What is Education Science?
If you're interested in researching the ways that teachers can improve, you might consider studying education science. If you're wondering what this field is all about, read on to find out more.
Education Science Defined
Education science is closely related to pedagogy, which is the process of teaching. More specifically, however, education science is considered to be the study of improving the teaching process. The field of education science can include the examination and research of different teaching methods and how groups of students receive these methods, as well as the process of improving teaching methodologies.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutEducationScience">Important Facts About Education Science</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Assistant professor, research associate, curriculum designer, coordinator for the Department of Education</td></tr>
<tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> Typically a classroom or private tutor setting</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Literacy, numeracy, communication, and classroom management skills</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Postsecondary education administrator, career and technical education teacher, sociologist, political scientist</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---EducationalOpportunities">Educational Opportunities</h3><p>In order to become involved in education science, you'll have to familiarize yourself with pedagogy and teaching itself. Ideally, you'll want to have educational experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in those fields. Once you have that foundation, then you can pursue a doctoral degree program in educational studies and research, or something similar. This is the ideal major for students interested in education science.
</p><p>These programs are research intensive. In many programs, you'll dedicate at least one full year to just observing, researching and understanding the latest teaching philosophies. Education science programs also include coursework in subjects like equitable teaching and learning foundations.
</p><p>Under most circumstances, you'll be expected to choose a concentration to focus your independent research. A few possible specializations include science education, math education, assessment, administrative policy, and administrative leadership.
</p><h3 id="section---CareerOpportunities">Career Opportunities</h3><p>Faculty research positions and post-secondary teaching careers are common for graduates of education science degree programs. These careers are overlapping since education science professors often perform important research, in addition to leading classes for students. After completing an education science graduate degree program and writing a dissertation, you can begin to apply for faculty positions with colleges and universities.
</p><p>In addition to teaching classes and reporting research findings, you'll regularly travel to education science conferences to meet with peers and discuss the latest advances in your field. Other career opportunities for graduates may include positions in public policy or education consulting in the private sector.
</p><h3 id="section---JobOutlookAndSalaryInformation">Job Outlook and Salary Information</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for postsecondary teachers were expected to grow by 12% from 2021 to 2031 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). In May 2021, postsecondary teachers who taught education-related subjects earned a mean annual income of $76,990, according to the BLS.</p>