M.A. in Education vs M.Ed - Check Which is the Better Course
M.A. in Education and M.Ed are postgraduate programmes that are quite frequently mistaken for each other. The details of both the courses are provided in this article so that candidates can have a clear idea before applying for either of the courses.
Master of Arts in Education (M.A. in Education) and Master of Education (M.Ed) are two courses that look similar ad can make students confuse time and again. Both of these programmes teach and train candidates in the field of education and teaching but the course curriculum, admission process, and eligibility criteria of both of them are different. Candidates who wish to pursue a career in teaching are usually in two minds regarding which course they should go for.
This article provides all the information about both M.A. in Education and M.Ed courses. The admission process and eligibility criteria for both the programmes are also given in detail. It is important to fully understand what a course entails and its scope before enrolling in it. M.A. in Education vs M.Ed is always a trending debate among candidates who are pursuing their higher education in this field. Students can go through this article to have a better grasp of the courses of M.A. Education and M.Ed so that they are equipped with the correct knowledge for making decisions about their careers.
Master of Arts in Education (M.A. in Education) - An Overview
The MA Education program is a postgraduate programme that comes under the stream of arts and humanities. MA Education courses can be studied in both regular and correspondence modes of education. It is a pedagogical course which is created to impart advanced lessons to eligible candidates in theoretical as well as practical educational thought processes. Students who are studying MA Education can only get a degree after the submission of a research dissertation.
MA Education basically deals with the fundamental aspects of Education and the factors that are related to it. Candidates who study this course get to learn about human rights, education psychology, environmental education, value education, life sciences and much more. The primary aim of the course of M.A. in Education is to build proficiency in pedagogy and leadership in the enrolled students. It has the objective of improving the understanding of schooling and also the appreciation of the economic, political, and social forces that are majorly responsible for influencing the decisions of educational leaders. M.A. in Education hones the skills in students that are needed in discussions and analyses of theories related to education for their application to real-world experiences while also providing competency in educational leadership.
Master in Education (M.Ed) - An Overview
M.Ed or Master of Education is a degree course of the masters level that deals with the study of innovative and new methods of teaching and educational research. It caters to the experimentation of new techniques in teaching and revised methodology of educational research. The programme of M.Ed focuses on different aspects of education which include instruction, counselling, curriculum, leadership, and educational technology and it also introduces students to new levels of teaching processes in particular. M.Ed course offers various specialisations and subjects.
The programme of M.Ed. is designed for potential educators or for those candidates who have a bachelor's degree in education and are seeking further in-depth knowledge of the field. M.Ed course focuses on many aspects of education as a stream and as an area of research. Therefore, it also covers certain sub-fields like administration, etc. This course of M.Ed trains the enrolled students and brings them out as leaders in the field of education due to its diverse focus on multiple aspects of education and its training. The programme is far ahead of what comprises the curriculum at the undergraduate level and encompasses the cultural, sociological and political aspects of education. Candidates who wish to pursue M.Ed can do so through the mode of distance education or regular mode. After completing the M.Ed course, candidates can opt to work not only as teachers but also as counsellors, headmasters/ headmistresses, administrators, etc.
Also Read:M.Ed Admissions in India - Eligibility, Top Colleges, Fees, Admission Process
M.A. in Education vs M.Ed
A detailed comparison of M.A. in Education and M.Ed is provided in the table below. Students interested in the courses can check the nitty-gritty of both the programmes and make a wise decision following that.
Parameter | M.A. in Education | Master in Education |
Duration | Two years | Two years |
Level | Postgraduate | Postgraduate |
Stream | Arts | Education |
Specialisations | None | Many |
Admission Process | The admission of students for the course of M.A. in Education is usually done through merit-based selection. The marks that the applicant has secured in his/ her undergraduate degree are considered for admitting him/ her to the course. Some colleges, however, conduct their entrance exams for shortlisting students. | Most of the colleges and universities that admit students to the course of M.Ed, do so through their own entrance exams. Students who are eligible to appear for the entrance test are allowed to sit for it and their performance in the exam determines whether they will get admission or not. Some colleges do not conduct any entrance test and admit students on the basis of their merit in the overall academic record. |
M.A. in Education: Eligibility Criteria
It is very important for the candidates to look for the criteria and understand if they are eligible for a particular course before joining it. Take a look at the eligibility criteria for M.A. Education below:
- To fill up the application form for M.A. in Education, candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in the relevant subject. Candidates holding a Bachelor of Arts in Education (B.A. in Education) degree are only considered for admission into the M.A. in Education course.
- To apply for the course, students must complete their graduation from a recognized college or university that got approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
- To become eligible for the course, candidates need to secure a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in graduation.
- Before taking admission into the M.A. in Education course, candidates need to pass all exams of all the subjects taken at the undergraduate level.
M.Ed: Eligibility Criteria
Before candidates apply for the M.Ed program, take a look at the M.Ed eligibility criteria and see if they are eligible for the program.
