Find Your Career of Choice as an Educator

Educators make learning happen. In the end everything revolves around the student and creating the best learning environment. With each position coming together to join as a force learning for students can come smoothly, without avoidable distractions. Here is a place for explanations and career advice to advance in many specific careers in education.

Featured Programs:

Adolescence Education

If working side-by-side with students in 7th-12th grade is your career focus, an adolescence education degree would be an excellent choice. Many schools offer a BA or BS in Adolescence Education and several schools offer this specialty as Master’s degree as well. Within the Adolescence Education program, you’ll receive specialized training in how to instruct and work alongside students who are in the midst of one of the most challenging developmental stages of their lives.

Adult Education

The way adults learn and interact varies significantly from the way an adolescent would. With an Adult Education career focus, you will discover unique ways in which to engage adult learners, hone your lesson planning skills as they pertain to adult students, and learn how to create a learning environment for your students that fosters encouragement and achievement. Many Adult Education teachers are retired educators and most have a Master’s degree, though this isn’t always the case.

Advanced Quantitative Methods in Education Research

This unique career field takes education and combines it with psychology, sociology, and statistics. A career in advanced quantitative methods in education research involves going behind the scenes of education to collect data and information on the current educational methods and policies in order to improve upon them. To work in this specialized educational field, you must have extensive training in education and education policy and have a Master’s degree or, preferably, a Doctorate.

Art Education

From calligraphy to photography, painting to graphic design, there are a number of avenues where you can work in the art education field. Some common career fields include art or photography instructor at the secondary level, as well as art instructor through community-based facilities. An interesting aspect of working in art education is that you will be able to build upon your own skills while teaching others. In addition, you’ll stay up-to-date on the latest trends and methods, an important aspect of the art field. Typically, individuals earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts at a minimum, and more frequently possess a Master’s in order to be the most desirable in the art education field.

Business Education

The business world is ever-changing which is why business educators are a valuable resource in the world of education. In this field, you will work with school leaders, instructors, and teachers on the most up-to-date trends of business, with the purpose of training them to successfully manage their schools or department within the school. You can focus on Accounting, Information Technology, Management, Marketing, and any number of other business-related fields as a specialty to your business education focus. Individuals in this career field have a Master’s degree, though many hold a Doctorate as well.

Christian School Education

In addition to teaching traditional classroom subjects, Christian school educators also equip their students with Christian ideals and morals as well as teach courses on subjects with a Bible-based curriculum. In this education field, you will work in a private school and in many cases, will be able to receive reduced or free tuition to the school for your own children. To work as a Christian school educator, you should have a minimum of a BA or BS degree in education, preferably from a Christian college. It is also helpful to have a minor in the field of study that you are most interested in teaching.

Communication Disorders and Sciences

This education field is more commonly known by the job titles of Speech Therapist, Speech and Language Pathologist, or simply Speech Teacher. As a speech teacher, you will work side-by-side with teachers and parents to help students to develop proper speech patterns and overcome language difficulties. Unlike many other education fields, the field of communication disorders and sciences requires additional licensure in most states and typically involves completing a Master’s in Speech Language Pathology.

Community Development and Action

One of the newest education fields is that of Community Development and Action. This field is made up of educators who are trained specifically to work in communities to facilitate change, opportunity, and foster security and welfare. It combines aspects of research, psychology, theory, and education to thoroughly prepare its graduates for a career as a CDA. Many schools offer a Master’s of Education in CDA and those that wish to pursue a PhD in CDA often go on to seek employment in the fields of Law, Public Health, and Social Work, among other things.

Critical and Socio-cultural Studies in Education

This highly specialized field of education is centered on how education is impacted by various socio-cultural variables such as immigration, economy, race, class, and gender. It strives to pinpoint the effects of these variables, particularly as they pertain to public schooling, and develop curricula and training to improve the education system. Educators who work in this field focus intensely on the research aspect of education and typically go on to earn doctoral-level degrees in this field.

Curriculum and Instruction

In this education field, you will delve into educational research to discover what aspects of the current curriculum and instruction need improvement. You will stay abreast of current research and trends of education and work to train educators on the most successful ways to engage and teach their students. Most commonly, experts in this field narrow down their focus to a particular age group, such as K-6, secondary, and post-secondary. A Master’s degree is preferred and a PhD is even more beneficial toward working in the curriculum and instruction field.

