by our College Data Analytics TeamEducators get the chance to inspire and motivate the future by working with students of all ages and backgrounds. This major could prepare you for a career teaching or in another educational field such as administrator, counselor or public worker. Students will learn basic principles in educational psychology, and the art of teaching which includes planning, grading, and paper work. As a teacher you will learn how to handle school safety and health issues. This is a job that allows you to work with students of all ages from pre-k to 12th grade, from all different backgrounds and walks of life.
Although programs from different schools will vary you could be required to take an educational psychology, issues in contemporary education, foundations of language and literacy, exceptional and at-risk learners and along with your other core classes required by your school. Also, in order to get your certification you will be required to do a certain number of field experience hours as well as complete at least one semester of student teaching.
Studying General Education involves the study of Education, General. Continue reading for the essential details every general education major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general education programs.
In the U.S., general education is a widely-pursued major, with 27,481 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Education Schools ranking analyzes these 733 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general education students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general education programs later in this article.
Coursework for General Education emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general education graduates commonly enter.
In order to be comfortable as a teacher it is necessary for students to become familiar with public speaking. As a teacher you will be required to talk in front of a classroom full of students, but you will also talk to administrators, other school staff, and parents and guardians. Public speaking is a skill that you will want to be well versed in. You should also enjoy working with children and with other people. This is not a job where you will sit in a cubicle all day.
You should also be creative and passionate about learning. As a teacher you need to differentiate instruction and get your students excited about the material so that they are willing to learn from you. You will also acquire skills to help sell your subject. You will be responsible for motivating your students and ensuring that they are giving you their best work. Patience is an important trait to have as an educator. Teaching and re-teaching will happen often to ensure that all students understand. Organization is key in order to be prepared, effective, and to use time efficiently.
Most schools require field experience hours before you can get into the education program. This allows you to see what it is like to be a teacher from the other side of the desk. Also, in order to get certified you will be required to complete a certain number of student teaching hours.
Skills developed in a general education program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a general education major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general education degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 360 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,931 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,330 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 15,448 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2,405 |
People currently working in careers related to general education tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 50.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 11.1% |
| Master’s degree | 9.1% |
| Some college courses | 7.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general education careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
There are many different career paths that you can take with a degree in education. Many people start as classroom teachers and work their way up to principle or administrators. Other people will work as a classroom teacher for their entire career. It depends what focus you decide to take.
Most states now require you to get your master's degree in order to be certified. You will usually have a year before it is necessary to pursue your master's degree, giving you time to get a job and work on getting your master's at the same time. For most states, there is currently a surplus of teachers making it hard to find a job in certain areas. Math and science teachers tend to be more in demand.
A degree in general education can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general education.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general education.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | 656,798 | 9.5% |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | 520,090 | 9.8% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of general education graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $56,718 |
| 4 years | $57,194 |
| 5 years | $63,573 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general education graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general education grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | $96,801 |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | $89,337 |
With 733 different general education programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general education school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in general education, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Education, General | 27,481 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
