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Associates in Education Degrees & Programs Guide

If you think teaching might be a rewarding career, a good way to find out it to get an associate degree in education and enter the classroom. A two-year degree is less expensive and time-consuming than getting the traditional bachelor’s degree, and it could be a good way to gauge if a teaching career is something you’ll enjoy for the long-term. If you decide to pursue teaching, continuing your education is relatively easy and you’ll have the experience of already having been in a classroom to help you along.

Associates in Education Degrees & Programs Guide

Education Degrees & Career Paths

PROS

• You can get into a classroom faster with an associate degree. With a two-year degree in education, you can get a paraprofessional educators position such as a teacher’s aide or teaching assistant. In some states, you can even teach preschool or work as a substitute teacher.

• Starting out in a paraprofessional position is a good way to determine if you want to dedicate yourself to pursuing a bachelor’s degree to become a certified lead educator. It’s also a good way to get a foothold in a school district so that, in the event you do decide to pursue a higher degree and become a lead teacher, employment opportunities will be more readily available.

• You can get a position in the field more quickly.

CONS

• You will make less than a lead teacher. Obviously, since the lead teacher has more education and possibly more experience, your income will be lower than those who have gone the extra mile to earn their education and credentials.

• The chance to lead a classroom isn’t very high. Your lead teacher will most likely let you help with the curriculum, but the teaching will mainly be their job and you will be there to assist.

• Without pursuing a higher degree, there is little room for advancement.

• Jobs are becoming scarce for those without at least a bachelor’s degree, as more and more states realize the importance of early education and tighten the requirements for teachers.

• Certain certifications can only be pursued with a bachelor’s degree.

Certificate Vs. Associates in Education

In the field of education, certificates are generally attained at the undergraduate or graduate level, therefore, they are usually not attainable by someone with an associate degree. Certificates in education usually indicate that the person has extra knowledge in a certain element of education, or in teaching certain age groups or specific subjects. For example, a teacher can get a certificate in early childhood education, which indicates that the teacher has gained extra knowledge to assist with teaching students enrolled in preschool or kindergarten. Another example would be a certificate in special education, which indicates that a teacher has additional education for teaching children with educational challenges and special needs.

What Education Associate Degrees are Available?

There are four main types of associate degrees:

• Associates of Science (AS):

This designation is reserved for degrees focused around the sciences such as math, biology, chemistry, or general science.

• Associates of Arts (AA):

This designation is for two-year degrees in the arts and humanities such as English, psychology, or history.

• Associates in Applied Science (AAS):

These degrees cover similar material as the AS but are more focused on getting the graduate into the work force rather than preparing them for higher levels of education.

• Associates in Applied Arts (AAA):

This degree covers the same areas as the AA, but it’s usually a terminal degree that prepares the degree holder to work in his chosen field.

To summarize, if you are seriously contemplating continuing your education in the future, then getting an AS or AA is ideal. But, if you intend to work in your field with just a two-year degree for the foreseeable future, then getting an AAS or AAA might be your best bet.

Admission Requirements to Enter an Associate in Education Degree Program

In order to be admitted into an associate in an education degree program you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

Must have a high school diploma or GED
Take the ACT or SAT and achieve the minimum required score, if required (The minimum score varies by school)
Fill out the application for the school you want to attend
Pay the application fee (if required)
Submit transcripts from all schools previously attended
Supply any other requested information that the school might want - This could include admission essays, a resume, proof of community involvement, letters of recommendation, etc. These requirements tend to vary by school so it’s important that you follow the school’s application process to the letter.

How long does it take to earn an Associate Degree in Education?

In most cases, an associate degree in education can be completed in two years. However, there are cases where it might take longer. For example, for students who are going to school part-time, it could take an extra year or more. Most schools require that a two-year degree be completed within four years of starting the program. Although it is possible for it to take less than two years to complete a program, this doesn’t happen often, especially if there is an observation and student teaching requirement.

Associates

You may want to work in a day-care classroom as a teacher or a teacher’s aide. At this level, you need no more than 60 credits to graduate before you receive your certification.

EXAMPLE COURSEWORK:

• Introduction to Early Childhood Education

• Health, Nutrition and Safety

• Practicum - Nurturing Relationships

How long does it take to earn an Associate Degree in Education?

Associates

You may want to work in a day-care classroom as a teacher or a teacher’s aide. At this level, you need no more than 60 credits to graduate before you receive your certification.

