Teaching Degrees: Levels, Requirements, and Where Each Leads
A teaching degree is the credential behind a classroom role. The standard route in most states requires a bachelor's degree plus an approved preparation pathway, though requirements vary by state, pathway, and credential. Associate, master's, and doctoral degrees open different roles. Your state department of education decides what counts.
Most people land on this page with one question: which degree do I actually need? That depends on the grade band you want to teach and the state you'll teach in, because your state department of education decides which programs lead to a license, not the university selling you the program. Note that the sponsored listings on this page cover education and related fields, and not all of them lead to a teaching credential.
Associates Degree Programs
Rasmussen College
Southern New Hampshire University
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Purdue University Global
Walden University
Grand Canyon University
Rasmussen College
Southern New Hampshire University
Master's Degree Programs
Purdue University Global
University of Dayton
Psychology@Pepperdine
Doctorate Degree Programs
Baylor University
University of Dayton
Simmons University
University of Southern California Online
Teaching Degree Levels and Where Each One Leads
The four degree levels aren't a ladder you have to climb in order. They're four different entry points, and only one of them is the standard route into a public school classroom.
| Degree Level | Typical Length | Typical Career/Licensure Path |
|---|---|---|
| Associate | About 2 years | May lead to some preschool, childcare, or paraprofessional roles, depending on state and employer requirements. Not a public school teaching license on its own. |
| Bachelor's | About 4 years | The standard route toward a K-12 license in most states, paired with an approved preparation pathway. Requirements vary by state. |
| Master's (MAT, MEd) | 1 to 2 years after a bachelor's | Commonly used for initial licensure or for added specialization. Which applies depends on the program and the state. |
| Doctorate (EdD, PhD) | 3 to 6 years after a master's | Often associated with administration, policy work, and university-level teaching. Administrator licensure varies by state and involves more than the degree. |
What an Associate Degree Actually Gets You
This is the one that trips people up. A public school teaching license generally calls for at least a bachelor's, so an associate degree on its own won't put you in charge of a third-grade classroom.
What it may do is qualify you for some preschool, childcare, or paraprofessional roles, depending on your state and the employer. Requirements differ by setting, and Head Start and licensed centers set their own. Some or many of the credits may transfer toward a bachelor's, depending on the receiving school and its articulation agreements. Plenty of teachers start there while already working in a school. At this level, the two common options are an associate in early childhood education and the shorter early childhood education certificate.
Sorting Out BA vs. BS, MAT vs. MEd, and EdD vs. PhD
The abbreviations hide real differences, and picking the wrong one costs you time.
A BA and a BS in education can both lead to a license. The split is usually the electives: future math and science teachers tend toward the BS, humanities and language arts toward the BA.
An MAT and an MEd usually differ in how they're structured. A Master of Arts in Teaching is often built around initial licensure for people coming from another field, and a Master of Education often adds specialization for teachers who already hold a license: curriculum design, reading, instructional leadership. Those are typical patterns rather than rules. Some MAT programs are advanced non-licensure degrees, and some MEd programs do lead to initial licensure, so read the program's own licensure statement.
Specializations at this level run wide. A master's in elementary education suits classroom generalists, a master's in autism spectrum disorders targets one student population, and a master's in higher education administration points outside K-12 entirely. If you want a credential without committing to a full degree, a graduate certificate in education is the shorter route.
At the doctoral level, an EdD is commonly associated with school and district administration, and a PhD with research and university teaching. An EdS, the Education Specialist degree, sits between a master's and a doctorate. None of the three confers an administrator credential by itself. Principal and administrator licensure varies by state and normally requires a specific state-approved program plus experience, exams, or endorsements.
Doctoral programs specialize the same way a master's does. Common routes include a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, a Ph.D. in early childhood education, and a Ph.D. in child development. Others sit further from K-12, like a Ph.D. in adult education or a Ph.D. in higher education administration.
What Each Teaching Degree Pays
Pay tracks the role you end up in, not the diploma itself. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports wages by occupation, so the honest way to read this is to find the row matching the job your degree opens.
| Role | Median Annual Wage (May 2025) | Job Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers | $38,140 | 4.1% |
| Kindergarten Teachers | $62,680 | -1.7% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $63,970 | -2.0% |
| Middle School Teachers | $64,370 | -2.0% |
| High School Teachers | $72,040 | -1.6% |
Two figures need context. Core K-12 teaching employment is projected to shrink slightly rather than grow, and Projections Central still estimates roughly 91,000 elementary school teaching openings every year between 2024 and 2034, because that demand comes from retirement and turnover rather than expansion. There are jobs. The field just isn't adding positions.
