Online Education Degree

Education Degree Overview

An education degree can lead to a meaningful career that has a powerful effect on others. Educators find the most effective methods to share their knowledge with children, youth, and adults, passing on important skills and changing lives.

Those with an education degree end up working as public or private school teachers as well as libraries and museums, corporate training, adult education, and school administration. If you enjoy working with others, sharing ideas, and teaching, an education degree might be the right choice for you.

Listed at the bottom of this page are colleges and universities that offer online degrees or certificates in education. You can also learn more about exploring the education study areas below.

Career Outlook for Education

Overall employment in educational instruction and library occupations is projected to grow slower than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. Despite limited employment growth, about 868,000 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations largely due to the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.

Take a look at the following projected job growth through 2033 for educationally based careers, according to the BLS:

Growth Forecast for Careers in the Educational Industry

• Adult Literacy and High School Equivalency Diploma Teachers: -13%
• Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers: 11%
• Career and Technical Education Teachers: 0%
• High School Teachers: -1%
• Instructional Coordinators: 2%
• Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers: -1%
• Librarians: 3%
• Library Assistants: -6%
• Middle School Teachers: -1%
• Postsecondary Teachers: 8%
• Preschool Teachers: 4%
• Special Education Teachers: 0%
• Teacher Assistants: -1%

Salary Forecast for Careers in Education

With an education degree, you can make a comfortable salary that will increase with experience, training, and education. According to the BLS, the annual average salary for education occupations in May 2017 was $48,740, which is higher than the national average.

Take a look at the median salaries for various education careers in 2017:

2017 Average Educator Median Salary

• Adult Literacy and High School Equivalency Diploma Teachers: $52,100
• Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers: $47,360
• Career and Technical Education Teachers: $55,240
• High School Teachers: $59,170
• Instructional Coordinators: $63,750
• Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers: $56,900
• Librarians: $58,520
• Library Assistants: $29,050
• Middle School Teachers: $57,720
• Postsecondary Teachers: $76,000
• Preschool Teachers: $28,990
• Special Education Teachers: $58,980
• Teacher Assistants: $26,260

Education Requirements for Educators

People usually major in education for one of two reasons: they want to teach or they want to help improve the education system. Whether your goal is to become a teacher, a professor, or an administrator, your career will greatly benefit from a degree in education.

Bachelor’s Degree in Education

A bachelor’s degree is required to work as a teacher in an elementary school, middle school, or high school in the United States. School teachers are also required to earn their teaching credentials by passing a few nationally standardized tests.

Many bachelor’s degree programs in education include the necessary steps to become a credentialed teacher as part of the coursework. More tests are required if you want to teach certain subjects at the middle school or high school level.

Master’s Degree in Education

Many K-12 teachers go on to earn a master’s degree in education in order to increase their earning and employment potential. Public and private schools tend to place a high value on master’s degrees. A master’s degree in education may also open doors to working in school administration and libraries.

Doctorate in Education

To work as a professor in a college or university, you must earn a doctorate in education. Doctorates are also recommended to achieve the highest level education administrator positions. Often, you can find work as an adjunct professor, assistant professor, or research assistant before completing your doctorate.

The Degrees Required for Education Careers

• Adult Literacy and High School Equivalency Diploma Teachers: Bachelor’s degree
• Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers: Bachelor’s or master’s degree
• Career and Technical Education Teachers: Bachelor’s degree
• High School Teachers: Bachelor’s degree
• Instructional Coordinators: Master’s degree
• Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers: Bachelor’s degree
• Librarians: Master’s degree
• Library Assistants: Post-secondary certificate
• Middle School Teachers: Bachelor’s degree
• Postsecondary Teachers: Master’s degree or doctorate degree
• Preschool Teachers: Associate’s degree
• Special Education Teachers: Bachelor’s degree
• Teacher Assistants: Some college

If you have already earned a college degree and would like to become a teacher, you may want to go back and earn an education degree that includes a teaching credential and license to work in public schools. Private schools may have different requirements for teacher credentials, degrees, and licensing.

Pursuing An Education Degree

An education degree can be a very fulfilling experience, as you get to cultivate the minds of your students. Another advantage is you have many options. Not only can you choose what subject you want to teach, but you can also decide at what education level, such as elementary, secondary, or even at the university level. If you decide to pursue a master’s or doctorate degree, you can go on to become a college professor or an educational administrator.

Whatever option you choose, a degree in education is an excellent way for you to share ideas and give students experiences they can take with them for the rest of their lives.

SOURCES

Bureau of Labor Statistics