EXAMPLE COURSEWORK:

• Introduction to Early Childhood Education

• Health, Nutrition and Safety

• Practicum - Nurturing Relationships

Earning Potential and Career Salaries for Education Major Graduates

If you’re considering earning a degree beyond your high school diploma, take this into account. On average, if you have a diploma, you’ll earn about $700 per week in median wages. If you have an associate degree, you’ll find your median weekly salary increasing to between $825 and $850. With a bachelor’s degree, you’ll see a big jump, with your median weekly salary rising to about $1,175. After earning a master’s, your median weekly salary increases to roughly $1,400 and with a professional degree, it may rise to $1,800. With a doctoral degree, you may see a small drop in your median weekly earnings—it falls to just below $1,750.

You may decide to earn your associate’s first, then decide if you’re going to advance any more. This is fine. It can be daunting to consider being in school for four years or more. Earning a two-year associate in applied science in education means you can get into a classroom (and begin earning) in about two years. Some education jobs require you to have at least 60 credit hours in education. This is where an associate’s fits the bill perfectly.

Maybe your career plans will require a bachelor’s degree or higher. If so, you’re going to have to work hard in your classes so you can graduate in four years.

You can transform your interest for education as well as additionally enjoy for discovering right into a profession by making your associate's level in education. Whether you mean to show very early childhood years, elementary, or job as a daycare distributor, a companion's level in education is a fantastic first action to beginning your career. There are a number of specialized you could major in with a partner's degrees in education.

The curriculum of these programs will differ based upon the expertise, yet there are core training courses that the majority of education companion's level programs will have. Right here is a sample absolutely you might end up: Educational psychology Pedagogy Technology in education Diversity in the classroom Several programs also include a practicum, in which trainees have the possibility to observe and also join courses each day in the sort of institution they plan on operating in.

Signing up in an on-line associate's degree program in education and discovering is likewise an amazing option if your timetable will certainly not permit you to head to an on-campus associate's program. When investigating online programs, make certain that the program includes all the demands you will require to finish your licensure test, if your goal is to wind up being a qualified teacher.

This indicates that if you plan on having an advisor occupation, you will need to advance to a bachelor's level program after gaining your associate's level. Nevertheless, an associate's degree in education will certainly provide you with the capacities essential to take an entry-level setting in education after university graduation. This will certainly give you the possibility to gain hands-on experience in your location for a couple of years, or proceed onto your bachelor's program.

Programs are made use of at a neighborhood university in addition to last 2 years so you have the capacity to complete your core bachelor's degree training courses at a less expensive expense, as well as after that move to a much more pricey four-year public or special university. Likewise, getting your associate's degree in education and discovering originally may give you a boost in acquiring approved to a more famous four-year university.

They are verified to be extra dedicated to their looks into and also are usually elder. Consequently, they desire accept pupils with partner's degrees. There are a few work in education that call for only a senior high school diploma. These are the job that will certainly be readily available to you after making your companion's level.

Numerous enthusiastic university students examine what type of level is required in order to operate as a trainer. This all relies upon what grade you intend to enlighten. For university student, several universities need a master's degree. Depending upon the district, senior high school teachers will certainly require at the minimum a bachelor's degree, as well as additionally occasionally either a coach certification or master's degree.

Again, this is all contingent on the institution area. Requirements might vary, however at any type of type of rate, by acquiring a partner's degree in Education, you increase your opportunities of being eligible to enlighten Early Childhood years Education and finding out and also function as an instructor's assistant without the demand for any licensure. Below's a little a lot more details pertaining to the type of instructor you can be with a companion's level: Teacher Assistants function under the guidance of qualified educators assisting them with the jobs of record keeping in regards to determining high qualities and also tracking presence.

Preschool instructors inform kids under the age of 5. Their lesson plans prepare them for preschool with building lessons that focus on the really essential topics of evaluation, writing, and additionally other subjects that little ones will certainly have the ability to comprehend. The lesson plans preschool educators will certainly create on are the fundamental subjects in addition to will certainly supplement them with imaginative language, electric motor, as well as also social capabilities.

Several mother and fathers are working and/or pursuing a college. Because of this, the need for a child care distributor has actually wound up being relatively the demand. Specialists in this profession can anticipate to work either part-time or full-time that can promptly take a look at in humans resources depending on the workload of the moms and dads.

We can make sure that you have the ability to manage your college education and understanding, to make sure that you can notify others. In all sincerity, you truly can't pay for NOT to. Education and understanding is important. Pursuing a profession as a teacher tells us that you recognize the worth behind informing others.

