What Can You Do with an Education Degree?


Perhaps the teaching profession is the best way to positively influence children’s lives and ensure a stable future in our world.

You can contribute by working on building the most curious and great minds of young people or helping students with special needs.

You can also work as a mentor in one of the many subjects such as physical education literature and so on.

Regardless of your choice, your career starts with a degree.

There are many different degree options because of the many directions in teaching.

For example, to become a teacher in a public school as a librarian, you must obtain a bachelor’s degree and pass a public licensing exam.

Some positions require at least a master’s degree in teaching.

And for many nonteaching roles, in which having an associate degree is enough.

That’s why the education you need depends on your career aspirations.

If you want to know more, continue on.

The first thing to start with is accreditation.


What Kind of Accreditation Should My Degree Program Have?

To be sure that future employers will be interested in your degree, it is important to know that your school has the appropriate accreditation.

For any higher education discipline, particularly for Education, accreditation is crucial when choosing an institution.

The college or university is eligible for financial support if the Department of Education has recognized an association that provided the accreditation.

First of all, accreditation shows that an educational institution adheres to the standards.

Secondly, the program is relevant and continues to expand in its field.

There are institutional and programmatic accreditation processes.

One is required for schools, the other for a specific discipline and degree program.

Regional Accrediting Agencies

Regional and national accreditation agencies can provide institutional accreditation.

In short, regional accreditation agencies enhance reputation and credibility.

When studying the conditions of colleges and universities, it is advisable to obtain a “stamp of approval” from one of these accreditation agencies depending on the region:

  • The Higher Learning Commission
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges

National Accrediting Agencies

As regards national accreditation agencies, the situation is different.

Sometimes, an accreditation agency that specializes in a specific program is important.

Some employers require you to obtain a degree in a specific program from a national accreditation course.

Specifically, in education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is an indicator of your trust in your degree.

The CAEP was established relatively recently in 2013 following the merger of two leading agencies:  the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), founded in 1997, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), founded in 1954.

Since 2016 new CAEP standards have been in place instead of the old TEAC or NCATE standards.

Thus, when choosing an educational program, seek accreditation from CAEP.

To determine accreditation status, you simply need to contact the chosen school.

Chiefly, the database of the Department of Education contains all accredited companies within its competence.

If you know about accreditation, you can consider several options for obtaining a degree.


What Kinds of Education Degrees Are There?

Associate Degree in Education

As with many other professions, an associate degree is a good foundation that can be the next step in achieving a higher degree.

Typically, an associate degree program is designed to last two years.

During this time, you will study the introduction and focus on the theory and practice of teaching at the primary level.

In parallel with your specialization in education, you will take courses in the humanities.

With an associate degree, you can work as a teacher’s assistant.

Qualified preschool teachers can work in a kindergarten or other childcare facilities.

However, in order to become a teacher in a public school for primary or higher grades, you need to get a bachelor’s degree.

What Courses Will You Take?

  • Introduction to Elementary Education
  • Education Technology
  • Theories of Learning
  • Current Trends in Education
  • Child Psychology and Development
  • Instructional Techniques

What’s the Difference Between an AA and an AS in Education?

The degree of the associate of art is the same as the associate of science you need to continue your studies in a four-year program if you are a fan of traditional humanities education and you need a general introduction to the discipline, then your option is AA.

AS has a bias in mathematics and natural sciences.

So it is a good option for those, who want to end up teaching in fields related to STEM.

Bachelor of Education

If you want to become a teacher at the primary school or high school level, a bachelor’s degree is required.

In any state, you have to pass a license exam to qualify.

Conveniently, most bachelor’s programs include a teacher training course.

This will help you obtain a license, but if your educational program does not include a license, you will need to complete an alternative teacher certification program.

Sometimes you can do this while you’ re getting your bachelor’s degree.

Usually, it takes 4-5 years to obtain a degree and undergo a certification program, which will allow teaching in public institutions for primary, secondary and higher grades.

Private schools do not always require a bachelor’s degree and a government license, but these documents will give you an advantage when you look for work.

Usually, during a bachelor’s program, you choose a particular direction.

For example, there are specializations in age-appropriate religious education in the subject matter.

You should always remember the subject that you intend to teach.

Your place of teaching and students will help you identify suitable courses for your bachelor’s degree.

What Courses Will You Take?

  • Learning, the Mind, and Education
  • Diversity in Education
  • Introduction to Pedagogy
  • Research in Education
  • Curriculum Foundations (multiple subjects)
  • Educational Psychology
  • Instructional Technology
  • Early Language and Literacy

What’s the Difference Between a BA and a BS in Education?

As in the case of an associate degree, the main difference between Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in education is that the former offers to study humanities, while the latter offers to study humanities at the same time, while the latter is more focused on science and mathematics.

Master of Education

You have a lot of options to get a master’s degree.

Typically, a master’s program in teaching requires 30 credit hours or 12 months of study.

Bachelor’s degree programs are often offered to continue with a master’s degree for one year after the completion of the bachelor’s degree.

This option will help you save time and money after your bachelor’s degree.

Master’s degree is also an excellent option if you do not have a government license to teach.

So you kill two birds with one stone.

In addition, a master’s degree gives you employment prospects and decent pay, it is an opportunity to improve your professional knowledge with a license and a teaching job.

You will learn about innovative concepts in the educational process of pedagogical psychology in special education and policy also in the railway. You will prepare a master’s thesis in the field in which you want to work.

In most cases, a master’s degree is desirable although for directors, college managers and specialists in specialized fields this is necessary.

What Courses Will You Take?

The master’s program depends on your chosen direction.

Of course, there are major subjects in your optional training and course.

All of them will be associated with your training board.

