The Advantages To Earning An Elementary Education Degree
Earning an elementary education degree provides individuals with an interest in educating and caring for children the skills and knowledge necessary for career success. An elementary education degree focuses upon the combination of teaching methods, the psychology of learning, managing a classroom, and teaching methods and processes. Students who complete studies in elementary education gain a solid understanding of educational psychology, child development and health, management of behavior and the classroom, and the foundations of education. As the population expands, educational standards rise, and technology advances, the demand for qualified professionals in the field of elementary education is also expected to rise providing multiple employment options for graduates.
As many students manage work and family obligations in addition to educational responsibilities, many colleges and universities have created online degree programs to extend education to students unable to attend on campus instruction. Most online degree programs feature the same educational experiences as their traditional, brick and mortar equivalents. Students who pursue online degrees also gain the added benefits of increased flexibility in course scheduling, 24 hour access to course materials, and a more personalized program. Most online courses consist of groups of 25 students or less with one on on interaction to professors, instructors, and other classmates via Internet chats. Online courses are often one of the best, most affordable, and convenient means of advancing personal, educational, and career goals to ensure future success.
What Students Learn Within An Elementary Education Degree Program
Elementary education degree programs are specialized programs which provide instruction within the fields of education, child development, psychology, and fundamental teaching principals. Formal elementary education programs offer students the knowledge of education and development for children within kindergarten through sixth grade by using educational tools, games, books, computers, and other instruction. Most students must complete bachelor degree programs to qualify for employment within the educational system and other occupations.
Some students begin formal studies within two year associate degree programs with courses like: child growth and development, performance assessment, classroom management, effective essay writing, research writing, introduction to art, world culture and the arts, college algebra, introduction to life science, survey of computer information systems, physical geography, American national government, U.S. history to 1865, U.S. history 1865 to 1945, the American experience since 1945, skills for learning in an information age, contemporary issues in American education, teaching as a profession, diversity in the classroom, introduction to the exceptional learner, and math for elementary teachers. Most graduates from associate degree programs advance to bachelor level courses though some may gain entry level employment.
Students who pursue bachelor degrees participate in courses like: foundations for general education and professional success, orientation for teacher education, foundations of education, child development, models and theories of instruction, legal and ethical issues in educations, elementary education seminar, classroom management, assessment in elementary education, orientation to the exceptional child, structured English immersion, children’s literature, elementary methods: reading and language arts, elementary methods: mathematics; elementary methods: science; elementary methods: health/physical education, elementary methods: social studies; elementary methods: fine arts; diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties, advanced structured English immersion methods; and elementary student teaching seminar. Graduates from bachelor degree programs may advance to licensing procedures to qualify as elementary teachers or advance studies to graduate degrees.
Courses at a master’s level include: demonstration teaching, professional behaviors and attitudes, effective teaching practices; instructional planning and design, instructional presentation and follow up, instructional strategies and approaches, subject-specific teaching methods at an elementary level, teaching methods: literacy and elementary reading, teaching methods: literacy, elementary language arts, and handwriting, foundations of teaching, classroom management, diversity and inclusion, human development of learning, schools and society, testing, literature review, research design, and research paradigms. Many graduates of a master’s degree program advance to employment or continue to doctoral degrees to become experts in the field.
Courses at a doctorate level include: leading innovation, educational research methods, advanced qualitative research methods, advanced action research for teacher-leaders, statistics for educational research, the historical and social foundations of education, evaluating the effectiveness of the educational process, the politics of P-12 education, advanced learning theory and instructional practice, educational philosophy and change, the future of educational institutions: topics and trends, dissertation research, adult learning and professional development, inquiry-based curriculum and resources for elementary science teachers, inquiry based curriculum and resources for elementary science teachers, research and best practices in mathematics instruction, middle level issues, technology skills for the virtual school teacher, teaching Algebra for understanding, the art of planning science instruction: creating the engaged science student, inquiry based curriculum and resources for secondary science teachers, student assessment and work analysis in science instruction, standards and the K-12 mathematics curriculum, the art of planning mathematics instruction, instructional strategies for the virtual school teacher, assessment strategies for the virtual school teacher, and curriculum mapping: reflection and practice, statistics for education research.
Prospective Jobs For Graduates With Elementary Education Degrees
Graduates with elementary education degrees gain the skills and knowledge necessary for professional success. Graduates from elementary education programs gain broad understanding of child development, the educational system, and the methods of instruction necessary for employment within a variety of occupations. Most graduates from elementary education programs work as teachers within private or public schools, childcare facilities, tutoring programs, as personal educators and within other institutions. Many graduates teach students a variety of subjects using a variety of instructional tools, computers, books, games, and means of developmental and educational resources. Some graduates specialize training to instruct one subject.
Graduates with associate’s degrees generally work as teacher’s assistants, teacher’s aides, child care workers, preschool teachers, or tutors. Graduates with bachelor degrees complete state required licensing procedures and advance to elementary teaching positions. Graduates from master’s degree generally work as teachers, in grades kindergarten through grade 8, within public or private schools. Many master’s degree graduates also work as instructors or trainers within private educational industries. Graduates with doctoral degrees are qualified as experts in the field and generally work as professors or researchers within higher education programs.
Salary Range For Graduates With Elementary Education Degrees
Graduates who complete elementary education degrees receive a versatile education necessary for long term employment within the educational system. Earnings for professionals within the field of elementary education vary and depend upon factors like level of education, geographic location, related work experience, and economic factors. Most graduates with associate’s degrees working as teacher’s aides earn $18,840 to $31,430 annually. Graduates who work as elementary school teachers generally earn $47,100 to $51,180 annually. Graduates with master’s degrees who work as teachers within middle schools generally earn $61,000 to $78,000 annually. Graduates with doctoral degrees generally earn $41,600 to $83,960 annually working as researchers or instructors within vocational schools, colleges, or universities. As with most occupations, graduates with advanced degrees who specialize training and gain work experience generally have higher salaries than graduates with less education and experience.
Career Outlook And Advancement Opportunities For Graduates With Elementary Education Degrees
The demand for teachers is expected to be favorable and stable for graduates from elementary degree programs per reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). The BLS also reports that employment for qualified elementary education professionals is expected to increase by 13 percent at an average rate in comparison to other occupations. Graduates who specialize training in fields like foreign language, special education, administration, mathematics, and science will find increased employability. Additionally, graduates will find greater employment opportunities within school districts in urban or rural places which are less desirable in comparison to suburban areas. Factors like changing government regulations regarding the quality of education and student performance, expanding population, teacher vacancies due to retirement or occupational changes, and technological advances will increase the demand for graduates with elementary education degrees.
Conversely, budgetary issues and economic downturns may slightly decrease the number of available teaching jobs. Many graduates begin entry level teaching positions and advance to jobs with greater salaries and responsibilities upon earning related work experience and fulfilling continuing education requirements. Graduates with advanced degrees generally begin their careers within supervisory or administrative positions and advance to jobs with increased responsibilities within larger school systems. Some graduates with advanced degrees work as executives within private organizations. As with many careers, graduates who gain work experience, expand areas of specialty, or continue education programs often gain promotions and jobs with higher salaries and increased responsibilities.
