Curriculum and instruction graduate programs aim to develop your educational planning and program creation abilities. The needs of students are always changing. It makes sense that supportive curriculum should follow suit. That’s where you could come in! While earning your curriculum and instruction graduate degree, you could learn to adapt or develop lesson plans to create a better student experience.

Early childhood education (ECE) is a branch of education concerned with teaching young children, typically from preschool through third grade. As such, Early Childhood Education programs tend to focus on the growth, development, and educational needs of children up to about age eight. This might include emotional development and cognitive skills, as well as motor and social skills.

Educational leadership programs cover leadership, management, and training methods to promote student, teacher, and institutional success. Students may develop the knowledge and skills they need to analyze, evolve, and enact school policies, procedures, and reforms at systemic and organizational levels. Many educational leadership degrees also prepare graduates to apply for administrative and principal licensure.

Educational technology is the intersection between technology, online learning and education.  It is the study and practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing technological processes and resources. Within this broad area, there are several different areas of emphasis.

School psychologists, also known as educational psychologists, work in elementary and secondary schools, helping children deal with learning, behavioral and emotional difficulties. Often working with parents or teachers, these professionals try to transform academically frustrated students into confident learners. This may involve evaluating students to identify their issues and developing personalized learning strategies. Additionally, school psychologists aim to create a positive educational experience for students by developing more effective academic and counseling programs.

Environmental education aims to nurture an understanding of how personal and societal choices affect the earth’s ecosystems and inhabitants. Environmental educators also hope to inspire a love of nature, often through outdoor immersion programs and adventure outings. However, they work with children, students, adults, and tourists in both formal and non-formal settings. Some are certified teachers who work in secondary schools, while others plan and run programs at nature centers, parks, or nonprofit organizations.

TESOL programs generally focus on second language acquisition, particularly among children and adults who live in English-speaking communities, but who come from another language background. However, a variety of unique variants might be available. Some TESOL degree programs may focus on teaching English in communities where it is not the primary language. Others may prepare students to work with specific age groups, skill levels, or cultural backgrounds. They may also be offered at the masters, doctorate and graduate certificate level, both online and in the classroom.

General Education Graduate Programs are designed to prepare students for potential careers as teachers, scholars, and administrators in the field of education. Although the focus of many graduate degrees in general education is for teacher preparation, there are also programs that offer different types of training for aspiring researchers and professionals. Students may learn to enhance their critical thinking skills as well as to develop and deliver curriculum for both private and public sectors.

Higher Education Graduate Programs allow students to explore the many facets of higher education administration and leadership. Management, student affairs, curriculum development and educational policy analysis are just a few themes. Courses may cover a wide array of topics from finance to student admissions and recruitment. In addition to coursework, some graduate programs in higher education may provide research opportunities, so you could contribute to the field.

International Education Graduate Programs help students prepare for a potential career as a global educator through coursework, research and often, an international placement. Students may take a set of core courses before participating in a practicum to gain real world experience. This may be domestically or abroad. They may also develop research skills and explore a specific challenge or issue in international education in depth.

Teacher education graduate programs are courses of study that aim to help teachers enhance their classroom and career readiness. There could be many reasons to consider pursuing a teacher education program! For starters, taking professional development courses or even earning a master’s degree may be a necessary step for maintaining teacher certification.