One of the most important decisions you are going to make as you pursue your master’s degree in education is how to pay for it. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can get assistance to fund your continuing education. How much financial aid you can get depends upon a few factors:

·         Your record of achievement in your undergraduate program

·         What specific field you are studying in your master’s of education program

·         Your geographic location

·         Which school you are attending

·         Ethnicity

Depending on those factors, you often can find some way of easing the cost of your degree. Generally speaking, financial aid for your master’s degree will fall into three areas:

Scholarships

While it is true that scholarships and grants are more common for undergraduate degrees, there are still quite a few available for graduate students. The first place to look is at the university you are attending. Everyone knows that graduate school is expensive, and schools want to attract top candidates. There may be more school and private scholarships available than you might think. Here are some places to look for scholarships:

·         Your graduate school: Ask your financial aid office for any scholarships for people seeking a master’s in education.

·         Professional organizations: Look for scholarships at any professional organization on campus, or any with which you are affiliated.

·         Scholarships  That Are Career Specific: There are many graduate scholarships for particular fields (see our list here).

·         Gender/Ethnicity-Specific: There are many other scholarships that are targeted towards women and minorities.

Also, you should look into scholarships for master’s degree students in that particular state. And, ask at your financial aid office if there are any local companies or other organizations that sponsor scholarships.

See some of the available scholarships we found for master’s of education students.

Loan Forgiveness Programs

While these are not exactly scholarships, this can be a great way to cancel out a big chunk of your student loan debt. One of the most common programs is the federal one called the Stafford Loan Forgiveness Program for Teachers. You can cancel up to $17,500 of debt if you work for five years in specific elementary schools and secondary schools in low income areas. There are other federal loan forgiveness programs available through the Department of Education.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship

Many universities offer you the opportunity to learn how to teach effectively while you are in graduate school, and on top of it you receive a tuition remission and sometimes even a stipend.

A graduate teaching assistant can often get an annual stipend of $6,000-$15,000, as well as no cost tuition. This can be a huge help to getting you through graduate school without a boatload of debt.

And, you also will gain invaluable experience teaching in a real classroom, and you will be able to learn from other faculty as well.

A teaching assistant position is a lot of work; you will need to teach several classes, grade papers, have office hours to meet with students, and perhaps running lab sessions. But it is a fine way to save money and gain education at the same time.

Scholarships for a master’s degree are thought to be not as plentiful as for undergraduate degrees, but with some searching, you can still find quite a few. There also are loan forgiveness programs, where you can have much of your student debt forgiven if you work in a disadvantaged school for 3-5 years. Some of the top scholarships for a master’s degree in education are below:

1. The Angeline E. Anderson Scholarship Fund -Established in 1990 at George Washington University by a gift from Angeline E. Anderson, B.A.1941, M.A.1944, to assist outstanding future classroom teachers. Ms. Anderson, the recipient of a scholarship to attend GW, enjoyed a career that included university and secondary school teaching and counseling. The scholarship in her name perpetuates her devotion to assisting students who can improve the quality of classroom teaching. The Fund is used to support full-time or part-time students in financial need who plan teaching careers in U.S. schools.
2. Stafford Loan Forgiveness Program for Teachers -The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession. Under this program, individuals who teach full time for five consecutive, complete academic years in certainelementary and secondary schools that serve low-income families and meet other qualifications may be eligible for forgiveness of up to a combined total of $17,500 in principal and interest on their FFEL and/or Direct Loan program loans.
3. University of Scranton Graduate Scholarships -The University of Scranton, in partnership with University Alliance, is pleased to offer the availability of Bisk Foundation Scholarships for students newly enrolling into one of the two online Master of Science in Education programs. The University of Scranton’s Master of Science in Education degrees are designed for working teachers committed to gaining the skills needed to teach in today’s ever-evolving classroom.
4. Project REACH -The University of Phoenix provides a grant called Project REACH, aimed to recruit teachers and retaining teachers in disadvantaged, low-income areas. Awarded to the University of Phoenix by the U.S. Department of Education, this grant targets recent graduates, mid-career professionals, local community substitute emergency certified teachers, and retired military veterans with a bachelor’s degrees.
5. Grad PLUS Loans -Only since 2006 have the Grad PLUS Loans been a viable alternative. Imagine graduate school—the stress of amassing even more student loan debt. For costly and lengthy programs of study, such as Law and medicine, you’re looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt following graduation. The Grad PLUS Loan does not eliminate that debt, but the loans do make borrowing to finance that education much more affordable and attractive than private loans.
6. Baggerman Family Memorial Scholarship -$1500. Applicant must have a minimum 2.8 GPA and must be enrolled in a program that leads to certification in elementary education.
7. Jack Kinnaman Scholarship -$2,000. Applicants must be NEA student members, major in education, bachelor’s or graduate, and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. An essay describing activities in NEA, a brief paragraph describing financial need, two letters of recommendation and a copy of the most recent transcript are required.
8. American Federation of Teachers Robert G. Porter Scholars Program -This program offers four 4-year, $8,000 post-secondary scholarships to students who are dependents of AFT members, as well as 10 one-time $1,000 grants to AFT members to assist with their continuing education.
9. ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award -Nominees for the ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award should be preK-20 education professionals, 40 years of age or younger, and demonstrate exemplary commitment and exceptional contribution to the profession. The winner will receive a check for $10,000, be profiled in Educational Leadership Magazine, and be honored during a general session at the ASCD Annual Conference.
10. Florida State University College of Education Scholarships -The College of Education is pleased to offer a number of scholarships to its students every year.All students who intend to be registered for the coming academic year are eligible and encouraged to apply. We appreciate the generous private support of the many donors who make these awards possible each year. Scholarships are offered at both departmental and college levels.