- Only those candidates who have completed their Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) degree can only take admission to the M.Ed program.
- One of the main requirements for the M.Ed course is that candidates need to complete their undergraduate degree.
- The college or university from where candidates have completed their education must be recognised by the UGC.
- Candidates need to have passed the exams of all the subjects during their academia and 45% aggregate marks in their B.Ed is a must.
M.A. in Education: Entrance Exams
Admission to the M.A. Education course is done on the basis of the candidate’s performance in their graduation level or entrance examinations. Some of the popular entrance exams for M.A. Education are:
Exam | Conducting Body |
National Testing Agency (NTA) | |
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Exam (KIITEE) | |
National Testing Agency (NTA) | |
Christ University, Bangalore |
M.Ed: Entrance Exams
Some institutes offer admission to the M.Ed program on the basis of the marks secured in the qualifying examination (BEd/BElEd/BAEd/BScEd/MScEd) while some institutes take entrance tests. Some of the popular M.Ed entrance exams are:
DUET | BHU PET |
AMU Test | Lucknow University M.Ed Entrance Test |
MEET | JUET |
M.A. in Education vs M.Ed: Syllabus
The M.Ed program involves quite a lot of practical work such as dissertations, participate in internships, pursue academic writing, attend workshops and seminars along with completing the theory portion. Take a look at the M.A. Education and M.Ed syllabus below:
M.A. Education | M.Ed |
Semester I | |
Philosophy of education | Philosophical Foundations of Education-I |
Curriculum studies | Psychological Foundations of Education-I |
The methodology of educational research | Sociological Foundations of Education-I |
Psychology of education | The methodology of Educational Research & Educational Statistics-I |
Environmental Education (elective) | Information and Communication Technology in Education-(Course V is Practical base) |
- | Research Communication & Expository writing skills |
Semester II | |
Advanced Educational psychology | Philosophical Foundations of Education-II |
Comparative Education | Psychological Foundations of Education-II |
Peace Education (elective) | Sociological Foundations of Education-II |
Educational Statistics | The methodology of Educational Research & Educational Statistics-II |
Sociology of Education | Educational Data Analysis through Statistical packages (Course X is Practical base) |
Proposal preparation and presentation (Dissertation based practicum) | |
Semester III | |
Personality Development | Comparative Education-I |
Teacher education/ Research Proposal | Curriculum Studies-I |
School Administration and Management | Special Papers |
Peace Education or Guidance and Counseling or Educational Measurement and Evaluation-I | Dissertation/Special Paper |
History and Contemporary Issues | Specialization based Internship |
Semester IV | |
Life-Long Education | Comparative Education-II |
The Human Rights Education Organization and administration of guidance services in India | Curriculum Studies-II |
Educational measurement and evaluation-I | Special Papers |
Environmental Education | Dissertation/Special Paper |
Dissertation | Internship (in Teacher Education Institution) |
M.A. in Education vs M.Ed: Top Colleges
In India, there quite a few colleges that offer M.A. Education course while M.Ed is offered in around 670 colleges in India. Given below is the list of top colleges that offer M.A. Education and M.Ed courses.
M.A. Education | M.Ed | ||
Name of the College | Location | Name of the College | Location |
Phagwara, Punjab | Regional Institute of Education | Odisha | |
Gurugram, Haryana | Punjab University | Punjab | |
Mumbai, Maharashtra | Mumbai University | Maharashtra | |
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh | Mahatma Gandhi University | Kerala | |
Nadia, West Bengal | Kakatiya University | Telangana | |
Jaipur, Rajasthan | Ghulam Ahmed College of Education | Hyderabad | |
Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh | Dr D.Y. Patil Vidya Pratishthan | Maharashtra | |
Gurugram. Haryana | Banasthali Vidyapith University | Rajasthan | |
- | - | Annamalai University | Tamil Nadu |
- | - | Amity University | Uttar Pradesh |
- | - | Sammilani Teachers Training College | Kolkata |
M.A. in Education: Career Prospects
The course of M.A. Education has been designed for addressing the emerging demand for experts in the field of teaching and training at various levels of education. This also includes the levels of administration and management of education. Students can also pursue courses like Master in Philosophy (M.Phil) or Ph.D (doctorate) if they wish to go for higher studies. The job prospects for students after completing the course of MA Education are listed below.
- Counsellor
- Educational Administrator
- Researcher
- Lecturer
- School Teacher
- Professor
- Private Tutor
- Principal
- Education Consultant
They can also work in coaching centers, home tuitions, education consultancies, publishing houses, education departments, research and development agencies, schools, etc.
Master of Education: Career Prospects
The job roles of a candidate who has completed M.Ed is not just limited to that of a teacher. Students can venture in various fields and career prospects after completing the course of M.Ed. The most common job roles chosen by candidates after completing M.Ed are given below.
- Soft Skill Trainer
- Teacher
- Professor
- Lecturer
- Counsellor
- Principal
- Home Tutor
- Online Tutor
- Instructional Technologist
- Curriculum Developer
- Junior Assistant
Also Read:UGC NET December 2019 Application Form Correction - Dates, Procedure, Guidelines
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FAQs
What are the eligibility criteria for M.A. in Education and M.Ed programmes?
