If you’re among the millions looking to enter the education field you’ll be entering one of the most personally rewarding careers in the world. Few jobs can match the level of satisfaction that comes from knowing that you helped shape a student’s future. Education is also a field that is in high demand, with the need for teachers only expected to grow over the next several years. That means that job stability is solid within the field. Of course, you may not earn as much as a surgeon would, but the fact is that many teachers do indeed earn well above the national average salary.
To help increase your salary and help increase the chances of finding work, choosing to specialize in a specific area of education is a good idea. There are numerous specializations within the field, and finding the right one is a matter of knowing which ones are in demand and which ones hold the most interest for you. Here’s a look at ten of the very best degree specialties in education based on job growth, job satisfaction, salary, and personal rewards.
- TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, also called Teaching English as a second language, is just what it sounds like. As the number of people from foreign countries living here continues to grow, so does the language barrier. This area of expertise focuses on helping those who can’t speak or read English understand the language so that they can succeed in this country.
- Special Education – Working with special needs children is one of the most personally rewarding careers in the entire teaching field. Children with handicaps – physical and mental – need specially trained educators. This is the field that focuses on them.
- Gifted Education – On the other side of the spectrum, children who are academically gifted actually need unique teaching methods as well. Studies show that they can often grow bored of the standard curriculum, and these teachers help keep them engaged.
- Distance Learning – This specialization is used to enhance your ability to teach online education and distance learning classes. This is the future of education and careers in this area will be highly in demand.
- Early Childhood – Working with kids in the preschool to kindergarten ages takes a special skillset as well, and this degree specialization imparts it to you perfectly.
- Adult Education – The number of adults going back to school is growing and the demand for teachers with an adult education specialization is growing as well. This field is rewarding and offers excellent employment opportunities.
- Curriculum and Instruction – This field focuses on the analyzation of data and the use of that data to enhance and improve curriculum and protocols in educational settings. There are jobs in local, state, and even the national government as well as numerous private sectors.
- Higher Education Administration – This is one of the highest paying jobs on the list and focuses on the skills needed to manage a large educational institution like a college or university. It’s a cross between a business and education degree.
- Educational Administration – Less demanding than number eight, this degree specialization allows to you enter elementary, middle, and high schools in the public and private sectors as an administrator. A principal is a good example of a job this degree can lead to.
- School Counseling – A cross between an education and psychology degree, this field is highly rewarding and allows you to work with children who need emotional and mental counseling for any reason.
All of these degree specialties are worthwhile choices and most take around thirty five to forty credit hours to earn. It’s time, money, and energy well spent that will reward you for the rest of your life.