Education and Teaching: Degrees and Licensure

As an academic field, education covers the techniques and systems institutions and instructors use to teach students and guide their academic development. It is an interdisciplinary field that draws on elements of psychology, technology, neuroscience, and the social sciences to inform its methodologies.

While studying education, you’ll engage with a combination of pedagogical theory, scientific research, and practical skills development. Education programs often emphasize teaching methods, but the field supports a wealth of other professional pursuits, including:

You can earn education degrees at all levels, from associate to doctoral options.

Education is one of the most diverse fields in academia, based on the sheer number of degree pathways and designations you can pursue. These broadly include undergraduate and graduate degrees, professional degrees, and doctoral degrees. You can also pursue many concentration options at most degree levels.

The following pages explore some popular education degrees and specialization tracks:

Under most circumstances, you’ll need a state-issued license or certification to work as a K-12 teacher. Exact requirements vary, but you must usually complete a qualified teacher training program and a minimum number of practice teaching hours. States also require teacher candidates to undergo background checks.