Speech Teacher Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for those committed to shaping the next generation of communicators, this program equips future educators with the expertise to guide students in mastering spoken and written language across diverse learning environments. It emphasizes the development of pedagogical strategies, curriculum design, and assessment techniques tailored to the evolving demands of language education.
- Oral Communication Skills Development: Focuses on techniques for teaching effective speaking, listening, and presentation abilities, fostering confidence and clarity in students across grade levels.
- Literature and Language Analysis: Explores literary interpretation, critical reading, and the structural elements of language to enhance students’ comprehension and analytical capabilities.
- Curriculum Design and Instructional Methods: Covers the creation and implementation of standards-aligned lesson plans that integrate speaking, writing, and critical thinking across subjects.
- Assessment and Evaluation Strategies: Teaches evidence-based approaches to measuring student progress in language and speech competencies, including formative and summative evaluation tools.
- Language Diversity and Inclusion: Addresses the needs of multilingual learners and culturally responsive teaching practices to support equitable access to language arts education.
- Education Technology Integration: Explores digital tools and platforms that enhance speech and language instruction, promoting interactive and personalized learning experiences.
Speech Teacher Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Speech Teacher Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Speech Teacher Education degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education and Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,752,000 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
Speech Teacher Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,233 in Oklahoma to $93,697 in California—a 76% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,752,000 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Speech Teacher Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 8 institutions offering Speech Teacher Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Speech Teacher Education is found at Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (54 graduates), Itawamba Community College (ICC) (7 graduates), Indiana University (IU Indianapolis), Indianapolis (6 graduates), Minnesota State University, Mankato (6 graduates), and University of Akron, Main Campus (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 78 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
54 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Itawamba Community College (ICC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Fulton, Mississippi | Public | iccms.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
|
6 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| University of Akron |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Private | obu.edu |
| Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lewiston, Idaho | Public | lcsc.edu |
| Friends University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Wichita, Kansas | Private | friends.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Speech Teacher Education programs
How much can I earn with a Speech Teacher Education degree?
Salaries for Speech Teacher Education graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn around $64,580. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $93,697 compared to $53,233 in Oklahoma. Approximately 1,752,000 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Speech Teacher Education programs?
Currently 8 accredited institutions offer Speech Teacher Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (54 graduates), Itawamba Community College (ICC) (7 graduates), and Indiana University (IU Indianapolis), Indianapolis (6 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Speech Teacher Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 161 in 2010 to 78 in 2023-24. This represents a 52% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Speech Teacher Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,752,000 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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