It is quite common for an associates in general education jobs to require a bachelor's degree or a graduate degree. This is due to the fact that most of the work requires a great deal of research and knowledge about certain subjects. These courses generally have a broad scope of learning and experience, and require individuals to work in large groups. One of the many benefits of taking such a course is the fact that it offers a great amount of job security.

A great number of associates in general education jobs involve teaching or counseling students. This can be an extremely rewarding career, since these individuals can work with students who have varying levels of ability in their studies. If someone wishes to pursue a teaching career, they should take some time and make sure that they choose a college that has a good reputation.

In most cases, individuals will want to take a bachelor's degree in some form, but they do not need to take a four-year program if they are already working in the field they wish to work in. Many people opt to focus on their master's or even their doctoral degrees in order to get their foot into the door with the big schools.

Individuals who work in the education field can have a lot of different options when it comes to working with different courses. These include math courses and history lessons. There is a lot of work to do when it comes to teaching students the basics of math and history, and individuals must be able to explain everything to students and make sure that they understand the information that is being presented.

It is important to understand that a specific type of course is required when working in this area. In most cases, individuals will want to find a class that allows them to get their master's or doctoral degree without spending too much money. Students should look into programs that are offered at community colleges and technical schools. These types of programs offer individuals the opportunity to earn their associate degree in a shorter period of time.

People who have earned their bachelor's degrees in this field should consider taking courses that allow them to teach classes as well. Teachers should have some flexibility in the way they choose to complete their degrees and can also work in small groups if they prefer to do so.

Associates in general education jobs has a great number of perks for individuals. These include the fact that there are many job opportunities, and the fact that an individual is more likely to have more job security in this field than other types of jobs. The job security is a key reason that people choose to work in this field over other fields.

People who work in this type of position usually enjoy the job satisfaction that is available in the field that they work in. It is easy to see why people are choosing this field, as there is a wide variety of career choices that are open for them. The fact that there are more career options available to people in this field also means that the pay is going to be higher.

People who work in this field need to have a good education in order to be successful. People who are able to meet these requirements will find that the job market for individuals like them is much more competitive than it once was. A degree from a university is not enough, and individuals need to get their high school education in order to gain the experience that they need in order to make a name for themselves in the field that they work in.

Individuals interested in learning about this field can find many schools online, where they can earn associates in education jobs. Those who are interested in this type of education need to check into a number of different schools, including the following ones:

There are many educational institutions that offer this degree program in order to those who wish to earn their degree in the field of education. Students should make sure that they are looking at different schools to see what kind of courses they can take in order to earn their degree. There are many different schools that offer programs that provide individuals with this certification, and this is one of the best ways that people can become knowledgeable about this field.

Scholarships

• Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers

Amount: $8,000 (Renewable)

Deadline: Varies

This Texas scholarship awards $8,000 in annual funding for up to four years to winners. In addition, scholarship recipients can take part in development opportunities and ongoing training, which will better equip them for their classroom duties.

Students can benefit from mentorship opportunities, working with sitting public-school educators. In this, recipients would be just one in a statewide network of aspiring teachers. This has been facilitated by the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation.

This new scholarship is awarded to students for the first time in the 2018-2019 school year. Roughly 100 education majors receive funding in the first academic year. This funding will be disseminated across 11 partner university teacher prep programs. Within the next few years, this program is slated to grow, eventually including 500 education majors each year.

• The R.H. and Jane Logan Scholarship

Amount: $4,000 (Renewable)

Deadline: January 31

This is the largest endowed scholarship fund gifted to Washington State University. WSU alumnus Roscoe “Rock” Logan and Jane, his wife provided the gift through their estate. Students of education are awarded $4,000 annually for up to four years.

Students in the undergraduate or graduate education program qualify, as long as they intend to teach in a public-school Additional qualifications include a 3.0 or higher grade point average and a documented financial need (as stated on FAFSA). To be considered for this scholarship, students must submit their WSU General Scholarship Application by January 31; their FAFSA should be completed by November 30 of the preceding year.

• Knowles Science Teaching Foundation

Amount: $10,000 (For Up to 2 Years)

Deadline: Varies

This award provides teaching fellowships to education students who plan to teach mathematics and science. These students should have earned, at the least, a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or science; they will be required to demonstrate their commitment to teach these subjects in a high school setting. This fellowship offers financial and professional support for a period of up to five years. In addition, students receiving this award will be provided up to $10,000 to go toward their tuition each year for up to two years. They will also receive a monthly stipend as long as they are enrolled in a recognized teacher credential program.

