Education, General

Overview

Programs in general education teach people the theories of learning and teaching. Students learn how to plan a curriculum.

Education programs include topics such as:

Educational systems
Public, private, and charter schools
Curriculum and instruction
Assessment and evaluation
Human and child psychology
Learning styles
School safety and health

Concentrations

In education programs, students may be able to specialize in specific subjects they would like to teach in fields such as:

Art
Foreign language
Language arts
Mathematics
Physical education
Music
Science
Social science

People who want to teach in middle and high school are usually required to select areas of specialization.

Schools

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in education. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

Many universities offer graduate degrees in education. A master's degree typically requires one or two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Program admissions vary. However, for all programs, you need good grades. You also usually need to complete some combination of the following requirements:

Education core courses
Personal interview
Personal statement
Required general education courses

Program requirements may vary depending on if they focus on a particular style of education (e.g., Montessori, Waldorf)

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Education Methodology
Psychology
Sociology
Teacher Aide
Teacher Assisting

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor’s degree with significant course work in education, good grades, and good test scores.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
Letters of recommendation
Personal statement
Teaching experience

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

Your undergraduate courses will vary greatly depending on the specific subject(s) you wish to teach. If you know your particular area, it's a good idea to visit the related program of study. For example, if you wish to teach mathematics, check out the mathematics program of study description.

Typically, your education courses typically include:

Adolescent Psychology
Assessment in Education
Classroom Management and Planning
Content-Area Reading Skills
Curriculum Development
Educational Media
Educational Psychology
Fundamentals of Human Development
History of Education
Inclusion of Diverse Learners
Methods of Teaching
Philosophy of Education
School Administration and Organization
School and Society
Theories of Education

You may also take courses that focus on a specific age group, such as middle school or high school students.

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate programs that lead to a master's or doctoral degree typically include:

Required courses
Thesis (master’s degree)
Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)

The core courses are often either a more thorough or more directed study of issues and topics that are introduced in undergraduate courses for this program. You also take courses in research methodology and statistics to prepare you to do independent research.

Most programs require you to complete a student teaching practicum, which is a hands-on opportunity to apply what you've learned in one of a variety of education settings, from public elementary schools to private Montessori or Waldorf preschools. Whatever the setting, you benefit from the guidance and direct supervision of an experienced teacher.

Many programs also offer a pre-practicum course. This exposes you to education before you are given the responsibility of teaching a course. You would work closely with a teacher and an advisor from your program, observing, discussing, and assisting.

Things to Know

You can earn a bachelor's degree in your chosen field (such as history) and then earn a Master in Teaching (MAT) degree. This degree usually requires about one additional year of study.

You need to be licensed to teach in public schools. All states require you to have at least a bachelor's degree and a certain amount of supervised practice teaching experience. Some states also require that you have a master's degree.

Part of the licensure requirements of many states includes one or more tests such as the Praxis exams. Passing these exams helps show your competency to teach.

Because some states don't have official certification processes, you should develop a teaching portfolio. This showcases to potential employers your teaching vision, achievements, and competency. As a student, you can start compiling samples of syllabi and student work that you've graded, as well as other materials that reflect your growth and development as a teacher. You should also include a statement of your teaching philosophy and career objectives.