Distance Education

A relatively new aspect of education, distance learning has become a way for students to achieve a diploma or college degree without having to set foot in a traditional classroom. Distance educators work remotely with students to instruct them on any given subject and communication is achieved through forum discussions, email correspondence, and video or online chats. Assignments and exams are completed through virtual classrooms that have been set up by the college or university. The degree required to work in this field depends upon the level of education you wish to instruct, but educators commonly have a Bachelor’s in Education at a minimum and most have a Master’s.

There will continually be educator careers added to this list. Please refer to the following links for a clear and concise description of the following careers.

Early Childhood Education

It is well-known that children adjust to entering Kindergarten better when they already have experience in a preschool setting. In the Early Childhood Education field, you will work with Preschool and Pre-K aged children to prepare for Kindergarten. Teaching within this 3-5 year old age group is mainly achieved through play, social interaction, routine, and structure. The education requirements vary by state and position. At a minimum, you will need a high school diploma and child care licensure, though you may find more job opportunities if you hold an Associate’s Degree in child development or early childhood education.

Education for Hearing Impaired

With a specialty in Hearing Impaired Education, you open yourself up to a number of education career opportunities. For instance, you can work as a special education teacher, you can serve as an interpreter for hearing impaired children who are in mainstream classrooms and in some states, you can instruct students in ASL to fulfill their foreign language high school credit. At the very least, you will need to earn a Bachelor’s Degree as well as a Masters in Teaching. In addition, your educational background should include special education training and sign language.

Educational Administration

If becoming a principal, superintendent, or other school supervisor is your career goal, then education administration is the field you’ll need to focus on. As an administrator, you will be in charge of the backbone of the district, school or university and will oversee everything from the acquisition and review of staff, to financial issues. You will also work one-on-one with students, staff, and parents, among many other responsibilities. In this field, you will need to hold a Master’s in Education Administration if not a Doctorate, along with previous experience in education.

Educational Leadership

While working as a teacher, you may discover a passion for leading your fellow associates. With a specialty in educational leadership, you can serve as the chair for various departments in your school or university such as athletic director, special education, business, or foreign language, among many others. To serve as a department chair, you will need to complete graduate coursework in educational leadership in addition to having a proven background within your education department.

Elementary Education

Teachers who specialize in elementary education are trained to create and implement study plans for children in grades K-6. To become a grade school teacher, you will need a Master’s as well as further training in elementary education which includes behavior tactics, fundamentals in core subjects, and classroom evaluation. When you begin your career, you will be able to teach any grade between Kindergarten through 6th grade, which gives you the flexibility to work with a variety of different age groups to find your best fit.

English as a Second Language

Another education field that has a plethora of career possibilities is that of an ESL professional. These teachers work alongside students to help them master the English language in order to excel in their studies and as citizens of the United States and beyond. ESL teachers are found at the elementary, secondary, and even college level. Creativity is a must in this career, as you’ll need to figure out ways to communicate when language proves to be a barrier. Before entering an ESL training and certification program, it is helpful to be fluent in at least one foreign language in addition to having a Bachelor’s Degree.

English Education

If you find yourself passionate about literature, creative writing, and linguistics, then a specialty in English Education might be a perfect fit. Typically, individuals in this education field work as high school or university instructors teaching anything from Writing and Composition, to British Literature, and beyond. Typically, individuals major in English and go on to pursue a Master’s in Education, training specifically in English education in their advanced degree programs.

Environmental Education

Students in all grade levels are given the opportunity to learn about the environment. At the middle and high school levels, Environmental Education is often offered as an elective course. Further, there are undergraduate and graduate courses in this field. It combines many aspects of scientific principles as they pertain to the environment and involves both outdoor and experiential education. To become a teacher in this field, you should have a teaching certificate and additional coursework within the science specialty.

General Education

This education field is centered on the fundamentals of teaching including lesson planning, evaluation, behavior tactics, educational policy and many other essentials. General Education is the starting place for earning a teaching degree because it covers so many important topics. With training in this field, you will be able to work in a number of school settings. Most individuals who work in this field have a Master’s in Education and teaching certificate.

Health Education

Specializing in health education typically leads to a career as a health and/or physical education teacher at the middle or high school levels. Educators in this field focus on both physical and mental health and create lesson plans that cover everything from nutrition to sex, depression to bullying, and beyond. You will need a Bachelor’s Degree and a teaching certificate and should also have taken courses that focus on health and psychology.

