"Education is the most powerful weapon that can change the world," said former South African President Nelson Mandela. Learning is the key to advancing your career, but sometimes it's difficult to choose the specialization or specialization that best fits your needs and interests. One degree that is often underestimated for its versatility and ability to give your career a boost is education. Student teachers don't just become teachers: there are a wide range of professional and career paths available to those who wish to study to become teachers. Here are seven exciting choices in dynamic and desirable fields of study where a degree in education is critical.
Most educational degrees offer an interdisciplinary approach to their curriculum. Some of the courses you can take could include child development, psychology, curriculum development, and educational theory and pedagogy. A broad base of foundational knowledge in these areas will prepare you for success in the many specialist careers in which you can have the greatest impact.
1. School Counseling
Does counseling students and helping them find their way inspire you? Then look no further and become the next great school counselor. As a field of study, school counseling requires a degree in pedagogy. A typical day in the life of a school counselor ranges from advising students on which colleges and universities fit their career and financial goals to working with school administrators to provide inclusive and welcoming spaces for all. As a trained child development professional, you will also meet with the students who have the greatest needs, address trauma and difficult lives at home, and play an important role in helping the school you work for improve their self-esteem in the community. . .
The American Association of School Counselors writes, “School counselors should spend most of their time in direct attendance and contact with students. School counselor duties focus on overall program-wide performance through the core school counseling curriculum, individual student planning, and response services. A trained and highly qualified school counselor is a valuable member of a functioning school, guiding your school in best practices and helping to provide essential services to students.a degree in educationwill put you on the path to becoming a school counselor if you can expect to earn an average annual salary of $42,000 to $72,000 in the United States, depending on your state and school district.Laut US News & World Report.
2. Educational leadership
All educational institutions need highly qualified and educated leaders who can lead and direct a successfully functioning organization that can effectively serve its people. Examples of educational leadership positions include college and university deans, principals and vice principals, principals, superintendents, and more. Educational leadership training begins with a degree in education, where students learn the fundamentals and gain the foundational knowledge and training they need.
Education leaders set the tone for the entire organization, are likely to have a strong vision, and can steer the organization or school in a specific direction. For example,Debra Gluck, a new superintendent, says, "I want to make sure we use all of this support to create state-of-the-art learning spaces that allow students to experience an environment and activities they never would have experienced before."
Oftentimes, teachers who have worked in a school or educational institution see the changes needed and pursue an advanced degree that will allow them to take on these higher administrative responsibilities. When considering the cost of earning an educational degree, it may be helpful to know that “a school administrator with one to four years of experience earns approximately $67,000 per year. That number increases to just under $100,000 with twenty or more years of experience. Based on the length of the course, it takes about two years,” reports EducationalLeadershipDegrees.com. Good leaders are needed everywhere - a degree in education can get you started.
3. Special Education
If transforming someone else's life is central to your worldview and what you want to do with your life and career, look no further than the fascinating field of special education. For those who want to specialize in the field of education, special education offers a great option and many career benefits. A special education teacher typically works with high-need students who have a physical or intellectual disability. These teachers adapt the lesson plan to the individual pace of each student, helping them to develop together with their peers in a course designed specifically to meet their needs.
If that sounds like rewarding work, do it! The job market will support this career due to a national shortage of qualified special education teachers in the United States and some other countries.This is shown by reports from the University of California of Pennsylvania“Special education teachers, as well as others with a teaching degree, now have a much easier time moving from state to state, which means program graduates with a bachelor's degree in special education have a much easier time finding rewarding jobs. in your dream. Locations. Indeed, this is particularly true for special education teachers, whose specialization is nationally identified as a significant area of need." and rewarding long-term career choice.
4. Educational Technology
Perhaps you are more tech-savvy or more tech-savvy? Technology is pervasive and integrated into all aspects of modern life, so it is not surprising that there is a need for experts at the intersection of education and technology. Smart boards, iPads and tablets are just some of the tools that have exploded onto the market and into people's homes and classrooms. Online teaching is becoming more and more popular. An educational technology degree will provide you with the essential knowledge to take advantage of all ever-changing technologies. They are able to assess needs and maximize the potential use of technology to solve problems and promote learning.
E-learning and technologyThey will continue to grow and change in the future.. Accelerate your career by specializing in this field of study. By combining education and technology, you get the best of both worlds. E-learning trends include personalized learning experiences, cloud optimization, speech-to-text, virtual and augmented learning, 3D printing, and more. This area is also lucrative with an annual starting salary of US$53,000 in the US.payscale.com. Depending on where you end up, that number could be much higher as the career is in constant demand.