When most job sectors in Illinois were shedding jobs in 2008, education was just 1 of 2 sectors that showed job growth. In fact, job projections in the education field in Illinois show strong growth for the next decade. This indicates that there will be a strong demand for good teachers in Illinois with a master’s degree in education for a long time. What’s more, Illinois as of 2010 had the 8th highest average teacher salaries in the US, at $62,300 per year. When you consider that you also will get $4000 or so added to your salary for a master’s degree, plus benefits, you could do much worse than become a teacher in Illinois.

Illinois was one of a handful of states that received $400 million in grants from the federal Education Jobs Fund, which it received in 2010 and 2011, which helped to save or create thousands of jobs in elementary and secondary education. This money could help you to find a good teaching job more easily, so keep your eyes open.

Top Illinois Jobs For a Master’s in Education

Some of the largest education employers in Illinois include those listed below.

• Chicago Public Schools: 43,000 employees
• Illinois State University – Bloomington: 3,267 employees
• Illinois Wesleyan University – Bloomington: 578 employees
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: 13,971 employees
• Champaign #4 School District: 1,305 employees
• Elgin School District U-46: 4,820 employees
• Rockford School District 205: 4,135 employees

Some recent jobs for popular employers in IL include the following:

• New Teacher Induction Coach for Elementary Schools, University of Chicago: Will implement the programs that will help to develop instruction at Illinois schools. Will also research and develop the curriculum and best practices in education. Will participate in the planning process for schools. Salary: Up to 60K.
• Language Stars Teacher, Chicago: Work as a teacher in a private, full immersion foreign language school in Spanish, French, German and others. You will run highly structured language activities for children that are supported by many types of materials, session plans and training. Salary: Up to $50K.
• Early Education Education Director, Northfield Community Nursing School: Will manage all daily aspects of the programs and services at the school; create policy, oversee all daily operation and manage the school staff. Will ensure the school complies with state and local guidelines. Salary: Up to 80K.

Job Prospects in Illinois

The Illinois Dept. of Education is projecting that there will be a 16% increase in demand for teachers in the next five years, with annual job openings averaging about 8,800.

Salary Statistics in Illinois

The average teacher salary in the state of Illinois has stayed above the national average of $48,000 for many years. The average teacher salary here in 2008 was $56,505 in 2008 and $57,280 in 2009. You also will receive a bonus of several thousand dollars for having your master’s in education. Also, the salaries for teachers here rose by 7 percent from 2007-9, which is well above the national average of 2.8%. So as you can see, Illinois does pay its teachers well, and it is currently ranked #9 in the country in salaries.

