Studying Pre-K Education: Certification and Degrees at a Glance
If you are interested in teaching very young children and you already have a bachelor's degree, you might consider completing a postbaccalaureate certificate or master's degree program to prepare you for work as a Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) teacher. If you are already teaching, you can pursue a master's degree in a Pre-K specialization, such as special education, teaching English as a second language or reading and literacy. Education, experience, certification and licensure requirements for Pre-K teachers vary by state and place of employment.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects job growth for Pre-K teachers to be 25%, much faster than average, between the years 2010 and 2020. The average salary for Pre-K teachers in the U.S. in May 2011 was about $30,000, according to the BLS.
Let's compare programs:
| Certificate | Master's | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Who is this program for? | Individuals aspiring to teach or to obtain specialized or administrative positions in Pre-K schools | Individuals wishing to obtain initial teaching licensure and certification to teach in Pre-K schools or teachers wishing to obtain specialization degrees in Pre-K schools | |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate mean annual salary) | -Pre-K teacher ($30,000)* -Pre-K and elementary special education teacher ($56,000)* | - Students obtaining their master's degree can also become Pre-K and/or special education teachers and may have better advancement opportunities in these positions | |
| Time to Completion | 1-2 years, full time | Approximately 2 years after the bachelors, full time | |
| Common Graduation Requirements | -16-33 credit hours -Student teaching requirements -Praxis II exam | -Approximately 48 credit hours -General studies requirements -Successful completion of clinical placements (student teaching) | |
| Prerequisites | -Bachelor's degree -Praxis I or other skills test -Some preschool education coursework may be required for specialized certificates | -Bachelor's degree -Praxis l or other skills test | |
| Online Availability | Yes | Yes |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures).
