Public School Careers -- Part II

Part II

Below is a list of some common school-level careers requiring, in most cases, a college degree. In addition to school-level employees, school districts will employee district-level employees such as the superintendent.

Schools vary in the personnel they employ and the tasks those employees perform. In addition, some employees may be required to work at multiple schools. For example, a school may not have a school social worker, or there may be a school social worker who works at multiple schools within the same school district.

(This list was divided into two in order to meet the word limits for articles. )

School Psychologist

School psychologists receive training in both education and psychology. They assess student difficulties and provide assistance to students struggling with academic, social, emotional and behavioral problems. School psychologists also provide crisis intervention, diagnose learning problems and perform testing.

School psychologists must be certified by the state in which they work. The minimum education for school social workers is usually a master’s degree in school psychology. School psychology master’s degrees are often lengthy degrees, requiring around 60 semester hours of graduate study.

School Resource Officer

School resource officers typically work for the local law enforcement agency but are based in a school. They work closely with the school administration to keep the school safe for students and employees. They also arrest students who are violating the law. In addition, many school resource officers provide mentoring and guidance to students.


The minimum required education of school resource officers varies by the law enforcement agency the officer is employed through. Many agencies prefer to hire candidates with a minimum of an associate’s degree in criminal justice or a related field.

Speech-Language pathologist

Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat students with communication disorders. They work with students individually and collaborate with teachers, staff and parents to help students improve their communication ability.

Speech-language pathologists must be certified by the state where they work. The minimum education for school social workers is typically a master’s degree in speech therapy. Most speech therapy master’s degree programs require a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders.

School Social Worker

School social workers use school and community resources to help students. In addition to working directly with students, school social workers often work closely with families. School social workers provide services such as case management, consultation, community referrals, and crisis intervention.

School social workers must be certified by the state where they work. The minimum education for school social workers is usually a bachelor’s degree in social work with a practical experience in a school.

Teacher

Teachers develop and implement academic lessons and evaluate the students’ progress. Teachers work closely with students and parents to foster the intellectual development of their students.

Teachers must be certified though the state where they work. The minimum education for teachers is typically a bachelor’s degree in education with a student teaching experience. There are alternative routes to obtaining certification, especially in vocational and hard-to-fill teaching fields.

Teacher Assistant

Teacher Assistants provide instructional and clerical support for teachers, allowing them to devote more time to struggling students, creating lesson plans and other duties. Teacher assistants may teach and supervise students, take attendance, grade tests and keep the classroom in order.

The minimum requirements for teacher assistants vary by state. The preferred educational level for a teacher assistant is often a minimum of an associate degree.