Browse through frequently asked questions about teaching and the different paths you can take in your career.
If you're aiming to become a K-12 teacher, there are many specialties and career paths to consider. Browse through these frequently asked questions to explore the right route for your career and find a UMass Global program that helps you achieve your goals. Plus, explore our resource page with information and strategies you can leverage in your classroom and beyond.
University of Massachusetts Global's Credential and Authorization Education programs are accredited by California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). In fact, UMass Global is the second largest provider of teaching credentials in California and has been teaching teachers throughout the state for more than 60 years (previously Brandman University).
Early childhood education (ECE) refers to the formal and informal early learning programs, care, and practices that support young children's development from birth to age eight. ECE is a critical period in a children’s development as the brain experiences rapid growth, enabling the acquisition of foundational skills, attitudes, and knowledge that will shape their lifelong learning, health, and well-being.
Early childhood education encompasses a range of settings, including nurseries, preschools, kindergartens, and early elementary grades. It can be offered as a full-day, part-day, home-based program, or co-op setting. ECE programs aim to support children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth.
Simply put, the purpose of ECE is to provide children with strategies that help them develop the emotional, social, and cognitive skills needed to become lifelong learners. Curricula is set up to encourage young students to learn about themselves and the world through play and sensory experiences. Read more: What is Early Childhood Education?
During the early childhood education years, the brain makes millions of synapses every second that allow us to move, think, communicate, and comprehend our environments. Children in ECE programs are less likely to repeat a grade, more prepared for school, and more likely to earn more in the workforce. Explore more benefits.
The highest degree in early childhood education is typically a doctoral degree, such as a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Early Childhood Education. These programs are designed for individuals who wish to pursue research, teaching, or administrative positions in early childhood education.
An early childhood education degree can prepare you for various careers working with young children in different capacities. One of the most common paths is becoming a preschool teacher in a typical program serving newborns to five-year-olds. You could also pursue a career as an elementary or special education teacher. Other potential job opportunities include becoming a family childcare provider, a child development specialist, a curriculum developer, an adjunct instructor, a program director, a regional manager, a parent educator, or an educational consultant. With an early childhood education degree, you will have the skills, knowledge, and disposition to work with young children in diverse settings, helping them learn and grow during their formative years.
A good early childhood education program is dynamic, challenging, enriching, and carefully planned. A typical ECE curriculum might incorporate songs, books, art, games, toys, experiences, and nature exploration into the daily lesson plans for a class or group. Explore more elements of a high-quality program.
The length of time it takes to become a qualified early childhood education teacher can vary depending on several factors, such as the level of education required for the position, the program's structure and format, and the individual's prior education and experience. Depending on the program's design and intensity, a certificate or diploma can take a few months to a year to complete. Assuming full-time enrollment, an associate degree program typically takes two years to complete. A bachelor’s degree program typically takes four years to complete. A graduate degree program, such as a master’s, can take up to two years, and a doctoral program can take one to four years or more to complete, depending on the program’s structure and requirements.
A Master of Arts in Education (MAE) degree and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree are both graduate-level educational programs but have different focuses and goals.
A Master of Arts in Education degree typically focuses on advancing a teacher's knowledge of educational theory, research, and policy. The program is designed to give teachers a deeper understanding of the broader context of education, including topics such as educational psychology, curriculum development, assessment, and educational leadership. Graduates of MAE programs may go on to pursue careers in education administration, curriculum development, policymaking, or research, as well as teaching positions.
A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree is designed to provide students with advanced teaching skills and strategies. The program is often geared toward individuals with bachelor's degrees in a field other than education who want to become licensed teachers. MAT programs typically focus on practical teaching skills and may cover classroom management, instructional design, assessment, and differentiated instruction.
Historically, students with disabilities were taught separately from other students, hence the term "special education." That is no longer the case. Today, schools strive to deliver "inclusive education," where special education services are delivered in the general education environment. "All means all" is the philosophy where all students can learn together in the same classroom. Get strategies for fostering inclusive learning.
There are many essential characteristics for teachers who work with special needs students. Some examples include:
IEP stands for “Individualized Education Program.” Once a child has been evaluated and their eligibility for services is confirmed, the IEP serves as the roadmap for success based on the student’s unique needs. Special Educators work with a team that includes parents, administrators, and other related service providers to develop the IEP and document.
Obtaining a master’s degree in teaching can be beneficial for several reasons.
First, it can qualify individuals for advanced teaching roles and can lead to increased earning potential. Many school districts require or prefer teachers to have a master’s degree for certain positions, such as department head or instructional coach.
Additionally, a master’s degree in teaching often provides opportunities for professional development and can deepen an individual's understanding of effective teaching practices and strategies. It can also provide access to specialized knowledge and skills in curriculum development, assessment, and instructional technology.
A master’s degree in teaching can also provide career advancement opportunities for individuals who wish to move into administrative or leadership roles within education.
Whether or not a master’s degree in teaching is worth it depends on an individual's specific career goals and aspirations. It is essential to research and understand the benefits and opportunities that a master’s degree in teaching can provide before deciding.
The licensure process confirms that instructors are sufficiently qualified to teach their specified subject and/or subjects. A background check and assessment is also required for the age they want to teach to ensure the safety of each student. More info.
Even if a teacher meets a different state’s requirements, they will still need to apply for a new license to teach there. See the specific guidelines and dig deeper into earning your credential with our resource, "The California educator's guide to choosing the right teaching credential."
Even if you stay in your home state and have no intentions of moving, most teachers still have to renew their credentials every five years. One of the main criteria for renewal is showing proof of dedication to continuing education, whether through in-service training sessions or formal academic study.
Each state has its own agency that governs its public school teachers' qualifications to ensure education standards are met. Some even have specific coursework requirements. For example, California requires coursework on the U.S. Constitution, while Alaska requires educators to take courses on it's state history. Learn more.
If you have your sights set on teaching a particular subject, you should pursue the Single Subject Teaching Credential. Educators holding this credential are authorized to teach a specific subject to students ranging in age from preschool to 12th grade and, less commonly, adult students. See possible subject areas.
A Multiple Subject Teaching Credential is the primary requirement for teaching in California's elementary schools, grades K-6, but may authorize the holder to teach in higher level grades as well. It includes course work to allow teachers to support students who are learning the English language (ESL).
The Education Specialist Instruction Credential authorizes educators to teach and support students with identified disabilities and provide special education support for students in a particular area of focus such as autism and language development. They can also conduct educational assessments to identify how to best help students progress toward achieving their academic goals.
Scaffolding is a teaching strategy that simplifies concepts by breaking them up into smaller chunks and providing a tool, or concrete structure, to guide students through each chunk. Modeling is a great method of scaffolding because it shows students exactly what they are expected to do before they try each lesson.
“STEM” stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM teaching methods integrate all four areas into well-rounded, practical lessons that are intended to have long-term benefits for both the students and the sustained growth of the economy. Some curricula add Art to the mix, creating “STEAM” initiatives in schools.
ESL stands for “English as a Second Language.” Teachers who specialize in this area help non-native speaking students learn the formal vocabulary, grammar, and verbal pronunciation of the English language. Training may vary and can be embedded in a formal degree, teaching credential, or add-on certification program.
