In the scuffle of methods for getting your teaching certification, a Masters is one of the more surefire. …Also more expensive and lengthy, but who doesn't want to tack some extra letters to the end of their name?

If you've been bit by the teaching bug and have classrooms in your future, there are three types of Masters degrees to choose from:

1. Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

These programs are targeted to teachers who want to impact students directly through instruction. The focus is on delivery of content, with a strong emphasis on pedagogical styles. This means you can expect student teaching and practical implementation of what you've learned.

This Masters is geared toward folk who don't want to leave the classroom—ever. Whether that means out of college and into a Masters or a break from your current teaching job, getting this degree will keep you classroom-ready and set you up to improve your teaching.

2. Master of Education

Want to move out of the classroom? This degree (discussed in more detail here) can give you the tools to ditch your students and jump into a different area of the education world. (Or stick with your students, but do it with pizzazz).

And just to make it more complicated, there are three sub-categories you can focus on:

1. Curriculum and Instruction. This one will help you work in dynamic spots like curriculum development and human resources. It's the program you want if you're looking to do research about pedagogical methods and best practices or develop curricula with local, state, and national standards in mind.
2. Counselor Education. Yeah, this one's kind of self-explanatory. If you want to be a counselor and help kids with their college, career, and personal sitches, go for this category.
3. Educational Administration. Movin' on up the ranks requires this type of degree. You'll learn about the legal and local specifics that schools often stumble into, and figure out how to solve those problems across the board as a vice principal, principal, or other administrative role.

3. Masters in your area of study

Advancing your education in your academic area of specialty can also include pedagogical courses and can be a part of the initial licensure process. So a Masters degree in History or English, Math or Science, whatever, can open up brand new avenues, including allowing you to teach at the community college level. Hello, broader horizons. You look quite pretty today.

What will that Masters degree even get you?

Dolla dolla billz, y'all.