There are a total of 135,000 teachers in the public school system in the state, and a total of 2,100,000 students.

You may have heard some somewhat discouraging things about being a teacher in Idaho, but not all of what you hear is entirely accurate. Some of the teacher’s unions here state that teachers are seriously underpaid. While the average teacher salary in below the national average, you should keep in mind that it is much less expensive to live in this state than it is in California or New Jersey. The reality is that the average teacher’s salary here is rather comparable to that of other professions, when you consider the teacher generally is working nine months only.

We believe this is a good time to become a teacher with a master’s in education in Idaho, because there is more of a push from the state to boost the quality of education in Idaho. There are better quality schools, increased benefits and somewhat higher salaries. There also is improved mentoring of teachers. You will likely find that having a master’s degree will make it easy for you to find a good teaching job, as the state is putting an emphasis on teachers who are familiar with the latest teaching theories, leadership principles and analysis of student data.

Top Idaho Jobs For a Master’s in Education

Some of the top education employers in Idaho include the following institutions:

• Boise State: Professors earn an average of $78,000; associate professors an average of $64,000; instructors an average of $47,000. 326 are tenured professors, and 132 are on the tenure track.
• Idaho State University: Professors earn an average of $76,000; associate professors an average of $60,000; and instructors an average of $41,000. There are 247 tenured professors, and 76 on the tenure track.
• North Idaho Community College: Instructors here earn about $50,500 per year, with about 218 instructors working here total.
• Brigham Young University Idaho: This is a large university with over 14,000 students and a student to teacher ratio of 23. There are 558 instructors here total, 329 of them are tenured and 122 are on the tenure track.

Job Prospects in Idaho

The year 2009 saw record-breaking job losses in the state of Idaho. There are currently about 3-5 unemployed workers for every job in the state, Overall though, the education sector has not lost much ground during the last few years. Because of population growth, we actually have seen a small amount of growth in the education sector.

And, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, education jobs have increased, with about 35,000 working in the field in 2008, with a 2% of so level of growth anticipated each year.

There are five cities in the state where you should probably have more luck finding a good teaching job:

• Boise
• Nampa
• Meridian
• Idaho Falls
• Pocatello

Salary Statistics in Idaho

From 2007-9, the average salary for teachers in Idaho increased by 9.5%. The average salary in 2007 was #41 in the US at $41,200 per year. It rose to #31 in 2008, at $45,200 per year. Salaries here for teachers still are well under the US average of $48,000.

In 2008, there were 250,700 K-12 students in Idaho, and 15,100 teachers.

One of the most common obstacles to completing a master’s degree in education, or in any field, is the cost. Many people obviously will be reluctant to pursue a master’s degree if it is going to saddle them with tens of thousands of dollars in student loans.

Fortunately, today there are several unique options that you can pursue to deal with your student loans if you are working on a master’s degree in education. Many master’s degree students have borrowed funds through the Stafford Loan and/or the PLUS Loan Program managed by the U.S. government. If you agree to work in certain areas of the country as a teacher, you may become eligible to have up to $17,500 of your federal student loans cancelled.

If you have any loans that were made under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and the William Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, you may also qualify for forgiveness of some of your federal student loans.

How to Qualify for Loan Forgiveness

To apply to have some of your federal student loans forgiven, you must work full time for a minimum of five years in a qualifying, low-income school that is eligible for loan forgiveness  according to Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Remember that private loans are not eligible for loan forgiveness.

If you started as a teacher before Oct. 30, 2004, in an elementary or secondary school, you can get up to $5,000 of your student loan debt forgiven. If you are a highly qualified math or science teacher in a secondary school, you can get up to $17,500 of your student debts forgiven. You also may qualify for the higher amount iif you are a special ed teacher that is highly qualified.

Keep in mind that you cannot qualify for any loan forgiveness if your loans are in default. And, the principal at the school at which you work must certify that you meet all qualifications for the forgiveness program.

Other Programs

Many master’s in education students do not realize that there are other ways to have some of your loans cancelled. For example, according to provisions of the National Defense Education Act, you can have some of your loans forgiven if you work in a low-income school.

Also, it is a good idea to check with your local district to see if there are any other possible loan forgiveness programs in your area. Last, be sure to check with the American Federation of Teachers, where they keep a state list of loan forgiveness programs.

