"Mini-Guide" to Education Degrees Online

• "When comparing educations programs, you'll find that some emphasize teaching reading and literacy and that colleges use technology in different ways. When you finish your bachelor's degree, you'll need to be certified in the state where you'll teach. Specific certifications go with particular types of teaching, like early childhood, elementary, middle school, secondary (high) school, special education, and physical education. Teachers often go to grad school to obtain certifications and credentials such as an ‘endorsement,' which allows you to teach a particular subject, like reading. Other grad students in education focus on advanced work in their subjects so that they become experts in their field who can inspire and enlighten students."

- College Board Book of Majors, 2nd edition

• "A love for children and a passion for making a difference are essential values for childhood education majors. You'll need to provide children with a supportive and interactive environment."

- Next Step Magazine, May/June 2006 issue

• "Early childhood education studies prepare you to teach preschool through third grade elementary education focuses on first through eighth grades; secondary education prepares you to teach middle, junior, and senior high school grades. Special education centers on working with students who have disabilities. In order to work as a teacher, you need to be certified by the state in which you will teach. Elementary and preschool teachers usually have several required courses that prepare them to teach different subjects such as reading, arithmetic, and science. Middle and high school teachers take courses both in education and in the field in which they plan to teach, such as history, English, or math."

- The Kids' College Almanac, 3rd edition

• Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and vocational subjects beyond the high school level that may lead to a degree or to improvement in one’s knowledge or career skills. These teachers include college and university faculty, postsecondary career and technical education teachers, and graduate teaching assistants. College and university faculty make up the majority of postsecondary teachers. They teach and advise more than 16 million full- and part-time college students and perform a significant part of our Nation’s research. Faculty also keep up with new developments in their field and may consult with government, business, nonprofit, and community organizations.

- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Teachers-postsecondary"

Think about an online education degree if:

• You are naturally inquisitive and want to spark the curiosity of others.
• You are patient and able to motivate and instill confidence in others.
• You communicate and relate well to others.
• You enjoy explaining new things or training others.
• You enjoy working with a diversity of people.
• You enjoyed school and have a love of learning.
• You didn't enjoy school and hope to change that for others!
• You have a good sense of humor.
• You have an inquiring and analytical mind.
• You have good speaking and presentation skills.
• You have natural leadership skills and thrive on challenge.
• You like being a mentor or liaison and helping others work through problems.
• You like coaching, tutoring,or working at summer camps.
• You want to grow personally and gain new experiences.

If an online education degree or becoming a teacher isn't quite right for you, consider these fields instead:

• Communications:
  Learn how to utilize the latest technology to convey information with the greatest effectiveness while catering messages to target specific audiences.
  Online Communications Degrees | Online Communications Certificate Programs
• Counseling:
  Understand the needs of individuals working to overcome life's challenges; learn how to best diagnose, treat, and help persons with behavioral and emotional disorders.
  Online Counseling Degrees | Online Counseling Certificate Programs
• Educational Technology:
  Educational Technology seeks to improve the teaching and learning process by the creation, use, and management of appropriate technological processes and resources.
  Online Educational Technology Degrees | Online Educational Technology Certificate Programs
• Liberal Arts and Studies:
  Delve into a broad range of knowledge covering the humanities, languages, mathematics and sciences. Learn how to argue effectively, reason logically, and think critically.
  Online Liberal Arts Degrees
• Library and Resource Management:
  Know how to contribute to an academic environment using technology and multimedia; learn how to develop relevant programs to supplement school curricula.
  Online Library and Resource Management Degrees | Online Library and Resource Management Certificates
• Psychology:
  Observe the human experience in a new way: explore how the mind copes with everyday stimuli, and how trauma affects human behavior.
  Online Psychology Degrees | Online Psychology Certificates
• Sociology:
  Examine intricacies of human relationships how people relate to each other and how that pertains society as a whole.
  Online Sociology Degrees

Most schools allow you to choose a specialization – a focused area of study within the education degree.

