Comments on: What’s the difference between secondary and elementary education as your college major?

By: Rhea Ann R

Rhea Ann R — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:45:00 +0000

In Elementary Education, you will teach Elementary students, its more difficult because you have to master all the subjects in Elementary level. Unlike in Secondary Education, you just need to master the major you like or love most. Like for example, my major is English and currently I’m in my Practice Teaching. In Secondary Education, you will teach ONLY your major or sometimes your minor (my minor is Math) while in Elementary Education, you will teach all the subjects.

If you have more questions about Education, you can PM me or email me!

By: Chris I

Chris I — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:45:00 +0000

Usually the elementary degree is more general because you will be expected to teach almost all the subjects.

For secondary you will specialize in an area.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:45:00 +0000

Elementary Education (K-8) is a more general subject area, as you will have to cover a large variety of subjects.

Secondary (9-12) requires a specialization, due to a piece of legislation called The No Child Left Behind Act which was passed in 2001. To be a secondary teacher, you must be a ‘master’ of your teaching field. For example if you wanted to teach Spanish, your major will be in Spanish with a minor in education.

By: Erin P

Erin P — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:45:00 +0000

Elementary Education is usually kindergarten through sixth grade or eighth grade (depends on state). Secondary education is high school. It depends on what you want to teach. If you want to specialize in a subject then high school or middle level is for you.

By: tkem_ninapc

tkem_ninapc — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:45:00 +0000

I am a secondary education major. My degree is in social studies with a minor in secondary education (9-12) and a minor in Spanish.

Basically you need to ask your self if you plan on moving further up in the education field than just teaching high-school. If your goal is to teach on a college level, you want to go with a secondary education degree so you can teach high-school for a while & continue on with your masters & then PHd. You may get away with not even teaching high-school, but not may colleges higher with no experience.

Now if you want to teach elementary K-8, God Bless You! No, I’m kidding. But most who choose this field have a heart to stay teaching at the elementary level.

Either way, good luck.