The complete guide to careers and degrees in education

Teachers play a crucial role in children’s lives, helping them navigate the scholastic and interpersonal challenges of each grade level. Teachers also help students build noncognitive skills like motivation, adaptability, and self-regulation.

After parents, teachers are often the most important role models and dependable adults in young people’s lives. Because teaching is such an indispensable and influential profession, the path to this career is highly regulated. Becoming an elementary, middle school, or high school teacher generally requires a bachelor’s degree in education that includes a state-approved teacher prep program and supervised classroom experience.

While teaching is a rewarding and in-demand profession, some may be discouraged by the relatively low pay. Three years after graduation, teachers earn approximately $9,000 less per year than the average bachelor’s degree holder. However, over time, teachers earn around $3,000 more per year than the average for all occupations, in addition to working in a uniquely meaningful and rewarding profession.

What you study in a teaching degree

Teacher education focuses on 2 broad areas: pedagogy and subject specialization. Pedagogy is the theory and practice of teaching. Insights from sociology, psychology, and child development are used to understand how learning environments, socioeconomic factors, and personality and culture affect learning. The practical side of pedagogy focuses on topics like teaching strategies, curriculum design, and classroom management. Teacher education programs also comprise specialization in an academic subject area like math or English, often taken as a co-major.

Associate degree in education

An associate degree in education provides basic training for entering the education field. It is a good first step towards a teaching career. Many associate degrees in education are focused on pre-kindergarten/preschool early childhood education, since teaching in public schools from kindergarten onward requires at least a bachelor’s degree in all states. It is also possible to transfer to a 4-year program once you’ve completed an associate degree.

What can you do with an associate degree in education?

An associate degree in education qualifies you for work as a paraeducator in the public school system, in roles such as teaching assistant or teacher’s aide. Working as a teacher in a state-funded or private childcare facility or preschool is another popular option. Keep in mind that some states require a bachelor’s of education or other bachelor’s degree to work as a licensed preschool teacher.

Bachelor’s in education

A bachelor’s degree in education is the main route to becoming a teacher or an initial step towards teaching administration. You generally choose an area of study that corresponds to the age group and subjects you wish to teach. For example:

• Best bachelor’s degree in early childhood education
• Best bachelor’s in elementary education
• Best bachelor’s degree in secondary education
• Best bachelor’s in special education

Most bachelor’s in education programs include a fieldwork placement in a local school, usually in the final year. A bachelor’s in education that includes teacher prep will save you time. Otherwise, you will be required to complete teacher prep after graduating.

»Read: The best schools for education majors according to economic performance

Following the completion of a bachelor’s in education and a teacher prep program, there are several certification tests candidates must pass before becoming licensed teachers. States vary significantly in terms of licensure requirements, but most require completion of 1 or more of the Praxis series tests – Core, Content Knowledge for Assessment, and/or Subject Assessments.

Teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels can expect employment growth rates of 4–5% in the next decade, while early childhood administrators are in much higher demand. The BLS classifies the following as education roles requiring a bachelor’s degree for entry:

Master’s in education

A master’s in education can lead to lucrative positions in school administration, curriculum development, and other educational leadership roles. Programs tend to include a wide range of concentrations and certificates, which can increase job prospects both in and out of the classroom.

If you have a bachelor’s in a field other than education but wish to pursue teaching, a graduate degree in education with an embedded teacher prep program is a good choice; these programs are often referred to as MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching). Note that university-based alternative teaching certification programs, which are increasingly available online, often result in a Master of Education.

»Read: The best master’s of education programs

Although not formally required for entry, around 47% of elementary and middle school teachers and 51% of high school teachers have a master’s degree. A handful of school districts – including Connecticut, Maryland, and New York – require teachers to earn a master’s degree within a specified timeframe, usually 5 years after entering the profession. In Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, and Oregon, teachers need a master’s degree if they wish to gain the highest level of professional licensure.

For teachers, a master’s program enables further specialization in taught subjects or a niche area of interest like special education or teacher leadership. Examples of specializations at this level include:

• Best master’s in reading and literacy
• Best master’s in early childhood education
• Best ESL graduate programs
• Best master’s in elementary education
• Best master’s in secondary education

Around 50% of special education teachers, including at the preschool, elementary, and middle school levels, have a master’s, meaning it is slightly more popular among these teachers. Additionally, a graduate degree remains a cornerstone of how many school districts set teacher wages – with 88% of districts offering a pay raise for earning your master’s.

Deciding if a master’s in education makes sense for you will depend largely on your career goals. Certain roles in education, like superintendent, principal, and school administrator – require it. Teachers may also choose to pursue this degree for the added skills and training or the earnings boost that generally comes with master’s degrees.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following education roles require a master’s degree for entry. Note that these roles also require 5 or more years of professional experience, often earned in a teaching role.

Final thoughts

Whether you would like to educate children face-to-face, enhance the curriculum by conducting research, or mentor teachers in a leadership role, a degree in education offers an abundance of professional opportunities.

Teacher shortages, exacerbated by the global pandemic, mean teachers continue to be in high demand across the country. Shortages are particularly serious among math, science, language, and special education teachers. If any of these fields interest you, it is an excellent time to pursue teacher training with a focus on one of these subjects.