Higher Education

In this field, individuals work in the student-focused departments of colleges and universities such as enrollment, activities, student affairs, and financial aid, to name a few. Working in higher education also has unique perks. Most often, you will receive significant savings on merchandise, housing, gym membership and other amenities of campus life. To work in this field, you should have an undergraduate degree at a minimum, though some positions require a graduate degree.

History Education

If your educational background lies heavily on studies of history, economics, and business, then history education is one field that might have the career opportunities you’re looking for. History is taught from Kindergarten through 12th grade, and in the secondary schools is a subject that branches off into specific sub-categories such as American History, specific state history, etc. Typically, individuals in this field have majored in history and gone on to earn their teaching degree.

Human Resource Development

The purpose of this position is to work alongside individuals or companies to help them improve the various skills of a successful worker such as organization, scheduling, basic technical knowledge, and customer service. In addition, HR trains and educates newly hired employees and creates an overall environment of encouragement and structure within the company. This field generally involves earning a business, accounting, finance, or other similar undergraduate degree and should have experience and training in management.

Information Studies

Research, analytics, information gathering, and delving into the most up-to-date technology are all essential aspects of an information studies career. In this field, you will assist students to collect, manipulate, and organize various types of data and research. At one time, this was thought of as a library career, but has become much more computer, internet and strategy based thanks to the boom of technology. Several schools offer specific information studies undergraduate and graduate degrees which would afford you the best training and background to work in this field.

International Comparative Education

The focus of this educational discipline lies in recognizing the various cultural, political, and sociological aspects of education, with a particular concentration on third-world countries. This field strives to create an understanding of the uses of education in developed and developing countries through extensive research and training. Most individuals earn a graduate degree in this field and many also pursue a doctorate. It is recommended, though not required, that you are also proficient in the language spoken in the country of your interest. The international comparative education field can mean a career as a university professor, a researcher for international organizations, or other similar occupations.

K-12 Education

Every teacher within the United States is required to hold a teaching license within their state to teach any grade between Kindergarten and 12th grade. To earn this license, you must earn an undergraduate degree and, in some states, a Master’s in Education. If you wish to teach in a secondary school, you may also need additional training and certification, particularly if you wish to teach a foreign language, science, or other in-depth course.

Learning and Organizational Change

Learning and Organizational Change (LOC) is typically offered as Bachelor’s or Master’s of Education programs and focuses on the leadership and management aspect of a career. It is centered significantly on evaluating the workplace and executing change as necessary to create a more streamlined, effective work environment. Most frequently, individuals in this field work as consultants, though a background in LOC lends itself to working in marketing, management, psychology, law, and many other careers.

Learning Diversity and Urban Studies

The field of Learning Diversity and Urban Studies is a Master’s of Education program that concentrates on the way that education is affected by diversity both within and outside the walls of the school. There are several facets of this field that involve theory research, investigation of the various aspects of diversity, and gaining an understanding of the interactions between groups within an urban setting. This specialty can be used to enhance your classroom instruction, serve as an excellent background to post-graduate programs, or as a career in museums, organizations, or any other similar areas.

Library Resource Management

Once referred to as a “Librarian,” Library Resource Management has evolved to into a complex and ever-changing career thanks, in large part, to the boom of technology. In this educational field, you will assist individuals in uncovering resources through books, the internet, and intricate databases. In addition, you will be responsible for overseeing and evaluating library staff and keep up-to-date on relevant training, particularly as it pertains to library technology. To work in this field, you will need a Master’s in Library Science.

Literacy Education

One teaching field that offers many career opportunities is that of Literacy Education. These educators work with individuals from as young as four years old all the way to adults to help them learn and gain confidence in their reading abilities. With the training you receive in this field, you can work as a consultant, teacher, curriculum advisor, and other similar career paths. Traditionally, a Master’s is required to work in the literacy field.

Math Education

If crunching numbers and teaching kids are your passion, then a Math Education specialty could be an ideal career focus for you. In addition, if your career goal is to work as a math teacher in a secondary school, a math specialty is not simply helpful, but is generally required. You will discover ways to effectively teach problem solving, theory, and methods as they apply to mathematics. It is most helpful if you have a Bachelor’s in Mathematics in addition to the required Master’s in Teaching when pursuing a career in this field.

