Certificate in Higher Education

If you want to become a college or university level teacher, you should consider working towards the higher education degrees. These programs provide you can with the skills and knowledge that would help you pursue jobs in academia, business or private sector. Employment of postsecondary teachers is expected to increase 17% from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The career outlook for postsecondary education administrators is also positive with 19% expected job growth during the same period.

Higher Education Program
Both degree and certificate programs are offered in higher education. Students can work towards a bachelor's degree or the master's programs. The bachelor's degree takes 4 years to complete while the master's programs can be completed in 1-2 years. The enrollment status and program type of the students determine the exact program duration. Higher education programs help students learn teaching techniques and ways to design curriculum, manage classrooms and conduct research.

The coursework in these programs may include topics such as management, curriculum development, psychology and human resources in higher education. Students can also take courses in educational politics as well as distance and online learning programs. In addition to the general coursework, students can also choose an area of specialty such as social sciences, humanities, engineering and more.  

Certificate in Higher Education
In addition to degree programs, students can also pursue the certificate in higher education. These courses give students the chance to study a subject of their choice to gain university credits that may be used towards a range of courses. They can also be useful either for personal or academic development. Both campus-based schools as well as online schools offer higher education certificates and allow students to study according to their own schedules. 

Online Higher Education Programs
The distance learning programs are also available in higher education. Students can enroll in online degrees or certificates and study from any location and at timings that suit their individual routine. The flexibility of these programs makes them a suitable option for those who want to maintain the balance between their personal and personal lives. A number of learning technologies are used in these programs that help students keep up with their personal and professional routines and pursue their educational goals without making major changes to their existing schedule. E-learning software, online libraries, online chat forums, video conferencing and emails are some of the tools that help candidates participate in the online academic programs without being physically present in the class.

Career Prospects
Graduates of higher education can pursue a number of career paths. They can potentially become teachers, administrators and researchers or take up other roles in academia or public or private organizations. Opportunities are also available in medicine, business and law.

According to the BLS, the median annual wage for postsecondary education administrators in May 2010 was $83,710 while the median annual wage of postsecondary teachers was $62,050. The exact compensation is subject to several factors including location, qualification and type of job.