What’s the difference between an MAT and an M.Ed. degree?
Are you trying to choose between an MAT and an M.Ed. to broaden your education and increase your salary potential? Learn more about each degree and potential careers.
By: Amy Boyington, Edited by: Rebecca Munday
Last updated: July 18, 2025
A bachelor's degree is often sufficient for classroom teachers, but a master's in teaching (MAT) or a master's in education (M.Ed.) may lead to increased pay. Other educators want to pursue a higher level of education to deepen their instructional skills or prepare for leadership roles.
MAT and M.Ed. degrees are common options in these cases, with an MAT sharpening classroom practice and an M.Ed. expanding expertise into areas like administration, policy, and instructional design.
Discover the differences between an MAT and an M.Ed. and determine your best option based on your interests and future goals.
Benefits of pursuing a master's degree for teachers
An MAT and an M.Ed. have clear benefits for educators:
Benefits of an MAT
- Gives career changers a fast track to state licensure
- Improves classroom teaching skills, such as technology use and classroom management
- May lead to a salary increase in your current role
- Builds subject-specific teaching skills that raise classroom impact
- Provides hands-on student teaching experience
Benefits of an M.Ed.
- Offers admin-focused tracks to prepare you for leadership roles
- Opens doors to high-paying leadership roles in education
- Includes coursework, as well as internships or a capstone to develop real-world skills
- Prepares students for jobs with stronger potential growth than teaching roles
These degrees also have the shared benefit of potentially increasing your teaching salary. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that teachers with a master's degree earned $14,420 more per year, on average, than those with a bachelor's degree during the 2020-21 school year.
MAT vs. M.Ed. degrees
A master of arts in teaching (MAT) program provides is intended for current or future elementary, middle, or high school teachers. An MAT typically explores curriculum development, assessment, and teaching methods. MAT programs often develop teaching strategies in specific subject areas or grade levels, like STEM or secondary education.
A master of education (M.Ed.) prepares students for leadership and research-based roles in education. M.Ed. programs often cover instructional leadership, school ethics and law, and change management. M.Ed. curricula focus more on leadership and professional development than MAT programs.
MAT and M.Ed. programs usually require students to complete 30-36 credits.
| Factor | Master of arts in teaching (MAT) | Master of education (M.Ed.) |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Pedagogy-focused courses, such as behavioral management and literacy development | Leadership-focused courses, such as school finance and instructional design |
| Specializations | Content area or grade-level specializations, such as middle-grade social studies and world language education | Administrative specializations include educational leadership and career and technical education administration |
| Program outcomes | Classroom-based roles, such as a kindergarten teacher or a special education teacher | Educational leadership roles, such as school principal or instructional coordinator |
| Projected job outlook (2023-33) | Most careers are projected to decline by at least 1% | Jobs for instructional coordinators and post-secondary education administrators are expected to grow as fast as average |
MAT vs. M.Ed.: differences
Curriculum
MAT and M.Ed. programs typically consist of 30-36 credits and take 1-2 years to complete. However, their emphases and curricula differ.
MAT program curriculum
An MAT program focuses on a specific content area or grade level, such as middle-grade social studies or world language education, to prepare students for classroom teaching roles. This degree includes courses such as:
- Behavioral management
- Literacy development
- Classroom technology integration
Schools typically require a student teaching component that lasts between one semester and one year.
Many MAT programs help students earn their initial teaching license in addition to the degree, giving those with a non-education bachelor's degree a streamlined path into the classroom.
M.Ed. program curriculum
An M.Ed. curriculum emphasizes school-wide improvement rather than single-classroom practice. Core courses may include:
- Curriculum evaluation
- Instructional design foundations
- School finance
Schools commonly offer an administrative concentration, such as:
- Curriculum and instruction
- Educational leadership
- Career and technical education administration
M.Ed. programs may have a capstone, internship, or both, often depending on your concentration. Both learning opportunities let you apply program concepts to real-world challenges, but internships allow you to gain hands-on experience by solving day-to-day problems alongside seasoned administrators. An M.Ed. internship generally spans 250-400 hours.
Potential careers
MAT programs generally lead to classroom-based roles, like primary or secondary school teacher or special education teacher.
M.Ed. programs are more leadership-focused, creating pathways to school principal, instructional coordinator, and postsecondary administrator roles.
Salary potential and career outlook
According to the BLS, in 2024, educators earned between the low $60,000s for classroom teachers to over $100,000 for principals and administrators.
However, projected job growth is slow or declining for many positions, with only instructional coordinators and postsecondary administrators seeing potential gains. Decreased funding for public schools in the U.S. could curb new hiring, while specialized oversight roles continue to stay steady.
| Career | Median annual salary (May 2024) | Projected job outlook (2023-33) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten and elementary school teachers | $62,310 | -1% (Decline) |
| Middle school teachers | $62,970 | -1% (Decline) |
| High school teachers | $64,580 | -1% (Decline) |
| Special education teachers | $64,270 | 0% (Little to no change) |
| School principals | $104,070 | -1% (Decline) |
| Instructional coordinators | $74,720 | 2% (Slower than average) |
| Postsecondary administrators | $103,960 | 3% (As fast as average) |
Program costs
According to NCES, the average cost for graduate tuition and fees for the 2021-22 academic year was $20,513.
Tuition rates for MAT and M.Ed. programs can vary significantly based on several factors, like school reputation and whether a school is private or public. Some schools may also charge different tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students or charge an exclusive online tuition rate to reduce costs for virtual learners.
When comparing the cost of programs, also consider additional expenses not commonly covered by tuition and fees, including:
- Textbooks
- Housing
- Transportation
- School supplies
- Technology, like laptops and software
Federal student aid and school-based financial aid may be available for your MAT or M.Ed. program. Scholarships and grants can reduce what you pay for tuition and fees, and don't need to be paid back. Loans can help you pay for your education over several years, but you'll need to repay them.
Some schools may also offer teaching assistantships, which provide financial assistance in exchange for working under faculty supervision.
Admission requirements
The admission requirements for MAT and M.Ed. programs tend to be similar, although some schools may have stricter requirements than others. For either program, you usually need to submit:
- Official transcripts
- A résumé
- Up to three letters of recommendation
- A personal statement
Most programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 on undergraduate coursework. An additional writing sample and a proven academic or professional background in your chosen concentration area may also be required for MAT admission.
MAT vs. M.Ed.: Which should you choose?
The choice between an MAT vs. M.Ed. hinges on the role you want to pursue in education and your current academic goals.
Are you transitioning from another career to teaching? If so, an MAT program is usually best suited for non-teachers who want to pursue licensure. But if you're a seasoned educator looking to take the next step in your career, an M.Ed. can qualify you for leadership positions at the school or district level.
Also, consider each program's requirements, especially their student-teaching or internship requirements. The MAT student-teaching component, which gives you firsthand classroom experience, may require one semester or an entire year of full-time teaching, so it's important to make sure it fits your schedule.
Meanwhile, an M.Ed. program typically has an internship or capstone, with an internship usually demanding more time. These components focus more on administration than teaching, giving you crucial experience in managing staff and running programs.
Is your ultimate goal to boost your salary? A master's degree can lead to higher pay for teachers, depending on your district's salary policies. An MAT can raise your salary as a teacher, while an M.Ed. can qualify you for administrator roles, each increasing your earning potential in its own way.