Middle Grades Education

This field provides additional training to already certified educators who want to further their understanding of students in grades 4-9. The purpose of this specialty is to offer strategies and insight into the most effective ways to engage and educate children in this tumultuous developmental stage. The goal is to thoroughly train and prepare you to work alongside your students and help them to make the transition into middle and high school as seamlessly and successfully as possible.

Mind Brain and Education

One unique area of teaching is that of Mind, Brain, and Education. This field combines education with neuroscience, psychology, and biology to uncover the way that different minds learn. Within this specialty, you can choose to focus on cognitive or emotional development, learning impairments, use of technology, and many other areas. This is typically offered as a Master’s program and can lead to a career in intervention, school technology, or teaching.

Montessori Education

The Montessori educational approach is rooted in the philosophy of fostering independence and freedom within defined boundaries. This method is utilized for children age two through eighteen and there are entire schools devoted to the Montessori approach. The training and certification varies slightly for Montessori teachers because of the emphasis on specific behavior approaches and teaching methods. To become a teacher in a Montessori school, you should look into programs that are AMS, AMI, and/or MACTE accredited.

Music Education

Whether you would like to teach the fundamentals of music to elementary school children, or delve further into music theory with middle and high school students, a music education specialty will combine your passion for teaching with your love of music. As a music teacher in a secondary school, you can elect to lead the band, orchestra, or choir while training your students the intricacies of composition and theory. Working in this field requires that you have a Bachelor’s in Music Education or Performance in addition to teaching certification. In addition, you will need a Master’s in Music Education from an accredited school.

Physical Education

This education field combines classroom learning with physical activity. As a physical education teacher, you’ll create a curriculum that enriches your students’ understanding of health and fitness. This will involve introducing them to sports and other physical activities that they might otherwise not experience. You will stay up-to-date on the most recent trends and research as they pertain to fitness and share them with your students. It is recommended that you complete a graduate degree that is focused on physical education in addition to obtaining your teaching certificate to work in this field.

Reading Education

As a reading education specialist, you will receive training on how to work with readers of all levels. You will create methods and curricula on the most effective ways to help students improve their reading skills and comprehension. There are a number of ways you can use a reading education specialty within the education field and beyond. Most commonly, you will work to train the individuals who work one-on-one with students, such as teachers, researchers, coaches, etc. Working in this specialty requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s in Reading and Literacy and, depending upon the state, may also require specific reading specialist certification.

Risk and Prevention

The risk and prevention specialty is a unique sector of education because it doesn’t generally result in becoming a teacher or working in schools. Instead, specialists in this field often work in hospitals or other medical facilities to educate patients and their families on various health issues such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and other ailments that individuals can be genetically predisposed to. This field generally requires a graduate degree focused on prevention science or risk and prevention. It is also helpful to have an undergraduate or other significant training in mental health sciences.

School Counseling

If delving into the inner-workings of the mind is intriguing to you, entering the school counseling education field may be an ideal choice. Through your training, you will discover methods in which to engage students and their families to effectively change unhealthy or inappropriate behavior through communication and creative problem solving. To work as a school counselor, you will most commonly need a Master’s in one of the mental science fields (educational psychology, child psychology, etc.), though the specific requirements vary from state to state.

School Health Education

School health education is another field that offers flexibility in where you can work. Some schools or school districts have a health educator on staff, while still other individuals work on their own and are hired by organizations, schools, and companies to speak on pertinent health topics. In this field, you’ll become an expert on health areas such as depression, bullying, sex, pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS in order to educate students on them. At a minimum, you will need a Bachelor’s in Health Education. Throughout your career you will also be required to continually educate yourself on the most current health concerns and trends.

School Psychology

Similarly to school counseling, school psychologists counsel students in various capacities to help improve behavior and communication skills. On a larger scale, these individuals are called on to work at the district level to train teachers and administrators on effective techniques for managing classroom behavior. You will work in primary in secondary schools as well as colleges, universities, and community facilities. This position requires significant patience as well as creative problem solving in order to be the most effective. A Master’s in School Psychology is typically required in addition to the certification requirements of your particular state.

Science Education

This specialty is primarily intended for individuals who are already in the science teaching field and want to increase their understanding and skills. It is particularly beneficial to advance your science education through these programs if you want to influence the way that science is taught in your school. To utilize this training, you should already have ample experience as a secondary science teacher.

