In some locations, you can obtain enough credits for the degree through online degree programs, while for others you will need to attend class. The course generally takes four years in total, but in some parts of the world it can be faster than that. Regardless of where you live, you will be eligible to provide teaching services in both public and private schools upon completion of the program.
Obtaining your Bachelor of Education in the United States or Canada
Your bachelors in education will be awarded after taking a course which lasts between one and four years. It depends on the state or province in which you live. In Canada, you absolutely must receive your Bachelors of Education (also known as a BEd) to receive a teaching certificate. Some programs will allow immediate entry following the completion of high school. Combining this degree with another is important and usually necessary if you want to teach in a specialized field of knowledge. If you want to teach children in elementary school, you don’t need to worry about your secondary major.
Getting your bachelor degree in education can be approached in several ways. The United States has three different types basic teaching, including elementary school, middle school and high school. If you are looking to obtain a bachelor of education to teach in elementary school, then a liberal arts degree will usually suffice along with your bachelor of education. You will be able to provide the broad range of basic expertise required to teach your students and get their academic career started with this knowledge.
But if you seek to provide instruction in the middle school or high school level, you will need a more specific focus. You will need to specialize in one or two subjects in addition to receiving your bachelors of education. The reason for this is because your kids will only take one class with you, and the course material will become relatively advanced. Online education degrees make the most sense when aiming for this type of teaching, as it provides you with the material specific to teaching, as opposed to the entire coursework.
One thing most people don’t know about the bachelor of education (and all education degrees, actually) is that upon completion of your studies you must take a certification examination that is administered by the Board of Education. Many have found that taking class in a brick and mortar institution prepared them for this better than an online bachelor education would have, but you may feel that you can adequately prepare without participating in a traditional university.
Obtaining your Bachelor of Education in The UK, Wales and Scotland
While similar to the process of obtaining your bachelor of education in the United States and Canada, getting your Bachelor of Education in Europe is an entirely different experience. The requirements are a bit more strict, and a minimum of three years are spent working towards the degree (the time length varies depending on the college you choose). The courses are geared towards primary education and secondary education, and you must choose which program you will be choosing. Upon completion you will receive the “Qualified Teacher Status” in England or Wales and a Teaching Qualification in Scotland.
These education degrees were developed as a response to a growing demand for qualifications for professional teachers in the early to mid 1900’s. The first course was introduced at the University of Ceylon in 1963 by Professor J.E. Jayasuriya. There was no Bachelor of education at that time, and many were becoming teachers without proper qualifications. The development of this course led to the current process required to obtain your degree and becoming a teacher. While participation is still required at a real world college, online college degree programs offering teachers certificates are in the works and should be available in the near future.
Bachelor of Education Programs Throughout the Rest of the World
No matter where you live, there will be strict requirements to obtain your Bachelors of Education. For instance, in Australia and New Zealand you can get your degree within three to four years, but must choose from one of several specializations: primary, secondary, human movement/health, music and early childhood. While you can get an online bachelor education on many subjects, the teaching certificate is not one of them. They require a more hands-on experience before teaching the children.
Online college degree programs to help you obtain your education certificate are becoming more popular in many parts of the world. While many parts of the world still require a significant portion of your courses be handled in a real university, many countries are easing requirements. This is largely in part to an advanced understanding of the education process. Regardless of where you live, though, you will need a bachelor of education to teach.