<p>I'm a current senior at Washington University in St Louis double majoring in history and secondary education. I'm in the teachers program here, which allows me to be certified to teach upon graduation (I'm essentially doing the MAT program at Wash U as an undergrad, but I don't get any masters credit or anything like that)....I want to go into secondary school teaching for history, preferably at a private school, and so am not entirely sure what type of grad school program to apply for. An MAT would allow me to work in both private and public, but it would be a lot of repetition from what I'm doing this year, and I can probably get a job in most states working in public given my undergrad credentials. </p>
<p>I think I would prefer a terminal MA program, but have no idea how difficult they are to get into. My GPA is 3.73 and my GRE is a 730V/780M/6 on the writing. I should also have good recs, including one from a job I had as a teaching assistant at a summer school this past summer (Philips Academy at Andover). I want the MA to fill in some of the gaps in history that I have - mostly, East Asia, the Middle East and colonial America. Does anyone have any suggestions for which schools I should apply? Any other tips for how to get into an MA program (I've heard they're very competitive). Exactly what are my chances of getting into certain schools? Obviously, I would love to go to Yale or NYU or any of the other top schools, but I have NO idea how competitive they are...I know they're super competitive for the PhD, but don't know how things change if you're just applying for a masters. Thanks!</p>
<p>Although a master's isn't always required to teach, if you will be certified to teach high school upon graduation, the master's degree in history may help increase your earning potential. Check out the rules in school districts you seek to teach in. Keep in mind that not all master's programs are fully funded.</p>
<p>This isn't really my area of expertise but I do have a little exposure as my brother in law is a high school teacher. He explains that an MA is really only necessary if you are interested in administration but since that also requires teaching experience there was no point in doing it right away after undergrad. Realistically, you probably would not be competitive for a PhD based on what other posters on this site say about grad school in history, but you may well be qualified for a variety of masters programs. You stated that one of your goals was to fill in the gaps in your history background, could this be done by taking a few courses on your own? Isn't the defining feature of master's programs, the dissertation? Would that be worth it for few classes you want?</p>
<p>If you want to fill in the gaps, just take classes at your local CC. Those intro courses will be more than adequate to teach high school social studies.</p>
<p>You do eventually need to get your MA in education (social studies) if you're one of those states (like NY). It's a killer for teachers to go to grad school at the same time but they manage.</p>
<p>Since you are already going to be certified I would go for an MA in history though I don't think it will help you much teaching in private schools (you should check that) I think an MA would be much better than an MAT in impressing a private school.</p>
<p>In public schools, where teacher salaries and benefits are far higher than in private schools, compenstation is based strictly on years of service and level of educational attainment. Having an MA or an MAT will result in you being paid significantly more than just a BA and any credits beyond an MA toward a Ph.D. or even a Ph.D. itself will also result in you making significantly (at least in Connecticut but I think most every state) more money. As I noted above, since you will be certified I don't think an MAT is worth the effort though MAT programs are shorter than an MA in HIstory, probably 1 vs 2 years it is more for people who are not already certified.</p>
<p>It is very difficult to take night or summer courses while teaching so you should get in as many credits as you can afford to fund before you start work. Once you get a job a public school will usually pay for some or all of your but I would use that for add-on credits.</p>
<p>If you think you might go into Administration the you consider a Masters in Education not an MA or an MAT (I don't think an MAT moves you toward a Ph.D. in Education but you should check that). Right now fewer people are going into Administration though Administrators can make significantly more than teachers in public schools...for a 12 month job though. Since compenstation is based on the degree and number of credits an Masters in Education will have the same impact on your salary as an MA or an MAT but gives you more options later on.</p>
<p>If you really love History then start a Ph.D. track in History and see how far you get. If you can get funding, which I think you can for Ph.D. programs, then you will pile up credits and often get a Masters just for passing your Ph.D. qualifying exams without the need for at thesis. If you decide to teach before completing your Ph.D. you are still certified, will have lots of credits to boost your salary, and will have had great fun studying history for a few years.</p>
<p>ctParent makes an excellent point. As I stated earlier, if you opt for a master's degree in history or social studies it will increase your earning potential once you start your job. Look for what type of degrees the school districts prefer and start from there.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the helpful advice! I think I will just apply to both an MA and MAT and see what I get into (assuming, basically, that if I can't get into an MA program, I can do an MAT, which is much easier to get into...does anyone happen to know the stats for getting into an MA? I know PhD is extremely hard)...and, Highfructosecorn, for the GRE, I studied the top 600ish vocab words that appear and then just did a few practice tests...I kind of thought the verbal was all vocab</p>
<p>If you can't get into a quality terminal MA program, I don't know who can. 3.73 from one of the finest colleges, rocked the GRE...</p>
<p>One thing to be careful of is that some schools don't like to hire entry-level MAs because they have to pay more for you, even though you're still an inexperienced teacher.</p>
<p>You might also want to check and see about the differences between applying as an MA vs. a Ph.D. student. Back in my day, whew..., in Economics we just got our MA for passing first part of the Ph.D. qualifying exam. I think it was similar in History and you can always drop out after you have the MA. I thought there was sort of a bias against the MA only candidates but I could be very wrong about that.</p>