Online Programs in Education

Paraprofessional Degrees

Paraprofessionals work as teachers’ assistants in the classroom environment. Under the supervision of a licensed teacher, paraprofessionals construct lessons, plan student and class projects, grade papers, assist in classroom instruction and work individually with students to help them achieve various academic goals.

ESL Degrees

ESL teachers work with adult English-language learners. Also called teachers of English as a second language (ESL) or teachers of English to speakers of other languages (ESOL), ESL teachers must follow the same education path as adult educators.

Adult Education Degrees

An adult education degree (teacher education degree) can help prepare students for a career in one of the nation’s most rewarding careers. Adult education teachers instruct adults in preparatory classes for the GED (General Education development) test, English as a Second Language (ESL), and remedial education classes.

Adult educators also instruct out of school youth in remedial education classed and preparatory classes for the GED. Adult education instruction helps prepare adults and youths for entry into other education programs or for entry into the working world.

Elementary Education Degrees

Job growth in elementary education is projected at 16% for the 2008-2018 decade. This means elementary education graduates can expect more than 250,000 job openings in the coming years. Average salaries for elementary school teachers are expected to grow as well. The beginning annual salary for elementary school teachers is $31,480 and the mean wage is $48,700 per year. Top salaries for these professionals range from $58,170 to $72,720 and above.

Education Administrator Degrees

Education administrators work at the preschool, elementary and secondary, and postsecondary levels. Though each level has different projection figures and salaries, all levels require a master’s degree or a doctoral degree for entry into the field.

Aspiring preschool education administrators can expect 12% job growth between 2008-2018, and elementary and secondary administrators can expect 9% job growth. Postsecondary education administrators can expect 2% job growth for the 2008-2018 decade.

Early Childhood Education Degrees

Early childhood education refers to the care and nurturing of children that have not entered kindergarten. Early childhood education professionals teach socialization skills, help children explore individual interests, and help them develop talent and independence.¹ 

Childhood educators help children develop through activities and curricula that stimulate children’s emotional, intellectual, physical, and social growth. In addition, childhood educators are responsible for attending to children’s nutrition, health, and safety.

Secondary Education Degrees

There are more than 1,087,700 secondary school teachers working in the U.S. today. By 2018, this work force is expected to grow by 9%. That means by 2018, the industry expects to create nearly 100,000 new positions, with thousands of other job opportunities resulting from teachers that retire or leave the field for other reasons. Secondary school teachers instruct students in secondary public or private schools at the secondary level. They may instruct students in one or more subjects at the secondary level such as math, English, history, or social studies.

Teacher Leadership Degrees

Although it may sound like something new, the teacher leadership specialization has been around for decades. In order to choose the most appropriate education path, it is important to understand what “teacher leadership” entails.

According to The Center For Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement, “Teacher leadership is the process by which teachers, individually or collectively, influence their colleagues, principals, and other members of the school communities to improve teaching and learning practices with the aim of increased student learning and achievement.”

Special Education Degrees

There are more than 473,000 special education school teachers working in the U.S. today. By 2018, the work force is expected to grow by 17% overall. This means, by 2018, the industry expects to create nearly 81,900 new positions; and thousands of other jobs will open when teachers retire or leave the field for other reasons.

Education Degrees

Careers in education offer growth, stability, and competitive salaries for experienced professionals with a bachelor’s degree or higher in teacher education. Only a tiny fraction of the workforce gain entry into this field with an associate degree or less, while more than 90% enter the career field with a bachelor’s degree or higher. In fact, most teachers hold a master’s degree or doctoral degree and nearly 10% hold a first professional degree.