Best Degrees for Working With Children

Discover the many pathways you can take to start a career working with children. Here, we listing degrees that tin can lead to a rewarding career with kids.

portrait of Genevieve Carlton

January 27, 2022 , Modified on March 24, 2022

Best Degrees for Working With Children

AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertisement-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate united states. This compensation does non influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent data published on this site.

Are yous ready to observe your fit?

List of Careers Working with Children

Individuals who enjoy working with children oft pursue careers every bit preschool teachers, pediatric nurses, school social workers, and child psychologists. Professionals who work with children, especially children with special needs, oftentimes need training and instruction in multiple disciplines. Learners pursuing these careers may study areas of psychology, man development, and education.

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

AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all schoolhouse search, finder, or lucifer results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does non influence our schoolhouse rankings, resources guides, or other editorially-independent data published on this site.

Featured Online Programs Working with Children

Detect a programme that meets your affordability, flexibility, and pedagogy needs through an accredited, online school.

Degree Paths That Lead to Working With Children

Students who wish to pursue a career working with children can explore the post-obit majors, which represent a few of the many caste options in this professional person field.

Virtually graduates with an undergraduate caste in elementary education work equally One thousand-6 or Thou-8 teachers. All states require educators at these levels to possess a teaching license. Licensure requirements vary by state but typically include a bachelor's degree in an surface area such as instruction. Counseling degrees ready learners for careers in various specialization areas, such as addiction, school, career, and rehabilitation counseling. Most states require counselors to hold at least a master'southward degree to qualify for licensure. Bachelor's caste-holders in the field can work nether the supervision of a licensed advisor or psychologist. A available'south degree in counseling also meets the educational requirement for graduate programs. Nursing caste-holders can pursue several jobs working with children. Registered nurses can piece of work in neonatal intensive care units, as nurse midwives, and as pediatric endocrinology nurses. Some specialization areas require advanced preparation and/or a chief'southward degree. Nurses need a state license to practice, and a bachelor's in nursing meets the educational requirement for licensure in nearly states. Students earning a social piece of work caste can focus on child and family social work. This specialization is ideal for individuals interested in a career working with children. Social workers must hold a land license to practice, which typically requires a bachelor'due south degree. Withal, clinical social workers ofttimes need a primary's caste. Graduates of speech pathology programs often piece of work as audiologists, special education instructors, speech therapists, and children's hearing specialists. Most states require spoken language-language pathologists to concord a license and a chief'south degree. Licensed speech pathologists can work in therapeutic environments such as private practices, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. Psychology majors who programme to pursue a career working with children can consider jobs every bit school counselors, child psychologists, and family therapists. Positions that involve direct client contact, especially in counseling settings, often require a master's degree and a state-issued license. Graduates of library science programs who enjoy working with children can consider careers equally school librarians, museum curators, children's book writers, and curriculum developers for early childhood programs. Library science majors with stiff technology skills often pursue positions developing digital educational games for children. Nonprofit management degree-holders often secure positions with national and international organizations focusing on children. Depending on their professional interests and career goals, graduates of nonprofit direction programs can work in fundraising, human resources, marketing, and public relations. When seeking a career working with children, graduates of sports management programs may consider positions as coaches, talent scouts, elementary physical pedagogy teachers, and able-bodied directors. Programs in the field typically include coursework in financial direction and administration, so graduates may also qualify for positions as day intendance center administrators and afterwards-school activities coordinators.

AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that recoup u.s.. This compensation does not influence our schoolhouse rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-contained information published on this site.

Featured Online Education Programs

Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online schoolhouse.

