In particular, the types of degrees available to future educators have changed to prepare teachers for modern classrooms and their new approaches to education.
For students intending to become teachers, this can make the process of choosing an educational path a little trickier. Furthermore, the prices associated with modern education degrees can seem exorbitant.
Fortunately, being exposed to some of the modern era’s most popular and useful education degrees, along with the financial aid options available to students pursuing them, can make the process far easier and less daunting.
Here are the types of education degrees and financial aid available in 2023.
Types of Education Degrees for Aspiring Teachers
Students who intend to pursue careers as teachers should be aware of the different educational paths they can take to reach their goals. Becoming familiar with different types of education degrees can help simplify the process of becoming a teacher and act as a motivating factor for one to pursue one’s dream career.
Here are the types of education degrees for aspiring teachers.
Bachelor of Arts in Education
A Bachelor of Arts in education is a degree that all aspiring teachers can benefit from. In fact, every public school in America requires teachers to have at least a bachelor’s degree in order to teach. This being the case, it’s clear that this is a great place to start for all aspiring teachers.
In a bachelor’s of education program, one can expect to learn about different approaches to education as well as key principles of instruction. These programs can help one develop into a capable teacher with a strong foundation in important educational methods.
For many students, there are opportunities to specialize in specific types of educational degrees. For example, one may be able to obtain a bachelor’s in elementary education or a bachelor’s in early education. However, specific offerings will differ by program and different focuses will appeal to different students.
Bachelor’s Degree in a Specific Subject
For some educators, the path to teaching may look a little bit different. Rather than earning a bachelor’s in education, some educators start their path to becoming a teacher by majoring in a specific subject, such as science, math, or English.
However, while this is a great way to gain some in-depth knowledge about one’s specific subject, it may not be enough to step into the role of a teacher. Instead, many students will pursue an advanced degree in education to qualify themselves for a teaching role.
Master’s in Education
A Master of Arts in teaching is an amazing degree to pursue for students’ intent on becoming educators. Not only can these types of programs help sculpt one into a more capable teacher, but they can also increase one’s job prospects and salary earnings.
Some skills that students can expect to learn in these types of programs include learning how to monitor student progress and how to plan lessons for students. In 2023, many of these programs also help future teachers develop the skills to craft diverse and inclusive programs that cater to all types of students rather than a select few.
In most Master of Arts in teaching programs, students have the opportunity to choose a specialized field of training that they hope to one day teach. Given differences in subjects, each specialization has its own specific coursework and credit hour requirements for graduating.
Some specializations students can choose from include early childhood education, middle school education, science, and language arts. Ultimately, each student must explore and research each different type of specialization to find one that perfectly suits their interests and abilities.
To pursue a Master of Arts in teaching, one will need to have a bachelor’s degree and meet a specific program’s minimum GPA requirement. In addition, some programs may require additional educational courses depending on the specialization one chooses.
Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
A master of education in education policy and leadership (MEd) is an impressive advanced degree that qualifies one for a variety of educational leadership roles. These include roles such as administrators in both schools and school district offices as well as school principal.
In these programs, students learn a wide variety of skills that revolve around education and leadership. As the world evolves, diversity is becoming a more and more important priority for educational institutions across the country. As a result, those receiving their MEd will likely have a number of lessons that revolve around how to promote and encourage diversity and serve a wide range of students.
Like a Master of Arts in teaching, to obtain a master of education in education policy and leadership students will need a bachelor’s degree. Furthermore, different schools and programs will have different requirements and some students may need supplemental education before qualifying for admission.
Doctor of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
The Doctor of Education in education policy (EdD) is an impressive advanced degree that prepares one to work in an educational leadership role that focuses on educational policies. Typically, those pursuing this degree will have a marked interest in some facet of the educational sector such as advocacy for underrepresented student groups, educational research, or diversity in schools.
Though it isn’t the most common education degree, this can help one step into an important leadership role in the educational sector and make an impact. It’s these types of opportunities to lead and make significant changes in schools that motivate many students to pursue an EdD after obtaining a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
Financial Aid for Students Pursuing Education Degrees
For students with their minds set on pursuing a career in the education sector, it can help to know what kind of financial aid is available. Taking advantage of these resources can make it easier to further one’s education and pursue one’s dream role.
Some incredible financial aid resources education students should explore include:
- The TEACH Grant: This is a federal grant for students pursuing an education to become a teacher. In exchange for several thousand dollars to put toward one’s education, students must agree to serve as a teacher for four years in a high-need or low-income area within eight years of graduating.
- Pell Grant: This grant awards a varying amount of money to students with high levels of financial need. If one can qualify, this is an amazing grant that can help alleviate some of the financial burdens of pursuing an education degree.
- Diversity and Minority Scholarships: For students from underrepresented groups, there are a number of impactful and helpful scholarships out there. Exploring these different options could glean financial aid from a variety of sources, making it far less difficult and burdensome to pursue a career in education.
There are Many Paths to Becoming an Educator
Whether one wants to teach young children or help oversee entire school districts, there are many educational paths one can take. Understanding one’s options is key to pursuing a fulfilling career in the education sector. As we delve deeper into the future and education evolves, it’s more than likely that education degrees and programs will change in beneficial and exciting ways as well.