Most likely, you will conduct research to prepare your thesis project under the guidance of a mentor.

What’s the Difference between an MIT and an MEd in Education?

Your degree of specialization is influenced by how you want to apply it in your professional environment.

The master’s degree in education (MED) is a general variant that gives a professional leading the ways of management and organizational leadership is also an opportunity to move to a doctoral or another specialized program.

The master’s in teaching (MIT) is needed for teachers who want to improve their skills and salary prospects within the classroom.

A specific area of specialization includes a Master of Arts in Education and Curriculum, a Master of Arts in Special Education and others.

Indeed, a bachelor’s degree in education opens the door to a multitude of master’s degrees.

Doctor of Education

If you are considering work in the field of academic research of administrative management or as a university professor it is you who have the opportunity to obtain a doctoral degree.

Of course, you will have to complete a master’s program in education or related fields.

Doctoral degree This is the last degree and it allows for high-level policy research in curriculum development and pedagogy.

If you can work in senior positions in a variety of educational institutions AND research institutes or private companies.

It will also help you if you want to become a university professor, an executive director in the school district, a position in the education department, or to oversee the development of a large corporation.

Depending on your destination and the courses you take, the duration of the program may vary.

What’s the Difference Between a Ph.D. and an EdD?

If you are really interested in pursuing a career in academia, you are better off getting your Ph.D. in education.

This will provide you with the theoretical basis and practical experience of research necessary for your work and contribution in this field.

Doctoral studies will meet your expectations If you hope to get real leadership in education.

That is, this degree will provide you with practical skills to work in educational leadership positions in nonprofit. government agencies or corporate training departments.


What Kind of Licensing or Certification Do You Need?

Teaching Certification

The position of a headteacher in a public school requires a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification

Most often, a bachelor’s degree program contains courses that are needed to obtain a teaching certificate.

Otherwise, if you have a bachelor’s degree in an alternative field, you may complete another teacher certification program, which will give you the experience and coursework to obtain a license in your state.

Some states require a master’s degree in education to enroll in a certification program.

For more information, contact the Department of Education.

Depending on the experience of the coursework, the certification program takes from 1 to 2 years.

it’s to pass the license exam in your state.

Some of you hold national exams like PRAXIS and others have your own licensing exams.

Contact your state’s Department of Education for more information.

Continuing Education Certifications

As a teacher, you have an extremely wide range of opportunities for continuing education.

As a trainer in the field, you can enroll in certification programs in your area of specialization and field of interest.

Depending on the direction and complexity of certification requires several credits and hours of study for up to one year.

It is not necessary to go through the professional certification process and it’s a decision based on your ambitions and interests.

You can choose any direction, but before you do, make sure that the licensing and certification program is recognized by an authoritative association.

Most often, to get a certificate, you have to complete a certain educational program.

Popular Degree Programs


What Can You Do With This Degree?

Your degree in education gives you a wide range of choices among educational careers.

As you know, there are many options regarding the level of discipline and the environment in which you plan to operate.

Here is a list of the best careers in the field so you can learn more about your opportunities:

  • Preschool Teachers
  • School and Career Counselors
  • Post-Secondary Education Administrators
  • Post-Secondary Teachers
  • Adult Literacy and GED Teachers
  • Archivists
  • Health Educators
  • High School Teachers
  • Instructional Coordinators
  • Career Teachers and Technical Education Teachers
  • Curators, Museum Technicians, and Conservators
  • Librarians
  • Library Technicians and Assistants
  • Middle School Teachers
  • Preschool and Childcare Center Directors
  • Self-Enrichment Teachers
  • Special Education Teachers
  • Teacher Assistants

How Much Can You Make With This Degree?

As mentioned, you have many opportunities as a licensed teacher with a degree in your field of study and level of education I directly affect your potential income.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019 employers offer the following basic wages for the best jobs in teaching:

  • Adult Literacy/HS Equivalency Diploma Teachers — Mean annual wage of $50,650
  • Librarians — Mean annual wage of $57,680
  • Career and Technical Education Teachers — Mean annual wage of $54,020
  • High School Teachers — Mean annual wage of $58,030
  • Instructional Coordinators  — Mean annual wage of $62,460
  • Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers — Mean annual wage of $55,490
  • Library Technicians and Assistants — Mean annual wage of $28,440
  • Middle School Teachers — Mean annual wage of $56,720
  • Postsecondary Teachers — Mean annual wage of $75,430
  • Preschool Teachers — Mean annual wage of $28,790
  • Special Education Teachers — Mean annual wage of $57,910
  • Teacher Assistants — Mean annual wage of $25,410

What Professional Associations or Societies Should You Join?

The best way to establish new connections in your field is to join a professional association.

Here you can also learn about useful seminars or contests and improve your personal knowledge.

Obviously, your chosen career path will determine which associations you decide to join.

Find out about Education associations that match your professional direction:

National Education Association

In addition to being the largest professional Pedagogical Organization in the country, it is also the largest professional organization in the United States.

The NEA has approximately 3 million members in all 50 states and plays the role of a leading trade union for educators and the main lobbying group in Washington, D.C., where it is headquartered.

Association of American Educations

Is the largest non-union professional teachers’ organization in the U.S. wich gives its member access to a professional source to receive scholarships and grants, to promote their professional activities?

Also, the AAE protects them legally, in case of need.

State Teachers Associations

Any state has a member association of teachers that I join the NEA and exists independently of teachers.

Members of the teachers’ association benefit from a number of advantages, including access to resources, participation in professional development workshops.

Summary

Now you have a more particular vision of your Education career.

Choose your own path and start applying your talents in work.

The degree in Education allows you to choose one or more interesting directions.

It’s a great opportunity to realize your teaching potential and apply your effective approach.


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