5. Educational Psychology
Perhaps you are more interested in the inner workings of the human mind. If so, combine education andPsychologyit might be your thing. This fascinating field is a branch of psychology concerned with understanding and improving how students acquire a variety of skills through formal classroom instruction. Linking psychological development and trauma to education and how to learn is important for the education of the whole person.
are educational psychologistsdescribed by the South African College of Applied Psychology“be trained professionals [who] study how students of all ages learn. By studying how students process emotional, social, and cognitive stimuli, they make assessments based on student responses and use this analysis to identify learning, social, and behavioral problems that impede their learning. Students in this field learn all about psychology, including abnormal psychology, and apply it to solve educational problems with clients and students.
Educational psychologists are hired by schools or educational institutions to work with administration and staff to design and implement successful learning programs for students. Some may choose to contract consulting work with independent organizations that design learning materials or create specialized curricula.
6. Pedagogy
If you are more of a behind-the-scenes person or want to work on broader systemic issues in education, an education specialization may be right for you. Studying the method and practice of teaching, pedagogy is an essential part of the educational system. Theories and concepts form the underlying basis for all curriculum development. If you're a problem solver who enjoys taking on big challenges, pedagogy might be for you.
Standardized tests, national exams, proficiency tests and setting curriculum standards are some examples of projects you can undertake if you are pursuing a career in education. Not only do they work at the forefront of setting educational standards, but they also earn a good salary. The average annual salaryseaSalary.com, is $130,000 for the best educational practice job. In general, trends in pedagogy are evolving towards integrating e-learning and the use of technology more effectively.Matthew Lynch, writes for TheEdvocate.comHe sees "in the next ten years [...] the expansion of cooperation between educators", he says. Today's educational climate keeps all teachers focused on their success. There is a small co-teaching movement to encourage learning in a collaborative environment.” Furthermore, Lynch envisions "a future where teachers work together to improve student learning and achievement."
7. Adult Education
Do you love working with and teaching people, but would you rather work with adults than children? Then adult education might be something for you. Working with adults can be rewarding in different ways than working with tweens and teens, as most adult learners return to school for very specific and specific reasons – for example, to pursue a specific passion, find a better job, or follow a career to change. Most adult learners juggle full-time jobs and are also parents. It can even help a high school dropout get their G.E.D.
The Princeton Review reportsthat an adult education degree offers many opportunities: “Many graduates go on to become adult counselors, working with clients at various levels, including family, financial and crisis management. Many continue to teach adults in a classroom, university, college, community college, trade school, or other educational setting. Within these professional fields, there is a wide range of subjects that an adult educator can teach. You can also work as a school administrator, helping to manage the school's academic staff and curriculum.
A rewarding career that has a huge impact on helping people in their lives, both personally and professionally. Adult education graduates can expect an average salary of between $40,000 and $75,000, reportsUS News and World Report. Regardless of salary, the rewards of helping a few on their journey to self-realization can be priceless, especially later in life when things are more complicated.
A degree in education can take you anywhere and is now more versatile than ever. If you are interested in an educational profession, you no longer need to become a teacher: the variety of job opportunities and specialist careers are rewarding and well-paying. Investing in your own education with a degree that can help you jumpstart your career to help others is the best way to make a difference in the world!
FAQs
Which fields of study can you pursue in teaching? ›
Earning a degree in education is an important first step in becoming a teacher. But even if you don't plan to teach in a traditional classroom setting, an education degree can be a stepping stone to a wide variety of careers in education, including education administration, school counseling, or even social work.
What fields of study can you pursue in education? ›- School counseling. ...
- Educational leadership. ...
- Special education. ...
- Education technology. ...
- Educational psychology. ...
- Pedagogy. ...
- Adult education.
Earning a degree in education is an important first step in becoming a teacher. But even if you don't plan to teach in a traditional classroom setting, an education degree can be a stepping stone to a wide variety of careers in education, including education administration, school counseling, or even social work.
What is field study in teacher education? ›Structured learning outside the classroom. Includes such experiences as internships, service-learning projects, field trips and excursions, nature observation and research, small-team field assignments, and individual research projects.
Is teaching a major in college? ›Once you're truly committed to the idea of becoming a teacher, you're all set to pursue your degree in education! Yes, you can major in education (you can even get a master's in the field). This is the optimal subject to study, for obvious reasons.
What teacher makes the most money? ›Professor. When you are looking for the best-paid teaching jobs for your area of interest or specialized skill, then you may consider working as a professor in a college or university. A college professor prepares course material, teaches students in a classroom environment, and grades student work.
