Degree Requirements: Liberty University offers students a degree plan that will provide them with the foundational knowledge needed to pursue a career in education as well as prepare those wanting to earn their bachelor’s degree in the field. While the degree can be used at a variety of different institutions, most courses are specifically designed to prepare students to transition into the field of Christian education. In addition to taking general education requirements courses such as English, college mathematics, and physical science, it’s mandated that students take religious courses such as Introduction to Christian Thought and Survey of Biblical Literature, totaling 39 credits. To earn an Associate of Arts in Education specifically, students must take courses that will teach them all about education principles, including educational trends and methods, and child development and behavior. Courses will include Psychology of Childhood, Educational Philosophy, Classroom Management and Principles of Education just to name a few, totaling 21 hours. To obtain the degree, students must earn 60 credits; 15 credits must be completed at the university. Cost is $295 per credit hour. This degree should take full-time students about two years to earn.

Degree Benefits: Those who pursue this degree do so because they gain satisfaction in teaching and assisting children of all ages. While most states require a bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate to become a full-time teacher, those with an associate degree typically move on to work as paraprofessionals (teaching assistants), pre-school teachers or work for childcare institutions and facilities. As the need for quality education will continue to take priority at school districts, career prospects in this industry are expected to increase within the next couple of years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, job opportunities for paraprofessionals alone will increase 10 percent, creating 134,900 new jobs in the next decade, the Bureau states. Paraprofessionals earned about $22,200 in May 2008, the most recent statistics available from the Bureau. Career opportunities for childcare workers are also expected to increase by 11 percent within the next decade, establishing 142,100 new jobs. While an associate degree is not necessary to become a childcare worker, the original salary is usually low and a degree will most definitely increase your pay. Those who worked as childcare workers in elementary and middle schools earned on average $10.53 an hour in 2008, according to the most recent statistics from the Bureau.