To study M.A. in Education, students must complete a Bachelor of Arts in Education (B.A. in Education) degree from a UGC-recognized university/ institution. A minimum of 50% aggregate marks is required to secure by the candidates in their graduation to study M.A. in Education. Candidates who want to study M.Ed should have completed their B.Ed from a recognized university with 45% minimum marks. Prior B.Ed, candidates should have completed their undergraduate program in any relevant stream.
What subjects can an M.A. in Education student get to study?
M.A. in Education is divided into 4 semesters. The subjects taught in these 4 semesters are:
- Philosophy of education
- Curriculum studies
- The methodology of educational research
- Psychology of education
- Advanced Educational psychology
- Educational Statistics
- Comparative Education
- Sociology of Education
- Personality Development
- Peace Education or Guidance and Counseling or Educational Measurement and Evaluation-I
- Teacher Education/ Research Proposal
- The Human Rights Education Organization and administration of guidance services in India
- Environmental Education
- School Administration and Management
What subjects are taught in the M.Ed program?
The M.Ed program is for a duration of 2 years which is divided into 4 semesters. The subjects taught in the M.Ed program are:
- Philosophical Foundations of Education-I
- Philosophical Foundations of Education-II
- Psychological Foundations of Education-I
- Psychological Foundations of Education-II
- Research Communication & Expository writing skills
- Information and Communication Technology in Education-(Course V is Practical base)
- Educational Data Analysis through Statistical packages (Course X is Practical base)
- Comparative Education-I
- Comparative Education-II
- Curriculum Studies-I
- Curriculum Studies-II
What are the M.Ed entrance exams?
While some institutes offer admission to the M.Ed program based on the candidate’s marks in the qualifying exam (B.Ed/B.El.Ed/BA.Ed/B.Sc.Ed/M.Sc.Ed) while some colleges take entrance exams and test candidates based on their language proficiency, reasoning ability, and teaching aptitude skills. Some of the M.Ed entrance exams are DUET, BHU PET, AMU Test, JUET, Lucknow University M.Ed Entrance Test and MEET.
What are the common entrance exams for M.A. in Education?
Admission to various colleges depends on the merit of the students while some colleges accept entrance exam scores. Candidates securing a good score will be offered admission to the M.A. in Education program. Some of the popular M.A. in Education entrance exams are:
- Benaras Hindu University Common Entrance Test (BHU- CET)
- Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences Entrance Exam (SHIATS)
- Punjab University Common Entrance Test (PU-CET)
- Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Exam (KIITEE)
- Central University Common Entrance Test (CUCET)
- Christ University Entrance Test (CU-ET)
What types of jobs are available for M.Ed students?
Students after completing their degree in M.Ed can work in a consulting firm for education, a publishing house, a school, a college, a coaching centre, a research and development organization, etc. Some of the top job profiles for M.Ed graduates are Career Counselor, Teacher, Principal, Soft Skills Trainer, Instructional Technologist, Online Tutor, Professor, Curriculum Developer, etc.
Can students study M.Ed in distance education?
Yes, M.Ed is offered in both regular and distance learning modes. In the distance mode, M.Ed can be completed with a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum duration of 4 years. Admission to distance education is based on the merit or marks obtained by the candidates in the qualifying examination. Some of the colleges offering M.Ed in distance mode are:
- Indira Gandhi National Open University
- Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University
- Acharya Nagarjuna University
- Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University
What are some of the elective subjects that M.Ed students can choose?
Usually, in the 3rd semester, M.Ed students can choose elective subjects along with the main subjects. Some of the M.Ed elective subjects are:
- Elementary Education in India: Administration and Management
- Aspects, Planning & Management at Secondary & Senior Secondary level
- Issues & Curricular Concerns at Elementary level
- Issues & Curricular Concerns at the Secondary & Senior Secondary level
- Advanced Curriculum Theory
- Policy, Planning and Financing of Education
- Education Policy, Planning and Financing of Education at Secondary and Senior Secondary level
- Social Science Education
- Business Education
What average salary can students expect after completing a degree in M.A. in Education?
After completing a degree in M.A. in Education, candidates can work in areas like Education Consultancies, Coaching Centres, Education Departments, etc. The average annual salary that candidates can expect are:
- High School Teacher/ Elementary School Teacher gets around INR 3,00,000
- Program Coordinator gets INR 3,80,000
- Lecturer/ Professor gets INR 4,00,000
- Program Manager gets INR 7,90,000
- Administrative Service Manager gets INR 5,90,000
What is taught in M.A. in Education course?
Master of Arts in Education (M.A. in Education) is a postgraduate program that is offered in both regular and correspondence modes. M.A. in Education comes under arts and humanities and it aims to build proficiency in pedagogy and leadership among students. The course deals with the fundamentals of Education and other factors related to it.