Considering a Teaching Career? Faith-based Degrees Help

Demand remains high for well-educated teachers, especially those qualified in math, science and bilingual education, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Given the importance of their job, and the dire need for teachers in less-desirable urban or rural school districts, today's teachers need a strong foundation of moral principles as well.

"We approach the discipline of education from a Christian perspective to provide students with a firm foundation from which to understand educational development and behavior," says Jon Donges, executive director of distance learning at Liberty University.."For something as important as educating teachers, this is what sets us apart from other universities."

This is important to keep in mind when you consider the Bureau of Labor Statistics' projected increases in employment through 2016, as well as median salary ranges from 2006:

Teachers
For kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers, employment is projected to grow around 12 percent, and median annual salaries for these teachers in May 2006 ranged from $43,580 to $48,690.

Postsecondary teachers, on the other hand, are expected to experience much faster job growth with a projected increase in jobs of 23 percent. The median annual earnings of all postsecondary teachers in 2006 were $56,120.

Special Education
With a shortage of certified special education teachers, job prospects in this field should be excellent, with an anticipated growth of 15 percent. Median annual earnings in May 2006 of wage-and-salary special education teachers who worked primarily in preschools, kindergartens, and elementary schools were $46,360.

Counselors
Overall employment of counselors is expected to increase by 21 percent, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Salaries in counseling vary widely due to the nature of the position, and the median earnings in 2006 were $47,530.  

Administrators
Employment of education administrators is expected to grow by 12 percent. In 2006, median annual earnings were $77,740 for elementary and secondary school administrators, $73,990 for postsecondary school administrators, and $37,740 for administrators in preschool and childcare centers.

With these impressive statistics -- especially in times as unsure as these -- many adults are getting the credentials to become educators.

Those looking to earn a degree in education would be well served to research universities that are based on ethics and values. The Dec. 7, 2006, edition of the Dallas Morning News reports, "Many employers say the moral and ethical lessons that are taught along with the academic curriculum at faith-based schools better equip graduates to become valued employees."

This may be one of the main factors behind the tremendous growth of enrollment in Liberty University Online. As the largest evangelical university in the world, Liberty University has an enrollment of more than 40,000 students, with over 28,000 of those studying online from more than 80 countries around the world.

Liberty University's degree programs are built upon a foundation of Christian values and give students the ethical standards that many employers look for today. In fact, the Online Education Database ranks Liberty in the nation's top three universities for excellence in online education.


A strong moral and ethical base is vital in the teaching profession. Potential employers recognize these values often come with a degree from a faith-based school like Liberty University. To learn more about their online degree programs, visit www.go2liberty.com. Copyright © 2008, ARAnet, Inc.