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Degrees

Education Degree Types

Written by College Cliffs Team At CollegeCliffs.com, our team, comprising seasoned educators and counselors, is committed to supporting students on their journey through graduate studies. Our advisors, holding advanced degrees in diverse fields, provide tailored guidance, current program details, and pragmatic tips on navigating application procedures.

Reviewed by Linda Weems I got started researching colleges and universities about 10 years ago while exploring a second career. While my second career ended up being exactly what I’m doing now, and I didn’t end up going to college, I try to put myself in your shoes every step of the way as I build out College Cliffs as a user-friendly resource for prospective students.

Updated: January 3, 2024, Reading time: 3 minutes

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Associate’s Degrees in Education

This curriculum primarily focuses on assisting students in gaining the required skills and knowledge to teach various courses. Students can pick from multiple specializations within the degree, including elementary, paraprofessional, and early childhood education.

Some classes cover pedagogy, curriculum studies, literacy and language, learning-environment management, technology in education, educational psychology, and diversity in the classroom.

Students can learn how to develop lesson plans, administer the classroom and activities, and train the children via the lessons.

Bachelor of Education

Programs under Bachelor of Education often cover topics such as classroom management, curriculum creation, and helping exceptional students.

They could also specialize in areas like elementary education or literacy instruction. Finally, most programs require student teaching, which is a term of supervised classroom experience.

Master’s in Education

Master of Education (M.Ed.) or Master of Education (EdM) degrees are graduate programs that prepare students for jobs in education outside of classroom teaching, such as administration, instructional technology, or curriculum development and design, to mention a few options.

Master’s in Teaching

Master’s degree programs in teaching are available in full-time, part-time, online, and even distance learning formats. Masters in Teaching candidates learn by doing and become experts in the most up-to-date professional teaching techniques.

With a strong emphasis on real-world skills acquisition and practical learning, students will become experts in all of the most up-to-date professional teaching methods.

Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction

This master’s degree focuses on creating lesson plans and teaching practices. These match the requirements of various student groups, with a particular emphasis on underserved students.

These experts also have the analytical abilities required to assess the success of the curriculum, allowing them to assist educators in implementing more effective tools and tactics.

Educational Specialist

An EdS is a postgraduate education degree that is more advanced than a master’s degree but needs minor coursework than a Ph.D. or EdD. EdS is an attractive option for professionals with a master’s degree to advance without the time or cost associated with most doctoral degrees.

They typically take 30 to 65 credit hours of coursework (depending on your specialty and school) and can be finished in just over a year (or up to two years) after getting your master’s degree.

Doctorate in Education

Because it is the highest level of education available in all fields of study, the Doctor of Education degree is a terminal degree. The doctorate prepares students for academic, administrative, or research positions in education, government service, and private sector work.

Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction

Students in an online doctorate in curriculum and instruction programs learn the educational theory, cultural competency, and measurement techniques needed to develop comprehensive curricula for diverse student bodies. The degree provides insight into subjects such as psychology, child development, ethics, and law.