EDUCATION

General Description:
While the field of education generally implies a career related to teaching, many education graduate schools
encompass a wide range of specializations and career possibilities, including curriculum development,
institutional administration, testing and measurement, educational research, school development, counseling,
consulting, and policy analysis.

Listed below are the most common specializations and degrees within this area of study. Please note that the
manner in which US institutions classify or name an area of study might differ from your home country.

Common
Specializations
Administration/ This specialization may include a specific career track such as a school principal
Leadership or superintendent, or a more general track aimed at organizational leadership.
Adult Education This field may incorporate human resource development, adult education,
professional training, and vocational education.
Curriculum & Applies the research, theories, and methodology of learning styles and cognitive
Instruction functioning to designing curriculum and delivering it in the classroom.
Educational Focuses on the effectiveness of educational interventions, the development of
Psychology educational measurement and testing tools, the psychology of teaching, and the
social psychology of schools as organizations. This specialization is intended for
those who wish to serve as researchers or theorists in the field. This field is
typically not focused on counseling.
Education Targeted toward those interested in utilizing research and analysis to administer,
Policy develop, and improve educational policies through a consultancy position,
research institution, or through a position with a ministry of education.
Educational Focuses on the use of technology in education. Most of these programs in the US
Technology are online. Student’s must be flexible in programs, as their visa will only support
the few on-campus programs.
Elementary/ Incorporates theory and practices of teaching and learning for specific age groups,
Secondary along with a subject area specialization, such as reading or mathematics.
Higher Applies theories and practice of organizational administration and leadership to
Education institutions of higher education, with several possible sub-fields, such as student
services, personnel support services, admissions and financial aid, and academic
Administration advising.
International Focuses on the educational phenomena, practices and institutions within different
and societies and states in comparative perspective, and the study of international
educational issues. Includes instruction in comparative research methods,
Comparative country- or area-specific studies, cross-national studies of learning and teaching
Education styles, international educational policy and development, and analyses of
educational migration patterns and experiences. Some programs also have a
focus on educational development.
School Most students in this field pursue master’s degrees. Programs prepare counselors
Counseling to serve in school settings and provide guidance on issues including academic
development, career development, and personal/social development. These are
generally three-year programs.
School Focuses on diagnosing and treating behavioral and learning problems. In contrast
Psychology to educational psychology, this subfield prepares students to serve as practitioners
in schools or school-related settings. These are generally three year programs.
Special Prepares teachers and administrators to work effectively with students with
Education disabilities. Special education may be taught differently in the US than in other
countries, and there may be emphases in the US that are less prevalent overseas,
such as Autism education. Some deaf education programs require proficiency in
American Sign Language. There is increasingly more focus on autism education in
the US.
Subject Focuses on the practice of teaching and learning of particular subjects, as well as
Prepared by the IIE’s Academic and Experiential Learning Division
 Education (e.g. the field of scholarly research on this practice.
Math education,
These can be housed in schools of education, or in the department covering the
Science content area, e.g. some Chemistry education programs are housed in Chemistry
education) departments.
Teaching Similar to subject education, Teaching English (commonly TESOL) is focused on
English the pedagogy and curriculum development of teaching English to non-native
speakers. TESOL programs will typically require high (100+) TOEFL scores.

Common Degrees
MEd, MA, MS, Differences among these degree designations depend on how individual schools
MS Ed define their requirements for each credential. Often requirements for teaching
certification in any given state govern how a degree is referred to. International
Exchange Visitors, such as students on a J-1 visa, are not eligible for state
certification in the US.

An MEd degree is typically for people who want to eventually move into hands-on
positions in schools and other institutions of learning. This degree often includes
three majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. However,
it’s not uncommon that classroom teaching programs grant the MEd, as well, and
the actual title of the degree varies by institution. MEd programs sometimes take
longer to complete than MA programs.

An MA degree tends to be a flexible degree, allowing the person pursuing it to

specialize in several different areas. Many students who wish to remain in the
classroom after getting their MA typically specialize in fields like elementary
education, secondary education, and special education. Those who want to
become administrators usually specialize in technology, counseling, or educational
leadership. Overall, the MA includes more of the theoretical study of education
than most of the other advanced degree options. It usually requires a final thesis
and usually takes 2 years to complete, although 1 year degrees exist at some
schools.

An MS degree may offer a more theoretical approach to the study of education.

