Many accredited institutions and schools across the US offer secondary education degrees, which are geared towards preparing students to teach in middle schools and high schools. Students who are interested in teaching may find that a secondary education degree could help them get a teaching position.
Types of Degrees in Secondary Education
Secondary education degrees are offered at the bachelor's level and master's level. A bachelor's degree is typically a four year degree, and may be pursued on campus as well as online. In a bachelor's degree program, students could focus on a particular discipline of their choice such as English, science, math, computer science, languages, or special education. Many bachelor's degree education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. It is not necessary that they must be, but it makes the licensing process a whole lot easier in many states if they are. Students may also have to complete a student teaching requirement to get hands-on experience in a school classroom. Students get a chance to work with experienced teachers who are able to guide and mentor them while they assist the teacher, and they may have to develop their own lesson plan and teach this to the class.
A master's degree program in secondary education typically takes two years to complete. The exact duration may vary, and this could depend upon the curriculum and other factors like the student's enrollment status. Many schools also offer specialized certification programs. These are a viable option for those who want to enhance their career prospects in a convenient and cost effective way.
Benefits of Online Education
Online degrees offer a variety of benefits for their students. These programs are especially helpful for those students who cannot compromise on their personal or professional commitments, which prevent them from enrolling in full time degree programs. Online degree programs are flexible because students may not have to disrupt their work routine and will be able to study at their own convenience and pace. Moreover, students who enroll in online programs have the advantage of studying at a location they want and at a time that fits within their schedule. Online programs use a variety of teaching techniques, making use of webcasts, online lectures, and other media to make the lessons as interactive as possible. Also, online programs may turn out to be more cost effective because students get to save money on commuting costs.
Responsibilities of Secondary Education Teachers
Secondary education teachers have to carry out a number of important tasks. They are responsible for mentoring their students, and helping them in becoming proficient in the particular subject taught. Teachers also have to prepare lessons and follow up on their students' progress with their parents. Besides these activities, secondary education teachers may be responsible for a variety of other tasks such as organizing extracurricular activities for their students. These might include overseeing various student organizations, chaperoning school activities and field trips, or coaching athletic teams. Secondary education teachers may also be required to attend conferences and take continuing education courses to remain up-to-date on new teaching methods.