Based on subject matter specialization:
* Early Childhood Education: Focusing on the education and development of children from birth to age 8.
* Elementary Education: Concentrating on teaching children in grades K-5 or K-6.
* Secondary Education: Focusing on teaching in grades 6-12, often with subject matter specializations (e.g., secondary mathematics education, secondary English education, secondary science education, etc.).
* Special Education: Preparing teachers to work with students with disabilities, including diverse learning needs and exceptionalities. This often includes sub-specializations (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, emotional disturbances).
* Higher Education: Preparing instructors and professors for college and university settings.
Based on pedagogical approaches and focuses:
* Curriculum and Instruction: Focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating curriculum and teaching methods.
* Educational Technology: Integrates technology into teaching and learning.
* Educational Psychology: Applies psychological principles to understand and improve teaching and learning.
* Assessment and Evaluation: Focuses on designing, administering, and interpreting assessments to measure student learning.
* Teacher Leadership: Preparing teachers to take on leadership roles within schools and districts.
* Literacy Education: Focusing specifically on the teaching of reading and writing.
* Mathematics Education: Specifically focused on the teaching and learning of mathematics.
* Science Education: Specifically focused on the teaching and learning of science.
* Social Studies Education: Specifically focused on the teaching and learning of social studies.
* ESL/Bilingual Education: Focusing on teaching English as a Second Language or working with bilingual students.
Based on other contextual factors:
* Adult Education: Focusing on the education of adults.
* Vocational Education: Focusing on teaching job-related skills.
It's important to note that many teacher education programs combine elements from multiple subfields. For example, a secondary mathematics teacher education program would incorporate aspects of secondary education, mathematics education, curriculum and instruction, and educational psychology. The lines between these areas are often blurred and interconnected.