Teaching and K-12 education resources on this page are built for people who are exploring the field and want clear, practical online teaching resources for prospective teachers before choosing a program. As you dive into blogs, FAQs, and quizzes, you'll find online K-12 teaching degree information and discover which California credentials or online teaching degree from UMass Global might be a match for your goals.
Whether you’re becoming an educator, expanding your impact, or stepping into leadership, this is a place to explore your next move. You’ll find guidance for future teachers and current professionals, stories from people who have built on their classroom and leadership experience, and explainers that connect real K–12 and student‑support roles to the online degrees and credentials that can help you grow.
As you learn more, see how UMass Global's School of Education supports different paths—from CTC‑approved California teaching and services credentials to online bachelor’s and master’s programs in areas like education, bilingual education, teaching, and educational counseling, designed for working professionals nationwide.
Use these resources to clarify your goals, see how your experience can count toward your next credential or degree, and decide which program—whether a first credential, advanced master’s, or new specialization—is the right next step for your career.
A Master of Arts in Education (MAE) degree and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree are both graduate-level educational programs but have different focuses and goals.
A Master of Arts in Education degree typically focuses on advancing a teacher's knowledge of educational theory, research, and policy. The program is designed to give teachers a deeper understanding of the broader context of education, including topics such as educational psychology, curriculum development, assessment, and educational leadership. Graduates of MAE programs may go on to pursue careers in education administration, curriculum development, policymaking, or research, as well as teaching positions.
A Master of Arts in Teaching degree is designed to provide students with advanced teaching skills and strategies. The program is often geared toward individuals with bachelor's degrees in a field other than education who want to become licensed teachers. MAT programs typically focus on practical teaching skills and may cover classroom management, instructional design, assessment, and differentiated instruction.
Teaching requirements vary by state, but most don't require a master's degree — you can begin a classroom career with an initial certification. However, earning a master’s in education can position you for career advancement, leadership roles, and increased earning potential.
Many states offer salary increases for teachers with advanced degrees, and some require a master's degree for professional or continuing licensure. If you're already a credentialed educator, UMass Global's MA in Education accepts up to 15 total transfer credits, helping you finish faster while building the specialized skills that set master teachers apart.
A master’s in Bilingual Education opens doors to roles where you support multilingual learners, influence language policy, and lead programs in schools and communities. You’ll develop expertise in language acquisition, culturally responsive teaching, sociolinguistics, assessment, and program design, preparing you for positions such as:
These pathways allow you to leverage your bilingual/multilingual education expertise to advance equity, expand access, and shape educational systems at multiple levels.
Absolutely. The Master of Arts in Bilingual Education meets a clear workforce need: schools across the country are struggling to hire enough qualified bilingual teachers. In fact, more than half of U.S. states report shortages of bilingual and ESL educators, and several list bilingual education among their hardest-to-fill subject areas. Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Texas, and Wisconsin are among the states struggling the most. The root of the issue in the U.S. lies in a lack of role models and in inaccessible or unaffordable higher education programs that leave many would-be educators without the academic language skills to support their own students.
University of Massachusetts Global's Credential and Authorization Education programs are accredited by California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). In fact, UMass Global is the second largest provider of teaching credentials in California and has been teaching teachers throughout the state for more than 60 years (previously Brandman University).
An online master's in education helps you increase your earning potential, develop workforce-relevant skills through scenario-based courses, and create new career opportunities in education and related fields. UMass Global's 100% online coursework fits around your busy schedule while building immediately applicable competencies in curriculum design, instructional strategies, and educational leadership to advance your career.
A master's degree in education opens doors to diverse career paths beyond the classroom. Graduates advance into master teacher positions, curriculum specialist roles, instructional coaching, educational leadership, and training and development careers in corporate or nonprofit settings. UMass Global's MA in Education is designed for professionals who want to expand, advance, or redirect their careers in education, training, learner support, and related fields.
Obtaining a master’s degree in teaching can be beneficial for several reasons.
First, it can qualify individuals for advanced teaching roles and can lead to increased earning potential. Many school districts require or prefer teachers to have a master’s degree for certain positions, such as department head or instructional coach.