The other thing: the biggest number on this page isn't a classroom role at all. Education administrators for kindergarten through secondary schools earned a median $105,870 as of May 2025, according to the BLS. Advanced degrees are common in administration, though the required degree and license vary by state, and many principals hold a master's rather than a doctorate. Special education teachers earned a median $67,170 across all levels over the same period.
Teaching & Education Degree Requirements
The standard route in most states requires a bachelor's degree plus an approved preparation pathway. Those are two separate requirements, and the second one is where people get stuck. Requirements vary by state, pathway, and credential, and alternative, CTE, emergency, and provisional routes can look quite different.
Preparation programs are approved by your state department of education, which also sets the testing requirements. Many states use the Praxis series. Others run their own, and requirements vary by certificate area: Texas uses the TExES exams, for example, and New York the NYSTCE. California uses credential-specific subject-matter and performance requirements, which can include CSET or approved alternatives. Check your state's current list before you enroll in anything, because a program approved in one state doesn't automatically license you in another. Reciprocity agreements help, but they usually come with conditions attached.
If you already hold a degree in another field, alternative certification is a real route and not a lesser one. Alternative routes can lead to full licensure, but structure and requirements vary by state and program. Some candidates teach while completing requirements, and some don't, and mentoring and exam rules differ too.
Related Teaching & Education Degree Programs
Most bachelor's programs let you finish your degree requirements and your preparation program at the same time. These are often called joint or blended programs, and many universities offer a joint master's version for people who already hold an unrelated bachelor's.
The degree you pick follows the job you want. For example:
- Those who aspire to become a School Principal might choose to earn a Master's or Doctorate in Educational Administration.
- Those who would like to become an Elementary School teacher might choose to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Education or Elementary Education.
Before you commit to a route, work out where you want to end up.
- Where can you make the best impact?
- What type of educator would you like to become? A teacher? An administrator?
- Do you want to work in a primary school setting where you will be able to teach long-lasting fundamental skills to younger students?
- If so, you might consider an Early Childhood Education degree.
- If you prefer to work with older students in order to teach them a single or specialty subject, you may want to choose a Secondary Education degree.
Find Information About Becoming a Teacher In Your State
Each state has different requirements for becoming a certified teacher. To find out specific requirements, click on your state.
Teacher Preparation Programs
A standalone preparation program is the other option. In one common model the program awards a certificate rather than a degree and expects you to hold a bachelor's already, which is why career-changers use it so often. Other post-baccalaureate programs are embedded in a master's or admit candidates under different structures, so check what the specific program awards.
Pathtoteach.org, provided by the National Council on Teacher Quality, is another helpful resource for teacher preparation for the classroom.
Accreditation for Education Degrees
State approval is the critical licensure check. National accreditation such as CAEP or AAQEP may also matter depending on the state and the program, but it isn't universally required, so confirm approval with your state first.
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is the main national accreditor for educator preparation programs. CAEP took over from two earlier agencies, NCATE and TEAC, in July 2013. Some programs carry accreditation from AAQEP, the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation, instead.
Ask the admissions office which body accredits the program and whether your state accepts it. Most programs post this on their own site, and one that stays vague about it is telling you something.
Online Teaching Degrees
Online teaching degrees are normal now, not a compromise. The question isn't whether a program is online. It's whether your state department of education approves it, and how it handles the classroom hours.
Because that's the catch. Most traditional preparation programs include a supervised clinical or student-teaching experience in a real classroom, and that part can't happen online. Alternative routes may use residency, internship, or other state-approved clinical models instead. Good programs arrange the placement for you, usually at a school near where you live, and assign a mentor teacher or supervisor. If you already work in a classroom, your own school may be able to host it. Ask how placement works before you enroll, because a program that's cagey about it is one that will leave you to find your own.
The rest of the trade-offs are what you'd expect. You keep working, which matters if you're a paraprofessional trying to move up. You skip the commute and the relocation. Tuition is sometimes lower because there's less campus to maintain, though that gap has narrowed, and net cost after aid is the number to compare rather than the sticker price.
