Vocational Education Teacher Programs

(found programs from 350 schools)

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Below is a directory (broken down by state) of all of the Vocational Education Teacher programs we could find, from over 1,700 accredited colleges and universities across the US.

Introduction to Vocational/Technical Education Careers

Vocational training in the United States dates back to before our nation's birth when colonial youth were apprenticed to master craftsmen to learn trades such as blacksmithing. Today, the U.S. Department of Education reports there are over 15 million students in career and technical education programs across the country. Vocational educators facilitate the training and instruction these students need to prepare for 21st century careers.

Vocational/Technical Education Job Description

Vocational educators train students to enter a particular career. They are also called career and technical educators. Vocational educators teach at the middle, secondary, and post-secondary levels. They may work in traditional middle and high schools, at community colleges, or in regional career and technical schools.

Vocational educators prepare students for a wide variety of careers in agriculture, family and consumer science, healthcare, technology and trade and industry. Some instruction is delivered in a traditional classroom setting, but vocational educators also spend a great deal of time instructing and supervising students in other settings. In the laboratory, vocational educators give students tasks based on their classroom learning. For example, nursing students might practice blood-typing. Another important facet of vocational education is experiential or work-based learning. Vocational educators supervise students in a variety of hands-on learning environments. Child development students might run an on-site, daycare center. Culinary arts students may operate a for-profit cafeteria. Vocational educators also assist students with job placement and serve as sponsors for co-curricular student organizations that reinforce career training.

Vocational/Technical Education Requirements

Like all other types of teachers, vocational educators must be licensed by the state in which they work. The typical route to becoming a vocational educator is to earn a bachelor's degree through an approved teacher education program. Most states now offer alternative licensing options for candidates who don't hold an education degree but do have appropriate work experience. Vocational educators must be highly knowledgeable and experienced in their career specialty.

Vocational/Technical Education Career Outlook

There were 115,000 vocational educators in 2008 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At the middle school level, the number of vocational teachers is expected to grow by three percent through 2018. At the secondary level, employment should grow by 10 percent through 2018. Although those figures represent slow to average growth, the job outlook is still favorable due to a large number of expected retirements. The bureau reports that the median annual salary for middle school vocational educators was $47,800 in 2008. For secondary vocational educators that figure rose to $51,500.

Vocational/Technical Education Trends

A common misperception is that vocational education is only for the non-college-bound student. In fact, two-thirds of all graduates of career and technical programs enter some form of postsecondary school according to the Association for Career and Technical Education. Still, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that increased emphasis on student achievement in core academic subjects may slow the growth and development of career specific training.

Online Vocational Education Programs

If you currently hold a bachelor's degree, you can earn an online master's or doctorate degree to teach vocational education. Available for both aspiring and current educators, vocational degrees may focus on information technology, management of human resources and more.

Each type of online vocational education degree is different. Classes may cover topics such as organizational management, information systems management or intercultural communication. The majority of online programs in vocational education include a capstone project and/or internship once all other units are successfully completed. Depending on a student's work ethic and schedule, master's and doctorate degrees may take as little as 18 months or as long as two-and?a-half years to complete.

Three schools offering online degrees in vocational education include Abilene Christian University, Capella University and Ottawa University.

Abilene Christian University offers a Master of Science in organizational and human resources development. This program teaches students about workplace dynamics, including conflict resolution, organizational behavior, negotiation and mediation. Students may also opt for a one-week residency to add a certificate in conflict resolution to their diploma.

The Ph.D. in information technology education offered by Capella University is ideal for educators who wish to teach at the postsecondary level, but is also useful for teaching the subject to high school students. Courses include design methods, research and analysis, technical foundations and IT management.

Ottawa University's Master of Arts in human resources is offered by the university's School of Business and aims to train students in professional excellence. Courses cover topics such as employment law, professional ethics, career development and applied case studies.


Useful Resources


Featured Online Programs:


Capella University

Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Program(s):
(for current teachers only)

PhD - Information Technology Education

Concordia University

Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers and current teachers)
M.Ed. in Career and Technical Education (CTE)M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Liberty University

Accreditation:
NCATE accredited
Matching Program(s):
(for aspiring teachers only)
M.A. - Teaching - Secondary Education

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Are we missing any schools or programs? If so, please let us know! We appreciate your help in making this the best directory of Education Degree Programs on the web. You can send us an email at schools@educationdegree.com.