Benefits

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The most obvious benefit of receiving a master's degree is the financial one. Practically every salary schedule of any school district in the country has a salary enhancement for receiving a master's degree. The Clark County School District has within its salary schedule, an increase of no less than $5000 between a BA and MA/MS degree ANYWHERE on the salary schedule. See the salary schedule below:

CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
2010–11 ANNUAL TEACHER SALARY SCHEDULE
4% SALARY INCREASE ON FY 2007–08 with PERS paid
STEP	CLASS A B.A.	CLASS B B.A.+16	CLASS C B.A.+32	CLASS D M.A.	ASC 1 CLASS E M.A.+16	ASC 2 CLASS F M.A.+32	ASC 3 CLASS G ASC
1	35,083	36,964	38,850	40,738	42,628	45,018	48,201
2	36,548	38,430	40,321	42,205	44,100	46,738	49,920
3	38,014	39,905	41,786	43,676	45,564	48,459	51,641
4	39,485	41,370	43,255	45,142	47,026	50,173	53,355
5	40,947	42,836	44,722	46,611	48,495	51,895	55,077
6	—	44,307	46,202	48,076	49,964	53,614	56,796
7	—	—	47,658	49,546	51,433	55,333	58,516
8	—	—	49,125	51,012	52,898	57,053	60,236
9	—	—	50,594	52,485	54,366	58,770	61,953
10	—	—	—	—	—	60,599	63,781
11	—	—	—	—	—	62,207	65,389
12	—	—	—	—	—	64,280	67,463
13	—	—	—	—	—	65,566	68,748
14	—	—	—	—	—	66,877	70,060

Toggle Definition of Classes

DEFINITION OF CLASSES
CLASS A	Bachelor's degree and valid Nevada certification for the level or subject taught.
CLASS B	Bachelor's degree plus 16 increment growth units and valid Nevada certification for the level or subject taught. Units must be taken after receipt of bachelor's degree.
CLASS C	Bachelor's degree plus 32 increment growth units and valid Nevada certification for the level or subject taught.
CLASS D	Master's degree from an accredited institution in a field pertinent to position and valid Nevada certification for level or subject taught.
CLASS E	Master's degree plus 16 increment growth units and valid Nevada certification for level or subject taught, or completion of one Advanced Studies Certification 18-hour program. Units must be taken after receipt of master’s degree.
CLASS F	Master's degree plus 32 increment growth units and valid Nevada certification for level or subject taught, or completion of two Advanced Studies Certification 18-hour programs.
CLASS G	Advance Studies Certification.
PH.D.	Doctorate degree from an accredited institution in a field pertinent to position and valid Nevada certification for level or subject taught will receive an additional yearly salary of $1,500.00 above Class F or Class G, whichever is applicable.

Obviously, if you receive that financial benefit by your fourth or fifth year, you will make a minimum of $125,000 more over the course of your career. There are other benefits to possessing a master's degree as well. For those who chose to leave the teaching profession, a master's degree is a minimal criteria to access higher paying administrative and executive positions both within and not within education. Finally, there is an educational justification for paying classroom teachers more for a master's degree. The instruction and practical applications one receives in completing the degree serves to make better teachers.

CTE wants to make certain that you receive the best possible instruction over the most efficient period of time so that you may begin applying what you have learned as quickly as possible in the classroom as well as receive the benefits that a master's degree affords you on the salary schedule.