Education Bachelor’s Degree Online
Is an Education Degree for You?
Education is the practice of instructing others for the purpose of knowledge obtainment and skill development. In education degree programs, students study about how people learn and ways that human development affects the learning process. They also learn about the fostering of intellectual advancement through instructional methods, classroom management, assessment methods, and student evaluation.
Bachelor's degrees in education vary according to concentrations or specialties, which can include early childhood education, adult education, special education, and secondary education, as well as academic subjects such as math, science, English, and history. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, educational service is the second largest industry in the country and is expected to experience a 12% increase in employment by 2018.
Advice for Earning Your Education Degree Online
An online education degree is just as good as a traditional education degree because both employ the same rigid grading process and testing requirements. By no means is an online education degree easier or less demanding than a traditional degree. Online students have to complete the same amount of course work and meet all examination and GPA requirements as on-campus students. In addition, online degrees require students to be self-motivated and independent learners. Online education degrees can be highly respected and viewed positively in the job market, as long as they come from accredited colleges or universities.
Required Courses
Students enrolled in an online education degree program will complete a variety of curriculum and instruction courses. Most students will take foundations of education, classroom management, models and theories of instruction, and legal and ethical issues in education. Depending on your degree specialty or certification requirements, you'll have to complete advanced upper-level courses and electives that cater to your interests. All online students have to complete student teaching and other field experiences before graduation.
Common Career Paths
Graduates of an education degree program can work in several different education-related careers. Popular careers for education majors include (but are not limited to):
- Elementary School Teacher
Elementary school teachers provide instruction for children in their early years of life and therefore play an important role in their developmental growth. While the majority of these types of teachers provide instruction on several subjects to a single class of students, other teachers may teach a single subject to several classes of students. Regardless of type, teachers are responsible for creating lesson plans, making classroom presentations, and facilitating educational activities. Typical job duties include providing instruction, assigning homework, grading assignments, evaluating student progress, and administering assessments.
While many work in public and private schools, they can also be employed by other educational organizations. According to PayScale.com, the annual salary of elementary school teachers in the United States ranges from $32,546 to $49,777.
- Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers provide instruction for children with mental and/or physical disabilities. Given the limitations of these disabilities, these types of teachers primarily provide instruction that focuses on basic literacy, life skill development, and remedial level academics. They are responsible for creating individualized education programs tailored for each student's learning needs. They use these plans to implement alternative learning techniques and closely monitor academic progress. Typical job duties include adapting educational curriculum, teaching lessons, supervising course work, assigning homework, arranging classroom accommodations, and filing evaluation reports.
A special education teacher's job requires them to work with a wide range of people such as parents, therapists, psychologists, social workers, and school administrators. While many work in public and private schools, they can also be employed by other types of special needs organizations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2008, special education teachers who worked with preschool through elementary school children earned a median annual salary of $50,020. Those working with middle school children earned $50,810 and those working with high school children earned $51,340.
- Principal
Principals are education administrators who manage a school's daily operations and oversee its overall performance. This requires them to set curriculum standards, establish performance objectives, and implement strategies to reach defined goals. They are often responsible for hiring and evaluating faculty, examining instructional methods, ensuring students meet academic standards, and preparing budgets and reports. They work closely with staff and teachers and consult with them on issues like academic programs, educational curriculum, and student performance.
A principal's job often requires them to work with parents, students, community organizations, and other administrators. While many work in public and private schools, they can also be employed by other educational institutions. According to PayScale.com, the annual salary of principals in the United States ranges from $59,385 to $101,921.