Accelerated Programs and the Pace Question
Plenty of online programs run accelerated. A traditional college course runs about 15 weeks. Accelerated online courses often compress the same material into five, eight, or ten weeks. You finish sooner, but the weekly workload is heavier, and the reading list doesn't shrink just because the calendar did.
That pace suits self-starters. If you learn better talking things through with classmates, a fully asynchronous program can feel isolating, so look for one with live sessions or a cohort structure rather than assuming you'll adapt to the quiet.
Teacher Education Training and Classroom Experience
Almost every licensure route puts you in front of students under supervision at some point. Traditional student teaching is often semester-long and may be unpaid, under a mentor teacher who evaluates you, while some residencies and apprenticeships are paid. Alternative and internship routes structure that clinical practice differently.
This is the part of a preparation program to judge hardest. Ask how many hours of field experience it requires, when those hours start, and whether you're observing or actually teaching. Programs that put candidates in classrooms early, rather than saving it all for the final semester, tend to turn out teachers who feel ready on the first day.
The coursework side counts too, and the better programs pair content knowledge with how to teach that content. That means methods courses in your subject and not just general pedagogy, plus hands-on practice with the tools you'll use: assessment data, classroom management, and whatever educational technology your district has already bought.
Teaching & Education Scholarships
Teacher preparation costs money, and a good deal of it can be offset. Federal TEACH Grants, state loan-forgiveness programs for high-need subjects, and subject-specific awards are all worth chasing before you take on debt. We keep a running list of scholarships and grants for teachers and teacher candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do you need to be a teacher?
The standard route in most states requires a bachelor's degree plus an approved preparation pathway, though requirements vary by state, pathway, and credential. The degree doesn't have to be in education. Career-changers routinely qualify with a bachelor's in another subject plus an alternative certification route or a master's program that includes licensure.
Can you teach with an associate degree?
Generally not as a licensed public school teacher. An associate degree may qualify you for some preschool, childcare, or paraprofessional roles depending on state and employer requirements, and preschool teachers earned a median $38,140 as of May 2025 according to the BLS. Some or many of the credits may transfer toward a bachelor's, depending on the receiving school, so it works better as a starting point than a destination.
How long does it take to get a teaching degree?
About four years for a bachelor's taken full-time, with the preparation program and student teaching folded in. A master's route for someone who already holds a degree runs one to two years. Accelerated online programs compress individual courses into five to ten weeks, which shortens the calendar without reducing the work.
Is an online teaching degree respected by schools?
Districts care about your license, not your delivery format. What matters is whether the program is accredited and approved by your state department of education, since an unapproved program leaves you unlicensed regardless of how it was taught. Check that the program arranges supervised student teaching, because no online course can substitute for it.
Do you need a master's degree to teach?
Not to start, in most states. A handful require a master's within a set window after initial licensure, so check your state's rule before you assume. Many teachers pursue one anyway because some districts provide higher pay for advanced degrees, and it's a common step toward specialization or administration.
- A bachelor's is the usual floor - The standard route in most states requires a bachelor's degree plus an approved preparation pathway, though requirements vary by state, pathway, and credential.
- Your state decides, not the school - Your state department of education approves preparation programs and sets the testing requirements, which vary by certificate area and may involve the Praxis series or state-specific requirements.
- An associate degree is a starting point - It may qualify you for some preschool, childcare, or paraprofessional roles depending on state and employer requirements, and some credits may transfer, but it will not license you for a K-12 classroom on its own.
- The letters matter - An MAT is typically structured around initial licensure and an MEd around added specialization, but programs vary, and a doctorate alone does not confer an administrator credential.
- Jobs come from turnover, not growth - Core K-12 employment is projected to decline slightly through 2034, yet Projections Central still estimates about 91,000 elementary openings a year.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, Preschool Teachers, Special Education Teachers, and Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals. Job growth projections (2024-2034) are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2026.
Picking the degree level shapes how long you study and which roles open up afterward. The sponsored listings on this page span associate through doctoral study across education and related fields, and not every one of them is a teacher-licensure program. Check each program's own description for format, length, admission requirements, and whether it leads to licensure in your state.
