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Patrick
Student
Broomall, Pennsylvania
1
Question
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What is better for my career, a Master’s in history or in education ?
I am a history undergrad with a social studies certificate, and I will be teaching in middle/high school education. What is better for my career, a Master’s in history or in education? I am also open to other degrees
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3 answers
Agnieszka Buchalik
O2C Accountant Credit and collection
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Answer
Kraków, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland
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Agnieszka’s Answer
Hi Patrick, I think if you're good in history, you could also consider studying low and administration :) Best regards. Agnieszka
Thanks for the advice.
Patrick
Sharon Clemons, MSM
11
Answers
West Bloomfield Township, Michigan
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Sharon’s Answer
If you're aiming to teach or work in education administration, getting a master's degree in education can really help you succeed. For those interested in historical research, teaching history, or jobs that involve analyzing history, a master's degree in history can open many doors.
Thank you. I am still trying to discover where my passion really lies. I do not know if it is in history or education. Each have their pros and cons, but I really would love to be a history professor.
Patrick
Catherine H
Digital Nomad
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San Francisco, California
Updated
Catherine’s Answer
For your career in teaching middle or high school, both a Master's in History and a Master's in Education can be beneficial, but the right choice depends on your career goals and the direction you want to take. Here’s a breakdown of each option:
Master's in History
Pros:
Deepen Subject Expertise: A Master's in History would allow you to develop a deeper understanding of historical content, which is valuable for teaching advanced history classes or taking on specialized subjects.
Opportunities for Teaching at Higher Levels: If you ever want to teach at the college or university level, a Master’s in History is often required.
Personal Fulfillment: If your passion lies in history and you want to continuously explore and research it, this degree could be more personally fulfilling.
Cons:
Limited Focus on Teaching Skills: While you'll gain expertise in history, this degree doesn’t necessarily provide the pedagogical training or strategies for effective classroom management and teaching techniques.
May Not Advance Career Quickly: For teaching middle/high school, a Master's in History may not offer significant salary increases or job promotions compared to a Master's in Education.
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Master's in Education
Pros:
Focus on Pedagogy: A Master's in Education will provide you with the tools to be a more effective teacher, including classroom management strategies, instructional design, and student assessment.
Career Advancement: It could open doors to administrative roles (e.g., principal, curriculum coordinator) or leadership positions within a school system.
Increased Job Stability: Many school districts value advanced education degrees, and this degree can help you qualify for higher pay and professional development opportunities.
Cons:
Less Focus on History: While you'll develop your teaching skills, you might not delve as deeply into historical content. However, you can still integrate historical knowledge into your lessons.
Could Limit Specialization: If your primary goal is to focus purely on history and academic research, this degree may not satisfy that passion as much as a history-focused degree would.
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Other Degree Options
Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction: This combines elements of both education and subject-specific expertise. You could focus on history while learning advanced teaching strategies and curriculum development.
Master’s in Teaching (MAT): This is a great option if you’re focused on honing your teaching skills and ensuring you're well-prepared for classroom instruction. You may also gain certification and licensure through this program.
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Recommendation
If you're primarily focused on teaching middle/high school history, a Master's in Education might be the best choice as it will provide both the teaching strategies and opportunities for career growth within education. However, if you want to deepen your historical knowledge and potentially pursue higher-level academic roles, a Master’s in History could be a strong option.
You might also consider hybrid programs that combine elements of both fields, depending on your long-term goals.
Let me know if you want to explore specific programs or certifications in either field!
Master's in History
Pros:
Deepen Subject Expertise: A Master's in History would allow you to develop a deeper understanding of historical content, which is valuable for teaching advanced history classes or taking on specialized subjects.
Opportunities for Teaching at Higher Levels: If you ever want to teach at the college or university level, a Master’s in History is often required.
Personal Fulfillment: If your passion lies in history and you want to continuously explore and research it, this degree could be more personally fulfilling.
Cons:
Limited Focus on Teaching Skills: While you'll gain expertise in history, this degree doesn’t necessarily provide the pedagogical training or strategies for effective classroom management and teaching techniques.
May Not Advance Career Quickly: For teaching middle/high school, a Master's in History may not offer significant salary increases or job promotions compared to a Master's in Education.
---
Master's in Education
Pros:
Focus on Pedagogy: A Master's in Education will provide you with the tools to be a more effective teacher, including classroom management strategies, instructional design, and student assessment.
Career Advancement: It could open doors to administrative roles (e.g., principal, curriculum coordinator) or leadership positions within a school system.
Increased Job Stability: Many school districts value advanced education degrees, and this degree can help you qualify for higher pay and professional development opportunities.
Cons:
Less Focus on History: While you'll develop your teaching skills, you might not delve as deeply into historical content. However, you can still integrate historical knowledge into your lessons.
Could Limit Specialization: If your primary goal is to focus purely on history and academic research, this degree may not satisfy that passion as much as a history-focused degree would.
---
Other Degree Options
Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction: This combines elements of both education and subject-specific expertise. You could focus on history while learning advanced teaching strategies and curriculum development.
Master’s in Teaching (MAT): This is a great option if you’re focused on honing your teaching skills and ensuring you're well-prepared for classroom instruction. You may also gain certification and licensure through this program.
---
Recommendation
If you're primarily focused on teaching middle/high school history, a Master's in Education might be the best choice as it will provide both the teaching strategies and opportunities for career growth within education. However, if you want to deepen your historical knowledge and potentially pursue higher-level academic roles, a Master’s in History could be a strong option.
You might also consider hybrid programs that combine elements of both fields, depending on your long-term goals.
Let me know if you want to explore specific programs or certifications in either field!
Thank you for a very detailed response! I appreciate how you laid out the pros and cons for me. I cannot say I am too excited for teaching beause my true passion is history. I wish to be a professor someday, but I understand that it is extremely competitive—I would have to earn a PhD to (maybe) get a full-time position.
I will definitely weigh my options as I work as a teacher, but I am interested in the degrees you mentioned that can blend history and education. I will definitely do some more research on this.
Patrick
Hi Patrick,
Thank you for your thoughtful message! I really appreciate your honesty and clarity. It’s completely understandable that your heart is with history—there’s something so powerful about exploring the past and helping others connect with it.
I admire your aspiration to become a professor. It’s a challenging path, but not impossible with passion and strategy. Exploring degrees that blend history and education sounds smart, especially as you gain classroom experience—it could lay a strong foundation if you pursue a PhD later.
Wishing you the best on your journey—your passion will lead the way.
Warm regards,
Catherine H