What is the highest degree for a teacher? ›Doctoral Degrees in Education
Teachers who wish to increase their skills for advanced certification requirements or other professional objectives can complete a Doctorate in Education or Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction to help them achieve leadership roles and earn higher pay.
- Preschool Teachers. Preschool teachers work with students before they enter elementary school. ...
- Elementary School Teachers. ...
- Middle School Teachers. ...
- High School Teachers. ...
- Special Education Teachers. ...
- Bilingual Teachers. ...
- Home-School Teachers. ...
- Vocational Teachers.
- Math. Math is a subject that is mainly conceptual. ...
- Physical Education. If you're like most people, you probably dreaded having to go to gym class when you were in school. ...
- Art. ...
- Music. ...
- Language Arts. ...
- Science. ...
- Health. ...
- Spelling.
- mathematics.
- science.
- foreign languages.
- bilingual education.
- English language acquisition.
- special education.
What is field education? ›
The goal of field education is to prepare students for competence in social work practice. Through field education, students translate theoretical concepts and principles and research evidence into practice, applying these to work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.
What is field study 2 in teaching? ›It is school based and allows a pre-service student to participate and assist in limited actual teaching-learning activities that relate to assessment of learning, preparation of instructional materials, preparation of the bulletin boards, and other routines in the classroom.
What is field study 3 in education? ›Field Study 3 is a one-unit experiential learning course that focuses on the technology in the learning environment. It provides the students opportunity to observe, engage, synthesize and reflect on practical experiences on the teaching learning process.
What major is best for an elementary teacher? ›Elementary Teacher Degree Requirements
Most teachers major in elementary education, while some states require them to also specialize in a content area, like social studies or history. Other teachers major in related fields with relevant elementary education coursework and field training in the classroom.
In short, a professor is a postsecondary academic instructor. Sometimes called postsecondary teachers, they teach students who are at the college level, typically in a university classroom setting. Professors are the highest-level of educators and usually specialize in a specific academic subject or field.
Is it easier to get into college as an education major? ›The simple answer is: no. In the vast majority of cases, your intended major does not affect your chances of being accepted to a certain school. A big part of this is because colleges know many students will change their major sometime during college.
What type of teacher is in highest demand? ›Which teaching subject is most in demand? While specific needs vary by institution, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are subjects that are always in high demand.
How to make 6 figures as a teacher? ›- Earning a master's degree or doctorate. ...
- Becoming a school administrator. ...
- Selling lesson plans and worksheets online. ...
- Teaching English as a second language (ESL) online. ...
- Taking on additional work at your school. ...
- Becoming a test proctor. ...
- Teaching summer school. ...
- Becoming an online tutor.
Yes, you can make $100k working as a teacher. While most teachers in the U.S. make around $60,000 a year, some teachers can acquire paychecks of $100,000 or more. A teacher's salary can depend on the school district, level of education, experience, and the teaching job.
What is the lowest degree to be a teacher? ›Public school systems in all 50 states require teachers to have at least a bachelor's degree to teach any grade level. While some private schools may allow you to become a teacher without a bachelor's degree, most require one. Most prospective educators also have to earn a teaching certification or license.
How many degrees are there in teaching? ›
| Degree Program | Length of Completion | Possible Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education | 4 years | Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher |
| Bachelor of Science in Special Education | 4 years | Special Education Teacher |
| Master of Arts in Teaching | 1-2 years | Middle or High School Teacher |
In California there are three basic teaching credentials issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).
What are the 4 C's of teachers? ›Long heralded as key competencies for 21st-century learners, the ”Four Cs” (Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration) are often embraced in theory yet stump educators in practice.
What are the three best teachers? ›Life's 3 best teachers are: Failures, Empty pockets, and Heartbreak. Failure: is a part of success.
What are the 2 main types of teaching? ›The two main types of teaching methods & strategies are teacher-centered instruction and student-centered instruction.
What grade is the hardest to teach? ›The Verdict: Fifth grade~ what a special grade. But do you see many of these factors as deal breakers? Do you have more cons than pros? If so, teaching fifth grade may be the hardest elementary grade for you to teach.
What grade is the best to teach? ›Factors to Consider First
If you love teaching young children, you may want to consider teaching kindergarten or first grade. On the other hand, if you are someone who enjoys more intellectual challenges, you may want to consider teaching at a higher grade level, such as middle school or high school.
