Current Educators
Receiving a higher degree or additional certification can be a great way to advance your career or get into a new field within education. Current educators already have fulfilled the basic requirements for teaching, so the process for advancement is much easier than if just starting out. To advance your career or change your career path as a current educator, you only need to receive the additional educational training and new certification for the specific position you aspire to.
For example, a teacher who wants to move into a counseling position or into administration has already fulfilled the teaching experience aspect of the certification process. That teacher will only need the additional education, often a master's degree, and to apply for the new certificate.
Here at California Teaching, we hope to make the process even easier by providing you with the best and 100% online higher-education options to fit your needs.
Career Opportunities
When continuing your education and professional training, there are a wide range of degree options that can help you become a more confident and efficient teacher or take you out of the classroom into other areas. It is important to understand what career opportunities exist and what is required of you before you begin the process. Once you make your decision, we can help you find the right program.Here are some career options for teachers after completing a higher degree:
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Continue teaching
While many of the continued education career paths can take you out of the classroom, a higher degree can also help you become a more effective educator. By getting a master's degree in education, you can gain a better understanding of the learning process and of how to reach your students. For teaching at the high school level, where subject specialization is required, getting a master's degree can give you an even greater understanding of your subject to aid your instruction. You can also pursue a degree in another area if you would like to teach a different subject and apply for new certification. -
Administration »
In order to move into an administration position such as a vice principal, principal or superintendent, a master's degree is almost always required. However, when moving into an administration position, it may also be beneficial to get an Ed.D. or Ph.D. in educational administration or a similar program. Leadership positions can be very rewarding jobs because you interact not only with the students, but with the teachers as well. This gives you the chance to inspire teachers to be more effective educators and to enjoy teaching. If you want to be an administrator, you will also have to become certified for the job. -
Counseling »
Another rewarding career path to consider is school counseling. There is much more to counseling than just helping students get their classes or preparing them for graduation or college. Counselors at the middle school and high school level also help the students with their identity and to grow emotionally during some the most important and influential periods. -
Special Education»
Teaching Special Education is very demanding and challenging, yet if you enjoy working with children with special needs it also can be a very fulfilling and rewarding career choice. SPED teachers work with kids with disabilities ranging from learning disabilities, speech, hearing or language impairments, to children with emotional behavioral problems, physical disabilities, or will disorders such as autisim and ADHD.
Teacher/Administrator Salaries in California
Educator salaries in California will vary according to the school district that you work for. Some districts will pay more than others; however, in every district, teachers can be paid more depending on how long they work and how much education they have. Having a higher education and/or professional training can help a teacher earn significantly more money and faster than a teacher with only the minimum requirement of education completed.Here are some examples of just how much educators, administrators and school counselors can make, according to education level, in some of the larger school districts in California.
Teacher's Salaries by Degree Level
| Los Angeles Unified | San Diego Unified | Long Beach Schools | San Francisco Unified | |
| Bachelor's Degree | $45,637 to $73,900 | $38,347 to $60,003 | $48,444 to $64,302 | $47,000 to $55,100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $49,681 to $79,490 | $43,028 to $69,033 | $48,446 to $73,807 | $52,000 to $82,000 |
| Ph.D. / Ed.D. | $49,681 to $80,074 | $47,708 to $78,416 | $52,000 to $82,000 | $52,000 to $82,000 |
Vice Principals's Salaries by Degree Level
| Los Angeles Unified | San Diego Unified | Long Beach Schools | San Francisco Unified | |
| Bachelor's Degree | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $73,592 to $107,842 | $59,616 to $95,239 | $78,456 to $98,263 | $75,774 to $96,246 |
| Ph.D. / Ed.D. | $73,592 to $107,842 | $59,616 to $95,239 | $86,008 to $110,083 | $75,774 to $96,246 |
Vice Principals's Salaries by Degree Level
| Los Angeles Unified | San Diego Unified | Long Beach Schools | San Francisco Unified | |
| Bachelor's Degree | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $94,533 to $134,290 | $99,157 to $120,596 | $84,859 to $104,666 | $89,094 to $114,190 |
| Ph.D. / Ed.D. | $94,533 to $134,290 | $99,157 to $120,596 | $92,411 to 116,487 | $89,094 to $114,190 |
School Counselor's Salaries by Degree Level
| Los Angeles Unified | San Diego Unified | Long Beach Schools | San Francisco Unified | |
| Bachelor's Degree | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $45,810 to $97,883 | $65,951 to $75,948 | $61,580 to $87,180 | $54,215 to $86,107 |
| Ph.D. / Ed.D. | $45,810 to $97,883 | $74,231 to $92,387 | $70,181 to $100,432 | $54,215 to $86,107 |