All-time Degrees for Working With Children

Detect the many pathways you lot tin can take to kickoff a career working with children. Here, we list degrees that can lead to a rewarding career with kids.

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January 27, 2022 , Modified on March 24, 2022

Best Degrees for Working With Children

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List of Careers Working with Children

Individuals who enjoy working with children often pursue careers as preschool teachers, pediatric nurses, school social workers, and child psychologists. Professionals who work with children, especially children with special needs, often demand training and teaching in multiple disciplines. Learners pursuing these careers may study areas of psychology, human evolution, and education.

This guide explores several degree options and career paths for individuals who find satisfaction in working with children. Although extensive, this listing does not cover all possible jobs working with children. Students tin use this guide as a starting point in their search for the ideal career in this challenging and fulfilling arena.

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Featured Online Programs Working with Children

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Caste Paths That Lead to Working With Children

Students who wish to pursue a career working with children can explore the following majors, which correspond a few of the many degree options in this professional person field.

Nearly graduates with an undergraduate degree in elementary education work every bit K-6 or K-8 teachers. All states crave educators at these levels to possess a teaching license. Licensure requirements vary past state simply typically include a available's caste in an expanse such as education. Counseling degrees set up learners for careers in diverse specialization areas, such equally addiction, school, career, and rehabilitation counseling. Nigh states require counselors to concord at least a master's degree to qualify for licensure. Available'southward degree-holders in the field tin work nether the supervision of a licensed counselor or psychologist. A bachelor's degree in counseling besides meets the educational requirement for graduate programs. Nursing caste-holders can pursue several jobs working with children. Registered nurses can work in neonatal intensive care units, equally nurse midwives, and as pediatric endocrinology nurses. Some specialization areas require advanced grooming and/or a master'southward degree. Nurses demand a state license to practice, and a bachelor's in nursing meets the educational requirement for licensure in most states. Students earning a social work degree tin can focus on kid and family unit social work. This specialization is ideal for individuals interested in a career working with children. Social workers must hold a state license to practice, which typically requires a available'south degree. However, clinical social workers often need a master'southward degree. Graduates of spoken language pathology programs often piece of work as audiologists, special teaching instructors, speech therapists, and children's hearing specialists. About states crave spoken language-language pathologists to concur a license and a principal's degree. Licensed oral communication pathologists can piece of work in therapeutic environments such as private practices, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. Psychology majors who plan to pursue a career working with children can consider jobs equally school counselors, child psychologists, and family therapists. Positions that involve straight client contact, especially in counseling settings, often crave a principal's degree and a state-issued license. Graduates of library science programs who bask working with children can consider careers as school librarians, museum curators, children'south book writers, and curriculum developers for early childhood programs. Library science majors with potent applied science skills often pursue positions developing digital educational games for children. Nonprofit management degree-holders oftentimes secure positions with national and international organizations focusing on children. Depending on their professional interests and career goals, graduates of nonprofit management programs can work in fundraising, human being resources, marketing, and public relations. When seeking a career working with children, graduates of sports direction programs may consider positions equally coaches, talent scouts, elementary physical pedagogy teachers, and athletic directors. Programs in the field typically include coursework in fiscal direction and administration, so graduates may also qualify for positions every bit twenty-four hour period care center administrators and after-school activities coordinators.

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Career Paths for People Who Desire to Piece of work With Children

The following list features well-paying, growing careers that involve working with children. Degree-holders who wish to work with children can pursue roles in various professional fields and various settings. For example, graduates may work in healthcare, sports, education, or dentistry.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for all occupations is $41,950 per year. For professionals across industries, the BLS projects an overall growth charge per unit of 4% from 2019-2029. Learners can consider this data when evaluating the median salaries and projected growth rates of the careers below.