Additionally, a master’s degree in teaching often provides opportunities for professional development and can deepen an individual's understanding of effective teaching practices and strategies. It can also provide access to specialized knowledge and skills in curriculum development, assessment, and instructional technology.
A master’s degree in teaching can also provide career advancement opportunities for individuals who wish to move into administrative or leadership roles within education.
Whether or not a master’s degree in teaching is worth it depends on an individual's specific career goals and aspirations. It is essential to research and understand the benefits and opportunities that a master’s degree in teaching can provide before deciding.
University of Massachusetts Global is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
University of Massachusetts Global's School of Education is accredited by the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing (CTC)
University of Massachusetts Global is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
A good teacher does far more than deliver content; they build relationships, guide student growth, and help create inclusive classrooms where every learner feels seen and supported. Day to day, K‑12 teachers:
Teaching doesn’t look just one way. Explore the range of K–12 roles and education‑related careers, along with the degrees and credentials that support them, so you can see where your interests and strengths fit.
Explore what ECE looks like in practice, the roles professionals play, and how an early childhood education degree can prepare you to work with young children and their families.
Dive into the key differences between elementary and secondary education, from the ages and needs of the students you’ll teach to the types of subjects and classroom structures you’ll work in.
A special education teacher is an educator who designs and delivers individualized instruction for students with disabilities, including many learners on the autism spectrum, while coordinating closely with families and school teams.
Becoming a licensed teacher in California follows a clear sequence of steps, but it can feel complex when you’re just starting your research. At a high level, you’ll typically:
It can be easier to see your own future in education when you hear from people who had the same questions you do—about juggling school, work, and family and still making a difference. These stories show how UMass Global students used flexible online programs to move forward, finish degrees and credentials, and step into new roles in teaching, counseling, leadership, and other education careers.
Explore our Master of Arts in Education program in a Q&A with the Program Chair, Dr. Shari Farris. Discover the career opportunities available, degree pathways, and if an advanced education degree is right for you.
Learn about a mother–daughter duo completing UMass Global’s online MA in Teaching, Elementary Education together, showing how they balance family, culture, and coursework on their shared path into K‑8 classrooms.
UMass Global staff walk you through multiple teaching career pathways—from elementary and secondary classrooms to special education and beyond—so you can see the different routes into the profession and decide which steps align best with your goals and background.
At UMass Global, we received much more than a degree. We were given a safe space to explore who we are as professionals and be challenged to redefine what we thought we already knew... Our professors pushed us to think past our brain's furthest capacity, directing us through assignments, like our action research proposal.
I felt very comfortable completing my program and never doubted I could because of the supportiveness of the school, teachers, and staff.
My coursework in the Early Childhood Education program provided me with vast knowledge, such as intentionally including children with different abilities, supporting dual language learners, using data to make informed decisions for best practices, and much more. The more knowledge I gained from my courses, my professors, my classmates, and my experiences, the more I began to see myself as a knowledgeable, competent professional who has much to contribute to the ever-evolving field of early childhood education.
I took the Autism classes [through Extended Education] and found the passion of special education, which I really never thought of as an option. I finished the Autism program and enrolled in the Master of Special Education. I have learned to reflect on my teaching and determine if I am reaching all students and on how to better reach any struggling students.
The programs at UMass Global have reinforced my commitment to working in the autism community by equipping me with research-based strategies and practical skills that I can apply directly in my work. This education has not only expanded my knowledge but has also strengthened my confidence in advocating for and implementing best practices in the field.
My experience with autism has greatly influenced my academic journey by allowing me to connect real-life experiences with what I learn in my coursework. I can relate to case studies and classroom discussions, which helps me analyze different perspectives and collaborate with classmates to find effective solutions.
UMass Global offers flexible pathways for future and current K–12 educators who want to grow their impact. Whether you’re exploring a CTC‑approved credential to serve in California’s public schools or an online master’s to deepen your expertise, increase your earning potential, or move into specialized roles, our experienced faculty, research‑informed curriculum, and fully online formats help you build real‑world skills on a schedule that fits your life.
Explore the programs below to find the path that supports your next step.
Begin the next step to becoming a teacher. Have questions about enrollment, degree programs or financial aid? A UMass Global enrollment coach can help.
