If you enjoy sharing knowledge and helping others, you may want to consider an education major. Students in this field develop the skills needed to become teachers – one of the most important professions in our society. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about majoring in education.
Also see: How to choose a major
What is an education major?
Education majors study how people learn and how to best teach them. They seek to understand the various influences that affect students’ abilities to learn, and how to utilize effective teaching practices.
Education majors may focus on a specific age group such as early childhood, elementary, middle, or high school. They may also specialize in a particular subject such as literature, math, or science. Most students major in education to become teachers, although there’s other career options as well. Fortunately, we’ll cover job possibilities later on.
Coursework to expect
Through their coursework, education majors develop the skills needed to become effective teachers. Course topics include educational psychology, child development, school health, safety issues, and contemporary issues in education. Students also take coursework in curriculum development and learn how to develop effective lesson plans.
It’s common for students to choose a track specifically tailored to a particular age range or subject. Many programs also offer hands-on teaching experiences in community- and school-based settings.
Below are some potential courses you may encounter as an education major:
- Educational Psychology
- Sociology of Education
- Learning and Teaching with Technology
- Educational Assessment
- Student Teaching
- Teaching in 21st Century Classrooms
- Teaching in Middle and Secondary Schools
- Foundations of Special Education
- Education and Society
- Early Childhood Language and Literacy
Student teaching
Student teaching is a hands-on learning experience that education majors typically complete while obtaining their teaching degree. During student teaching, you will intern in a classroom or another setting in order to gain true experience in the field. These experiences are typically unpaid and usually last a full semester, so about 14-16 weeks. However, the length depends on the training program and/or school.
During student teaching, you will typically be paired with a certified educator who will work with and support you throughout your student teaching experience. You will have the opportunity to put your knowledge from your major into practice during this time.
Opportunities after graduation
Although teaching is the obvious career path for education majors, it’s not the only option. Education majors can also pursue positions and graduate programs related to the following areas:
- Library sciences
- Instructional technology
- Special education
- Museum curation
- Administration
- Curriculum design
- Counseling
- Managerial training
Also see: Everything you need to know about TEACH Grants
Jobs you can get with an education degree
Whether you want to teach preschoolers or college students, there’s a range of job possibilities for those with an education degree. If you choose to venture outside the realm of traditional teaching, other career paths include counseling, library sciences, museum curation, and school administration. Below are some popular career choices for education majors, along with median annual salaries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
1. K-12 teacher
K-12 teachers educate students in public and private schools, working with grades ranging from kindergarten to high school. They typically specialize in a specific subject area or age group. Elementary school teachers cover a range of subjects, while middle and high school teachers focus on fewer subjects.
2. College professor
Professors teach at the college/university level. Just like K-12 teachers, they typically specialize in a specific subject area. In addition to their teaching responsibilities, many professors conduct research and publish scholarly papers or books.
3. Special Education teachers
Special education teachers are a vital part of the education system, and they cater to a variety of students with various learning, mental, and/or physical impairments. They do this by adapting lesson plans to their students’ needs to make them understandable and continuously working with students to help them reach their goals. Also, this type of teacher isn’t exclusive to a specific grade and can work with students up to college level.
4. School and career counselors
School counselors help students develop academic and social skills to prepare them for life after graduation. They’re employed by both public and private K-12 schools, as well as colleges and universities. Career counselors help people explore occupations and make career decisions.
5. Librarian
Librarians help patrons find books and other resources, conduct research, and set up systems for cataloging and shelving books. They’re typically employed by local governments, universities, and K-12 schools.
6. Instructional coordinator
Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop educational material, implement it with teachers and principals, and assess its effectiveness. They also observe teachers in the classroom, review student test data, and conduct teacher training workshops.
7. Archivists and curators
Archivists catalog and preserve historically valuable documents, while curators oversee collections of historical items. They typically work for institutions such as museums, governments, and colleges. Job responsibilities include setting up exhibits and providing educational services to the public.
Online learning
It’s important to consider the nature of our education system currently. Online learning has had a significant impact on the field of education, including education majors. Now, education majors may be taught how to use online platforms to help their students learn.
Additionally, education majors may even have some classes online or obtain their degree through an online program. Therefore, it may be important to become familiar with online platforms, such as Zoom, and Blackboard, if you’re considering becoming an education major.
Further reading: Online vs. in-person college: Which is right for you?
How do I know if this major is right for me?
If you’re considering a major in education, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you patient, compassionate, and willing to take on challenges?
- Do you enjoy gaining and sharing knowledge?
- Are you passionate about helping young people achieve their potential?
- Do you seek to improve the state of the world around you?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, then an education major could be right for you!
Final thoughts
Overall, an education major is a study that focuses on preparing students to become teachers and educators in a variety of environments. Typically, education majors are interested in becoming K-12 or special education teachers. However, there are an abundance of careers available to education majors that aren’t just teachers, such as a librarian or a school counselor.
When pursuing an education major, often you will need to participate in student teaching which provides hands-on opportunities to apply skills in real-life classroom settings.
After graduating with a degree in education, often you will need to obtain a teaching certificate or license, which can vary by state. Typically, you can obtain licensure by passing exams and meeting other requirements set by the education authorities.
Education majors can lead to careers in teaching at various levels and in a variety of subjects. However, the specific focus and requirements of an education major can vary depending on the institution and the level of education being pursued.
Keep reading:
- Top scholarships for teachers
- Top education major scholarships
- How to find special education scholarships
- Public service loan forgiveness: What it is and how it can help you