5 career paths in education: skills and degree pathways

By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Irene Abrego Nicolet, PhD, NCSP, LSSP, Dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Reading Time: 11 minutes

Teaching can be a rewarding and fulfilling profession, but career opportunities in education extend far beyond the inside of a classroom. Learning institutions at all levels depend on many different types of professionals who support how people learn.

Some roles focus on teaching and direct work with students. Others focus on leadership, program design or the systems that keep institutions running.

Understanding the responsibilities, skills and degree pathways associated with different roles can help you evaluate a potential career in education. Here are five careers to explore.

1. English language specialist

As student populations become more multifaceted, schools and institutions are expanding English language programs to support multilingual learners. This type of role reflects the growing need for educators who can help students build confidence and proficiency in English across a range of learning environments.

If you enjoy working closely with students who are still developing their English skills, this role may be a good fit. These language specialists work with learners studying English as a second or additional language, often across settings such as K–12 schools, community colleges, adult education centers and district programs.

The role can vary depending on the setting. In a public school, you might work with small student groups for focused reading or writing practice, or work with a classroom teacher to simplify instructions. In an adult education setting, you might work with students ages 25 and older who have varied needs, ranging from basic English literacy to advanced professional communication.

Responsibilities and skills

In this role, you’re balancing assessment, instruction and teamwork throughout the school day. That can look like:

• Assessing students’ English proficiency using standardized tools like WIDA ACCESS
• Delivering small-group or one-on-one instruction in reading, writing, speaking and listening
• Adapting lesson materials so students can access grade-level content across subjects
• Collaborating with classroom teachers to plan lessons that support English learners

Those in this role will also rely on a core set of skills to work effectively in these areas:

• Language assessment: Interpreting standardized proficiency assessments to identify student needs and track language development
• Differentiated instruction: Designing and adapting lessons and materials to meet students at different stages of English learning
• Collaboration: Working with teachers, school counselors and administrators to coordinate support

The role of an English language specialist requires a balance of instructional planning and real-time adaptation, as student language needs can vary widely within the same classroom or group.

Degree and certification pathways

Becoming an English language specialist typically follows a step-by-step progression that builds both teaching credentials and specialized expertise.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in education
2. Obtain a state-issued teaching license with an ESL or ELL endorsement
3. Meet additional state endorsement requirements, which may include coursework, exams and supervised experience
4. Pursuing an advanced degree, such as Capella’s Master of Science (MS) in Education, English Language Learning and Teaching, to strengthen language development strategies and tailor instruction to varied linguistic needs

Note that Capella’s program is not designed to lead to licensure or certification. Teachers should check with their district whether a graduate degree qualifies them for salary advancement in their role.

2. Academic coordinator

As colleges and universities place greater emphasis on student success, retention and institutional efficiency, academic coordinator roles are evolving into more strategic positions. The work is increasingly shaped by tech-enabled leadership, with expanded involvement in data, systems and cross-functional planning.

Academic coordinators help ensure that programs run smoothly while meeting institutional and accreditation standards. They work closely with teaching staff to address instructional needs and support students as they progress through their programs with minimal friction. You’ll find them across community colleges, universities and educational support organizations.

The work is often cyclical and deadline-driven, with peak periods around term starts, enrollment windows and accreditation reporting cycles. This role tends to suit people who prefer structured, operations-focused work and are comfortable coordinating across multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities and skills

Responsibilities of an academic coordinator may include the following:

• Building and maintaining course schedules, room assignments and enrollment records
• Monitoring student progress and flagging issues to advisors or department heads
• Preparing documentation and data reports for internal reviews or accreditation processes
• Supporting faculty with administrative tasks such as grade tracking or course logistics

Skills required in this role can vary, but the ones below are common:

• Organization: Managing schedules, records and shifting deadlines without losing track of details
• Data literacy: Working with program and student data to support reporting, decision-making and planning
• Problem-solving: Addressing day-to-day issues such as scheduling changes, record questions or process gaps with a steady, practical approach

Degree and certification pathways

Academic coordinators often follow different paths depending on their career stage, but many build their qualifications over time through a mix of education and experience.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field
2. Gain experience in academic, administrative or support roles within an educational setting
3. Transition into an academic coordinator role as you build familiarity with institutional processes
4. Pursue a master’s degree, if required or preferred, particularly for roles at larger or postsecondary institutions

Academic coordinators can enter the role early in their careers or transition into it from administrative or support roles within educational institutions.

