Best Bachelor's in Education Degrees

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Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

The field of education encompasses many types of professions. Some degree holders become teachers or teaching assistants, while others work in early childhood education or as childcare providers. Others may work in administrative positions, such as school principal or superintendent. Those with more years of college can go on to become doctoral researchers or policy advisors.

Thanks to the current high need for skilled teachers, many degree programs exist to help teachers begin their career, or change from another career, while earning their degree in one or two years. Let's look more closely at these types of programs.

Associate Degrees in Education

While an associate degree in education is not usually enough to work full time as the teacher of record in most places, holders of this degree can find several education-related jobs. They may become teaching assistants, depending on the school district, early childhood educators, or childcare providers.

People who are interested in education may choose to pursue an associate degree first to gain practical skills and experience before enrolling in a bachelor's program. A typical course of study for an associate degree includes courses in classroom management, diversity, education technology, and specific content such as humanities or mathematics.

Bachelor's Degrees in Education

A minimum of a bachelor's degree in education is required to become a K-12 educator in most public or private schools.

Bachelor's in education degrees are typically specialized for the population of students a person plans to teach. For example, a bachelor's in early education degree is for teaching children below the age of five, while a bachelor's in elementary education is for teaching kindergarten through about sixth grade, or in some cases, through middle school.

Whatever the specialty of the bachelor's of education degree, a teacher can specialize in additional areas, such as special education or English language learning.

Master's Degrees in Education

A master's degree in education is sometimes required for teaching in a community college or high school. Many master's degree programs can be completed in one or two years. Examples of education master's degrees include elementary, middle, or secondary education; special education; or urban education. Those interested in going on to become a principal, assistant principal, superintendent, or doctoral researcher typically also complete a master's degree in an area such as educational leadership.

Career changers and recent graduates of a bachelor's program will find many opportunities for combined programs in which they can earn a master's degree while teaching in a public school, usually one of high need. These programs may be run by a university, a nonprofit organization, or some partnership with a governmental education organization. Examples include the nationwide Teach for America program and state- or city-specific fellowships, such as the New York City Teaching Fellows.

Doctoral Degrees in Education

Educators seeking the highest level of degree in education have two options: a doctor of education (EdD) or a doctor of philosophy (PhD).

Those who earn an EdD are typically aiming to work in a leadership position, such as a superintendent or a curriculum director, or in academia, such as becoming a professor that teaches aspiring teachers. Others might work for nonprofits or governmental groups focused on education.

A PhD in education, on the other hand, is for educators who want to conduct research and work in academia. While PhD holders may also teach aspiring educators, they are often focused on adding to the body of knowledge in an area of educational theory or a specific subject matter, such as science education.

Certificates in Education

Different teaching certificates exist for prospective teachers who want to be highly qualified in a specific area, such as educational leadership, policy, or law. Those who already have a teaching degree can earn an additional graduate certificate, usually by completing a minimal number of credit hours. Completing an extra certificate can lead to increased pay or employment opportunities.

Education bachelor's degree candidates typically pick a degree based on the age group they plan to teach, for example a degree focused on pre-k-6, middle education, or secondary grades 7-12. For department-based teachers - meaning those who will be limited in the subjects they teach, usually at the middle school or higher level - the concentration might be further subdivided. For example, someone may be getting a degree in secondary education with a concentration in science teaching. While the subject area concentration may not show up on the actual degree, the credit hours in that subject will dictate which content area test a candidate takes for licensure and that area will likely appear on the license. Thus, someone who has a degree in secondary education but only passed the test to teach science, according to their license, may not be qualified to teach English or P.E.

Additionally, education bachelor's degree candidates may opt to take courses in other special areas, such as how to teach diverse groups of students or English language learners, which can lead to extra credentials. The requirements for such endorsements vary by state and school district, but usually require a specific set of courses or credit hours in one area, sometimes along with a test or portfolio.

Education bachelor's degree holders who would like to specialize in multiple subjects, or change subjects or grades during their career, can usually do so by completing additional coursework and/or passing additional tests. This costs money, but a school, district, union, or fellowship program may help cover the expense.

A bachelor's degree in education typically requires courses in:

• Educational psychology and child development
• Educational theory
• Instructional planning and assessment
• Classroom observations and student teaching

Many education degree courses include hands-on examples, including demonstrations of techniques and lessons that could be used in an actual classroom.

Like most other bachelor's degrees, an education degree usually takes four years to complete. Much of the final year is spent outside the university, in classroom observations and student teaching.

In contrast, career changers who have a different type of bachelor's degree can often finish their master's in education in just one to two years, sometimes concurrently with teaching.

Graduating from an accredited program is critical for making use of a bachelor's in education degree, since state licensing agencies will not accept the degree otherwise. Some private and parochial schools may hire teachers without education degrees, but no public schools will. Furthermore, anyone pursuing a higher level of education degree will need to have an accredited bachelor's degree first.

Seven regional accreditation agencies recognized by the US government and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation are:

• Higher Learning Commission
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• New England Commission of Higher Education
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
• WASC Senior Colleges and University Commission
• WASC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges

All US states have their own requirements to be a teacher including teaching certification and licensure, so it's best to check what's needed in the place where you plan to teach rather than where you're earning the degree. For example, in Illinois, to earn a professional educator license (PEL), a teacher must show proof of their bachelor's or higher education degree, proof of student teaching, licensure test scores, and other specific coursework and documents from the state. Examples of state certification tests include the TExES exam (Texas), and the CBEST/CSET exams (California). Most education degree programs will help students to complete their licensure requirements.

