Search programs
x
Compare School Options

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

The field of education encompasses not just teachers, but a range of assistants, administrators, and leaders who ensure that institutions operate smoothly and provide the highest quality of education to students.

Individuals most often enter the education field with a bachelor’s degree, although master’s and doctorate degrees can help working teachers deepen their skills or prepare for new roles.

Many quality education and teaching degree programs exist online and in traditional campus settings. Read on to learn more about available programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels and what career opportunities are available to students with an education degree.

What You Can Do With An Education and Teaching Degree

Most individuals who earn a degree in education enter the field as teachers, working with students at the early childhood, elementary, middle, or secondary levels. While many teachers remain in the classroom throughout their careers, others move into administrative and leadership roles as school principals and vice-principals, instructional coordinators, superintendents, education technology specialists, and more.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in the field of education is expected to grow at a slower-than-average pace through 2033. However, the agency predicts that there will be, on average, 868,000 job openings each year during that time, as current education professionals retire or change careers.

The availability of teaching and education jobs can vary by state. Students who plan on becoming teachers may want to research where instructors are in demand when deciding where they want to work post-graduation when considering options for college.

Career outlook

  • High school teachers: Generally teach students from the 9th through 12th grades, in core subject areas such as math, science, and history, or electives such as physical education, art, and music.
    • Median annual salary: $65,220
    • Projected employment growth (through 2033): -1%
    • New jobs projected: 64,000 per year
    • Degree required: Bachelor’s degree
  • Elementary school teachers: Instruct young students in basic subjects, such as math and reading, to prepare them for middle school.
    • Median annual salary: $63.680
    • Projected employment growth (through 2033): -1%
    • New jobs projected: 106,500 per year
    • Degree required: Bachelor’s degree
  • Instructional coordinators: Oversee school curriculums and teaching standards, develop educational material, implement it with teachers and principals, and assess its effectiveness.
    • Median annual salary: $74,620
    • Projected employment growth (through 2033): 2%
    • New jobs projected: 20,100 per year
    • Degree required: Master’s in curriculum and instruction
  • School principals: Oversee all school operations, including daily school activities. They coordinate curriculums, manage staff, and provide a safe and productive learning environment for students.

Frequently Asked Questions About Education and Teaching

What is teaching certification?

Most states in the U.S. require that individuals have a teaching certification or license in order to teach in public schools. Many private schools also require a teaching license or certification, although not all do.

To become certified, teachers must earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program, complete a student teaching internship, and pass a state certification exam, such as the PRAXIS test.

Once an individual receives their teaching certification, they must typically maintain their credentials through continuing education courses. In many cases, teachers earn a master’s degree to maintain their certification.

Each state sets its own specific guidelines and processes for teaching certification, including education requirements. It’s important to review educational requirements for teaching certification in the state in which you plan on working before enrolling in a degree program, to ensure the program you select meets your state’s requirements.

What specialization options are available for education and teaching degrees?

Individuals who want to become educators have a variety of options for specialization.

Prospective teachers must first decide which age group they want to work with when choosing a career path — early childhood, elementary, or secondary.

Early childhood education focuses on children under the age of five, with instructors working in daycare centers and preschool or pre-kindergarten programs. Elementary school teachers work with students in kindergarten through sixth grade and typically teach all subjects, including reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.

Secondary teachers teach students in seventh through twelfth grade. They must choose a subject to specialize in, such as English, math, science, social studies, or foreign language, as instructors at this level teach more specialized subjects within the larger area of study. For example, a high school math teacher will likely be expected to teach algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.

Other teaching specializations include special education, art education, music education, and physical education.

Should I earn an education and teaching degree online or in person?

Quality programs in education and teaching exist both online and in traditional classroom settings at all degree levels. The decision to attend school online or on-campus is a personal one that depends on an individual student’s needs and learning preferences.

Many in-person programs, especially those at the master’s level, are designed for working professionals. They offer courses in the evenings, on weekends, and during summer breaks. Online programs usually operate in an asynchronous format, allowing students to access lessons and assignments on their own schedule.

Students should note that most education and teaching degree programs include an experiential learning component, such as student teaching or an internship. This type of learning is essential as it gives students the opportunity to gain teaching experience in a supervised setting. Most bachelor’s programs require students to complete at least one semester of student teaching. Students attending online programs should confirm their student teaching requirements before enrolling, to ensure they can accommodate any in-person requirements.

Types of Degrees You Can Earn in Education and Teaching

Associate

Associate degrees require a minimum of 60 credits and can typically be completed in two years of full-time study.

Associate degrees in education and teaching typically prepare students for entry-level jobs that don’t require teaching certification, such as teaching assistants and preschool teachers. They can also provide an ideal introduction to the field for students who plan on pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education.

For education and teaching, the most common associate degrees are an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science.

Bachelor’s

Bachelor’s degrees require a minimum of 120 credits. Full-time students usually complete a bachelor’s degree in four years.

A bachelor’s degree is the minimum level of post-secondary education needed for individuals who wish to obtain teaching certification, which is a requirement for most teaching jobs. Each state sets its own requirements for teaching certification, so it’s important to review the requirements for the state in which you plan on teaching before enrolling in a degree program.

Bachelor’s degree programs in education and teaching essentially teach students how to teach. Curriculums cover instructional theories and skills, as well as coursework in the student’s areas of specialization, such as math, science, or special education.

Student teaching is a common component of bachelor’s in education programs, as it gives students the opportunity to engage directly with students in a supervised setting. Individuals who are completing a bachelor’s in education and teaching online should confirm their program’s student teaching requirements before enrolling, to ensure that they can accommodate any in-person requirements.

Many baccalaureate programs in education and teaching award a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), while others award a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS).

Master’s

Students can pursue a master’s degree in education and teaching to expand their classroom teaching skills or to prepare for leadership and administrative roles within education. Some states may require that teachers earn a master’s degree in order to maintain their teaching certification.

Credit requirements vary by subject and program, with most requiring between 36-60 credits. Completion time also differs based on the total number of credits and whether a student enrolls full-time or part-time.

A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) focuses on developing advanced classroom teaching skills, which can expand job opportunities and increase earning potential. Meanwhile, students who want to move into roles in educational leadership, curriculum design, or higher education administration may pursue degrees like a Master of Education (M.Ed), Master of Science (MS), or Master of Arts in Education (MAE).

Doctorate

A doctorate degree is a terminal degree in education and teaching. The total number of credits required for a doctoral degree varies by subject and program, but most take 3-5 years to complete.

A core component of a doctoral program is the dissertation, which typically involves students developing a theory, conducting research, and presenting their findings, under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Within the education and teaching field, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) is the most common doctoral degree. This is considered a professional degree and focuses on developing students’ practical skills. Another option is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), which emphasizes research and scholarship.

Online Education and Teaching Degree Programs

Bachelor’s

Master’s

Doctorate

Traditional Education and Teaching Degree Programs

Bachelor’s

Master’s

Doctorate

Learn More About Education and Teaching Degree Programs