by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you interested in understanding and exploring education from a different perspective? A major in Educational Philosophy allows you to explore the social and cultural implications behind institutions of learning. This major relies heavily on an academic background in the humanities and the social sciences. You will get to explore the history and politics that go along with the current educational institution, as well as take a broad array of classes in the liberal arts.
The courses that you will be required to take will vary according to the college, but they could include: politics, the philosophy of education, history of education, educational literature, educational anthropology, policy studies, various history courses, various English courses, and studies of education in relation to population and social phenomena.
In 2021-2022, education philosophy was the 261st most popular major nationwide with 932 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Education Philosophy Schools ranking analyzes 11 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for education philosophy students. Explore this or one of our many other custom education philosophy rankings further below.
To be successful in this major you need to be a forward thinker with an open mind. Students will be encouraged to develop their critical thinking and complex reasoning skills. You should be interested how education has developed over the years and the philosophy that drives the development. It is important to have an inquisitive mindset and to be ready to question different historical and political movements. You will be exploring basic questions centered on the nature of teaching and the purpose of education; answers may not always be easily attained or concrete.
This major will rely heavily on the humanities, so it is important to have strong communication skills. This will include reading, writing, and speaking. Working well with others to discuss ideas and to flesh out new ways of thinking is essential. Items on your syllabus will range from Aristotle to the most recent educational methods of today. It is important to be able to manage your time and successfully complete individual assignments, and work well with others on group projects.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most education philosophy degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific education philosophy careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different education philosophy degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in education philosophy to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common education philosophy degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
With your degree in educational philosophy you may get your teacher certification in order to work in school as a teacher or work your way up to administrative positions. You will have a broad background on teaching and the importance of teaching with passion. Many people in this field continue their education to receive a master's degree in educational philosophy. This will allow you to fully dive into educational policy and allow you for more advanced positions in your career field.
Education Philosophy graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $55,799 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $23,447 to as high as $81,546. As you might expect, salaries for education philosophy graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
One of 14 majors within the Education area of study, Education Philosophy has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social & Philosophical Foundations of Education | 932 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education Grade Specific | 110,770 |
| Educational Administration | 46,975 |
| Teacher Education Subject Specific | 42,343 |
| Special Education | 35,973 |
| General Education | 29,389 |
Image Credit: By Nick Youngson under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
