If you’ve been considering a teaching career, you are probably wondering about basic classes for an education major. What courses will you likely encounter if you decide to major in education? Having a good idea of your coursework may help you decide if this career path is right for you, and if it is, how you can best prepare for your education major so you can make the most of your learning time.
Varieties of Education Majors
Before you can begin to answer the question about basic classes for an education major, stop and consider what kind of education major you want to become. There are several kinds of education majors you can pursue, depending on the kind of teaching you hope to do. Do you want to work with elementary, middle school, or high school students? Would you find it rewarding to work with students who have special learning challenges? What are of teaching has the highest demand? Your answers to those questions may determine whether or not you major in elementary education, secondary education or special education. The type of courses you will take will be determined, at least in part, by the kind of education major you pursue.
Important Classes for All Education Majors
That being said, there are some classes you will likely encounter no matter which path you take as an education major. There are certain skills that all classroom teachers need to be able to draw on. Classes in childhood development, classroom management and technologies, and assessment skills are all courses you might take. In addition, you will likely need to take courses in certain subject areas, such as science, math, literacy and the arts, which are geared toward the learning skills and developmental needs of the age population with whom you’ll be working. If you choose to get a degree in secondary education, you may be encouraged to choose a major in the subject area in which you plan specifically to teach, such as Math or French, and then complete educational courses along with it. If you decide to pursue special education, your coursework will look more unique since you need to learn specific skills for working with students who have varying degrees of disabilities.
Student Teaching Component
In addition to regular classes, most education majors can count on a field work component of student teaching. It’s important that you be able to put some of your new learning and skills into practice in an actual classroom environment. There is generally an expectation that you will serve for at least one semester as a student teacher. If you are planning to work a part-time job during your college years, it would be a wise idea to plan ahead so your schedule is not too full when it comes time to do your student teaching work.
Education can be a challenging and fulfilling field of study that ultimately leads to the rewarding work of teaching and mentoring young students. As you look ahead to a possible education major, spend some time talking with current teachers and with the professors you will be working with in your studies. They can give you the best idea of what you can expect when it comes to classes for an education major.