Althea Reader
Many teachers desire to not only effect positive changes in the lives that they touch by delivering in the classroom, but by also moving up to administrative positions where they can contribute to impactful changes such as school system planning and curriculum development. Here are 6 Master’s Degree Scholarships to help you meet your professional development goals.
1) James Madison Graduate Fellowships
Interested in becoming an outstanding teacher of the American Constitution at the secondary school level? The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation offers to such individuals $24,000 through their James Madison Graduate Fellowships program. The Foundation offers both Junior and Senior Fellowships, and aims to offer one fellowship per year in each state – as long as there is sufficient funding. Candidates compete only against applicants from the states where they are a legal resident. The Junior fellowship aspirant must be an outstanding college senior/college graduate with no teaching experience, but who intends to become a secondary school teacher of American history, American government, or social studies (grades 7–12). Junior fellowship awardees are expected to complete their graduate study within 2 academic years of full-time study. Senior fellowship aspirants must be outstanding current teachers, and are required to complete their graduate study within 5 calendar years part-time study. All fellowship applicants must already have or plan to receive a bachelor’s degree before August 31 of the year they apply. Applicants must be a US citizen.
2) Education Pioneers’ Graduate School Fellowship
Education Pioneers, through their Graduate School Fellowship program, targets and provides talented education, law, policy and business graduate students with a great opportunity to make an impact and become project consultants for top tier education organizations. The fellowship values between $50,000 and $80,000. Candidates participate in a 10-week summer program that provides them with the perfect opportunity to take their career to the next level, the opportunity to elevate to high-level education leadership careers. Graduate School Fellows interested in education leadership careers will attend workshops that examine complex urban education issues within a school district, charter school network, nonprofit or other leading education organization. This program presents participants with invaluable access to a network of industry experts from all over the nation and education pioneers alumni.
3) Learn.org Master’s Degree Scholarship in Education and Teaching
Learn.org, through their Master’s Degree Scholarship in Education and Teaching program, offers an annual scholarship of $500 to students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in Teaching. Areas of specification include Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Education Administration, Education Technology, and Early Childhood Education. Applicants must be pursuing their Education and Teaching master’s degree and must be full time students during the year the scholarship is awarded. Undergraduates are ineligible. Applicants are selected based on their academic history, employment history, and extracurricular activities. Financial need is not given consideration.
4) Program of Mathematics Study & Active Professionalism Grants
Overseen by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the Program of Mathematics Study & Active Professionalism Grants provides financial support for teachers interested in improving their understanding and appreciation of mathematics, and who will do so by completing course work in school mathematics content and pedagogy, which will lead to an advanced degree. Funding totaling $24,000 is available for up to three years for graduate study and professional development. Eligible applicants must be teaching mathematics for a minimum of 3 years, with 50% of that teaching taking place in classrooms at the Pre-K-6 level.
5) The JCCs of North America Graduate Education Scholarship Program
The Jewish Community Centers of North America Graduate Education Scholarship Program benefits up to five eligible full-time graduate students who are awarded up to $10,000 per year for a one- or two-year period. To be eligible, teachers must be pursuing MA degrees that will allow them to teach in the JCC Movement in the areas of early childhood education as well as health and physical education. Applicants who are not already employed at a JCC must be willing to relocate for employment after graduating. Aspirants must excel in academics and community leadership and have a keen understanding of the JCC Movement’s values and mission.
6) The Journalism Education Association’s Future Teacher Scholarships
The Journalism Education Association’s Future Teacher Scholarships is awarded to up to five education majors at a value of $1,000 each. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in an upper-division or master’s degree education program that will lead to them teaching scholastic journalism at the secondary school level. Also eligible for the program are current secondary school journalism teachers who are enrolled in a degree program to improve their journalism-teaching skills. Application deadline is July 15 and scholarships are awarded by early September.
