Social Science Education
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Concentrations
Anthropology
Economics
Geography
History
Political Science
Sociology
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.
Related Career Titles
| Adult Education Teacher Alumni Relations Coordinator Athletic Coach Curriculum Specialist Education and Training Administrator Education Management Specialist Educational Administrator Educational Materials Sales Rep. Educational Researcher Educational Resource Coordinator Educational Therapist Employee Training Instructor Financial Aid Counselor Grant Writer Guidance Counselor Instructor, College/University Librarian Library Consultant Media Center Specialist | Missionary Worker Reading Specialist Registrar/Admissions Director Religious Institution Education Coordinator Resource Teacher School Psychologist Secondary School Teacher Social Services Volunteer Special Education Administrator Speech Pathologist Student Admissions Administrator Student Affairs Administrator Student Personnel Administrator Teacher, Adventure/Outdoor Educator Teacher, Handicapped Students Training Specialist Tutor Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Youth Counselor |
Some Employers of Education Majors
| Camps Churches Colleges and Universities Community Centers Educational Publishers Hospitals | Libraries Non Profits Public and Private Schools State and Federal Government Youth Services |
Related Major Skills
| Ability to teach/train Ability to teach students with different learning levels Computer skills Creativity Dealing with parents or guardians Decision making Explaining ideas clearly | Flexibility Lesson planning Organization Planning Summarizing ideas Team player Writing and presenting information |
Professional Organizations
American Federation of Teachers
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
National Education Association
North Carolina Association of Educators - resources, news and search engines
US Department of Education