• John C. and Susanne Blough Abbott Scholarship in Education

Amount: Varies

Deadline: FAFSA Deadline

This scholarship is intended for undergraduate students who either plan to major in, or are already majoring in, a teacher preparation program within the College of Education. These students should have a documented financial need for funds to further their education and meet college expenses. The first preference for this scholarship is given to students who plan to teach within urban areas once they graduate.

• Terry and Constance Updegraff Eshenour Endowed Scholarship in the College of Education

Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

Students who are attending full-time and majoring in education are eligible for this award. To further qualify, these students should have superior academic records, financial need and be Pennsylvania residents. In addition, they should be students from underrepresented demographics (ethnicity, gender, national background and culture), all of which benefit the university’s student body.

Choosing an Accredited College

Quite simply, an unaccredited education program or university means that you won’t be able to access federal financial aid (that FAFSA application) or receive higher salary offers. Depending on your state, you may not even have the option to take the necessary exams to receive a teaching license unless you attend an accredited program.

As you check various universities and colleges out, make sure that you dig deeply to verify whether the university or education program is accredited or not. Accreditation is a voluntary step. Not every program will be accredited.

This lack of accreditation means that you, your parents, financial aid organizations and employers wouldn’t be sure of the quality of your education. Without accreditation, they won’t know whether your professors were of the best quality.

A top-notch College of Education should have an accreditation from an education-based accrediting organization as well, or a state-approved teacher preparation program. In addition, if it has accreditation from other agencies, to cover special education, mental health, athletics, speech and hearing, school psychology, and a state education department, then you will know the program is definitely of the highest quality.

Online vs. On-Campus vs. Hybrid

On-campus classes are what you experienced, beginning in kindergarten, going through 12th grade. You were able to benefit from immediate give-and-take from your teachers and fellow students. You knew assignment deadlines were firm, unless the teacher or instructor changed them. You were able to develop a community with fellow students, getting to know them, building relationships, and becoming familiar with your teachers. You didn’t have to wait for several hours or even days to get an answer to a question you had; it was answered immediately. You were able to learn in a style that best suited you; listening, discussing, or even hands-on.

Online courses are taken 100% away from the university’s campus. You don’t have to worry about getting dressed, putting gas in your car, getting on a bus, or showing up on time to an on-campus classroom. Instead, you can wake up and, ten minutes later, still in your pajamas, “attend” class virtually. Nobody will know you’re still in your T-shirt and sleep pants. If your schedule changes from week to week, this isn’t a concern, either. Just sit down when you have a good block of time to read, study, consider, and work on assignments. While you won’t have immediate feedback from your instructors or fellow students, you will be able to sign up for a class forum, where you discuss class assignments and issues with everyone.

Hybrid courses are a good mix of on-campus and online classes. The majority of your classes will take place virtually, from your computer screen. However, you’ll be able to attend a set number of “residence weekends,” when your classes are taken on-campus. Each university sets its own residence weekend schedule; this may range from one weekend all the way up to four weekends. You’ll be able to benefit from both formats.

Additional Questions

Does the College Have Post-Graduate Job Placement and Assistance?

You can’t afford to take time to redraft your resume, write attention-grabbing cover letters, schedule job interviews, practice your interview skills, or parry salary offers. Not when you’re student-teaching and getting ready to graduate.

That is why most universities and colleges have offices where career and placement service professionals can help you with all of the above. If your resume needs to be updated or even totally rewritten, they will help you. If you need to brush up on your interview skills, they will assist you.

Some campuses even hold professional development workshops. These may include networking skills, resume writing, and interviewing skills.

Why You Need to Consider How Rating and Accreditation Can Affect Your Salary

In areas where teacher shortages are the norm, you want to have solid proof that your teacher preparation program was accredited. If so, you will be highly sought-after. Your starting salary will range from $31,000 up to about $52,000, depending on the area where you are going to work.

If you’re not sure why accreditation is important, you need to remember that employers check for this piece of information. If the school’s accreditation status is unclear or even shaky, you may not receive the job offer you want; or salary offers may be significantly lower than you anticipated. When you are in school and considering a transfer to an accredited program in another college, that second program won’t accept transfer credits from your current university.

Ratings also matter. Students from colleges and universities that have received high rankings will receive higher wage offers. Ranking publications look at:

• Completion rates

• Faculty salaries

• STEM orientation

Universities with high marks in all four areas receive higher rankings. Which means you, as an alumnus or alumna, will receive better job offers.