Career aspirations often change unexpectedly. A person may complete an undergraduate degree in one field of study and find they wish to pursue a completely different career path. If you earned a bachelor’s degree in business, science, or another liberal arts focus and decide you want to earn a master’s degree in education, Faulkner University’s College of Education, based in Alabama, discusses what you need to know for a smooth transition.
Admissions Requirements and Prerequisites
All master’s degree programs require individuals to meet prerequisites to apply. Standard requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and submission of official transcripts. Some programs ask prospective students to maintain a minimum GPA throughout their undergraduate program and submit GRE scores.
Depending on the program, you might need other certifications to qualify for admission. For example, Faulkner University offers several Master of Education programs, each of which comes with distinct admissions requirements. You can review the college’s program pages or contact the admissions department to find out the exact requirements.
Personal Statement and Letters of Recommendation
Most programs will ask applicants for a personal statement and letters of recommendation. A personal statement describes your academic achievements, field experience, professional goals, and reasons for being interested in the program. Ultimately, it conveys why the college should accept you into the program.
Letters of recommendation act as proof of the claims made in your personal statement. Not every master’s degree program will require them, but it’s still a good idea to include them. Letters of recommendation should come from academic or professional acquaintances, not personal relationships. This includes former or current supervisors and colleagues, as well as professors. Choose individuals you’ve worked with or studied under for a significant time, as they’ll be able to give more specific examples of your achievements, abilities, and character.
Adjusting Your Skillset to the Education Environment
One aspect often not considered is how the education sphere differs from your current field. If you have a background in business or science, you may have developed a different set of skills than what’s expected of education students, although there’s generally some convergence. Key competencies for success in a Master of Education program include:
Hard Skills
- Reading comprehension
- Classroom management
- Research and writing
- Test-taking
Soft Skills
- Verbal and written communication
- Critical thinking
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Cultural awareness
Reaching Out to the Admissions Team
There are always questions when applying for a master’s degree program, and you may have more, given your different educational background. Be reassured knowing you’re not alone in this transition — you can always schedule an appointment with professors you trust and the admissions team at both your current school and the one offering the master’s degree program.
Pursue a Master of Education Degree at Faulkner University
Whatever undergraduate degree you have, Faulkner University is committed to helping you switch to a Master of Education program seamlessly. We offer several master’s degree programs, including:
- Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
- Master of Education in Elementary Education
- Master of Education in School Counseling
These programs are offered online, making it easier for adult learners to pursue an advanced degree while handling other obligations. Our admissions team is available to help you navigate the transition from an unrelated undergraduate degree to one of our Master of Education programs.
Located in Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile, and Huntsville, Alabama, Faulkner University offers flexible on-campus and online degree programs that help students grow academically and personally. Request information to learn more about our online master’s degree programs, or apply today.