The shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the most tech-literate generation of students in history, has cemented the importance of technology in education. The ability to integrate technology into the classroom is a skill that is very much in demand — both in the educational sector and the professional world.
Teachers looking to increase their earning potential or marketability should consider the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction – Educational Technology online program from Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SOSU). This program equips teachers with the skills to create and support innovative, transformative learning environments in the digital age.
Improve Your Earning Potential
The average salary of a teacher in the public school system is $61,730 per year. However, educators who earn their M.Ed. in C&I – Education Technology degree can drastically increase their earning power after being promoted to jobs like instructional technologist or instructional coordinator.
One article reports that “the middle 50 percent (of individuals in these positions) earned $43,000 to $76,000. The highest 10 percent earned more than $95,000.” This is a significant increase in income, but the added earning potential doesn’t stop there. Teachers who decide to use their knowledge outside the school system can make “10-20 percent more” as corporate trainers or course developers in the private sector.
Careers for Grads with an M.Ed. in C&I in Educational Technology
There are definite professional advantages to earning an M.Ed. in C&I – Education Technology. For example, educators can use their increased knowledge of educational technology to seek promotions in their current school districts or pursue job openings in the corporate world. Here are some exciting professional opportunities that offer increased salaries and enhanced job security.
Curriculum Specialist/Instructional Designer (average yearly salary: $66,970)
Teachers with the right combination of education and experience can seek promotions to roles focused on building curriculum or leading their districts’ efforts to integrate technology. In school systems, “curriculum specialists coordinate classroom instruction and work with teachers to implement new technologies in their classrooms.” Individuals seeking a curriculum specialist or instructional designer position — and which do require master’s degrees — should be comfortable with technology, adept at explaining new concepts to their fellow teachers and skilled at assessing the overall effectiveness of their new, digital learning environments.
Training and Development Specialist (average yearly salary: $62,700)
Teachers considering using their education skill outside of the school setting could be qualified for a role in corporate training. Almost all industries employ training and development specialists, and individuals in these positions “spend much of their time working with people, giving presentations, and leading training activities.”
Teachers frequently excel in these positions because their classroom experience has prepared them to be experts in facilitating educational experiences. The primary difference is that training and development specialists work in corporate settings with adults — instead of schools with children. With the increase in remote work due to COVID-19, training specialists with a background in technology will be in high demand.
Distance Education Specialist (average yearly salary: $62,665)
Another career field on the rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic is that of distance education specialists. Many distance education specialists “work with technology, teachers, students, and other professionals in the field of education to provide curriculum for all students no matter where they are located.” These roles frequently require a master’s degree, and they involve extensive collaboration with teachers and school administrators. Research acumen and the ability to assess distance learning programs are also highly valued skills in this field.
Increased job security and enhanced earning potential are two excellent reasons for teachers to enroll in SOSU’s M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction – Educational Technology online program. This program can help working teachers earn more and worry less about their professional futures. Students can complete this accredited, affordable program in as few as 12 months, but the benefits of this dynamic educational experience will last a lifetime.
Learn more about Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction – Educational Technology program.
Sources:
Career Herd: Educational Technology Degree Careers
Chron: What Jobs Are Available With a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology?
Get Educated: How to Land Instructional Technology Jobs
Glassdoor: E Learning Specialist Salaries
US Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Instructional Coordinators
Training and Development Specialists