• Elementary Education
  Learn about classroom instruction and child development for children in kindergarten through 8th grades.
• Middle School Education
  Develop skills to teach students ages 10 – 15 years old and to design a curriculum that will provide a structured environment as well as giving students a sense of personal responsibility.
• Adult and Higher Education
  Apply theory to provide a rigorous, resourceful learning experience for a diversity of adult students. Know strategies for planning and executing dynamic curricula.
• Distance and Online Education
  Apply technological know-how with teaching experience; incorporate a variety of tools and multimedia to engage and education students without face-to-face interaction.
• Educational Administration
  Prepare for leadership positions and focus on management of personnel, legal issues in education, and education finance. Gain a greater perspective of a school’s impact and role in any given community.
• Special Education
  Develop awareness, sensitivity and the knowledge necessary to meet the various needs of students with disabilities and be able to teach in different settings (home, school, etc.).

While the exact curriculum will vary from school to school, here are some of the courses you might take as an education major:

• Administration of Physical Education Programs
• Child and Adolescent Growth, Development, and Learning
• Classroom Management and Behavior
• Curriculum Methods in Elementary Education
• Differences Among Learners
• Educational Assessment and Measurement
• Educational Psychology
• History and Philosophy of Learning
• Instructional Design, Resources and Technology
• Observation and Analysis of Motor Skills
• Methods of Teaching
• Perspectives on American Education
• Reading and Writing Across Subject Areas
• Social Development and Play
• Special Education Needs and Issues
• Student Diversity and Classroom Teaching
• Using the Internet in Education
• Young Adult and Children’s Literature

Master of Education, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Science in Education, and Master of Arts in Teaching — What's the Difference?

As a teacher, if you are hoping to advance your career in the classroom or in educational leadership, an advanced degree is a necessity. In the era of No Child Left Behind, many school districts require that teachers take graduate-level courses to refine their instructional strategies. On the other hand, if your goal is to eventually become a principal, you will almost certainly need a master's degree.

Fortunately, for today’s busy educational professional, there are a number of excellent universities that offer advanced online education degrees. Many of these degrees can be completed in less than two years. Before deciding on a graduate program in education, it is important to understand that different master's degree options can help you to achieve different goals.

Master of Education

A master of education degree, or M.Ed., is a professional, graduate-level degree geared toward individuals who are seeking to move beyond the classroom into administrative-level positions or other specialized roles. It is generally not a teaching degree. Many online M.Ed. programs offer a specialization in educational leadership. Over the past few years, however, the opportunity to specialize in educational technology has also become increasingly available. While many M.Ed. graduates will seek to become principals and school district administrators, others will become reading or technology specialists. The Master of Education degree is sometimes referred to as a practitioner’s degree, because of its immediate and practical application to the school-environment.

Master of Arts in Teaching

The master of arts in teaching, or MAT, differs from the M.Ed. and the other Masters degrees in education primarily in that the majority of coursework focuses on the subject to be taught (i.e. history, English, math, biology, etc.) rather than on educational theory. While some online MAT programs offer a more general overview of the foundations of effective teaching, most MAT programs combine the study of widely established ‘best practices’ in the classroom with a focus on teaching within a specific discipline. Either way, the MA in Teaching is truly a teaching degree. Individuals who pursue the Master of Arts in Teaching generally choose to remain in the classroom. An MAT can also provide an educator with the appropriate credentials to become a department chairperson. The online Master of Arts in Teaching can offer educational professionals an increase in earning power along with instruction in the most up-to-date and effective instructional techniques.

Master of Arts in Education

A master of arts in education is perhaps the most flexible degree in the field, and often allows an educator to specialize in one of several concentrations. In addition to taking core classes in educational philosophy, child psychology, educational ethics, and education research methods, teachers pursuing this advanced education degree generally specialize in one of several fields.

Educational professionals who are looking to remain in the classroom often opt to pursue an online Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in either elementary or secondary education. At many universities, a concentration in special education is also available. Individuals who are looking to leave the classroom often pursue concentrations in educational leadership, technology, or counseling. This list is by no means complete, as each university offers its own options for specialization.

Overall, the M.A. in Education includes more of the theoretical study of education than most of the other advanced degree options. The Master of Arts in Education also offers an extremely high level of flexibility, and can help to advance careers both inside and outside of the classroom.

