What's the difference between a teaching credential and a Master's in Education

What's the difference between a teaching credential and a Master's in Education?
I'm planning on applying for a teaching credential program but I'm debating whether or not I should get a M.S. in Education instead. What is the difference between the two?
Teaching - 4 Answers

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1
Teacher colleges teach students to teach. The awarded degree becomes a credential certifying that the bearer knows how to teach. An MA in Education is just that. Teachers pursue one after earning a BA in teaching. Administrators will often get jobs using the MA to meet knowledge requirements. Read the school catalog and talk with an admissions officer about your plans.


2
You need to have a teaching credential in order to teach legally in most schools; a master's will not, on its own, do the job. Although some M.Ed or M.S. programs will include getting the credential as part of the program, not all do. When you speak to a counselor at the college which you want to attend, be sure to find out whether you will get a credential as part of the program. If not, and if what you really want to do is teach, you'll need to find a different program.


3
a credential allows you to teach, a masters does not. a credential is the name we call the state aproved requirements to teach. A masters is usually a research based education degree - which on its own does not have the methods and curriculum courses designed to meet state requirements. (now some colleges offer blended programs which do..but be very careful...you wouldnt want to go through it all to find out you are not qualified...) Usually the masters are in place to allow teachers (already with their credential) to earn further units to increase their standing on the pay matrix.


4
You can have a Master in Ed. and not be able to teach in a public school. A credential program certifies you to teach in the USA State.