Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Teachers can have great impact on the social, personal, and intellectual development of individuals. Their influence stems from a love of learning; a talent for awakening students to new modes of thinking; an understanding of the human development process; and professional skills. Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand their educational and emotional needs. They also should be organized, dependable, patient, and creative. A general description of teacher work activities includes: planning courses; instructing students; evaluating student performance; supervising student activities; performing administrative duties; advising students; interacting with faculty, parents, and employers; and keeping up with developments in the field. Teachers can be found in almost every sector of society, and they instruct a wide range of topics. While specific course requirements vary among disciplines, most teachers will fulfill the academic requirements of a major in a chosen field; be literate in the history, philosophy, psychology, sociology and methodology of education; and have developed initial teaching skills through supervised clinical experiences. Although certification is required for public school teachers (k-12) in all 50 states, some states offer alternative teacher certification programs to attract otherwise qualified persons into the field. Aspiring teachers who need certification may also enter programs that grant a master’s degree in education, as well as certification.

Most college and university faculty are in four academic ranks: professor, associate professor, assistant professor, and instructor. Four-year colleges and universities generally hire doctoral degree holders for full-time, tenure-track positions, but may hire master’s degree holders or doctoral candidates for certain disciplines, such as the arts, or for part-time and temporary jobs. In two-year colleges, master’s degree holders often qualify for full-time positions.

Use the following examples of employment opportunities for Education majors as an idea list, and remember that it represents some, but certainly not all, of the careers you might consider. Some of these jobs also require education beyond the bachelors’ degree.