Thinking of an education career in Colorado? Then you should know that some Colorado school districts have been among the first to try to pay some teachers based upon their performance. In one district, we saw the top salaries jump from $68,000 to nearly $90,000! Still, most Colorado school districts are following the same pay model as before – by years of service and level of education. You will find that you will earn nearly $5,000 more per year in Colorado school districts if you have a master’s of education degree.

We think it is likely that there will continue to be a growing demand for teachers here because of the population increase, as noted in the 2010 Census.

There is a particularly strong need for good teachers in Colorado in math, music, English and special ed.

Job Prospects in Colorado

The unemployment rate in Colorado as of 2012 was 8.4%. The Occupational Supply and Demand System predicts that there will be 2809 new job openings in education per year through 2018.

The growth of the educational sector in Colorado can be seen in Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Sept 2011 to present. There has been a 2-3% increase in employment in this sector in that time period. This is likely to continue as we continue to see people migrate to Colorado from high tax states such as California.

However, the state government has proposed cuts in K-12 and higher education funding, but it is hoped that these will be restored in 2013.

Top Master’s in Education Jobs in Colorado

The general growth in population of Colorado means that you should be able to find many excellent education jobs with a master’s degree in education. Some of the top master’s in education  jobs that have been listed in Colorado recently include

• School Superintendent – Ft. Collins: Many superintendent positions in Colorado involve being the head of the education system for a small, rural community. Your skills that you learned with your master’s of education will be truly put to the test because you will have such a wide range of job responsibilities. For example, you need to have a deep understanding of finance and budgets; be outstanding at communicating and listening; be able to gather and analyze information effectively and make tough decisions; define the roles of leadership for the superintendent and support staff as well as the board; have a very high level of visibility in the community. Also, you will probably need to be familiar with the Spanish language and have great empathy for the Hispanic culture. Salary range: $80-90K.
• Child Care Center Director – Pueblo: This is one of the most common career paths for a master’s in education graduate, outside of regular teaching positions. As a director, you will be in a front line management role, and will operate and manage all aspects of the center’s programs. Typically, you would be accountable for all operations of the child care center, and will ensure that all children are receiving quality care and a good education. Your administrative skills will be strongly tested, as you will need to meet financial goals, enact cost-cutting controls, implement continuous improvements into the operations of the center, as well as provide outstanding customer service. Salary range: $40-50K.
• Assistant Principal – Boulder: The school system in Boulder strives to provide the most challenging educational experience possible for all students. This area serves a very diverse community and the expectations for the education system here are high. The schools in this area typically receive top ratings in the state for their quality teachers, good schools and excellent student programs. An assistant principal in this area will need to provide continuous school improvement; implement effective and inclusive curricula and instructional strategies; provide ongoing assessment of student achievement; develop the school climate so that it is just and equitable; hire and supervise staff. To become an assistant principal here, you generally need to have teaching and educational supervision experience, and also be experienced in dealing with student populations for whom English is a second language. Salary range: $77-100K.
• Special Education Teacher – Haxtun: Special education teachers have become in more demand in parts of Colorado in recent years, and in small communities such as Haxtun, this is especially true. You would be providing class instruction to students with autism, learning disabilities of various kinds, manage and supervise all educational providers to the special needs children, work with a team of educational professionals including psychologists, speech therapists and physical therapists. Salary range: $38-45K.
• Lecturer – University of Colorado Denver: This university, as in many public universities, state wide, have been growing tremendously in recent years due to the population growth in Colorado. While budget cuts are always a concern, there still is a demand for good graduate-level teachers here. This university is the top urban research establishment in the state and is regarded as one of the top 10 urban institutions in the US. A lecturer with a master’s in education will teach courses part time, as needed, and this is subject to budgetary concerns. Salary: $4350 per 3-hour class.

Salary Statistics in Colorado

Teacher salaries in Colorado have been on the rise since 2007. The average teacher salary in 2009 was $48,000, which is just below the national average of $49,720. Educator salaries here rank 28th in the United States. The average salary for an elementary school teacher is $48,010, and $49,490 for a high school teacher. A teacher in Colorado makes 114% of what other workers in the state make. A beginning teacher will make $31,285 and $4,000 more with a master’s in education.

