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Elementary, Secondary
Education Teaching Programs, Now Available via Online Study
Teaching
Degrees
Elementary and secondary education
degrees, along with state certifications, are usually required
of anyone wanting to teach in a public school system. Private
schools may require the degree but may not require the state
certification. Now you can get most of the education through
online study.
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Walden
University
offers a program with specializations
in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Elementary
Reading and Literacy, Literacy and Learning in the Content
Areas (Grades 6-12), Mathematics (Grades K-8), Middle
Level Education, Science (Grades K-8) and more. This
program is designed to help improve the skills of currently
working teachers who wish to increase their earning
potential.
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The University of St. Mary offers a with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction. In this program, students learn instructional models and enhanced teaching strategies and technologies. There are three core concepts—action research, technology, and professional portfolio. Students can earn their degrees in as little as 18 months.
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Jones
International University
offers a
degree program and a M.Ed. in Secondary Curriculum,
Instruction, and Assessment degree program. Both programs
are designed to prepare students for teacher licensure.
Coursework includes K-12 curriculum design, K-12 assessment
approaches, and K-12 instructional strategies.
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Liberty
University provides a program. Designed
for individuals who have not had any prior teaching
experience and who are interested in gaining initial teaching licensure,
this program provides students with a solid knowledge
base of teaching competencies. Students may choose from
one of three specializations (elementary, secondary,
or special education) for licensure.
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Western
Governors University
offers a
. These programs
are designed for working, licensed teachers who seek
to enhance and update their skills. Coursework includes
teaching skills, development skills, leadership abilities,
technology integration, instruction, measurement and
more.
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Nova
Southeastern University offers a Master of Arts degree in Teaching and Learning (M.A.T.L.) with specializations in , , , and at the elementary level.
This program is comprised of integrated curricular blocks
that provide multi-dimensional modules in each specific
academic subject area. Each block consists of six graduate
credit hours.
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Grand
Canyon University
offers a degree program.
The program is designed for students who seek a teaching
certificate and who are interested in teaching grades
K-8. Coursework includes reading strategies, educational
psychology, teaching methodology, and curriculum development.
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The
University of Phoenix
offers a program.
This program is designed to prepare students for teacher
licensure. Students are required to complete a minimum
of 100 hours of verifiable field experience. Coursework
includes Child Development, Models and Theories of Instruction,
Legal and Ethical Issues in Education, and more.
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Usually,
individuals who teach in an elementary system will be teaching
nearly all subjects for their chosen grade level. Common exceptions
would be art, music, and physical education which require
specializing even for the elementary school level.
Secondary
public school teachers usually specialize in one area such
as English and its related subjects, ,
science, foreign language, technology, sports, business education
and more. A public school teacher may have from three to five
different subjects with several sections of each, depending
on the size of the school. In a very large school, your entire
day might consist of 5 sections of 10th grade English with
a couple of planning periods, making a total of seven to eight
50 minute periods.
Other
Career Options
The primary purpose of an education degree is to become a
teacher, and by far, the majority of people who complete an
education degree eventually teach in one setting or another.
However, modern advancements in technology and in our understanding
of education in general have created numerous additional career
possibilities. For example, we now have people who specialize
in curriculum development, in development and administration
of standardized testing, in instructional technology for teachers,
in administrative leadership and development, and in adult
education and administration. Those with education degrees
in technology might find themselves working for a senior center
where they could be teaching seniors to use the internet,
while those who like a one-on-one teaching relationship could
be working for an organization that helps students who have
learning disabilities.
Getting
the Education
Degrees in elementary or secondary education all require a
background of general—called core—courses that would be taken
during your first two years in a traditional college setting.
During your junior and senior years, you would "major" in
the subject area of your choice and take the required courses
for the degree. If you want to teach in an elementary setting,
you actually need the bachelor's degree in elementary education,
usually followed by a master's degree in the same area. However,
if you want to teach in a secondary setting, you could get
your degree in secondary education OR in your particular subject
area. For example, you could teach math with either a degree
in secondary education with a concentration in
or with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. If you want to
get into administration or some other educational field, you
could then pursue a master's degree in administration, for
example. Because of the tremendous need for people in education,
education degrees are some of the most flexible degree fields
available.
The
biggest drawback to an education career is still salary. Teachers
usually feel like they are underpaid compared to other professions.
Careers in administration, such as principals, curriculum
specialists or superintendents, however, are very lucrative
with most principals and superintendents commanding six figure
salaries. Of course, that doesn't help if you just want to
be a teacher, but don't know how you could make enough to
repay the loans necessary for today's traditional college
education.
Fortunately,
getting your degree online is your answer. A modestly priced
college will cost $50,000 or more for a four year degree—and
you still need the master's degree. Compare that with costs
as low as $4500 to get your degree online. You get the same
quality education, the same access to resources, the same
interaction with peers, as if you sat in a classroom. Plus,
you have the added advantage of studying at your own pace,
which could easily take less than the usual four years. Get
started by browsing the many fine online education programs.
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