What is an Education Degree?

An Education Degree, or a Teaching Degree, can include Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral credentials earned by individuals who wish to become teachers or college professors. Typically, the minimum requirement to become a teacher is a Bachelor’s Degree. However, all educators must also earn a teaching certification based on their state’s regulations.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, education is one of the most popular courses of study for Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral Degree students.

Where can students earn an Education Degree?

Since education is a popular major at every degree level, many colleges and universities across the country offer programs in this field.

Prospective students can find a full list of schools that offer education programs that have been approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education on the organization’s website. Similarly, the U.S. Department of Education website has a database of all postsecondary institutions that have education courses of study.

What are some teaching specialties?

When individuals are pursuing an Education Degree, whether it is a Bachelor’s or a Doctorate, many specialize in a certain area in order to gain more knowledge in the subjects in which they want to teach.

For example, students who want to teach art, music or drama classes can specialize in art education. Individuals who participate in these courses are typically exposed to a broad range of art in order to foster a love of the humanities in their future pupils. Graduates of these programs can hold jobs in elementary, middle or secondary schools, or travel between various institutions after graduation.

Students may also choose to specialize in English as a second language or bilingual education, where they will learn about language acquisition as well as linguistics. Upon graduation, these professionals will work one-on-one or in small groups to assist students who do not speak English as their native language.

Many schools also allow future teachers to specialize in health and physical education. These courses are for students who want to teach pupils in a variety of grade levels about healthy lifestyle choices, first aid skills, ways to keep physically fit and nutrition. As a growing number of children are obese, these professionals may become an increasingly important part of keeping them healthy and active.

Other possible specializations for students might include business, math, history, English, science, instructional technology, school counseling and vocational education.

What types of jobs can graduates hold?

Individuals who hold a Bachelor’s Degree in education, as well as their states’ certification requirements, might be qualified to work in public and private kindergarten, elementary, middle, secondary, vocational and special education schools, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2010-2011 Occupational Handbook (BLS).

Students who earn a Master’s Degree can frequently work in the same locations as Bachelor’s Degree holders, but may also be qualified to work in many two-year universities or hold a part-time position at a four-year college, the BLS reports.

Doctoral Degree holders can be qualified to hold additional positions. For example, a graduate who has a Doctoral Degree might be qualified to work in a four-year college or university, according to the BLS.

*Source Reference: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.bls.gov