Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 16 Unit 1 You—The Teacher of Tomorrow a teacher to hold at least a master’s degree (a two-year degree beyond the traditional four-year college degree). Because the student population varies greatly, teachers must prepare for working with students at various skill levels. Four-Year Colleges and Universities Colleges and universities are the traditional places for higher education. Although the terms are often used interchangeably (as in a “college educa- tion”), universities offer graduate degree programs. Colleges generally offer degrees in one area. A university offers degrees in a variety of areas because it is actually comprised of a collection of colleges. Students in colleges and universities complete general education courses plus classes specific to their area of specialization. General education require- ments (or core courses) provide a broad background of knowledge. If you plan to become a high school social studies teacher, you would complete a variety of general education courses, social studies courses (such as American and world history, geography, political science, and government), courses in education, and a student teaching experience. This would lead to a bachelor’s degree. College or university teachers specialize in one particular area and teach a limited number of different courses. A doctoral degree (usually called a PhD or EdD) is a requirement for most professors, although many schools also have teachers with master’s degrees. At this level, teachers must conduct research in their fields and do scholarly writing in addition to their teaching duties. Other Opportunities in Education Trained and skilled teachers do not always teach in the school system. Because education is vital to so many aspects of society, teachers find their skills in demand in other places as well. Opportunities are quite varied. Here are a few examples. Business and Industry Many businesses and industries provide edu- cation to their employees. Corporate trainer is another name for the teachers who provide this education. The types of education they offer depend on company needs (Figure 1.9). Some programs focus on technical work skills, but most seek to improve key personal skills such as moti- vation, effective communication, leadership, or team building. International companies may hire people to teach employees moving to other coun- tries the languages they will need to know. Large companies often employ corporate train- ers as full-time employees. Others are self-employed or work for a company that specializes in providing corporate trainers on an as-needed basis. Businesses may employ teachers for many other purposes. For example, a cruise line may hire a teacher to teach passengers on a cruise about the history of their destinations. Teachers provide classes or one- on-one instruction to children undergoing long-term treatment in hospitals. Whatever the challenge, basic teaching skills are simply adapted to fit the situation. PORTRAIT IMAGES ASIA BY NONWARIT/Shutterstock.com Figure 1.9 A corporate trainer may be hired by a company to introduce a new computer program to its employees.