Teachers must have positive leadership and instructional skills. They must present material to students in a way that maximizes learning and encourages growth. Teachers must motivate students to learn while interacting with them in a positive and supportive manner.
Education Degree Levels Available
Bachelor’s Degree in Education (B.Ed.)The bachelor’s degree in education program prepares students for a teaching career or other related careers in education. This four-year program includes courses in areas such as child development, teaching methodologies, instructional strategies, psychology in education, and teaching across cultures. During this program, students choose from a number of subjects to specialize in such as mathematics, history, science, or physics. Whichever area the student chooses to specialize in will be the subject area that the student teaches after graduating from this program. Upon graduation, students must gain certification to obtain employment. Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education may work as a kindergarten, elementary, middle, secondary, or high school teacher.
Master’s Degree in Education (M.Ed.)A master’s degree in education prepares students to become leaders in the education profession. At this point in their academic career, students will have chosen an area of specialization in which to focus on throughout their program. This two-year program includes courses in areas such as education technology, curriculum development and assessment, child and adolescent psychology, and laboratory instruction. Graduates from the master’s degree in education program may obtain employment as a principle, school counselor, educational consultant, educational policy developer, or technology specialist.
Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) Degree in EducationStudents enrolled in the Ph.D. program in education are prepared for positions in academia. As with most Ph.D. programs, students are required to submit a thesis proposal, pass a qualifying examination and candidacy examination, and complete a dissertation based on original research in the education field conducted by the student, all the while achieving an A average in mandatory coursework. Along with upper-level employment in the education profession such as program director, education consultant, dean, or education committee chair, graduates from the Ph.D. program in education are able to secure faculty member positions at a college or university.
Admission RequirementsAlthough various colleges and universities may vary slightly, students can expect fairly standard admission requirements when applying to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education. Successful completion of high school or an academic equivalent (such as a GED) is required along with high school transcripts displaying grades obtained in completed courses. SAT or ACT test scores are almost always required as well. If a student fulfills all of these requirements, then an application form from the college or university the student wishes to attend must be completed and submitted along with an application fee, which of course varies depending on the institution.Volunteer and/or work experience in the teaching field is always beneficial to the student and will aid in their acceptance during the application process.
Admission into the master’s and doctoral programs require a bachelor’s degree in education or a closely related field. Colleges and universities require a transcript from the institution where the bachelor’s degree was obtained, displaying the student’s GPA which should be at a 3.25 minimum (on a 4.0 scale). Students must have completed the GRE (Graduate Records Exam) and received a score at or above the 80th percentile. A statement of purpose, which states the student’s career or research goals in the education field, must be submitted. Two or three reference letters from faculty members is also mandatory. If a student fulfills all of these requirements, then an application form from the college or university the student wishes to attend must be completed and submitted along with an application fee.
Tuition and AccreditationTuition fees for a bachelor’s degree in education may vary from $15,918 to $32,617. Tuition fees for a master’s degree in education may vary from $8,763 to $20,368. Tuition fees for a doctoral degree in education may vary from $45,000 to $60,000 annually. These figures are only estimates; college and university tuition fees may vary drastically from one institution to another since there are a number of factors which affect tuition such as public versus private institutions, online degrees, federal student assistance programs, etc. (Source: the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)
Colleges and universities which offer a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a doctoral degree in education must be aligned with NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) or TEAC (Teacher Education Accreditation Council) standards. Most employers only hire students who graduated from institutions accredited by either of these committees.
Annual Salary Ranges for Different Occupations in the Education FieldAn education graduate’s salary is based on various factors which include (but are not limited to) their level of education, the extent of their experience, their field of specialization, and who they are employed by. Earnings may vary drastically from person to person. However, here are a few average ranges of annual earnings for the most common professions in the education field (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics):
. postsecondary teacher $63,770 to $83,770
. special education school teacher $44,550 to $64,550
. kindergarten teacher $27,800 to $47,800
. elementary school teacher $46,180 to $66,180
. dean $73,710 to $93,710
. high school principal $76,970 to $96,970
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