Teaching business skills to high school students: Is a master's degree a must?

By Jill Paugys

Question

I obtained a bachelor's of science in accounting and finance. I want to teach business classes in a high school. How would I go about getting a master's degree in education without a bachelor's degree in education?

Answer

Becoming a high school teacher can be a very rewarding career. You have the potential to inspire students to make long-term career choices through the passion you have about your subject area. Your completion of the bachelor's degree program in accounting and finance program makes you an expert in the subject, which could be very appealing to many high schools and secondary institutions and is often times one of the things they look for in a teacher.

 

Each school has different prerequisites and requirements for admission consideration. You do not necessarily need a bachelor's in education to be considered for a graduate program in education. In some cases, you may need to complete some courses prior to being admitted into a program. Your best move is to contact specific schools that have master's in secondary education programs in your area and schedule an appointment with an enrollment advisor.

In general you can expect that most master's degree in education programs will require the following:

  • An admission test, often the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • Several letters of recommendations
  • Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
  • An essay explaining your interest in the master's degree in education program

Keep in mind that there are also many accredited online master's degree programs that may be worth your time to look into. Online master's degree programs offer more flexibility and convenience than most traditional campus programs. Because coursework is completed online, you have the option of choosing from several online education schools across the country. No matter which you choose, best of luck as you work towards your master's degree in education.