Course Requirements for Teaching Degrees
The minimum education requirement for a K-12 teaching career at a U.S. public school is a bachelor's degree from a teacher education program, or in a specific subject area. In addition to having a degree, teachers in all 50 states must be licensed to teach.
Each state has its own regulations for awarding a license to teachers. Grade level and subject specialties determine what type of degree is required. Job opportunities are best for teachers in high-demand fields like science, mathematics and special education, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Other People Are Reading
-
Bachelor's Degree
-
Undergraduate curricula for teachers are designed according to subject and grade level. Prospective teachers can tailor their curriculum to fulfill the requirements for early education, elementary, middle and secondary education.
At the elementary level teaching credentials are usually general, which means the teacher can teach a wide variety of subjects. Middle and secondary school teachers specialize in a specific subject, such as English, mathematics, history, or chemistry. Aspiring secondary school teachers either major in the subject they intend to teach while also taking education courses, or they major in education and also take subject courses. Teachers may also major in a specialty, such as physical education, art, or music, and become certified to teach at several levels.
In addition to taking subject-specific coursework in education, undergraduate students must take core courses like curriculum and instruction, education theory, literacy instruction and methods of teaching in content areas.
Master's Degree
-
Teachers can advance their careers by earning a master's degree in general education. Prospective students have the option of designing their own program of study by incorporating credits from several disciplines. Graduate students can become reading specialists, or specialists in learning and cognitive disabilities. Graduate courses for education majors include instructional leadership, educational change and school reform, literacy assessments and motivational theory and classroom theory. Graduate students must also satisfy internship requirements.
-
Additional Requirements
-
Education and training for teachers should include classroom and practical teaching. In addition to taking subject specific courses, education majors must take prescribed courses, which include topics such as philosophy of education, psychology of learning and various types of instructional approaches and methods. Teachers also learn how to use instructional technologies. Education majors must have first-hand teaching experience by interning at a public school. Universities and colleges, in partnership with elementary and secondary schools, provide internship and student-teacher-training programs to education majors who satisfy their minimum course requirements.
Considerations
-
Prospective teachers should consider enrolling in an education program that is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education or the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this may make it easier to fulfill licensure requirements.
In addition to satisfying their education and teacher training requirements, education majors should have strong communication skills. They must also be able to motivate their students and understand the emotional needs of students. Education majors with bilingual and cross-cultural knowledge are ideal candidates for teaching careers. Individuals with nonteaching degrees can also enter the teaching field through alternative teacher certification programs.
-
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