Colorado will provide differential pay and loan forgiveness for teaching in high need schools, but not for teachers in shortage area subjects.

You will receive 15 vacation weeks per year in this state.

Teachers in California are among the best paid in the United  States. You will find average salaries here to be in the neighborhood of $65,000 per year. It also has some of the largest school systems in the country. However, you should be aware that there are substantial budget problems in California, and some school districts have been shedding teacher jobs, not adding them.

Still, California is lacking teachers in many areas, such as ESOL, math, music, special education and the arts. You will receive an additional $5,000 or so per year if you have a master’s in education.

If you are thinking about getting a master’s degree in education in California or working here, take a look at the specific needs for the school district you are considering. See if professionals in your speciality are in demand, and whether they have been any recent lay offs in that district.

Top California Jobs for a Master’s in Education

Although California is undergoing budget cuts in some areas, it still has a very large university education system, and you will be able to find some outstanding positions for professionals with a master’s in education.

• Special Education Teacher, Bureau of Prisons: You will plan, develop, implement, and instruct prison educational programs including reading, math, language and much more. You must have significant experience in teaching adults with special learning needs, and experience in coming up with lesson plans for mentally challenged individuals. Salary: $58-$88K.
• Public Education Specialist, University of Berkeley: You will translate and report on social and emotional learning science in the online publications for the Institute of Human Development. You also will need to represent the department before the media and at public events. Also, you will report on the science of education and concentrate on the distillation and translation of best practices as they relate to the department. Further, you will design and deliver many education materials, including development of curricula, lesson plans, and education materials for use on the department’s website. Salary: $42-$75K.
• Master’s Degree in Education Instructor, Devry Institute: Must have relevant experience in a K-12 teaching environment. You will develop and provide your students with a syllabus that will detail the objectives of each course. You will teach your students with effective communication, clarity and do all you can to enhance student learning at the master’s of education level. Salary: 55K.
• Director of Education, FAME Charter School: You will lead the school to plan, develop, implement and deliver all of the instructional programs for every student; you will give decisive and strong leadership and supervise curricula and instruction. this will include special education, state and federal programs, services for students, and staff development. You also will give oversight and manage all operations tasks for the school. Salary: $85-$95K.
• Curriculum Development Specialist, San Francisco, CA: You will ensure that the charter college curricula is up to date with relevant career skill information. You will need to make sure that the curriculum is consistent all through the system, including syllabi, textbooks, lesson plans, textbooks and equipment. Also, the person in this position will implement new educational programs on campuses and in programs, by working with trainers and also equipping educational labs. Salary: $60-$65K.

Job Prospects in California

There are many budget cuts in California school districts, so you need to check to see what is happening on that front in your particular district. But as mentioned earlier, there are demands for teachers and other educational professionals in some areas.

A big benefit of working in education in California is that you can receive a federal student loan forgiveness benefit in many school districts, and as much as $20,000 in bonuses for teaching in certain school districts. Also, you may be able to participate in a special home purchase program for teachers that provides you will lower interest rates and/or tax credits.

Salary Statistics in California

The average educational professional in California is doing very well compared to the national average. In 2009, the average salary for teachers was $60,500. This was well over the national average of $49,700. Teacher salaries have increased by about 4% from 2007 to 2009. In 2009, salaries for all educational professionals in California ranked #6 in the US. The average salary for a high school teacher was $63,800, and $61,200 for elementary school teachers.

Other Educational Facts About California

• California ranks #40 in the United States for graduating seniors that are going to college.
• By 2025, only 32% of the working adults in California will have a bachelor’s degree, but 41% of available jobs will require a bachelor’s.

If you want to get your master’s degree in education in Arkansas, or you want to work here, you should know that you will need to work with an experienced teacher for a few years before you can get your teacher’s license. All teachers in Arkansas are required to work for 1-3 years with another teacher before you are allowed to take your Praxis III test to receive your teacher’s license. Becoming a mentor teacher in Arkansas is desirable because it earns a teacher more money. Plus, there is the respect that comes with being recognized as a teacher that is good enough to be a mentor.