Jump to Education Degrees
- Adult Education
- Career & Technical Education
- Child Development
- Early Childhood Education
- Education
- Educational Leadership
- Elementary Education
- Higher Education Administration
- Human Development
- Instructional Design & Curriculum
- Library Science
- Reading Specialist
- School Counseling
- Secondary Education
- Special Education
- Teaching
- TESOL
Adult Education
Master’s in Adult Education: Programs, Careers & Salary
Adult education is a field that can offer a wide variety of options within the education realm. Those specializing in adult education can work with individuals who are company leaders, those who are trying to earn a GED or college education, and all over 18 who fall in between. An adult educator is typically required to hold at least a Master’s degree, but a doctorate is usually preferred. Learn more about getting a Master’s in Adult Education: Programs, Careers & Salary.
PhD in Adult Education: Requirements, Cost & Careers 2026
A Doctorate in Adult Education is meant to prepare graduate students for leadership careers related to adult education, learning, and development. A main benefit of earning a PhD or EdD in Adult Education is the variety of career pathways that become available. Learn more about getting a PhD in Adult Education: Requirements, Cost & Careers 2026.
Child Development
Child Development Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate
Those going into a career in child development typically have a specific goal in mind. This tends to be working as a social worker, psychologist, early childhood educator, or within a day care setting. Child development is the study of the development of children from birth to adulthood. Those going into social work or psychology may be required more than just a Bachelor’s degree for the positions. Learn more about getting a Child Development Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate.
Master’s in Child Development: Programs, Costs, and Careers
A Master's Degree in Child Development is ideal for adult students who wish to excel in their career. Many who hold a Master’s Degree in Child Development partake in careers as teachers or school administrators. This degree can also allow graduates to become a school counselor, social worker, community organizer, child advocate, child home operator, or youth services organizer. Learn more about getting a Master’s in Child Development: Programs, Costs, and Careers.
Ph.D. in Child Development: Programs, Requirements & Careers 2026
Earning a Doctorate Degree in Child Development can open the doors for careers in child psychology, primary and higher education, and research. In order to pursue a PhD or EdD in Child Development, most institutions will require a master's degree in a related field. However, some schools do have direct entry programs. Learn more about getting a Ph.D. in Child Development: Programs, Requirements & Careers 2026.
Early Childhood Education
Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education 2026
An Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education will usually take about two years to complete. Of course, program length will vary depending on class load. After one earns an Associate in Early Childhood Education, they will be able to go on to careers as child care workers, preschool teachers, associate teachers, infant/toddler teachers, and more. Learn more about getting a Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education 2026.
Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education 2026
A Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education provides students with the knowledge they need to help young students succeed in school. Programs focus on shaping the social, academic, and cognitive skills of children from birth to third grade. This degree can help you partake in a career as a preschool teacher, after-school program instructor or director, daycare professional, and with the proper certification - and elementary or special education teacher. Learn more about getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education 2026.
Early Childhood Education Certificate: What It Qualifies You For 2026
A certificate in early childhood education will help future educators begin a career working with young children. Early childhood education certificate programs tend to integrate fundamental classes with specialty-focused electives. Students gain the necessary knowledge and skills needed to establish a positive learning environments for young learners. Learn more about getting a Early Childhood Education Certificate: What It Qualifies You For 2026.
Early Childhood Education Degree Guide: Certificate to PhD
Early childhood education is the study of how to teach very young children. Children who are not yet required to attend school fall into the early childhood category. This covers areas such as birth to three, Head Start, and preschool or day care. Early childhood educators can gain degrees at all levels and responsibilities typically correspond to these degrees. A Doctoral degree may lead to running a child care center, while a Bachelor’s could have you as a teacher. Learn more about getting a Early Childhood Education Degree Guide: Certificate to PhD.
Master’s in Early Childhood Education: Requirements & Careers
A Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education allows graduate students to gain a deeper understanding of child development and the process of learning. Students are prepared with the professional knowledge needed for leadership roles such as preschool directors, public policy coordinators, child care administrators, child development instructors, and lecturers. Learn more about getting a Master’s in Early Childhood Education: Requirements & Careers.