Teachers can earn certification beyond their initial degrees as well. The most respected way to do this is to become a National Board Certified Teacher. These educators go through a rigorous process of building a teaching portfolio and completing subject testing to earn advanced certification in one of 25 areas. In many states, this allows them to claim a salary bump, renew licenses more easily, and fast-track to leadership positions, among other perks.

Many people who hold a bachelor's degree in education pursue teaching at a level from early elementary to high school. Kindergarten teachers and elementary teachers had a median salary of $59,420 in 2019, while secondary teachers earned a median salary of $61,660 in 2019, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); both careers were projected to grow by 4% over the subsequent decade.

Others may choose to be a substitute teacher, assisting teacher, or another school-related career, such as school counseling. Depending on the position, they may need one or more additional certifications to specialize in another school-related field. In 2019, the BLS states the median pay for a teaching assistant was $27,920; for a school counselor, it was $57,040.

For some, a bachelor's degree in education is a stepping stone to a master's or doctoral degree. More advanced programs might require at least some classroom experience, so many people who go this route do so while teaching or after teaching for a few years.

How to Become a Preschool Teacher

Preschool teachers need at least a high school diploma, though most places, including all public schools and the government's Head Start program, also require an associate or bachelor's degree. These degrees are usually in early childhood education or childcare, though people with other degrees can still complete a certificate program to teach preschool in some states.

To become a certified preschool teacher, individuals must obtain professional certification like the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. The National Child Care Association's Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) credential is another certification that is nationally recognized and for preschool teachers without an education degree, though they might have a degree in another field. Teachers must maintain their credentials to remain in the classroom.

The median salary for a preschool teacher in 2019 was $30,520, according to the BLS.

How to Become a Substitute Teacher

To become a substitute teacher some states require a bachelor's degree while a high school diploma or a GED will suffice in other states. Be prepared to go through a background check and health screening like any adult working in a school building. Many states also require a substitute teaching license, which must be renewed and maintained like a regular teaching license, but with fewer requirements.

Regular teachers may hold a substitute license, and some teachers who are entering or reentering a school district opt to spend some time as a substitute before narrowing down the schools where they want to apply for a full time position.

In 2019, the BLS reported the median wages of a substitute teacher as $28,790. However, wages vary by district, as do the number of hours worked, due to demand or choice.

People pursuing a bachelor's of education degree with the intent to work as a teacher have several unique opportunities for receiving federal student aid and educator scholarships:

• The Federal Pell Grant is for undergraduate or post-baccalaureates who do not yet have a degree. Grantees can receive up to $6,195.
• Up to $4,000 is available for future teachers who agree to work for four years in an eligible low-income school after graduation via the TEACH grant.

The US Department of Education also lists four different ways for teachers to receive partial loan forgiveness:

• The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program allows teachers and other educators, such as school counselors, to have the remainder of their federal loans forgiven after 10 years of payments.
• The Teacher Loan Forgiveness program forgives up to $17,500 in remaining loans after a teacher completes five years of service. The teaching must be consecutive and at a qualifying school in a high-needs subject area (secondary math, secondary science, or special education); teachers of other subjects in a qualifying school can receive up to $5,000.
• Teachers with the Federal Perkins Loan can have 100% of their loans forgiven if they work full-time in a qualifying low-income school.
• State-based loan forgiveness is available in many states. The American Federation of Teachers provides a searchable database of funding opportunities.

Educators have myriad professional organizations to help them with everything from pedagogy to professional networking.

In some regions, teachers will automatically benefit from the support of a teachers' union; whether or not they belong to their district or state unions, they can always join the American Federation of Teachers. Along with worker protections and advocacy, unions provide learning and career advancement resources to teachers, including running their own certification programs or offering subsidies and grants for teachers looking to go further in their careers.

Other professional organizations include groups that are helpful to all educators, such as the National Education Association, or more regional niche organizations, like the Illinois Association of Educators of Teachers of English. Many national organizations also have regional and local branches. Membership sometimes costs a fee and usually includes a set of perks like discounts at local retailers along with resources like online and print journal access, conferences, or free lesson materials.

Educators have several opportunities for career advancement. In most school districts, educators are required to complete a set amount of professional development to maintain their licenses. This work can include higher education coursework or programs that lead to additional certifications and endorsements, which sometimes also lead to a salary increase.

For a teacher who plans to stay in the classroom, career advancement opportunities include:

• Leadership roles, such as department chair, committee representative, or union liaison
• Coaching newer teachers or leading curriculum development teams
• Consulting with the district or another organization on larger policy or curricular issues
• Becoming a National Board Certified Teacher, which is considered the gold standard in teaching excellence

Bachelor's of education holders can also follow career paths to other jobs, usually after some classroom or basic school experience (such as working as a counselor). These might include becoming a:

• Special education case manager
• Assistant principal
• Principal
• Superintendent
• District support, such as curriculum coordinator
• Nonprofit or government education policy worker
• Higher education professor (teacher of teachers)
• Union leadership