From Student to Teacher: An Overview of Education Degree Programs and Careers

Getting a degree in education is likely to result in a successful job search: employment of kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) teachers is projected to go up 13 percent by 2018, with a 16 percent increase for elementary school teachers alone.

Education Careers: Know Your Optio

But teaching is only one of many rewarding education careers you might pursue. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance or change your career, you'll want to consider the variety of education-related jobs out there. Once you find a job that fits you, you can choose a degree program that provides the career training you need.

Undergraduate Degree Programs in Education

A bachelor's degree is a basic requirement for K-12 teachers. If you want to be a kindergarten or elementary school teacher, your undergraduate program will likely include teacher training courses and classes in core subjects such as math, social studies, and literature. If you want to teach upper grades, where teachers usually specialize in a single subject, you might major in the subject you want to teach, and you'll also take teacher training. An important part of teachers' career training is practice in an actual classroom.

Many online schools offer rigorous programs for aspiring teachers. These can be an excellent option, but it's wise to ask if your program is accredited. You need to be licensed to teach in a public school, and many state licensing boards only recognize degrees from accredited programs.

The median wage in 2009 was $50,550/year for elementary school teachers and $52,250/year for secondary school teachers. Compensation increases with educational attainment, which is one great incentive for teachers to get advanced degrees.

Graduate Degree Programs in Education

Getting a master's degree in education can boost a teacher's pay by as much as $10,000/year, but earning an advanced degree can also open doors to other exciting careers in education, including the three below.

1. School Counselors help students overcome challenges hampering personal growth or academic achievement, and advise students about future plans. Master's degrees are offered in elementary and secondary school counseling, and are usually required to be licensed as a school counselor.

• Median 2009 wage: $52,550

2. School Psychologists work with students, teachers and even parents on a wide range of issues, including management of behavioral or mental health issues and the creation of an effective learning environment. A master's degree is the minimum qualification to become a school psychologist, and most states require you to get a doctor of educational psychology (EdS) degree.

• Median 2009 wage: $66,040

3. School Administrators include principals, assistant principals and school district administrators. Many begin as teachers, then get a master's or PhD in education administration or educational leadership to transition to their new role. With responsibilities ranging from budgeting to curriculum planning to teacher training and student support, administrators play a crucial role in shaping a school or school system.

• Median 2009 wage: $85,220

Because the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts growth in all sectors of the education industry (with the very limited exception of farm management advising), getting an education degree is a first step toward a less painful job search, whatever career path you ultimately forge.