The Advantages To Earning A Secondary Education Degree
Secondary education degree programs give students the specialized training necessary to work as teachers within educational systems at a middle or high school level. Secondary education degree programs offer students the ability obtain knowledge regarding the developmental needs of adolescents and young adults and youth culture. Graduates with secondary education degrees gain the skills necessary to manage classrooms and offer instruction using curriculum foundations, instructional tools, and learning theories. Secondary education programs specialize studies in English, math, science, art, or business subjects based upon the field they intend to teach. Graduates from secondary education degree generally advance to instructor positions or related career with a broad understanding of the educational system, legal and ethical practices of education, and means of instruction using curriculum foundations and learning tools.
Most universities and colleges have created online degree programs to extend educational opportunities to students managing work or family obligations while pursuing a degree. Most online programs feature virtually the same educational experiences as traditional, on campus programs. Online programs generally offer the added benefits of a more personalized degree and increased flexibility in course scheduling. Online classes also give groups of 25 students 24 hour access to course materials, instruction, and information. Students enrolled in online courses also have increased interaction with instructors and other classmates through one on one Internet chats. Online degree programs are often one of the most convenient and affordable paths to increasing education necessary for personal and professional success.
What Students Learn Within A Secondary Education Degree Program
Students within secondary education degree programs gain the specialized knowledge and training necessary to instruct and manage adolescents and young adults, Professionals within various organizations and institutions who complete secondary education degree programs gain a solid understanding of adolescent development, models and theories of instruction, and the legal and ethical issues of the education system. Secondary education degree students also gain a concentrated knowledge of the subjects they intend to teach. Most secondary education professionals are required to complete master’s degree programs and licensing procedures as determined by state regulations before entering employment. Some students choose associate degree programs as the first step to achieving their professional goals.
Courses at an associate level in the field of education generally include: interpersonal communications, classroom management, educational development of school-age students, math methods, reading and writing methods, survey of special needs, assisting English language learners, introduction to psychology, introduction to sociology, college Algebra, composition and rhetoric, principles of accounting, contemporary worldviews, introduction to biology, U.S. government and history, philosophy and contemporary ideas, introduction to early childhood development, skills for learning in an information age, teaching as a profession, and diversity in the classroom. Graduates from associate degree programs may advance to employment or continue to bachelor level studies.
A bachelor degree in secondary education offers students an increased understanding of the educational system and specific knowledge within subject areas. Students within bachelor degree programs are required concentrate studies based upon the subject/s they intend to teach. Students generally complete a bachelor of science in secondary education with a concentration in English, math, business, art, science, foreign language, physical education, health, or social studies. Bachelor level courses with a concentration in English include: foundations of education; human development; educational psychology; the electronic classroom; areas of exceptionality in special education; inclusive curriculum, materials, and methods; essentials in content area reading; materials and methods of teaching, educational assessment strategies; classroom environment and management; exploring education as a profession; English literature; American literature; introduction to English grammar and linguistics; Shakespeare; education foundations and framework; SEI English language teaching: foundations and methodologies; educational psychology; instructional technology; secondary methods and data driven pedagogy; educating the exceptional learner; adolescent literacy; reading and learning strategies for middle and secondary schools; classroom engagement and management; secondary curriculum development and assessment; critical thinking; global awareness, perspectives, and ethics; and student teaching experiences. Graduates from bachelor degree programs must meet licensing requirements and may go on to employment or graduate degree programs.
A master’s degree in secondary education allows students the ability to expand professional skills and acquire greater knowledge of the field of secondary education. Students within master’s degree programs generally complete concentrated courses based upon their subject of interest in addition to core requirements in the discipline of secondary education. Courses based upon the specialization of English generally include: philosophical foundations of education, the secondary curriculum, strategies for improving secondary teaching, human growth and development, improving strategies for improving secondary teaching, evaluative techniques for the classroom teacher, digital literacies and learning in secondary education, constructing scientific conceptual knowledge, literacy instruction in the secondary school, graduate foundations of secondary education seminar, teaching literacy across the disciplines, storytelling, folklore and the English language arts curriculum, technology in the classroom; inquiry into teaching, learning, and school; curriculum: designs for literacy, learning and assessment; recent research in education; teaching English in the secondary school; teaching dramatic literature in the secondary school; teaching writing and thinking in the secondary school; teaching writing and thinking in the secondary school; teaching literature in the middle school; creating inclusive English language arts classrooms; teaching literature in the high school; education across borders; modular course; secondary student teaching grades 7-9 and 10-12; secondary education selected topic; and fieldwork in secondary education. Graduates with master’s degrees often advance to employment as teachers in grades 7-12 or other professional positions within the educational system. Some graduates may advance to doctoral degree programs to complete studies and be considered experts within the field.