PhD in Early Childhood Education: Programs, Requirements & Careers
A PhD or EdD in Early Childhood Education is usually for those already in the field of education. These graduate students wish to extend their knowledge and strengthen their theoretical understandings and expertise. The majority of doctoral programs are organized into an integration of coursework, research, and practical experiences. Learn more about getting a PhD in Early Childhood Education: Programs, Requirements & Careers.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Education: Requirements & Program Guide 2026
A Bachelor’s in education, depending on the area of specialization, will allow the holder to teach in a certain subject area or a range of grade levels. A Bachelor’s in education typically takes four years to complete with observations and student teaching as a requirement. Many holders will then go on to teach in a typical classroom setting or may continue their education for more specialized job placement. Learn more about getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Education: Requirements & Program Guide 2026.
Doctorate in Education: Ph.D. vs. Ed.D. Degree Guide 2026
A Doctorate in education comes in two forms, the Ph. D. or the Ed.D., either can be useful in education. The holder of a Doctorate in education can choose to work at any level within their specialty. Gaining a Doctorate can take ten years or more so the holder is claiming a lifelong commitment to the pursuit and betterment of education in some form. Those with a Doctorate can work at a higher pay scale, but at any level, teacher, coach, administrator, or board member. Learn more about getting a Doctorate in Education: Ph.D. vs. Ed.D. Degree Guide 2026.
Graduate Certificates in Education: What They Are & How to Choose
Graduate certificates in education make it possible for students to gain new and necessary skills quickly and cost effectively. The majority of graduate certificate programs can be completed in one year or less. Such programs are meticulously structured around a chosen area of specialization. As a result, time is not wasted on unrelated courses. Graduate certificate programs are available online and on campus. Programs in education are designed to help working educators enhance their career. Learn more about getting a Graduate Certificates in Education: What They Are & How to Choose.
Master’s Degree in Education (M.Ed): Requirements, Specialties & Careers
A Master’s in education (M. Ed.) is available to those who hold a Bachelor’s degree though it does not have to be in education. An M.Ed. allows the teacher or someone in a field related to education to teach within the classroom, but often aids in specialization. An M. Ed. Tends to raise the pay scale for teachers and can open the doors to opportunities such as becoming a principal or school counselor depending on the area of specialization. Learn more about getting a Master’s Degree in Education (M.Ed): Requirements, Specialties & Careers.
Educational Leadership
Master’s in Education Administration: Programs & Requirements
Educational leadership, otherwise known as educational administrators or principals, are those who lead the school in the directions that will best benefit the students and the educational process. An educational administrator is typically required to hold at least a Master’s degree, but often higher. These jobs are highly competitive and holders must often rise through the ranks to become the principal or leader of larger or well thought of schools. Administrators are needed at every level. Learn more about getting a Master’s in Education Administration: Programs & Requirements.
Master’s in Educational Leadership: Requirements & Career Paths
Educational leadership is an area of education for those who wish to work as administrators or leaders. In order to gain acceptance into a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership program, one must first have a bachelor’s degree, typically in a related field like education. Learn more about getting a Master’s in Educational Leadership: Requirements & Career Paths.
PhD in Educational Leadership: Requirements & Careers
Educational leadership is a field of study dedicated to school administration. Educational leaders usually take on careers such as school principals, vice principals, specialists, or other administrative positions within the field of education. An educational leader will guide others while performing administrative duties necessary to the educational institution. Learn more about getting a PhD in Educational Leadership: Requirements & Careers.
Elementary Education
Elementary Education Degree: Bachelor’s to Doctorate Guide
Elementary education is an area that involves the teaching of children in kindergarten through the fifth (sometimes sixth) grade or those who will teach that age of students. This type of degree can be earned at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate level and the teaching of students can occur at any of those levels. When earning the degree a student should expect observation hours in addition to student teaching. All subject areas are expected to be taught. Learn more about getting a Elementary Education Degree: Bachelor’s to Doctorate Guide.
Master’s in Elementary Education: Requirements & Programs
Those who wish to obtain a Master's Degree in Elementary Education are those who want to advance their careers within the field of education. Graduate students seek to master their pedagogical practices in the classroom while others want to become teacher leaders or administrators. Learn more about getting a Master’s in Elementary Education: Requirements & Programs.
Higher Education Administration
Master’s in Higher Education Administration: Programs & Careers
A degree in Higher Education can open the door to many career paths. A background in Higher Education can prepare you for careers such as teaching at the college level, becoming an administrator, and many more. With this degree, you may even be exposed to research opportunities if you wish to pursue that path. Learn more about getting a Master’s in Higher Education Administration: Programs & Careers.
