Is an Education Degree Right for Me?

<p>An <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Are_the_Different_Types_of_Teaching_Degrees.html">education degree</a> is important for all aspiring teachers. An individual seeking an undergraduate education degree can earn a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, or Bachelor of Science. </p> <p>Determine if an education degree is right for you by examining your career path and educational interests. Then, choose whether you would benefit from an education degree program that leads to licensure for a teaching career in public schools. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatIsAnEducationDegree">What Is an Education Degree?</h2> <p>An education degree or teaching degree is a required credential for teaching jobs in public schools and private education programs. There are several types of education degrees. Example bachelor's degree programs in education include: </p> <ul><li>early childhood education </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/easiest_elementary_education_degrees.html">elementary education</a> </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/Bachelors_Degrees_in_Special_Education_Online_and_Campus_Program_FAQs.html">special education</a> </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/Education_What_are_the_Top_US_Schools_for_Earning_a_Bachelors_Degree_in_Education.html">secondary education</a> </li></ul><p>There are also different education degree programs in subject areas for secondary education such as <a href="https://learn.org/articles/math_teacher_degree.html">mathematics</a>, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Degrees_Are_Needed_to_Teach_History.html">history</a>, and Spanish. Education degrees are meaningful for anyone with a passion to instruct and guide others in academic subjects. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatDoesAnEducationMajorStudy">What Does an Education Major Study?</h2> <p>An education major studies the foundations of teaching, curriculum development, academic subjects, music, art, and more. Coursework depends on the type of education program. See examples of coursework by education degree type below: </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Education Degree </th><th> Sample Courses</th></tr> <tr><td> early childhood education </td><td> child development, health and safety for young children, instructional methodologies for young children</td></tr> <tr><td> elementary education </td><td> classroom management, elementary methods, legal and ethical issues in education</td></tr> <tr><td> secondary education </td><td> middle childhood methods, managing school environments, teaching in area of specialization</td></tr> <tr><td> special education </td><td> effective practices and behavior intervention, special education history and law, education of exceptional children</td></tr> </table><p>Students seeking licensure can focus on a concentration for a supplemental endorsement. Examples of field endorsements include academic subject areas, physical education, English as a second language, and information technology. </p> <p>Internship requirements and opportunities give prospective teachers real-world experiences that prepare them for student teaching. </p> <h2 id="section---WhyYouShouldConsiderADegreeInEducation">Why You Should Consider a Degree in Education</h2> <p>You should consider a degree in education if it supports your personal interests and career goal, demands for a higher education, and opportunities for professional growth. </p> <h3 id="section---PersonalInterestsAndCareerGoals">Personal Interests and Career Goals</h3> <p>Personal interests that align with education degree studies allow students to maintain focus on earning their degree. Consider a degree in education if you have a personal interest in teaching a specific age group, subject, or special need students. </p> <p>Education majors should have a desire to provide knowledge and skills to children in a compassionate and effective way. If your career goals include teaching, managing, and leadership opportunities, you should consider a degree in education. </p> <h3 id="section---DegreeProgramLearningOptions">Degree Program Learning Options</h3> <p>Accredited institutions provide flexible learning options for learners that have other obligations such as work and family. There are options to enroll in a hybrid or online program as a full-time or part-time student. </p> <h3 id="section---AffordableTuition">Affordable Tuition</h3> <p>There are <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_Federal_Grants_for_College_Students.html">grant</a> and <a href="https://learn.org/pages/scholarship_home.html">scholarship</a> opportunities for aspiring teachers to help make earning an education degree more affordable. Specific grant and scholarship opportunities include: </p> <ul><li>federal TEACH grant </li><li>Dottie Martin teacher scholarship </li><li>Sallie Mae scholarship </li><li>Study.com scholarship for future teachers </li></ul><h3 id="section---JobOpportunities">Job Opportunities</h3> <p>Education degrees provide students with training that validates their ability to be successful in job opportunities related to teaching and instructing others. Depending on the education degree, graduates can teach in public or private schools. </p> <h3 id="section---HigherEducation">Higher Education</h3> <p>An undergraduate degree in education qualifies you for a master's degree program. Graduate degree programs in education contribute to professional development and strengthened skills in curriculum design, academic subjects, and more. </p> <h3 id="section---ProfessionalGrowth">Professional Growth</h3> <p>There are professional growth opportunities in the field of education. Earning an M.Ed. offers new career opportunities in school administration and leadership roles like a program director, principal, or education policy analyst. </p> <h2 id="section---JobOpportunitiesForEducationDegreeMajors">Job Opportunities for Education Degree Majors</h2> <p>According to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/education/education-field-of-degree.htm">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, there are career options for education degree majors in educational instruction, management, administrative positions, and more. Education majors typically seek to become one of the following professions below: </p> <ul><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/daycare_teacher_job_description_salary_requirements.html">daycare teacher</a> </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/Private_Elementary_School_Teacher_Become_an_Elementary_School_Teacher_in_5_Steps.html">elementary school teacher</a> </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Are_the_Requirements_to_be_a_Middle_School_Teacher.html">middle school teacher</a> </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/High_School_Teacher_How_to_Become_a_High_School_Teacher_in_5_Steps.html">high school teacher</a> </li></ul><h2 id="section---EducationDegreeQuestionsToAskYourself">Education Degree: Questions to Ask Yourself</h2> <p>If you are wondering if you should pursue an education degree, ask yourself the following questions: </p> <ul><li>Do I have patience and understanding? </li><li>Am I interested in educating others? </li><li>Do I have a passion for leading and developing leaders?</li></ul>