Business Administration
On average, bachelor of business administration majors spend 42 hours studying for both the core courses and electives. Based on the average GPA, this could be the easiest bachelor degree to get.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education for the 2022-2023 school year, Rhode Island has the largest teacher shortages in the following subjects: English as a second language, career and technical education, math, science, special education, health and physical fitness, world languages and language arts.
Where is the highest paying teaching jobs? ›In 2021, the average K-12 public school teacher nationwide was paid $65,090. Average teacher pay was the highest in New York at $87,738, followed by Massachusetts and California. In three states — Mississippi, Florida, and South Dakota — teachers made less than $50,000 on average.
Where are teachers paid the most and the least? ›
Teacher salaries vary widely depending on where you live. Teaching in New York, the highest-paying state, could mean earning roughly $33,000 more than teaching in Hawaii, the state with the lowest average teacher salary.
What is the study of education? ›What is education? Education is the study of the process of receiving and giving systematic instruction. As a degree, it mixes a theoretical grounding in the history, anthropology, sociology and economics of education, psychology and human development, and applied courses on teaching methods.
What is field study programs? ›The Field Study is a program in which students, under the guidance of a faculty members, conduct on-site surveys and research activities based on themes related to the specialized fields of each college, deepening their own interests and concerns and building a bridge between theory and practice.
What does field of study mean vs degree? ›Major: The area of study you have chosen to focus on during your education program. Degree: The certification you receive upon completing a higher education program. Field: The area of which your education/work experience lends itself to.
What areas pay teachers the most? ›In 2021, the average K-12 public school teacher nationwide was paid $65,090. Average teacher pay was the highest in New York at $87,738, followed by Massachusetts and California. In three states — Mississippi, Florida, and South Dakota — teachers made less than $50,000 on average.
Which teachers are most in demand? ›Which teaching subject is most in demand? While specific needs vary by institution, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are subjects that are always in high demand.
Is becoming a teacher a good career choice? ›According to the National Education Association, the teaching profession is one of the most secure professions, with a job security rating of 4.4 out of 5. With the wide-ranging opportunities the education field offers, there is always a chance to find the perfect job.
Where is the highest demand for teachers? ›According to data from the U.S. Department of Education for the 2022-2023 school year, Rhode Island has the largest teacher shortages in the following subjects: English as a second language, career and technical education, math, science, special education, health and physical fitness, world languages and language arts.
What state pays teachers the lowest? ›On the other side of the pay scale, teachers, on average, earn as little as $47,156 a year in Hawaii, the lowest-paying state. It may be especially difficult to make ends meet on wages that don't keep up with the state's notoriously high cost of living.
What is the highest paying job in the world? ›- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- General Surgeon.
- Senior Software Engineer. Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses.
- Investment Banker.
- Data Scientist.
- IT Systems Manager.
- Corporate Lawyer.
- Project Manager.
What percentage of teachers have master's degrees? ›
Comparing Some of the Top Teacher Master's Degree Options Teachers love to learn. In fact, an estimated 52% of the nation's 3.3 million public school teachers have a masters' degree or higher. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 57% of public school teachers hold a postbaccalaureate degree (i.e.,…
What is best grade to teach? ›If your really love helping young learners grow and play, preschool, kindergarten, or grades 1 through 3 are great. If you're more interested in helping children develop good thinking skills as they mature, grade 4 is a good place to start.
Which field of Education are most in demand today? ›- Health Science. ...
- Information Technology. ...
- Engineering. ...
- Business Administration. ...
- Finance. ...
- Human Resources. ...
- Education. ...
- Psychology. From therapy to counseling to working in schools and hospitals, those who get a degree in Psychology open the door to many possibilities.
Beyond compensation, these educators also feel overworked and undervalued. Nearly 75 percent of respondents who cite expectations as a top reason they plan to leave say they have too much work to do each day and that there aren't enough teachers to carry the workload.
What are disadvantages of being a teacher? ›- Breaks without pay. Although some districts may follow a year-round schedule, most districts use a schedule that provides students and teachers with summers off for breaks. ...
- Budgetary challenges. ...
- Professional development days. ...
- Varied learning styles. ...
- Workload. ...
- Student performance evaluation.
Ultimately, many aspects of workplace stress stem from anxiety about being effective at work. Teachers, like many other professionals, want to be effective in their jobs and suffer from increased stress, anxiety, and depression when they know they aren't at their best or are not receiving needed support.
Is teaching a good career for introverts? ›Introverts can be teachers. They may not lead school assemblies or direct the marching band, but they play a critical role in every school. If you're an introvert who's passionate about teaching, don't hold yourself back—go for it!