51ºÚÁÏÍø

You’re a full-time teacher, and it’s exactly where you’re meant to be. You’re ready to advance your credentials and dive deeper into research and methodology to serve your future students even more wholeheartedly. But… realistically fitting in graduate school when you already have a demanding schedule? Not easy.

Pursuing your master’s while teaching a full-time load is much easier typed than done. Balancing all your classes and prep with real-life and family obligations… it feels impossible to juggle. Something will fall and break!

But no, you’ve solved scheduling issues before. You’ve completed degrees, held down relationships, paid bills, and done it all. Getting a master’s degree while teaching isn’t impossible; others have done it before, and will do it alongside you, if you can tackle the logistics.

Below, we’ll unpack concrete solutions for those looking to earn a master’s in Secondary Education or Elementary Education while working full-time in the classroom.

1. Choose a program designed for working professionals

Truthfully, it’s not impossible, even though working full time and going to school full time does sound that way at first glance; there are many options to explore. When you’re first dreaming about getting a master’s in Elementary Education, allow yourself to go deep into research mode.

Read student testimonies and stories of how they fit in their research around teaching, how it benefited their career, and what wonderful connections they made. Find what you’re looking for in others’ stories, and programs designed to work around a real teachers’ schedules are bound to pop to the forefront. Whether it’s fully online, includes a summer intensive, or you’ve got in-person night classes, you’ll gravitate toward something that’s right for you.

2. Build a semester schedule around the academic calendar

Most master’s in Education programs will have a bit of flexibility around when you can take what classes, alongside some requirements that decide when you have to do what, depending on how many credits you’ve accumulated. When signing up for classes, take a look at the syllabi.

When are big projects or papers due? Can you carve out time to work on them during school breaks or long weekends ahead of time? After you’ve conquered one semester successfully, you’ll be ready to take on a bit more at a time.

Especially when you’re early in your master’s program in Elementary Education or Secondary Education, it’s a good idea to around your established academic calendar rather than take on too many classes at once. You’re already at a full class load—pace yourself!

3. Use summers and breaks strategically

Summers and longer school holidays are a great time to squeeze in a good handful of credits if you’re looking forward to getting your master’s in Education ASAP. Look for programs with summer intensives you can study at. Are there any Maymesters available? A lot of teachers enjoy getting in a few credits over break, when there’s concentrated time available to knock out assignments.

Advance your classroom expertise with a master’s in Elementary or Secondary Education from 51ºÚÁÏÍø.

4. Communicate workload expectations with administrators and family early

Your principal will love the fact that you’re getting your master’s in Elementary Education. It makes your school look great! So don’t be shy in telling people. In doing so, you can also help them understand your availability may be limited while working on this project, and you’re probably not going to have time for extra committees or assignments for the next couple of years.

Of course, you’ll also need to find time to sit down with your family and cats, or whoever lives with you, maybe over the last meal you cook them for a while, explaining that instead of cooking you’ll be working on your master’s in Secondary Education. They’ll need to help out a bit more around the house… or however you decide to juggle it.

No matter what, those around you will need to adjust their expectations about your free time early, as they’ll feel the impact of your absence most. You’ll be buried in books for a while, but you’ll be back before they know it — and .

5. Find study routines that work within a teacher’s daily rhythm

You’ve been teaching for a few years now; you’re likely on autopilot at times throughout the day. Let’s be honest, there are a few things you could do without prep; it’s old hat.

Once you’ve let everyone know you’ll be out of pocket for a while, you can maximize those passing periods, if you’re working on your master’s in Secondary Education, as well as planning periods, no matter how you’re getting a master’s degree while teaching, to cram in some reading or responding to online coursework.

6. Lean on employer tuition reimbursement or loan forgiveness programs where available

You’d be surprised how many schools will help financially; they want their teachers to be well-educated, plus the boost to their stats that comes with it. Make sure you ask your principal and HR department ASAP if any funding is available when you let your principal know you’re pursuing your master’s in elementary or secondary education. It’s money specifically set aside for this purpose, so there’s no reason you wouldn’t have access to it.

Also, you’ll want to . There are many ways to fund your master’s in secondary education these days, if you know where to look.

At 51ºÚÁÏÍø, for example, most of our students receive scholarships or financial support of some sort; we’re experienced at finding creative ways to afford quality education.

7. Take care of yourself

The most important part of finding the right master’s degree program for you is as cheesy and simple as it sounds. It’s self-care, of course. You’re going to have a lot of long nights and early mornings when getting a master’s degree while teaching full-time. It’s going to be chaotic at points.

You’ve got to keep brushing your teeth and washing your face every day. Yes, every day. Yes, you’re inhaling all this new information and research for your students, both now and in the future, but ultimately, you can’t do it if you’re not your best self.

Find ways to eat well while still incorporating intentional movement throughout the day. You’re creative, you’re a teacher; time to put those stretch breaks for your kiddos to work for yourself.

**Bonus points** Integrate school projects to catapult your career

There are a lot of exciting opportunities when getting your master’s. Summer offers condensed project time, field experience, and praxis opportunities that can either be used to complete a credit or be focused on future work and research.

Perhaps you’re interested in a doctorate down the line. Or work in academic research. Or a pivot to corporate or government work. Or you’ve always wanted to write that grant to upgrade your tech in your classroom. Ideas that you’ve once let pass through as idle thoughts can become reality in this type of concentrated work environment.

However you plan on getting a master’s degree while teaching, the right program structure makes all the difference; you want a flexible program that works around your life.

Ready to take the next step? Learn more or apply today.