Top Arkansas Jobs for a Master’s in Education

Top educational employers in Arkansas include the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University. Recent jobs that have been listed for professionals with a master’s in education in Arkansas include the following;

• Director of Education, Bridgeway, Little Rock: The person in this position would provide educational services to children who have been hospitalized, supervise the educational staff and ensure that state-mandated guidelines for special education are followed. You will need to have a master’s degree and a teaching certificate in special education. Salary: $55K.
• Chancellor, Arkansas State University, Mountain Home: You will serve as the chief executive officer of the campus, and you will report to the president of the university. The campus at Mountain Home has over 1500 students that are enrolled each year and has a state of the art campus that is situated in the Ozarks. Salary: Up to $85K.
• Director of Counseling, Rogers Public Schools: Provides coordination of all of the K-12 counseling and social work programs. This includes individual counseling, counseling for small groups, guidance in the classroom, registration of students, preventing drop outs, crisis and career counseling, student orientation and meeting with parents. Salary: $49-$77K.
• Gifted and Talented Teacher, Rogers Public Schools: You will plan and model instruction with a specially designed curriculum that will meet the needs of gifted students; encourage staff and students to maintain high classroom standards; accurately maintain records of all students; work with staff to teach gifted strategies; screen students for potential acceleration. Salary: $45-$72K.
• Director of Development, University of Arkansas: You will be responsible for creating new opportunities for giving to the university, such as in scholarships, greek programs and much more. You will manage a portfolio of 120 or so donor prospects that can provide financial gifts of $50,000 or more. Salary: up to $80K.

Job Prospects in Arkansas

There currently are 75,220 people employed in the educational professions in the state of Arkansas, with a mean annual salary of $42,700. The unemployment rate is 7.6% as of Feb. 2012, which is below the national average. There has been an increase of employment in the educational sector from December 2010, when there were 72,500 people employed in this field.

Salary Statistics in Arkansas

If you have a master’s degree in education and are a new teacher, you can expect to earn about $33,630. This compares to a starting salary of $29,244 if you have only a master’s degree. You can expect to earn about $45,000 with your master’s degree in Arkansas after 15 years of work experience.

The median salary for teachers in Arkansas is $43,500, which ranks 37th in the US. The average in the entire United States is $49,000.

Other Educational Facts About Arkansas

• Only 13% of Arkansans over 25 have a bachelor’s degree or higher. This compares with 20% nationally.
• Only 4% of Arkansans have a master’s degree, compared with 7% nationally.

If you are considering a master’s degree in education in Alabama, or are considering working here with your degree, you should know that the Department of Education in Alabama has found that the graduation rate here is 94% in 2010, and it met 36 of 38 goals that are laid out in No Child Left Behind. In 2011, fourth graders in this state caught up to the rest of the US in reading scores, as well. This is thought to be due to the Alabama Reading Initiative, which began in 1999 and is in every K-3 public school here.

Be aware that there is a teacher shortage in Alabama, so this is a good place for you to move if you are looking to be in demand!

If you work here or earn your master’s of education here, you should be able to help to continue Alabama’s improving education system.

Top Master’s in Education Jobs in Alabama

There are many teacher openings in Alabama currently, and also a fair amount of demand at many Alabama universities for professionals with a master’s degree in education. Some of the top employers here include Auburn and ITT Technical Institute. Some of the top jobs we have seen recently include the following.

• Director, Professional Development Services, Auburn: Design, develop and implement programs and curriculums that are related to professional and career development in the department. You also will manage the marketing for the department and will work with students, faculty and vendors to establish effective standards for print, online and social media applications. Salary: $60K.
• Dean, ITT Technical Institute, Mobile: Deliver quality education by managing effectively the academic resources of the institute. Also will ensure proper instruction, and the proper delivery of the curricula. Recruit and interview staff, provide leadership and motivation to employees. Requires at least five years of relevant experience and two years as a supervisor in an educational setting. Salary: $70K.
• Composition Instructor, ITT Technical Institute, Madison: Teach material from the approved curriculum and develop proper lesson plans as needed. You also will need to create instructional aids to help needy students. Motivate your students to participate in the educational process. You also will maintain and report the grades of your students according to policies of ITT. Salary: 55K.
• Superintendent, Tuscaloosa County Board of Education: Seeking a bold leader with excellent leadership and interpersonal skills. Must have at least three years of successful teaching experience; it is preferred that you have experience as a principal in the last five years. You need to have top-notch ability in group dynamics and be able to work with people of many different backgrounds. Salary: $137K.
• Assistant Professor, University of Alabama: This is a full-time, 12 month teaching appointment. You will spend 50% of your time teaching higher education admin program courses, and the rest of your time managing the higher education executive Ed.D. program. You also will serve on a dissertation committee and provide management services to the program and the department. Salary: $82K.

