by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in International Teaching and Learning covers A Program That Prepares Individuals To Teach In Schools That Are Implementing Or Proposing To Implement The International Baccalaureate Curriculum. Includes Instruction In Culturally-Responsive Classrooms, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Foundations Of International Education, Human Learning, Human Development, International Teaching And Learning, And Pedagogy. Continue reading for the essential details every international teaching and learning major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering international teaching and learning programs.
Across the country, international teaching and learning is a widely-pursued major, with 11 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best International Teaching and Learning Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for international teaching and learning students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international teaching and learning programs later in this article.
Programs in International Teaching and Learning build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations international teaching and learning graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a international teaching and learning program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a international teaching and learning major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several international teaching and learning degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11 |
People currently working in careers related to international teaching and learning tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 58.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 11.2% |
| Master’s degree | 9.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.7% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in international teaching and learning careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying international teaching and learning opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to international teaching and learning.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international teaching and learning.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,457,958 | 2.6% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,058,186 | 6.4% |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 692,039 | -1.4% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 84,106 | 4.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of international teaching and learning graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,857 |
| 4 years | $43,846 |
| 5 years | $48,879 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for international teaching and learning graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers international teaching and learning grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,352 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $83,105 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $75,366 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,776 |
With 1 different international teaching and learning programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased international teaching and learning school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in international teaching and learning, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
