Many steps are required for anyone seeking a career in education. Once you’ve committed to becoming a teacher, your first and most important step will be to earn an education degree. In the majority of states, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education is the minimum requirement for being hired as a teacher. However, for those who want a career in education but don’t want to pursue a four-year degree, there is the possibility of pursuing an Associate’s degree.
Earning an Associate’s Degree in Education comes with many benefits that you need to know about if you’re considering this degree path.
Why Should You Pursue an Associate’s Degree in Education?
The main benefit to pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Education is maximizing your time. Typically, a Bachelor’s degree will take at least four years to complete. Associate’s degrees, on the other hand, can be finished in two years, sometimes less. This makes them a great choice for those interested in education who already have a full-time job.
Another benefit of an Associate’s degree is that they often cost much less money than more advanced degrees. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, an Associate’s degree is a great choice for those who want an education career but aren’t sure if they want the responsibility of being a full teacher. As you can see, there are almost no drawbacks to choosing an Associate’s degree.
Featured Schools
Coursework You Will Need to Complete
If you are considering enrolling in an Associate’s program, it’s important that you learn about some of the coursework you’ll be required to complete during your degree. Education degrees at the Associate’s level will cover much of the same material that you would expect in a Bachelor’s program. However, the content will usually not be as advanced.
Courses that you can expect to take while enrolled in an Associate’s program can include introduction to elementary education, child psychology, early childhood education and introduction to child development. You may also be required to complete supervised field experience, as well as basic courses in curriculum and assessment.
Careers You Can Join with an Associate’s Degree
When a person enrolls in an educational degree program, one of their most pressing concerns is what kind of jobs they will be eligible for once their degree has been completed. Although many people don’t realize it, an Associate’s Degree in Education opens up many exciting professional possibilities.
Discover teacher certification and education programs that are a match for you!
For instance, many people with Associate’s degrees will become a teacher’s aide—a degree is a requirement if you want to be a teacher’s aide in a Title I school. While this is the most common career for someone with an Associate’s Degree in Education, there are several other opportunities. Other jobs you could pursue include being a school library technician, a preschool teacher, a substitute teacher or a childcare specialist.
Next Steps
A great choice for anyone interested in an education career is to earn an Associate’s degree. After you complete your degree, you have many options. You could, for example, enter one of the previously mentioned careers. Some people will choose to continue their education so that they can become an elementary or high school teacher. Whatever path you choose, completing your Associate’s Degree in Education is a great first step to a long career in education.