Job Prospects in Alabama

In 2008, there were 116,250 education-related jobs in Alabama, and 131,720 are expected by 2018. Elementary school teachers are expected to experience a higher level of demand in Alabama in the next 10 years, with 19,740 employed in 2008, and 22,970 in 2018. Biology science teachers also are expected to be needed, with 2,100 employed in 2008 and 2,620 in 2018.

Salary Statistics in Alabama

Educational administrators in Alabama earn an entry level salary of $59,000, with a mean salary of $75,010. If you have several years of experience, you can expect to earn about $82,800. Teachers can expect to earn a median salary of about $46,000, which is 31st in the US, and below the national average of $49,000.

Other Education Facts About Alabama

• 9,059 master’s degrees were awarded in Alabama in 2010, which is 21st out of 50 states.
• There are 1,381 public schools in the state, and 47,104 public school teachers
• The annual education budget for Alabama is $4.4 billion
• 39% of students are minorities, and 49% are eligible for reduced fee lunches.

Are you considering a master’s degree in education in Arizona, or want to work here? The first thing you should know is that all classroom teachers here must experience and certification as a teacher in structured English immersion, ESOL or bilingual education. To fulfill this requirement, you will need to take extra coursework in Arizona so that you can be best prepared to work with new English learners. One great way to do this is to study courses in structured English immersion. Taking such courses is an excellent way to work towards your master’s degree in English.

Top Arizona Jobs For a Master’s in Education

• Curriculum Manager, Anthem College Online: You will oversee the development, delivery and quality of the college’s online curriculum. You will ensure that proper standards are designed and are fully complied with. You also will be required to do research and provide recommendations on new, innovative online learning tools. Salary: $65K.
• Dean, Online Programs and General Education, Carrington College: You will oversee the evaluation, implementation and maintenance of the college’s programs and offered courses. Also, you will oversee the development of the curriculum and the content across every campus in the university. Next, you will assist in recruiting, selecting and evaluating all program directors and faculty. Salary: $74K.
• Site Director, Arizona Teaching Fellows, Phoenix: This organization works to end the injustice of inequality in the educational system. It provides outstanding teachers to students who most need them and it also advances policies that will ensure that there is good teaching in every classroom. You be accountable for setting and meeting goals to make sure that all fellows in the program are excellent teachers and are utilizing the most advanced teaching practices. You also must assess outcomes as they occur to improve the results of the program at all times.Salary: $80K.
• Teacher and Special Education Teacher, Superstition Mountain Elementary: You will instruct special needs children in special activities that are designed to teach them essential concepts and develop positive attitudes about learning. Also will design teaching plans that meet the needs of each student, and guide the learning process so that the goals of curriculum can be met. Salary: $45K.

Job Prospects in Arizona:

There were 149,000 education workers employed in Arizona in 2009, and it was found hat there were 147,400 employed there by the end of 2011. The shrink in the work force is possibly due to the strong impact of the recession on the housing market in Arizona. It is probable that some families moved out of state to find better job prospects.

Here are some typical salaries in different parts of Arizona:

• Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale: $44,590
• Tucson: $39,470
• Yuma: $42,590
• Flagstaff: $41,240
• Lake Havasu City: $40,110

Salary Statistics in Arizona

The median hourly wage for workers in education in Arizona is $17.62. You will find that your master’s degree will add approximately $4,000 per year in your annual wage. In 2009, the median annual salary for education workers was $42,225. This ranked near the bottom of the US states – 47th.

Other Facts About Arizona

• There are 2,200 public schools in Arizona, and 60,000 certified teachers.
• 76.1% of Arizona 12th graders received their high school diploma in 2009.