Requirements for a Career in Education

• Degree requirements for education jobs range from associate degrees to graduate degrees.
• You may need to pass an exam or hold a license to qualify for some education jobs.
• Education careers that require postbaccalaureate credentials and more work experience tend to offer higher salaries.

The National Council for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that just over 50% of K-12 teachers held a master's degree during the 2020-2021 school year. And this percentage approached 55% for educators at suburban schools. These statistics demonstrate the increasingly rigorous education career requirements for aspiring educators and education administrators.

However, you do not need a master's degree to meet the training requirements for all education careers. Some jobs require only an associate or bachelor's degree in education. Even so, advancing your education can make you more competitive in a tight job market, qualify you for promotion, or prepare you to earn a higher salary.

Which Degree Should You Get to Work in Education?

Depending on your target job and eventual career aspirations, you can pursue various degrees in education. Each type of degree offers different opportunities.

Associate Degree

An associate degree in education can provide a strong foundation for students aspiring to a career in the field. Like most associate pathways, an associate in education program requires you to complete about 60 credits of coursework. Most associate in education programs blend general education coursework with major-focused, classroom-based courses. You can graduate in about two years of full-time study.

If you want to enter the workforce upon graduation, an associate degree prepares you to pursue roles like preschool teacher, childcare center director, or paraprofessional. Another benefit of an associate-level education is that you can typically transfer general education credits to a four-year school and pursue a bachelor's degree in education.

According to NCES, one year of tuition at two-year public colleges during the 2022-2023 academic year cost an average of $3,598.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree in education can prepare you for more career options than an associate degree. Most bachelor's in education programs require students to complete around 120 credits. You can graduate in about four years — or eight semesters — of full-time study.

The career options that bachelor's degree-holders in education can pursue depend on their concentration, although possible jobs include elementary, middle, or high school teachers.

According to NCES, in 2022-2023, the average annual cost of tuition and fees at a public four-year school was $9,750.

Master's Degree

A master's degree in education can open the door to supervisory positions with more responsibility.

Possible careers for master's degree-holders still include elementary, middle, or high school teacher positions, but higher-paying education roles like instructional coordinator and curriculum designer may also be options. Additionally, teachers who work in public schools are often paid based on salary schedules, which automatically award higher salaries to graduate degree-holders.

Some school districts may hire assistant principal and principal candidates who hold master's degrees, although many schools prefer candidates with doctoral degrees. Master's degree-holders can also pursue specific adjunct roles in higher education, such as those at the community college level.

Doctoral Degree

A doctoral degree in education (Ed.D.) is the highest-level degree in the field. Doctoral degree-holders can qualify for many of the highest-ranking education positions.

Doctoral programs vary widely in terms of credit requirements and completion times. Some programs require you to write a dissertation, while others feature a capstone project or seminar.

Tuition rates for Ed.D. programs vary widely. However, doctoral students can sometimes receive tuition waivers and cost-of-living stipends if they enroll in Ph.D. programs and teach undergraduate courses or perform research.

Possible careers for doctoral degree-holders in education include professor, principal, and postsecondary education administrator roles.

Required Exams and Certifications

You need a state-issued license to work as a public K-12 educator. Some states refer to this certification as a license. Initial certification steps include completing education career requirements, such as earning a bachelor's or master's in education with student teaching.

Beyond education training requirements, you must also pass exams. The majority of states use ETS Praxis tests to some degree. You may need to pass one or more Praxis tests, such as those specific to the subjects you wish to teach.

Some states require additional examinations. California residents, for example, must pass state-specific exams to become public school teachers. Although many states possess teaching reciprocity agreements, you may need to complete additional requirements if you plan on working in another state.

5 Popular Careers in Education

There are many different career paths in education you can follow.

Perhaps the most common path is becoming a classroom teacher. Many people aspire to careers as elementary, middle, or high school teachers. But after several years in the classroom, you can also advance into administration roles, serving as an instructional coordinator, coach, or school principal.

Education professionals can also work in K-12 schools in non-teaching positions. Many schools hire counselors to help students apply to college and deal with social and emotional challenges. Some schools also hire social workers to perform similar tasks and provide similar support.

You can also find work in colleges and universities, where you might be able to work as a researcher or handle student affairs and other administrative functions as a dean or provost.

Internships and Student Teaching

Most state-approved educator preparation programs include a practicum experience and student teaching. These program features prepare future educators to succeed in the classroom by pairing them with an experienced, practicing teacher.

Student teachers assist the licensed teacher in the classroom, often getting to plan and lead some of their own lessons.

Student teaching requirements vary by program and state, but most states require a certain number of student teaching hours for licensure. Check your state board of education's specific student teaching requirements and list of approved educator preparation programs to know what requirements you must meet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Careers in Education

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed February 16th, 2024.