Teaching Credential vs. Master’s Degree in Education: Which Should You Choose First?
Aspiring teachers and educators can benefit from earning a teaching credential or a master’s degree in education, but both serve different purposes.
A teaching credential qualifies you to teach in California public schools, while a master’s degree develops advanced expertise and may support salary growth or broader career opportunities.
Through this article, you will learn:
- Differences between teaching credentials and master’s degrees
- The right sequence for earning your credentials
- California teacher salaries
What Is the Difference Between a Teaching Credential and a Master’s Degree in Education?
A teaching credential is a state-authorized qualification that equips you to teach specific subjects, grade levels, or student populations. A master’s degree in education is an academic graduate degree that allows you to build advanced knowledge in teaching, learning, leadership, or a specialized area of education. Deciding between a teaching credential and a master’s degree first requires understanding the differences between the two and how they fit into the process of becoming a teacher in California.
|
Area of Comparison |
Teaching Credential |
Master’s Degree in Education |
|
Primary Purpose |
Qualifies you for designated teaching roles |
Builds your advanced knowledge and professional expertise |
|
Awarding Authority |
Issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing |
Awarded by a college or university |
|
Is It Required to Teach? |
Generally required to teach in California public schools |
Generally not required for initial classroom eligibility |
|
Common Requirements |
Bachelor’s degree, subject matter competence, teacher preparation, and clinical practice |
Bachelor’s degree and completion of graduate coursework |
|
Typical Timeline |
Often one to two years through a traditional pathway |
Commonly one to two years, depending on program structure and enrollment |
|
Potential Career Value |
Provides eligibility for classroom teaching positions covered by the credential |
May support specialization, leadership opportunities, and salary advancement |
|
Common Examples |
Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Education Specialist credentials |
Master of Arts in Education, Special Education, or School Administration |
California requires you to hold an appropriate credential issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to teach in a public school. A degree by itself, even a graduate degree in education, does not authorize you to teach in a California public K-12 classroom.
Should You Get a Teaching Credential or Master’s Degree First?
If you aspire to teach in a California public school, you should generally earn a teaching credential first because the credential is directly tied to eligibility for public school teaching positions. If you already hold an appropriate credential, you may receive more immediate professional value from pursuing a master’s degree next.
A third possibility is an integrated program that incorporates credential preparation and graduate study. This approach may be useful if you know you want both qualifications and would prefer not to complete two separate programs.
Get the Teaching Credential First if You Want to Start Teaching
If you are a recent graduate or a career changer, you may enter teacher preparation with a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than education. You generally do not need to earn another bachelor’s degree. Instead, you can complete an approved program that leads to the credential required for the type of classroom in which you want to teach.
In California, the Preliminary Multiple Subject and Preliminary Single Subject credentials require candidates to hold a bachelor’s degree, demonstrate subject matter competence, and complete an approved teacher preparation program.
Pursuing the credential helps reduce the time and cost required to become eligible for teaching positions. Once you are authorized to teach, you can pursue a master’s degree based on a clearer understanding of your professional interests.
Explore CTC-approved online teaching credential programs at Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU).
Consider the Master’s Degree Next if You Already Teach
If you already hold a preliminary or clear teaching credential, earning a master’s degree can strengthen your career by building on your classroom experience. A master’s degree can deepen your understanding of instruction, assessment, curriculum design, and the ways students learn.
Graduate programs develop your expertise in areas such as special education, curriculum development, and instructional leadership. Depending on the degree and additional credential requirements, graduate education may support you in transitioning to specialized teaching or administrative roles.
A master’s degree may also help you move to a different level on a district salary schedule. However, completing the degree does not guarantee a specific raise. School districts establish their own compensation policies, which may consider graduate units, advanced degrees, years of experience, or a combination of factors.
The online Master of Arts in Education program at NDNU may transfer up to 15 units of graduate-level coursework not applied to another degree, and you only need to complete the other 15 units to earn the master’s degree.
Explore a Combined Program if You Need Both
Some universities offer programs that combine teacher preparation with graduate-level study. This integrated structure may help reduce duplicated coursework and provide a more direct route to earn both a credential and a master’s degree.
Before selecting a combined program, you should compare:
- Total program length and number of required units
- Tuition and other program costs
- Student teaching or clinical practice requirements
- Online, hybrid, and in-person course expectations
- Whether you can complete courses while working
- The specific degree and credential awarded
The word “combined” does not always mean that the credential and degree will be awarded at exactly the same time. You may complete the requirements for a preliminary credential before finishing the remaining graduate courses.
You should also confirm that the program leads to the specific California credential you need. A Multiple Subject credential, for example, prepares educators for different classroom responsibilities than a Single Subject or Education Specialist credential.
How Does a Master’s Degree Affect a California Teacher’s Salary?
In California, schools base a teacher’s pay on a combination of education and experience. District salary schedules may factor in completed graduate units, advanced degrees, or other approved professional study. Teachers may also move up through additional steps as they accumulate years of service.
The financial benefit of a master’s degree can vary substantially. One district may provide a stipend for an advanced degree, while another may place teachers with additional graduate units in a higher salary column. Some districts may use both approaches.
Before enrolling in a master’s program, be sure to review the salary schedule and collective bargaining agreement for your current or prospective district. You should also determine whether the district counts all graduate coursework or only units that meet specific approval requirements.
Learn more about the connection between graduate education and teacher compensation.
Build Your Teaching Career at NDNU
Approved by the CTC, the Notre Dame de Namur University School of Education offers online and hybrid credential programs and master’s degree programs for aspiring teachers, current educators, and administrators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a master’s degree to get a teaching credential in California?
No. California teachers generally must have a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree is not required for most initial teaching credentials. Learn more about whether a Master’s in Education is needed to become a teacher.
Can you earn a teaching credential and a master’s degree at the same time?
Some universities offer integrated programs that include both credential preparation and graduate coursework. Students should confirm when each qualification is awarded and whether the program leads to their intended California credential.
How long does it take to become a teacher?
A traditional California teacher credentialing program typically takes one to two years after a bachelor’s degree, although the timeline varies by program and enrollment status. Some accelerated programs allow qualified students to earn a preliminary credential in about a year.
Are NDNU education programs approved by the CTC?
Yes. NDNU education credential programs are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Find approved institutions.