Is it better to have an associates in education and a bachelors English or the other way around for job placement?

Neither path guarantees job placement, as success depends on many factors beyond education. However, a Bachelor's in English followed by an Associate's in Education is generally a more practical route for most teaching positions, especially at the secondary level.

Here's why:

* Bachelor's Degree Requirement: Most teaching positions, particularly at the high school level, require a minimum of a bachelor's degree. An Associate's degree alone won't qualify you for most teaching jobs.

* Subject Matter Expertise: A Bachelor's in English provides the necessary subject matter expertise to teach English at the secondary level. An Associate's in Education adds the pedagogical training, but the English degree is foundational.

* Master's Degree Potential: Many school districts prefer or require teachers to have a master's degree. Having a Bachelor's degree in your subject area first will make it easier to pursue a Master's in Education later on. It allows you to build a strong foundation in your field before specializing in teaching methods.

An Associate's in Education first might be helpful for some *specific* roles, particularly in early childhood education or as an assistant, but it wouldn't be sufficient for most secondary level English teaching positions. Therefore, the typical progression is the Bachelor's in English, then the additional education credentials.