No one knows learning better than a teacher. But what if you’ve got your teaching degree and even a job teaching? Is that enough? Like their counterparts in almost any field, teachers know that the higher the levels of education, the better are the opportunities for advancement, job security and a higher salary. But when are you supposed to do all that? Specialized online master’s degree programs in education can really give your career a boost, without forcing you to drive back to the old college campus for two more years.

The biggest question may be just which area of education do you wish to specialize in. There are a wealth of booming careers in education for which demand will continue to grow over the next 10 to 20 years and the best of them definitely require a master’s degree.

• Special Education Teachers: It’s true; there are positions out there that will let you work without a master’s, but the better positions command salaries of up to $75,000 annually, that with a master’s. Check the listings from Walden, Capella and Grand Canyon Universities that will let you get your masters degree online while still working at your current job.

• Education Administration: A master’s in educational administration, management or even a Ph.D. in Administrator Leadership for Teaching and Learning is a terrific way to advance what you already love doing. Administrative positions can command up to $95,000 per year and you can study online. The programs we’ve looked at most closely are those from Capella, Walden, Keiser, and Strayer Universities. Each of them allows you to work toward your goals online while still maintaining your current career.

• Primary or secondary school principals: Nearly all of the degrees above can qualify you to work as a school principal where you’ll be earning somewhere between $70,000 and $100,000 annually. A Masters in Educational Leadership could be exactly the right move if that’s where your studies lead you.

• Instructional and Curriculum Coordinators: Advancing education and lesson achievement has never been more important to today’s schools and it’s all in the hands of the coordinators who lay out the vision. Coordinators can earn anywhere from $60,000 to $90,000 annually and there are a number of very good online only programs offered by Capella, Walden, Keiser, and Grand Canyon Universities

A Master’s in Education can mean a $9,000 to $15,000 difference in your starting salary and many states require continuing education to qualify for salary increases. Of course, this can vary a lot from state to state. But educators with a master’s degree also enjoy a considerably higher level of job security to go along with the higher salary. Studying online for your masters in education can make all the difference to your career and you can do it while you’re still working and without giving up your current schedule.