Career Paths for People Who Want to Work With Children

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

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

According to the BLS, registered nurses earn a median bacon of $75,330 per twelvemonth. The BLS projects employment for these professionals to increase 7% from 2019-2029. RNs in pediatric nursing often earn college salaries, since they possess specialized skills. Most pediatric nurses work in hospitals. Some nurses further focus their practice on an expanse such as neonatal intensive care. School counselors must typically concur at least a principal's degree, and many states require licensure. School counselors who prefer a career working with children oft specialize in simple and middle schoolhouse counseling. These counselors aid children improve their bookish and social skills. They likewise coordinate with stakeholders including parents, teachers, and administrators. The BLS projects employment for school and career counselors to grow 8% from 2019-2029. These professionals earn a median annual salary of $58,120. Nigh kid 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. Child psychologists need a license and a doctoral degree in psychology or counseling to come across patients without supervision. The BLS reports that psychologists earn a median salary of $82,180 per year and projects a 3% growth charge per unit for the field from 2019-2029. Nearly all states require athletic trainers to hold a license or certification. Those who plan to work in a school setting may also need a teaching license. Athletic trainers who piece of work with children often receive special grooming in injury prevention, emergency procedures, and offset assistance for young children. According to the BLS, athletic trainers earn a median bacon of $49,860 per year. The BLS projects employment for these professionals to increase sixteen% from 2019-2029. Afterwards earning a available's degree, aspiring pediatric dentists complete four years of dental school and two years of residency work. These specialized professionals evangelize dental services to infants, children, and teenagers. Well-nigh pediatric dentists work in individual clinics. According to the BLS, dentists earn a median salary of $164,010 per yr. Because of their specialized grooming, pediatric dentists may earn even college salaries. Directors of childcare centers often design instruction and activity programs, supervise staff, oversee and implement budgets, and liaise with parents and other stakeholders. They likewise ensure their center complies with state 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's degree in early childhood or uncomplicated education. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers prepare students for further education. These professionals help children proceeds a potent foundation in central subjects. They besides encourage habits that support lifelong learning. Teachers prepare lesson plans, grade papers, program activities, and discuss children's academic progress with parents. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers earn a median salary of $60,660 per yr. The BLS projects employment for these educators to increase 4% from 2019-2029.

Career Grooming for Working With Children

Learners who desire to pursue a career working with children tin can choose from various academic and professional paths. Many positions require a bachelor'southward caste, and some advanced roles crave a principal's or doctoral degree.

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

To address the shortage of professionals in fields such every bit teaching and nursing, the federal government 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 addition, learners can apply for scholarships and grants from institutions, private nonprofits, and professional organizations.

Many programs of written report that lead to careers working with children feature internship, job shadowing, or practicum components. Students may spend a considerable amount of fourth dimension exterior the classroom, particularly toward the end of their program. Additionally, many careers working with children require a criminal background 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 school settings. Besides, my female parent 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 and so of import to meet individual students' needs and provide pedagogy that will help all learners make progress and feel motivated to practise 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 dear seeing students push themselves to grow as learners and feeling motivated by the results of their hard work. I specially savour hearing my students' ideas, questions, and insights.

Q. In what means has your principal's program helped you in your career?

My master's plan has provided me with opportunities for deeper reflection on my current practice, which helps me to set personal goals and meliorate my instruction. I have greatly enjoyed collaborating with other teachers, peculiarly sharing resource, lessons, and ideas.

Q. What advice would you offer someone interested in pursuing a career working with kids?

My advice would exist to find ways to contain the things that you find most important and that bring you happiness into your daily do, whether information technology is art, the outdoors, or helping your community. I as well think that 1 of the best ways to inspire students to exist lifelong learners is to pursue new opportunities in your own learning.

AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our schoolhouse rankings, resources guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Featured Online Healthcare Programs

Find a plan that meets your affordability, flexibility, and didactics needs through an accredited, online school.

Keep upward with the latest

Never miss a detail on the news, trends, and policies that could directly impact your educational path.

AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertizement-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or friction match results are for schools that compensate us. This bounty does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-contained information published on this site.

Do this for y'all

Explore your possibilities- find schools with programs you're interested in and clear a path for your future.