With Capella’s  MS in Education, Higher Education Leadership and Administration, you can explore settings such as:

• Colleges, universities and professional schools
• Community colleges
• Educational support services

If you already have a master’s degree, Capella’s online  Doctor of Education (EdD), Educational Leadership specialization can help you strengthen your leadership and communication skills and apply these skills to solve real-world problems.

3. Curriculum developer

Curriculum developers design and update the learning materials that teachers use across different learning environments. In this role, you focus on what gets taught and how it is structured, working with school districts, educational publishers, nonprofits and government agencies.

Responsibilities can vary by setting. Some roles focus on writing and structuring content, while others emphasize standards alignment, program design or large-scale curriculum strategy.

As organizations increasingly invest in skills-based programs and career-aligned content, there’s more demand for curriculum developers who understand both instructional design and how to translate it into materials teachers can actually use.

Many roles expect prior classroom teaching experience, though some positions in publishing or edtech may be open to candidates with strong instructional design skills and subject expertise.

Responsibilities and skills

Curriculum developers are typically responsible for:

• Reviewing national and state educational standards and translating them into course content and learning objectives
• Writing and organizing lesson plans, instructional guides and student assessments
• Evaluating existing curriculum for gaps, alignment issues or outdated content
• Collaborating with teachers and subject matter experts to refine materials before rollout

The work is often iterative, involving multiple rounds of drafting, review and revision based on teacher feedback, student outcomes and stakeholder input.

Common skills for curriculum developers can also include the following:

• Instructional design: Understanding how to sequence content so learning builds progressively and assessments reflect what was taught
• Data-driven decision-making: Using student performance data and teacher feedback to identify what is and is not working
• Project management: Managing multiple deliverables and review cycles across stakeholders, often within tight timelines

Those who enjoy structuring information, working behind the scenes and refining content through feedback rather than delivering instruction directly may find this path appealing.

Degree and certification pathways

Curriculum developers often build their careers through a combination of teaching experience, specialized training and instructional design expertise. A path might look something like:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in education, often paired with student teaching experience
2. Pursue a teaching license*
3. Build experience through teaching or instructional design and content-focused roles
4. Meet any additional requirements that may vary by employer and state, especially in public school settings
5. Pursue a master’s degree, such as an MS in Education, Curriculum and Instruction specialization, if preferred or required to pursue advanced roles
6. Progress into senior design positions, curriculum leadership or broader learning experience roles across education and corporate training environments

Some professionals pursue curriculum development after several years of teaching, while others gain experience through instructional design or content-focused roles.

From there, they may pursue senior design positions, curriculum leadership or broader learning experience roles across education and corporate training environments.

*Capella University programs are not designed to lead to licensure or certification.

4. School counselor

School counselors work in K–12 settings to support students as they navigate academic planning, social and emotional challenges and life after graduation. In this role, you may help students build study and coping skills, create academic plans, explore college and career options and connect with support when challenges arise.

This role plays an important part in helping students stay engaged, overcome barriers to learning and make informed decisions about their future. By supporting both academic progress and overall well-being, school counselors contribute to stronger student outcomes across the school community.

School counseling often involves managing a large caseload while balancing direct student support with administrative responsibilities, such as documentation and coordination.

Responsibilities and skills

Responsibilities of a school counselor may include:

• Helping students with academic planning, course selection and graduation goals
• Supporting students through social, emotional or behavioral challenges
• Meeting with students one-on-one or in small groups to talk through concerns and next steps
• Using attendance, behavior or academic data to spot students who may need extra support

Some core skills often seen in school counselor roles include the following:

• Active listening: Building trust with students and helping them feel heard in difficult or uncertain moments
• Student guidance: Helping students make informed academic and career decisions based on their goals and needs
• Crisis support: Responding calmly when students are dealing with urgent emotional, behavioral or school-related concerns

Degree and certification pathways

Becoming a school counselor involves completing a series of education, training and licensure requirements designed to prepare you for student support roles in K–12 settings.

