MA vs B.Ed - Which one to opt for?

The basic comparison between MA vs B.Ed courses is based on factors like eligibility criteria, selection process, career scope, etc. Candidates must know that the main distinction between an MA and a B.Ed is that a B.Ed is teacher training after graduation, whereas an MA is a postgraduate degree in the field of any Arts subject.

The earnings after MA are comparatively higher, and the career growth is very good. B.Ed, on the other hand, develops one's communication skills and widens one's mental bandwidth so that the aspirant can impart quality education to students. The article below compares MA vs B.Ed, its eligibility to top colleges, and much more.

Key Highlights of MA vs B.Ed

An MA degree would enhance your powers of inquiry, logical thinking, and critical analysis. In the case of B.Ed, there is considerable demand in teaching for the graduates of this role. The primary comparison of MA vs B.Ed is as follows.

Overview of MA vs B.Ed

Master of Arts or MA, is a postgraduate program in the field of arts. The duration of MA is 2 years. Students with a bachelor's degree from an accredited university can take this course. MA can be taken in various disciplines such as psychology, history, music, theology, literature, French, Kannada, and Sanskrit, and MA subjects vary by specialization. Those familiar with art and who want to explore it deeply can choose this course.

B.Ed is a two-year postgraduate program specializing in teaching secondary and higher secondary divisions. Previously, it was called a Bachelor of Training [BT] or "Siksha Shastri" at some universities. There are numerous jobs available for graduates in this position. Popular roles that graduates begin with include elementary school teachers, high school teachers, principals, junior high school teachers, Math teachers, junior high school teachers, teacher assistants, social workers, and principals.

Read More: Courses after Graduation in Arts

Eligibility Criteria of MA and B.Ed

When comparing MA vs B.Ed admission requirements, there are a few similarities. Therefore, you need to know the eligibility criteria to enrol in a course. The MA vs B.Ed prerequisites are as follows:

Eligibility Criteria of MA

Discussed below are the eligibility criteria for MA:

• A bachelor's degree with at least 50%.
• Some institutes consider entrance exams for admission. However, this may vary.

Eligibility Criteria of B.Ed

The eligibility criteria for B.Ed is as follows:

• A bachelor's degree with at least 50%.
• A minimum score of 55% at the postgraduate level is required. 
• Some universities offer entrance exams to select candidates. But this may vary.
• There is no age limit for admission.

Admission Procedure for MA and B.Ed

A student needs to understand the admission procedure to get better clarity on MA vs B.Ed. Listed below are the admission procedures for the courses:

Read More: BEd Admission 2024

Entrance Exams of MA and B.Ed

Admission to top universities in India is based on the aspirant's rating in MA and B.Ed entrance tests administered by various organizations. MA vs B.Ed also shows a clear distinction in terms of entrance tests. For the MA and the B.Ed, there are a variety of entry tests to choose from.

Entrance Exams for MA

Given below are the entrance exams for entering into top MA colleges:

• MGU CAT
• JET

Entrance Exams for B.Ed

Given below are the entrance exams for entering into top B.Ed colleges:

• AP EDCET
• Allahabad University B.Ed Entrance Test
• Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board
• Jammu And Kashmir Board
• Uttar Pradesh Joint Entrance Test
• Himachal Pradesh University B.Ed Entrance Test

Benefits of Pursuing MA and B.Ed

There are several reasons to opt between either MA vs B.Ed. Given below are some of the benefits of pursuing either of the courses between MA vs B.Ed:

Syllabus of MA and B.Ed

The curriculum varies by specialization, but for comparison, the following courses represent the typical curriculum of both Majors. The following is an overview of the MA vs B.Ed course curriculum:

MA Syllabus

Listed below are some of the subjects that are taught in MA:

• Communications
• Media
• Geography
• Linguistics
• Management
• Languages
• Politics
• literature
• Education

B.Ed Syllabus

Some of the subjects that B.Ed includes are listed below:

• Initiatives of Government of India
• Contemporary Indian Education: Concerns and Issues
• Language Background of Students
• Nature of Classroom Discourse
• Informational Reading and Writing

Career Scope of MA and B.Ed

Before enrolling in either course between MA vs B.Ed, students should consider the most important factor is their potential for a successful career. Some degrees have less choice than others, so you need to know that before deciding.

Scope after MA

After completing Masters of Arts, one may decide to study further to get a better salary package. Listed below are courses that one can do after completion of MA:

• M.Ed
• MBA

Following are the areas that offer jobs to MA graduates:

• Engineering
• Education
• Movies
• Theatre
• Media
• Writing
• Management

Scope after B.Ed

Completion of B.Ed opens several gates for students in the aspect of higher education. Listed below are some courses that one can choose after B.Ed:

• M.Phil
• MA

Various areas that have jobs for B.Ed graduates are:

• Schools
• Universities
• Marketing Agency
• Research
• Research and Development

Salary of MA and B.Ed Graduates

According to Payscale, the salary of an MA and B.Ed in public and private sectors of various reputable organizations is approximately INR 2-50 LPA and INR 3.5 LPA, respectively. However, comparing MA vs B.Ed salaries varies from person to person based on skill, diligence, and responsibility for the work environment.

Some of the highest-paid jobs in India after obtaining a degree with the average salary are:

Salary after MA

Listed below are the average salaries for various MA jobs.

Salary after B.Ed

B.Ed graduates get salaries based on their skills, experience and knowledge. Average salaries of various jobs are discussed below.

Top Colleges of MA and B.Ed in India 

The best colleges are picked based on a variety of rankings that include the following: placement scenario, cost structure, faculty evaluations, infrastructure, and so on. The following are some of the best colleges in the debate of MA vs B.Ed.

Read More: MA Colleges of India

Read More: B.Ed Colleges of India

In the debate of MA vs B.Ed, it isn't easy to decide which course is better, as both offer different opportunities. If you are good with arts and want to explore them deeply, you can take an MA course. On the other hand, if you are mainly interested in teaching, you can opt for B.Ed. Ultimately, both programs provide different results, so aspirants should assess their interests and skillsets to choose between MA and B.ED.