PhD in Higher Education Administration: PhD vs. EdD Guide
A PhD or EdD in Higher Education Administration is for professionals who want to excel in the field of higher education. This requires a lot of dedication and focus. Graduates may teach or lead at higher levels, such as college or university. These individuals may also become administrators. Learn more about getting a PhD in Higher Education Administration: PhD vs. EdD Guide.
Human Development
Human Development Degree
Those who study Human Development learn about the emotional and cognitive development of humans as well as their relationships. This includes the study of families and how human interaction impacts development across all ages. A Human Development Degree may help you qualify for careers in various ares.
Learn more about getting a degree in Human Development.
Instructional Design & Curriculum
Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction
The field of Curriculum and Instruction or Instructional Design is fast growing. Although Doctorate programs can be found, most seek a Master's degree in this field. The programs often focus on curriculum development methods as well as effective instructional practices. Those with a degree in this field often go on to becoming highly qualified teachers, curriculum specialists, curriculum designers, and curriculum coordinators. Learn more about getting a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction.
Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: Programs, Costs, & Careers
Doctoral programs in curriculum and instruction are for those who seek an advanced research or teaching position. An EdD or PhD in curriculum and instruction can lead to career advancements for those who wish to move beyond the classroom and into a curriculum design or specialist position. Learn more about getting a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: Programs, Costs, & Careers.
Library Science
Library Science: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Guide Degree
A library science degree is typically for those who wish to hold the position of librarian or school technology specialist in an area. Though available at all levels, a Master’s degree is typically required and preferred to hold such positions. Job duties may include maintaining a library by ordering books, tracking student use, and monitoring technology as well as teaching students and staff how to use available technology within the school. Learn more about getting a degree in Library Science: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Guide.
Master’s in Library Science: Requirements, Accreditation & Careers
A Master’s Degree in Library Science may allow you to enter the public library sector or school library sector. Additionally, graduates may entertain careers such as as museum archivists, web analytics managers, researchers, technology information specialists, automation coordinators, and/or head of access services. Learn more about getting a Master’s in Library Science: Requirements, Accreditation & Careers.
School Counseling
Master’s in School Counseling: Degree & Program Guide
School counselors act as advocates for the overall education and well being of students. A school counselor may deal with student issues ranging from home life, personal life, to school life. Learn more about getting a Master’s in School Counseling: Degree & Program Guide.
Secondary Education
Secondary Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Options Degree
Secondary education typically refers to grades six through twelve, but may only include high school in some areas. Those who teach in secondary education hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, typically in a specific area such as reading, algebra, biology, etc. Secondary education degrees are available at all levels with the pay scale rising with each level of degree. Science and mathematics educators at this level are highly sought and are often offered incentives. Learn more about getting a degree in Secondary Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Options.
Special Education
Online Master’s in Special Education: What to Look For
Special education is a field with many career options. Special education teachers may specialize in mild, moderate, severe, or gifted areas. Those who choose to go into special education will know that it takes a special person with the right passion to become a successful teacher. Learn more about getting a Online Master’s in Special Education: What to Look For.
Special Education Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Options
Special educators can work with children at any age within their qualifications. This includes children in preschool, up through high school. Though most special educators will work with students who have disabilities, this degree also covers gifted and talented students at varying levels. Special educators may work in classrooms with mainstream teachers or in self-contained classrooms for students at the moderate to severe range with any combination on that spectrum. Learn more about getting a Special Education Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Options.
Teaching
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Requirements, Programs & Salary
A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is for educators looking to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to become master teachers. This degree emphasizes the importance of the teaching career, focusing on practical skills and subject-specific content. Within an MAT degree program, there can be many specialties, such as Secondary Education, Elementary Education, K-12 Education, Reading and Literacy, and more. Most Master of Arts in Teaching programs will take two years to complete. However, candidates often find online programs to be shorter in length and more convenient. Learn more about getting a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Requirements, Programs & Salary.
TESOL
Master’s in TESOL: Online Degree Guide & Career Paths
TESOL stands for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. TESOL focuses on the education of teachers who wish to teach the English language to non-native speakers. Although the degree is offered at the Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate levels, most candidates go on to earning TESOL Certification or a Master's Degree in TESOL. A Master's Degree can take two to three years to complete; however, most online programs allow students to complete the requirements at a faster pace. Learn more about getting a Master’s in TESOL: Online Degree Guide & Career Paths.