For a Catholic educator, teaching is a vocation: an act of service oriented toward the cultivation of young people’s minds, hearts, and souls. Furthering your education as a Catholic school teacher can strengthen both your skills and individual understanding to form students not only for knowledge but also for virtue.
Here, we will explore the types of graduate study best suited to those who want to teach in Catholic schools (or who are already teaching) and how the University of Dallas Braniff Graduate of Liberal Arts program continues this living tradition of formation.
In many Catholic schools, entry-level teaching positions typically do not require a master’s degree. Most teachers begin with a bachelor’s in education or theology, supported by diocesan formation programs or catechetical certification.
As you lean into your vocation as a teacher, graduate study may be the natural next step. A Catholic education master’s degree deepens your understanding of the Catholic intellectual tradition and prepares you to serve students not just as learners but as souls in your care.
In addition, a master’s degree opens doors to broader Catholic education teaching positions. Those who pursue advanced study often take on roles as department chairs, curriculum designers, or school leaders who can articulate and sustain the Catholic mission of education.
So while your current career may not require a Catholic teaching master’s degree, it can be profoundly formative: for you as a teacher and for your students.
When exploring next steps in your career as a Catholic school teacher, consider your educational background, the time and investment you wish to commit, and the areas you hope to grow in. Below is an overview of the most common programs for those seeking to advance their careers in Catholic education.
For those looking to extend their reach beyond the classroom and transition into a school leadership role, a master’s degree in Catholic education can help you gain the necessary skills and experience. Top programs prepare leaders to assume administrative roles while developing robust knowledge of the Catholic tradition and practical, experience-based leadership skills.
Preparing to teach in a Catholic school or advance in your career begins with a vision of education as the formation of mind and heart. The University of Dallas Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts offers several distinct pathways for those discerning how best to serve in Catholic education, whether entering the classroom for the first time or pursuing additional credentials.
Each of these pathways reflects the University of Dallas in forming educators who teach not only with competence but with conviction and character.
To teach within Catholic education is to participate in a tradition that extends beyond methods and curricula. It is to recognize that education, rightly understood, cultivates the whole person—not just the mind.
To explore how to grow your profession as a Catholic teacher with a graduate education degree or certificate, download the guide: Education For the Purpose of Human Flourishing: Graduate Programs and Certificates from the University of Dallas.
If you have any questions about the programs and certificates offered at the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts, request more information to get in touch with our admissions team.