Education*degrees
The analysis draws on more than three decades of data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and survey data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS), formerly called the Schools and Staffing Survey. The analysis of conferred education degrees over time draws from five decades of IPEDS degree conferral data from all postsecondary institutions, which include colleges, universities and occupational and vocational schools.
education*degrees
An interest in helping others learn and a desire to work with children are common and compelling reasons for studying education, says Daniel A. Domenech, the executive director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Education majors tend to earn less than people who receive a comparable level of training in other fields, so a majority of people who become educators do so for non-financial reasons, he adds.
However, some education occupations typically lead to six-figure salaries. For example, the median salary among U.S. school district superintendents, the majority of whom have doctorates, was $147,000 in 2022, according to a recent report from AASA.
Laura W. Perna, vice provost for faculty at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, says education degree recipients can use their degree to do good work and benefit society. "If we think about the important problems that need to be addressed in our world, you know, so much of the answer comes down to education," Perna says.
Stacey Ludwig Johnson, senior vice president and executive dean of the school of education at Western Governors University, an online university, emphasizes that schools and school districts aren't the only places where education degree recipients can use their skills. For instance, an educator can work as a corporate trainer, helping a business to increase the skills of its workforce, she says.
Though some education degree programs focus on teacher training, others concentrate on education administration, policy or technology. Some education majors explore the unique challenges faced by rural or urban schools.
Among teaching degree programs, some focus on a particular level of education, such as preschool, elementary, middle or high school. Teaching degree programs may also hone in on how to teach a particular subject, or they can emphasize teaching methods that work well with a specific student population, such as adult learners, multi-lingual learners or individuals with disabilities.
When comparing education degree specializations, keep in mind that the earning potential of educators varies widely depending on which part of the education system they are trained for and what credential their job usually requires. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary among U.S. high school teachers, who typically had a bachelor's degree, was about $61,820 in May 2021. That's about twice the median salary of preschool teachers, who usually had an associate degree and earned $30,210. The median salary among principals, who usually had a master's degree, was $98,420.
Leadership roles in the education sector generally require graduate education. The more training educators have, the higher their salaries tend to be. For example, according to PayScale, a compensation data company, the average base salary for U.S. workers with a Bachelor of Education, or B.Ed. degree, was $57,000, whereas the average annual base salary among those with a Doctor of Education, or Ed.D. degree, was $80,000.
Many preschool teaching jobs require at least a two-year associate degree in early childhood education. Teachers' assistants or paraprofessionals usually need at least two years of college coursework or an associate degree to work in public school classrooms.
Instructional coordinators or curriculum specialists, the educational administrators who oversee curricula, standards, teaching materials and often assessments, usually have a master's, and their median salary was $63,740 in May 2021, BLS data shows.
College and university administrators, who earned a median annual salary of $96,910 in May 2021, also typically have master's degrees, according to the BLS. Work in education policy typically requires a master's degree as well.
College faculty who research and teach about education typically have Doctor of Philosophy, or Ph.D., degrees, and they sometimes have Ed.D. degrees. According to PayScale, the average salary for a worker with a Ph.D. in education was $87,000. Doctoral programs in education usually last at least three years and often take longer to finish.
School district administration positions sometimes require doctoral education, and certain managerial roles at government agencies and nonprofit organizations are reserved for individuals with doctorates. Education researchers frequently have doctorates, and so do school psychologists.
When deciding how high of a degree they should aim for, education students should think about the level of expertise and the kinds of skills that their desired job requires, says Carol Basile, dean of Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. "As you continue to move up in any education organization, there begins to be more of a requirement for a doctorate," she says.
Considering a degree in education opens you to different career pathways replete with opportunities. For one, the National Center for Education Statistics reported the enrollment rate in education has seen a continuous delcine for the last few decades (NCES, 2019). This only means you will have fewer competitors vying for job positions in this field down the road.
A degree in education requires mastery of different subjects as diverse as literature, math and science. Furthermore, educators are expected to have enduring people skills they will need in motivating students or addressing student stress.
A degree in education typically covers academic concepts in teaching, communication and learning theories. Also expect courses in management, humanities, sciences and data analytics, all in aid of teaching.
Various degrees may also concentrate on early childhood education, health, physical education, primary, secondary, or secondary Education. You can also focus on teaching a certain subject or area of expertise.
While programs may vary in scope and specialization, education degree tuition typically reflects the average costs in the state or country. Additionally, you can factor in books, accommodation, living expenses of studying out of state, and more.
Tuition and other fees for education majors will depend largely on the state, educational institution, and mode of instruction. In-state students typically pay less than out-of-state students in most public schools. On the other hand, private universities and other for-profit education institutions also have higher tuition costs (Powell & Kerr, 2020).
Opportunities for a fruitful career abound for people with college degrees in Education. Management and administrative posts are available to those who start as teachers. A degree in Education enables you to possess the training and experience to help guide and teach learners at different stages of development, provided that your interests and expertise match those of the pupils. Educators design, deliver and evaluate different types of teaching strategies from early childhood education to adult learning.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that education degree jobs will continue to expand over the next few years. Salary ranges depending on various levels of Education, qualifications, training, and the type of work. A Bachelor of Education (BEd) graduate should expect to earn an average of $54,000 annually.
An associate in education degree program generally takes two years to complete. However, online Education shortens the timeline considerably. The coursework typically includes subjects, such as psychology and classroom management. Students in an associate program are required to take a certain set of curriculum that includes training in the early childhood or elementary school levels.
Individuals who enjoy dealing with young children may find an associate in education degree suitable. For students interested in pursuing a career in Education but are not sure whether to enroll in a four-year program, earning an associate degree might be a proactive first step.
The quality of graduate training varies greatly, yet each graduate with a Ph.D. degree in Education is trained in specialized topics, skills, and soft skills to an unsurpassed degree. In addition, students learn to critically assess and evaluate programs, methods, and practices in the education system independently and as part of a team.
The multidisciplinary approach to the course gives students a detailed look at many social, political, historical, economic, and technical questions that affect Education. Students get a thorough grasp of these topics from a variety of perspectives through research, teaching, and seminars. As insights of students get more comprehensive, they can study approaches to unique difficulties in various educational contexts. Also, each student inevitably produces novel scholarly literature from this educational experience and training.
In the past few decades, most advanced degrees in Education started focusing on specific areas of studies and expertise. As a result, there has been a departure from the multipurpose doctorate curriculum as more education professionals seek to become either a researcher or a practitioner, but not both.
Education degree prerequisites and requirements vary depending on the state, country, and even type of higher education institutions. Additionally, certain specifications require education degree skills through coursework, internships, and job experience. However, most colleges and universities have the following admission and skill requirements:
Because the students who take part in education career preparation programs usually work alongside children in a classroom setting, many programs require potential students to pass criminal and other background checks. In many states, background checks require a small fee. Also, it may take many weeks to complete, so make sure to allot some time in advance. 041b061a72