What Type of Non-Profit Companies Can I Apply to With my Masters in Education?

Many people who hold a masters in education look for career paths outside of a school district or classroom, and non-profit education jobs offer a number of possibilities to pursue in order to make a difference in the education field. Community service organizations, religious groups, government agencies, and non-profit schools, in addition to many other organizations, have positions for qualified graduates to make a difference. With a variety of non-profit organizations to consider, individuals holding a masters in education have many options to use their knowledge and experience in a rewarding position.

Masters in Education Overview

The field of education requires a diverse group of professionals who have different skill sets. From operations and business management to teaching and curriculum design, education professionals are able to utilize their own interests and strengths to further the entire educational system through work with public and private schools, government agencies, and community non-profit organizations. Many of these positions will require a masters in education degree in order to consider a candidate for a position.

The requirements to enter into a graduate program in education vary by institution. Some programs require for entering students to have teaching experience; these programs are typically the master of arts options in early childhood, elementary, and secondary education. Other graduate programs that are geared for preparing educators for outside of the classroom often do not have that requirement. Options for these programs include instructional leadership, curriculum development, language and literacy, educational leadership, and educational technology. To review a list of accredited programs in education, visit the National Council of Accreditation for Teacher Education at NCATE.

Curriculum in Masters in Education Programs

The courses a graduate student will take in an education program vary depending on which specialization is being entered into. Common courses in the programs designed to prepare graduates for a classroom often include child and adolescent development, methods in teaching, and classroom management. Other masters programs prepare graduates for positions in administration, curriculum design, and technological development often include additional courses in leadership, technology systems for education, financial planning, and courseware design.

Any one of these degree programs is helpful for advancing an individual’s knowledge in the field of education to pursue a career in a school building or administrative office. For graduates of with a masters in education, school districts and classrooms are not the only possible destinations for career positions, however.

Non-Profit Education Jobs

There are a number of different types of non-profit organizations that masters in education graduates might consider when entering the workforce. Non-profit organizations that benefit from employees who have backgrounds in education include private non-profit schools, community centers, religious charities, children’s museums and libraries, and tutoring and mentoring organizations. For additional information on non-profit organizations, please visit the National Council of Nonprofits website at Council for Non-Profits.

Some of the career title possibilities in non-profit organizations include director of school support, education professional development and training leaders, assessment and testing coordinators, content development specialists, and team or group leaders. Other positions could involve classroom instruction, marketing and operations, or liaison work between organizations.

From government agencies to community service organizations, a masters in education is helpful preparation for beginning a career in one of many rewarding non-profit education jobs.