The coursework includes topics such as statistics, instructional technology, and
educational evaluation and measurement. Most who have this degree work in
research instead of the classroom. They go on to careers in government and
private organizations, studying student performance and supervising technological
advances in the classroom. The breadth of the MS and MS Ed degrees vary from
institution to institution and state to state.
MAT Master of Arts in Teaching. This degree differs from other Masters degrees in
education primarily in that the majority of coursework focuses on the subject to be
taught (i.e. history, math, biology, etc.) rather than on educational theory. Most
MAT programs combine the study of widely established “best practices” in the
classroom with a focus on teaching within a specific discipline. It is truly a
teaching degree and individuals who pursue this degree generally choose to
remain in the classroom. It is often for those who want to become elementary or
secondary school teachers.
EdD/PhD Differences between the EdD and the PhD depend on individual institutional
definitions and requirements, with wide variation. In very general terms, the PhD
may be undertaken by an aspiring professor of education, concentrating on theory
and research, while the EdD may be more focused on policy and practice,
perhaps for a student aspiring to be a superintendent, college president, or high-
level ministry appointee. However, these two degrees are sometimes considered
interchangeable. This usually takes 5 years to complete, and includes the
completion of a dissertation. With respect to dissertations, the PhD dissertation
uses more multivariate statistics and has wider generalizability, and is also more
prevalent in certain majors. The EdD dissertation does more survey research and
is most prevalent in administration.

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Special Notes on Applying:
It is important to know first if the program offers your field of study and specialization. Some type of teaching
experience will be expected, along with good grades and strong letters of recommendation. Strength in one
area can make up for deficiencies in another. Previous coursework in research methodology, such as statistics,
would be helpful in some specializations. Master’s degree applicants are usually under less stringent
requirements, but should demonstrate a strong commitment to improving education through their program of
study.
Special tips for doctoral applicants: Doctoral applicants will increase their chances of being admitted
if they already have a master’s degree. A well-focused description of the student’s research goals and interests
is important. Writing samples are often required as well.
Special tips for non-degree applicants: Many schools have options for Educational Specialists or
certificates in certain areas of specialization.
Special tips for visiting student researchers: It is best if the candidate identifies a faculty member
with which he/she would like to work. Some education colleges have laboratory schools located on campus, for
those interested in research involving elementary and secondary education.

Admission
Requirements
Admission and Most deadlines for competitive programs are in December or early January. Other
Financial Aid programs may have later deadlines, and even rolling deadlines. Doctoral
programs usually have earlier deadlines than Masters programs.
deadlines
Academic A bachelor’s degree with a strong grade point average (especially in subject area
background if pursuing an area specialization, such as mathematics teaching) is required.
Often teaching experience is important, especially for programs focused on
classroom teaching.
Work Depending on the specialization, teaching experience is generally a plus, though
experience not always a strict requirement. Other types of work, such as in social service or
education related organizations, are often looked upon favorably.
Tests Almost all schools require the GRE. A few schools have specific score cutoffs
where they will not accept a GRE below a predetermined benchmark.

TOEFL score requirements vary, but may be between 90-100 iBT. Certain
specializations like Educational Psychology, Educational Measurement, and
School Counseling may require higher TOEFL scores than other specializations,
such as Curriculum and Instruction, but this will vary institution to institution, and
program to program. Although most schools require TOEFL scores, some have
flexibility in the score requirement and consider this as one additional part of the
application package, and may offer additional English language training on
campus.
Essays Usually consists of a statement of purpose, which asks for some background
information about why the applicant is interested in the particular field of
education, and how the applicant’s philosophy of education has been formed, as
well as the applicant’s aspirations and future career plans in the chosen
specialization. The doctoral essay should be focused on the student’s research
interests and goals.
Work sample or Not usually requested, except perhaps in certain fields such as Arts Education.
portfolio
Academic Occasionally requested for master’s programs, although most doctoral programs
writing sample request this in addition to the statement of purpose essay.
General The acceptance rate for master’s is usually much higher than for doctoral
Admission candidates at the same schools. Schools might accept a master’s student that
they would not accept for a doctoral degree. Academic history, GRE test scores
Requirements (and TOEFL for international students), work experience, letters of
recommendation, and statement of purpose essay all play a role, with each of
these requiring a higher benchmark at the doctoral level.

Prepared by the IIE’s Academic and Experiential Learning Division