Difference between master of arts and master of science

There are a variety of graduate degree programs offered to educators. Though they might seem interchangeable, there are more differences than you might think. Knowing the differences will help you find the right education you need to advance your career.Read on for some general guidelines about the difference between a Master’s of Education and a Master of Arts/Master of Science in Teaching. Degrees can vary widely by institution and by state, so please verify that any program meets your professional goals before starting your master’s degree.

Table of Contents Show

Master of Arts in Teaching
Master of Science in Teaching
After a Graduate Degree in Teaching
Is a Master of Arts a Master's degree?
Which is better Master of Arts or Master of Education?
What is the difference between master in science and master of science?
What is the difference between Master of Arts and Master of Science in psychology?

Master’s of Education
The Master’s of Education provides you the opportunity to expand your career options both inside and outside the classroom and explore a number of fields in education including leadership, curriculum & instruction and special education. This degree often focuses on practical, field-based experience that helps you understand and critically evaluate education practices and provides strategies that can be immediately applied to your service. Coursework often deals with the theory, research, history and psychology behind learning both generally and within a concentration.

Master of Arts or Master of Science

A Master of Arts or Master of Science (M.A. or M.S.) usually offers graduate courses both in education and in a content area (i.e., history, English, mathematics) and may require a thesis. It is often a program useful for both licensed and non-licensed educators. The curriculum often promotes mastery of a education discipline as the main focus of the degree, while also working towards understanding foundational theories of learning. Coursework can often include curriculum development and theory, test and measurements and educational research in their content area.


Master’s of Education (M.Ed., M.S.E., M.S.Ed., M.A.Ed.)	Master of Arts or Master of Science (M.A. or M.S.)
Practitioner – focused, “professional degree”	Scholarly-focused, “academic degree”
Ideal for current, licensed educators looking to move into leadership roles or improve their own instructional strategies	Ideal for those looking to pursue a doctoral degree or careers in curriculum development or in other in specific education areas
Programs focus on in-depth, concentration-specific understanding of pedagogy and instructional strategies (including administration, curriculum & instruction, special education, ESOL and reading)	Program provides the candidates an opportunity to gain advanced knowledge in education as well as a content specific area including contemporary theories, procedures, and research in their specialization
Can prepare graduates for advanced leadership positions that move beyond the traditional K-12 classroom and into the educational system itself	Can prepare graduates for career paths as instructors in higher education institutions, curriculum designers or instructional coordinators or sometimes as PK-12 teachers (licensure requirement vary by state)

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Increasingly, both future and experienced educators are looking to complete a master’s degree in teaching in order to find a position within education, and this often requires deciding between a Master of Arts and a Master of Science in Teaching. What is the difference between a Master of Arts and Master of Science in Teaching? Although these graduate degrees are similar, there are nuances of each degree that can make one the preferable choice depending on one’s choice of career path.

Master of Arts in Teaching

Many states require for classroom teachers to earn continuing education credits in order to maintain qualifications for certification. Often, education professionals will begin a graduate degree in teaching in order to earn these credits and complete a master’s level degree at the same time. The Master of Arts in Teaching typically focuses on classroom instruction techniques and advancing knowledge in teaching.

Although courses may vary, common course work includes classroom management, methods of teaching in elementary or secondary education, human development and learning, culturally responsive teaching, reading instruction, and technology in the classroom.

Some Master of Arts in Teaching programs also offer concentrations in a specific area of teaching. Examples of concentrations include special education, reading instruction, and English as a second language instruction. Additional information on classroom teaching specialization possibilities can be reviewed at the American Federation of Teachers website.

Master of Science in Teaching

A Master of Science in Teaching often includes similar course work to that of the Master of Arts; however, a Master of Science is often more focused on research and the administrative side of education. Many students choose this program in order to pursue positions outside of the classroom.

Often, a Master of Science in Teaching includes advanced course work in science, mathematics, or technology as well. For example, a secondary teacher of algebra, chemistry, calculus, or physics might pursue a Master of Science in order to complete both higher level courses in that field specifically as well as methods courses in instruction specific to that area.

Concentrations in the Master of Science in Teaching also often include curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, instructional design, learning and technology. For additional resources, visit the American Association of School Administrators website.

Related Resource: Master’s in Early Childhood Education

After a Graduate Degree in Teaching

Whether completing a Master of Arts or a Master of Science degree in Teaching, graduates have a number of options for positions and career opportunities in education. Many Master of Arts programs include the option to earn teacher certification to begin working in a classroom and are also often designed for working teachers to advance knowledge in an area of classroom instruction. With a Master of Science degree, many graduates go on to pursue careers in educational leadership, curriculum design, intervention programming, and education technology.

In addition to furthering or changing careers, the Master of Arts or Science in Teaching degree is also often the first step to completing an education specialist or Ph.D. The Master of Science, with its focus on research, is helpful in preparing for furthering education as well.

When looking at the factors of what is the difference between a Master of Arts and a Master of Science in Teaching, future educators can find the degree best suited to preparing for a specific career path in education.

Is a Master of Arts a Master's degree?

A Master of Arts (Latin: Magister Artium or Artium Magister; abbreviated MA, M.A., AM, or A.M.) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science.

Which is better Master of Arts or Master of Education?

While it's true that a Master of Arts in Teaching is typically designed for those who are already teachers or those who plan to teach in the classroom, the best Master of Education degree programs offer the flexibility to sharpen your teaching skills, position yourself for school leadership roles and also build a ...

What is the difference between master in science and master of science?

You should not confuse the Master of Science (M.Sc.) with the Master in Science (MSci). The MSci is an undergraduate course, which usually takes 4 years to complete and allows students to graduate with a Master's level degree. The Master in Science is less common than the M.Sc.

What is the difference between Master of Arts and Master of Science in psychology?

In general, MA degrees in psychology place a stronger emphasis on advanced statistical analysis and research methodology, whereas MS degrees often focus more heavily on counseling and the behavioral sciences. Still – there are exceptions to these general rules when it comes to master's degrees in psychology.