Secondary Education

If your career goal includes teaching middle or high school students, then this is the education specialty for you. With a secondary education specialty, your training will be focused on a particular subject, such as History or Mathematics. In addition, you will learn techniques such as behavior management and problem solving that is geared specifically toward 7th-12th grade students. Your education background will need to include a Bachelor’s as well as teacher certification and training specific to secondary education.

Another non-traditional education field is that of social research methodology. Individuals in this field dive into the workings of the education system and observe various aspects of the field using specific, defined procedures and methods. These programs are centered on the best practices of collecting and analyzing research data and eventually the development and use of it. This is a Master’s degree program and students typically go on to pursue a Doctorate as well.

The subject of social studies encompasses several subjects such as history, government, geography, and sociology. This education specialty can be used for teaching all grades and can also serve as continued training for those who wish to take on a leadership role in their school or department. Social studies teachers can elect to work in any grade, as this diverse subject matter can be adapted for all age groups. To work as a social studies teacher, you should have a Bachelor’s in Education with a focus on this field as well as teacher certification.

Special Education

An essential aspect of all levels of learning, special education teachers work alongside children and adults who have physical and/or mental disabilities. As a special education teacher, you will typically work with a smaller group of students than a traditional classroom and provide more one-on-one instruction. You will develop your curriculum around the various needs of your students, adapting the lessons as necessary with a primary goal of engaging and enriching their educational experiences. At a minimum, you will need a Bachelor’s in Education and teaching certification, though many states now require specific special education degrees and even advanced degrees.

Talented and Gifted Education

Some students are mentally advanced beyond their biological age. For these students, mainstream education programs, although socially appropriate for their age, are below their mental capabilities. Without appropriate learning challenges, significant frustration, behavioral issues, and other adverse outcomes will likely crop up for the child. Talented and gifted education specialists are trained to recognize the needs of such children and create a learning environment that allows them to be challenged mentally, but also include age-appropriate interactions and lessons. In addition to a Bachelor’s in Education, you will need teaching certification and special training in this field. It is usually helpful to complete a one or two year Master’s program that focuses primarily on this unique specialty.

Teacher Education Program

Everyone needs to be taught, even teachers who are already working in the field. In the teacher education field, you will learn how to train educators on classroom management, evaluations, technology, and lesson planning, among other essential topics. To become a teacher educator, it is best if you already have significant experience as a teacher yourself. You will need a minimum of a bachelor’s as well as teaching certification, but it is particularly beneficial if you also possess specific training or even an advanced degree in teacher education.

Technical/Vocational

As a technical/vocational specialist, you will be able to work in high schools, vocational schools, and colleges to train students on any number of practical courses. If you enjoy training others using hands-on techniques and are proficient in a specific vocation, this is one excellent education specialty to look into. The courses you will design will be focused on a specific career goal of your students, more so than most other traditional classroom subjects. The education required for this specialty includes a bachelor’s degree, with a major in a vocational area as well as education courses and a teaching certificate.

Technology Innovation and Education

Technology isn’t used solely by large businesses and the occasional individual any longer. As a matter of fact, technology has played a significant role in education, affording students opportunities to learn everything from a new language to technical drawing and beyond. Technology innovation and education specialists work in schools or districts to train staff and students on the technology they use. Your expertise will go much further than computers and software to include media, design, troubleshooting, and more. Typically, this is offered as an advanced degree program.

Visually Impaired Education

In this specialty, you will receive training on how to create a curriculum designed for blind or otherwise visually impaired students. Your ability to do so will allow these students to participate in mainstream classrooms, which is the most ideal place for children who have physical disabilities. You will serve as a support for the children as well as the teacher and work alongside the teacher to develop lessons geared toward visually impaired children. To work in this field, you will need a teaching certificate, in addition to certification as certification as a teacher of the visually impaired.

The Following Links are pages with detailed information about the specific career.

Academic Dean
Administration
Athletic Director
Assistant Superintendent
Central Office Administrator
Curriculum Director
Elementary School Teacher
Educational Technology Specialist
Food Services Director
Facilities Supervisor
Grants Manager
Kindergarten Teacher
Pre School Director
Principal
Private School Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Substitute Teacher
Superintendent
Teacher Aide
Teachers Of The Future
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Transportation Supervisor
Vice Principal