Doctoral degrees in education give students the knowledge necessary to be qualified as experts within the field. Doctoral level courses include: principles of social change; social change in education; development of the scholar-practioner; principles of human development; theories of human development; current research in human development; professional practice in human development; principles of organizational and social systems; theories of organizational and social systems; current research in organizational and social systems: K-12 education; professional practice in K-12 educational organization; research theory, design, and methods; quantitative reasoning and analysis; educational leadership for student success; theories of student learning and leadership for student success; current research in K-12 educational leadership for student success; theories of organizational functioning and development for K-12 leaders; current research on accountability and organizational effectiveness for K-12 leaders; professional practice for organizational effectiveness in K-12 settings; and advanced mixed methods reasoning and analysis.
Prospective Jobs For Secondary Education Degree Graduates
Graduates with secondary education degrees often work as middle or high school teachers in private or public schools or as professionals within other educational organizations. The majority of secondary education degree graduates are employed within public school systems though many work within private schools or private educational organizations. Employment for graduates who complete secondary education degree programs is based upon factors like education level, area of specialty, geographic location, and related work experience. lGraduates with associate degrees in education generally advance to employment as teacher’s assistants or teacher’s aides. Graduates with bachelor degrees who complete licensing requirements generally work as middle school teachers, Master’s degree graduates generally work as high school instructors, school administrators, and sometimes curriculum specialists. Graduates who complete doctoral degrees are qualified to be experts within the field and often work as researchers or instructors within colleges, universities, and other educational institutions.
Salary Range For Secondary Education Degree Graduates
Secondary education degree graduates have varied earnings based upon educational, geographical, and organizational factors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports earnings for secondary education teachers range from $47,100 to $51,180 annually. Graduates who work within private schools generally earn less than teachers who work within public school systems. Additionally, graduates who complete advanced degree programs, gain work experience, specialize studies, and work within schools with larger student enrollment generally have earnings higher than those with less education and experience. Graduates with associate’s degrees who work as teacher’s assistants generally earn $17,610 to $28,180 annually. Graduates who enter teaching professions with a bachelor degree generally earn $33,227 annually. Graduates who complete master’s degree programs and work as teachers or administrators within high schools generally earn $39,460 to $59,470 annually. Graduates with doctoral degrees employed as college or university instructors earn salaries of 441,600 to $83,960 annually.
Career Outlook and Advancement Opportunities For Graduates With Secondary Education Degrees
Secondary education degree graduates may anticipate numerous employment opportunities within school districts and other educational institutions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports job growth for educators to increase by 13 percent at an average rate in comparison to other occupations through 2018. Secondary education graduates who specialize training in math, science, and bilingual studies will find an increased employability. Economic factors, budgetary issues, decreased student enrollment, and geographic location may adversely affect the number of jobs available to qualified applicants with secondary education degrees. Federal funding issues and legislation regarding improving teacher and student performance is expected to contribute to the demand for quality educators, particularly within lower income regions. Graduates may find increased employment opportunities in less desirable urban schools and within rural schools. Graduates within regions of the Southern and Western United States will also find increased employment prospects as populations in these areas expand and manage increased enrollment.
Employment for secondary education graduates is expected to remain stable as many teachers leave the field to pursue other opportunities or due to retirement. Graduates who begin careers within entry level teaching positions generally gain experience and continue education to advance to administrative jobs or positions within larger school districts. Graduates with advanced degrees who begin their careers as administrators often advance to positions with greater responsibilities and higher earnings as senior or mentor teachers within larger school districts or vocational schools. Some graduates continue studies to advance to positions as librarians, instructional coordinators, reading specialists, guidance counselors, or independent consultants within self operated businesses.