Master of Science in Education

While the other advanced degree programs tend to be more widely-known, the master of science in education can also provide professional educators with the tools needed for success in the classroom and advancement in educational leadership. As the name suggests, this degree program provides ample opportunity for the student to take a more scientific approach to the study of education. Many of those individuals who choose to follow the scientific route concentrate on topics like instructional technology or educational research.

In many instances, M.S. Education programs that take a scientific slant tend to include coursework in statistics and educational evaluation and measurement. Educators who pursue the more scientific path generally leave the classroom, and in many instances, the school. They have excellent job prospects in the educational research sector. Many go on to work with school districts, state governments, or private research organizations to assess student performance and suggest policies that will boost student achievement. Others supervise technology initiatives for schools or school districts, work in distance education, or pursue doctoral studies.

Other individuals who pursue an MS in Education opt for a less scientific course of study, such as educational leadership, or literacy. In some instances, these programs resemble the previously discussed Master of Education degree, but at other schools, these programs place a much greater focus on the scientific aspects of studying education. In either case, the same opportunities for advancement as a school administrator should be available, regardless of whether one has earned a degree of Master of Science in Education, a Master of Arts in Education, or a Master of Education.

The Power of an Advanced Degree

Whether a teacher desires to remain in the classroom, to move into administration, or to branch out into educational research, earning an advanced education or teaching degree online can provide a flexible, affordable means of career advancement.

When you have completed your online education degree, you will likely have gained many of the following skills and competencies:

• Ability to articulate and communicate strategies for school and policy reform
• Ability to establish and maintain consistent standards of behavior
• Ability to select methods, activities and materials that are aligned to a module, lesson, or course
• Capacity to create and foster a safe, inclusive learning environment
• Capacity to encourage and support learners to succeed in an academic setting
• Enhanced knowledge of specific subjects
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills
• Expanded and sharpened instructional and teaching skills
• Good listening skills
• Increased awareness of how people learn
• Professionalism, fairness and integrity
• Sensitivity to student diversity
• Thorough understanding of various teaching styles, learning theories, and methodologies
• Understanding of human development and how changes affect the learning process
• Well-honed organizational and record-keeping skills

As a career-oriented major focusing upon the instruction of students, a variety of education majors are needed to accommodate diverse groups of students at every level of learning. Potential employers for people with online education degrees include:

• Alternative Schools
• Camps (day camp, summer camp, etc.)
• Churches
• Colleges and Universities
• Community Recreation Centers
• Consulting Firms
• Correctional Institutions
• Day Care Centers
• Educational Publishers
• Hospitals
• International Language Schools
• Libraries
• Middle and Junior High Schools
• Museums
• Non-profit Organizations
• Preschools and Nursery Schools
• Public and Private Schools
• Secondary (High) Schools
• State and Federal Government
• Test Preparation Companies
• Two-year and Technical Schools
• United-Way Agencies
• Vocational Services
• YMCA/YWCA
• Youth Services

Possible Job Titles for Associate's or Bachelor's Education Degree Holders/Entry Level Job Titles

Here is a sampling of jobs you for which you may be qualified with a degree in education. Remember that requirements differ from state to state, and certain cities may require additional credentials as well. Use this for inspiration, remembering that this may represents some, but certainly not all, of the careers you can consider.

• Athletic Coach
• Child Care Administrator
• Child Support Agency Worker
• Corporate Trainer
• Elementary School Teacher
• Family Services Coordinator
• Kindergarten Teacher
• Military Teacher
• Physical Education Teacher
• Pre-School Teacher
• Professional Tutor
• Special Education Teacher
• Substitute Teacher
• Teacher's Assistant or Aide

Possible Job Titles for Advanced Education Degree Holders

• Adaptive Physical Education Instructor
• Administrator of Special Education
• After-School Program Director
• Curriculum Director or Specialist
• District Administrator
• Educational Researcher
• Educational Writer
• Guidance Counselor
• Principal
• Reading Specialist
• School Administrator
• Speech and Language Pathologist
• Student Personnel Administrator
• Superintendent
• TESL Instructor (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
• Vice-Principal