Teaching is a rewarding career path for individuals with good communication skills and empathy. Teachers often pursue advanced degrees to broaden their classroom experience, dive deeper into a subject or specialty and move up into leadership positions in education.
Most teaching degree programs require student teaching, which gives future teachers real-life classroom experience and feedback on their skills. This article will cover the different types of teaching degrees available.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement for becoming a teacher in most states. Prospective teachers are encouraged to apply for financial aid, such as loans and scholarships. Depending on the state, students can also take advantage of loan forgiveness programs. However, it’s important to understand that the cost of a teaching degree can be substantial. Therefore, prospective teachers should carefully research different degrees and their requirements before applying for a degree program.
In addition to completing a bachelor’s degree in education, prospective teachers may need to pass a background check and other certification processes. Some teaching programs offer a student-teaching internship to help students gain practical experience in the classroom. This is an important aspect of a teaching degree, as it helps candidates determine if this is the career for them.
The type of bachelor’s degree a prospective teacher pursues will vary by state, but all bachelor’s degrees in education include a core curriculum that includes educational theory and practice. Some programs are focused on particular levels, such as early childhood education or elementary education. Others are more broad, and provide a foundational education that can be applied to any grade level.
Prospective teachers at the elementary, middle, or high school level often choose to major in the subject they will teach. This allows them to focus their learning on the subjects they want to instruct while gaining valuable education-related skills. Teachers at the secondary level often double-major, and specialize in two or more subjects they plan to teach.
Individuals pursuing a degree in special education can prepare to make lesson plans for students with diverse needs. They can also choose to focus on a specific subject or age range, such as the middle and high school level or the kindergarten through sixth-grade curriculum.
A common path for people interested in teaching is to start as a teacher’s assistant or a substitute teacher. These positions don’t require a degree, and they can be a great way for prospective teachers to find out whether they enjoy working with children before investing the time and money into a teaching degree.
Master’s Degree
A master’s degree is often the next step for teachers who wish to advance in their careers. A graduate program in education can prepare a teacher for higher-level positions, and it also allows the individual to gain more in-depth knowledge about teaching methods, classroom management, and educational theory. In addition, some master’s programs in education or academic content areas allow a student to earn additional endorsements that qualify them for teaching specific levels or subjects.
Master’s degrees in education can be found in many formats, including online, traditional, and hybrid. Some of these are designed to lead to initial teacher certification for a new graduate, while others focus on professional development or academic content. Master’s programs typically require more research and analysis than bachelor’s degree programs, and some may even include a thesis component.
Individuals looking for a master’s degree in education or academic content can choose between several options, including a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and a Master of Education (MEd). A MAT is a popular choice for educators who want to develop their classroom teaching skills or acquire more expertise in a specific subject area, such as math or English language learning. An MEd, on the other hand, is a broad degree that can be used for leadership roles in education, as well as in other fields.
Another option is a Master of Science in Education, which offers students the opportunity to explore topics like student learning and educational technology, among other things. This degree can be useful for professionals in many different industries, as it can provide a deeper understanding of how to use technology to help students learn.
Some teachers choose to earn a doctorate, which is often referred to as a Doctor of Philosophy in Education or a Ph.D. in Education. A Ph.D. is a research-based degree that can help a teacher advance into leadership roles within education, such as a superintendent or principal. The focus of a Ph.D. differs from that of an EdD, as a Ph.D. tends to have a more theoretical, research-based focus.
Doctorate Degree
A doctorate is the highest level of education available to those who want to teach. It typically takes at least four years to earn and can take up to eight years depending on the program and the student’s ability to attend classes full-time. Teachers with a doctorate earn the highest salaries of all teaching degrees and are also more likely to have jobs that offer benefits such as health insurance.
In addition to coursework in subject-specific subjects, students in doctoral programs are required to write a dissertation and complete teaching practicums or internships. They are also expected to have a strong background in their subject and the research skills to produce high-quality research.
Those who decide to pursue a doctorate typically do so for a specific career path, such as education leadership, or research. They are also more likely to have worked in the field as a teacher and have experience dealing with different types of classrooms, teaching styles, and educational issues.
The most common types of doctorate degrees for teachers include a Doctor of Philosophy in Education, or Ph.D., a Doctor of Business Administration or DBA, and a Doctor of Psychology or Psy. A Doctor of Nursing Practice, or DNP, is another option for those who want to work as a nurse.
Students in master’s and doctorate programs typically study topics such as learning theory and pedagogy, curriculum development, classroom management, and assessment and measurement techniques. They may also study educational policy, child development and psychology, and cultural and societal factors that impact student performance and success.
Some master’s programs allow students to choose a specialization, which can narrow their studies and focus their future careers. For example, a master’s degree in special education would prepare graduates to teach students with autism spectrum disorders, cognitive or emotional impairment, physical disability, or learning disabilities.
If you are considering a graduate-level degree, the College Match tool can help you find the right fit for your qualifications and goals. It takes into account your previous college-level work and current education and can help you narrow down your options.
Specializations
Teaching is a rewarding career, but it requires more than just a bachelor’s degree and a state license. For educators looking to gain even more knowledge in their field or pursue a leadership role, there are also specialty degrees available that allow them to specialize in curriculum, administration, or other areas of education.
According to Teacher World, the highest level of qualification a teacher can earn is a doctorate. This can be either an EdD (Doctor of Education) or a Ph.D. in a subject related to education. Both degrees allow teachers to conduct research and provide leadership in educational fields.
A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is an advanced degree that allows candidates to choose a specialization. Some of these include early childhood education, secondary education, or special education. Candidates may choose a concentration in subjects like math, science, music, art, or foreign language.
An educator with MAT can work in elementary school classrooms. They can create lesson plans and educate students from kindergarten through third grade. The MAT program requires a minimum of 28 credit hours and takes about four years to complete.
Teachers with a Master of Education in Special Education can help students with unique needs. This includes students with disabilities, such as autism or ADHD. They can provide guidance and support for these students while helping them succeed in the classroom.
A teacher with a special education degree can work in secondary schools. They can manage classrooms for sixth through twelfth grades. Often, those who have a MAT in a specific subject will double major so that they can teach their desired subject to middle and high school students. This can include subjects like English, math, history, or science. Those with a graduate degree in special education can teach at the college level as well. They can create curricula, advise students, and lead courses on topics like education policy or leadership. They are also able to do research and conduct studies on the effects of different types of education programs and policies.