they assume the students are teachers working full time.</p> <p>So you aren't limited to universities in your area--- you can apply to cheaper out of state programs and even as a non- resident, save some money. </p> <p>I was a teacher for 5 years before I got my library science degree, and I chose a mostly-online program that has since become 100% online. We had several students from other states. I think my 36 hours cost about $10,000 but I was a state resident. Since I took classes very slowly (continues working full time), I was able to pay out of pocket as I went. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044626 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 15:32:04 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1044626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I may be partially biased as my spouse is a teacher... but in my purely anecdotal opinion - the cost of a masters degree isn't worth the pay that teachers receive. My husband has a masters in mathematics education and is an instructor at a collegiate level and still his income isn't what we both feel it should be - as is the sad fate of nearly all teachers. He has so many loans from his advanced degree and it's very hard for us to feel we can get a grip on them because they really outweigh his income. It's a tough spot to be in. He truly loves teaching but he has "buyers remorse" so to speak. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044613 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 15:29:34 +0000 swedishfish 1044613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why is it only possible to tutor with this degree? You can offer your tutoring services without a Masters degree. I think it's a lot of money to spend when you're not going back to work fulltime and I probably wouldn't hire a tutor for my children who didn't have any real education job experience.</p> <p>ETA - that sounded really harsh but I'm in education. It's a lot of time, effort and money to study for a Masters degree. I just don't see the return on your investment if you don't want to work fulltime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044611 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 15:27:40 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1044611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thats a high demand job, but sadly they don't pay a whole lot extra for a masters. But you would probably get a job easily. </p> <p>I guess you are looking as a long term job but just on a part time basis? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/masters-degree#post-1044606 Mon, 26 Aug 2013 15:25:14 +0000 Cole 1044606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been contemplating going back to school for a Masters in Education/Reading Specialist and I could use some feedback about whether or not it is worth it. (I have a BA in French and lower elementary Montessori training but no teaching certificate.)</p> <p>So far my favorite program is $25k, we make a good income (probably too much to qualify for any significant aid) but there is no way we could pay that out of pocket. As a nanny, I don't really have employer subsidies etc. This leaves us with loans. </p> <p>Loans scare me because we are going to start ttc soon (!) and I would love to be able to sah. Realistically, I will probably need to work part time. If I do the masters program it will eventually let me do tutoring or online teaching part time and potentially from home during hours my dh would be home. </p> <p>So is it worth it taking a hit to my current income (I would drop down some hours) and taking out huge loans to do this? While this could certainly change, I also don't think I will go back to work full time even after we have kids in school. In my perfect imaginary world I would teach part time from home which would be doable only with this degree. If it were free I would do it in a heartbeat, I just can't decide on the financial side of things.</p> <p>So what haven't I considered? Any thoughts on how to make the costs more manageable or programs I should look into? </p> <p>Thanks so much! </p>