Hi,
My goal is become an education administrator, or a worker who provides permanent and high-quality education to impoverished students in third world countries. I was wondering what majors for UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE would be suitable for this career?
Thank you!
At the undergraduate level, you must major in a subject area taught in schools + complete the coursework for teacher certification. The coursework for teacher certification also can be completed in a graduate program. For teaching at the elementary level, many schools offer a major in elementary education which includes both subject area and teaching coursework. So, the first step is to become a certified teacher. Requirements vary by state.
Educational administration is a field taught at the graduate level. Usually, you would study this after first working as a teacher. Working as a teacher or school administrator in a developing country depends on the regulations of the particular country in which you want to work. A good pathway for this might be joining the Peace Corps.
Right-- the most capable administrators have been in the classroom and know what the job entails.
So you would want an undergrad degree in education at some level, then a grad degree in administration after you have a few years of teaching under your belt.