According to the BLS, registered nurses earn a median salary of $75,330 per year. The BLS projects employment for these professionals to increase 7% from 2019-2029. RNs in pediatric nursing often earn higher salaries, since they possess specialized skills. Most pediatric nurses piece of work in hospitals. Some nurses further focus their practice on an area such as neonatal intensive intendance. Schoolhouse counselors must typically hold at least a master's caste, and many states crave licensure. School counselors who prefer a career working with children often specialize in elementary and centre school counseling. These counselors assist children better their academic and social skills. They likewise coordinate with stakeholders including parents, teachers, and administrators. The BLS projects employment for school and career counselors to grow eight% from 2019-2029. These professionals earn a median annual salary of $58,120. Most child psychologists work in clinical settings. They provide therapy services, administer and analyze psychological tests, and piece of work with parents and other concerned adults to develop treatment plans. Kid psychologists need a license and a doctoral degree in psychology or counseling to see patients without supervision. The BLS reports that psychologists earn a median salary of $82,180 per year and projects a 3% growth rate for the field from 2019-2029. Well-nigh all states require athletic trainers to hold a license or certification. Those who programme to work in a schoolhouse setting may also need a teaching license. Athletic trainers who work with children often receive special training in injury prevention, emergency procedures, and first aid for young children. According to the BLS, athletic trainers earn a median salary of $49,860 per year. The BLS projects employment for these professionals to increase 16% from 2019-2029. After earning a available'due south degree, aspiring pediatric dentists complete four years of dental school and ii years of residency work. These specialized professionals deliver dental services to infants, children, and teenagers. About pediatric dentists work in individual clinics. According to the BLS, dentists earn a median salary of $164,010 per year. Because of their specialized training, pediatric dentists may earn even higher salaries. Directors of childcare centers frequently design education and activity programs, supervise staff, oversee and implement budgets, and liaise with parents and other stakeholders. They also ensure their center complies with land and manufacture regulations and standards. The BLS reports that preschool and childcare center directors earn a median annual salary of $49,160. These professionals typically need a bachelor'south degree in early childhood or elementary education. Kindergarten and uncomplicated school teachers fix students for farther didactics. These professionals help children proceeds a strong foundation in fundamental subjects. They likewise encourage habits that support lifelong learning. Teachers prepare lesson plans, class papers, programme activities, and discuss children's bookish progress with parents. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers earn a median salary of $lx,660 per year. The BLS projects employment for these educators to increase 4% from 2019-2029.

Career Grooming for Working With Children

Learners who want to pursue a career working with children can choose from various bookish and professional paths. Many positions crave a bachelor'due south caste, and some avant-garde roles require a master's or doctoral caste.

Some individuals begin an entry-level career working with children before pursuing additional education. For example, associate degree-holders can get classroom aides before earning the credentials necessary for teaching positions. Many colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate programs online, which allow students to earn their degree while working full time.

To accost the shortage of professionals in fields such every bit teaching and nursing, the federal authorities offers education-for-service programs. Participants receive tuition waivers, stipends, or loan forgiveness in return for working in underserved communities after earning their degree. In add-on, learners can apply for scholarships and grants from institutions, private nonprofits, and professional organizations.

Many programs of study that lead to careers working with children feature internship, job shadowing, or practicum components. Students may spend a considerable amount of time outside the classroom, especially toward the finish of their program. Additionally, many careers working with children require a criminal background bank check.

Expert Interview with Laura Giammusso

Q. How did you determine to become a teacher?

When I was working in counseling, I discovered that I found the most enjoyment working with children in schoolhouse settings. Also, my mother is a retired special educator who showed me the importance of making a difference in the lives of children and families.

Q. What are some of the unique challenges of working with children?

It is so of import to meet private students' needs and provide instruction that volition assistance all learners brand progress and experience motivated to do their best.

Q. What are the rewards?

It is wonderful to feel the excitement when students are engaged in the learning process and connecting with others. I beloved seeing students push themselves to grow as learners and feeling motivated past the results of their difficult work. I especially relish hearing my students' ideas, questions, and insights.

Q. In what means has your master'due south program helped you in your career?

My master's program has provided me with opportunities for deeper reflection on my current do, which helps me to set personal goals and improve my education. I have greatly enjoyed collaborating with other teachers, especially sharing resources, lessons, and ideas.

Q. What communication would y'all offer someone interested in pursuing a career working with kids?

My advice would be to detect ways to incorporate the things that yous detect most of import and that bring you happiness into your daily practice, whether it is art, the outdoors, or helping your community. I also recall that ane of the best ways to inspire students to be lifelong learners is to pursue new opportunities in your own learning.

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AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertisement-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or lucifer results are for schools that recoup united states of america. This bounty does not influence our schoolhouse rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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