1. Earn a master’s degree in school counseling, such as an MS in School Counseling
2. Complete a supervised practicum and internship in a K–12 setting
3. Obtain a state-issued credential, certification or license to practice as a school counselor
4. Meet additional state requirements, which may include graduate coursework and exams such as the Praxis

Capella’s  CACREP- and CAEP-accredited MS in School Counseling program is designed to help prepare students to pursue professional licensure as school counselors. You’ll have the opportunity to develop skills in applying theory to evaluate students and design intervention plans that support student development.

With experience, school counselors may pursue leadership roles, district-level student services positions or broader leadership roles in education.

5. Special education instructor

There is demand for special education instructors due to ongoing teacher shortages and a growing emphasis on comprehensive education models.

As a special education teacher, you’ll support students with disabilities through the learning process, either in your own classroom or in a general education setting with added support.

In this role, you may adapt instruction to match a student’s needs, help build academic and social skills and track progress over time. Day-to-day work can vary widely, requiring teachers to adjust instruction in real time while supporting different learning and behavioral needs within the same classroom.

Responsibilities and skills

Responsibilities of a special education instructor may include:

• Adjusting lessons, materials and classroom strategies to meet individual learning needs
• Teaching academic, social and behavioral skills based on a student’s goals and support plan
• Working with general education teachers, families and service providers to coordinate support
• Recording student progress and helping document outcomes for Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and other required reporting

Skills required as a special education instructor often include the following:

• Adaptability: Adjusting instruction, pacing and support based on how students respond.
• Behavior support: Helping students build routines, self-regulation and classroom-ready skills
• Individualized instruction: Tailoring teaching to IEP goals, learning profiles and ability levels
• Collaboration: Working closely with families, general education teachers and support specialists

Degree and certification pathways

Becoming a special education instructor typically involves building foundational teaching knowledge, meeting licensure requirements and developing specialized expertise to support all kinds of learners.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field. In some states, candidates with a degree in another field may qualify through a state-approved teacher preparation or alternate-route licensure pathway.
2. Complete the requirements for a state-issued license or certification to work in public schools. Licensure options may include specializations such as autism spectrum disorders or hearing and visual impairments, depending on your area of focus.
3. Meet additional state requirements, which may include student teaching, exams and endorsements for specific disability areas or grade bands.
4. Pursue a master’s degree, such as Capella’s MS in Education, Special Education Teaching, to deepen your expertise and expand your instructional approach. The program aligns with Council for Exceptional Children advanced preparation standards and provides hands-on training and mentorship to help you apply skills in real-world settings.

However, note that Capella does not guarantee any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome, and this specialization does not lead to a license, endorsement or other professional credentials.

After gaining some experience, special education teachers may pursue lead roles, IEP coordination, instructional specialist positions or broader special education leadership roles within a district.

Your next step toward a career path in education

Each role in education comes with its own pace, responsibilities and expectations, which may not be obvious from the title alone. Taking time to understand the day-to-day work can help you choose a path that aligns with how you prefer to work, not just what sounds appealing.

Practical considerations, such as licensure requirements, time commitment and program flexibility, also play an important role. Looking at degree options alongside these factors can help you move forward with greater clarity as you plan your next steps in education.

FAQs

What are some careers in education?

Careers in education include roles that support teaching, learning and student success across schools, colleges and training organizations. That can mean classroom-based roles like teachers and school counselors, or leadership and support roles like academic coordinators, curriculum developers and instructional coordinators.

What is the best career in education?

The best career in education depends on your interests, preferred work setting and goals. If you enjoy direct instruction, teaching may be a strong fit. If you’re drawn to student support, school counseling may be a better path. If you prefer planning, systems and program improvement, curriculum development or school administration may be a better match.