Choose one bachelor's degree It's about choosing an education that goes beyond simply transmitting knowledge. It's about building a career connected to education, personal development, and the training of future generations.
Although teaching in the classroom is one of the best-known career paths, a teaching degree opens up opportunities in different areas, such as educational management, production of teaching materials, pedagogical projects, research, and initiatives focused on education and culture.
For those seeking a degree with purpose, opportunities for professional growth, and social impact, this could be a strategic choice.
In this article, you will understand what What differentiates a bachelor's degree from other types of degrees? de ensino superior e conhecer as principais áreas de atuação desses profissionais. Boa leitura!
What is a teaching degree and what differentiates it from a bachelor's degree?
A teaching degree is a type of undergraduate degree focused on teacher training. Those who complete a teaching degree are qualified to teach in basic education, which includes early childhood education, elementary school, and high school, according to the... Law No. 9.394/96 (LDB), the Law of Guidelines and Bases of National Education.
A diferença em relação ao bacharelado é objetiva: o bacharelado prepara para exercer uma profissão de forma direta, como Administração, Right, Engenharia, Economia.
A bachelor's degree prepares students, first and foremost, to teach. Therefore, in addition to subjects in their chosen field (mathematics, biology, history, English, pedagogy, etc.), students also study... The curriculum requires mandatory training in didactics, educational psychology, supervised internship, and teaching practices.
In practice, this means a very specific training profile. Believe me: it's not a case of "those who can't do anything else go into teaching." It's a choice that demands communication skills, content mastery, patience with processes, and the ability to manage very different groups simultaneously.
Areas of work beyond the classroom.
Most people directly associate a bachelor's degree with teaching. But the degree opens doors to diverse roles, especially for those who pursue specialization after graduation.
Teaching in basic education
It's the most direct option. Licensed professionals can work in public schools, through competitive examinations, or in private schools. The starting salary for the São Paulo state school system is around... R$5.565 for a 40-hour day, and the national minimum wage for teachers in 2025 is R$4,867.77.
With postgraduate studies, remuneration increases: a master's degree can raise the salary by up to 15.5% and a doctorate by up to 21%, according to data from the São Paulo state network.
Coordination and pedagogical management
For those who prefer a more strategic role within the school, pedagogical coordination is a natural path. The coordinator mediates between the proposed curriculum and the teachers' pedagogical practice.
In large schools, the Compensation ranges from R$5,000 to R$7,500.. To reach this position, one generally needs classroom experience and, in many cases, a postgraduate degree in School Management.
Production of educational content and materials.
Educational publishers, online learning platforms, and edtech startups hire professionals with bachelor's degrees to create, review, and structure teaching materials.
It's a job that combines content expertise with pedagogical vision, and it has grown considerably with the expansion of digital education.
Corporate education
Large companies have Training and Development departments that function as internal educational structures.
Graduates, especially in pedagogy, find opportunities as instructors, instructional designers, and learning managers within these organizations.
What is the job market like for those who choose a bachelor's degree?
The latest diagnosis is worrying for the sector, but favorable for those thinking of entering it.
Brazil is facing what experts call a "teacher shortage": projections from the Semesp Institute They indicate that the country may have a A shortage of up to 235,000 teachers by 2040., This combines factors such as the aging of the workforce, early retirement from the profession, and a decline in young people's interest in pursuing a bachelor's degree.
The number of teachers aged 24 or younger fell by 42% between 2009 and 2021.
Those entering the workforce now find a market with little renewal, and competitions with fewer qualified candidates in various regions of the country.
In response to this scenario, the Ministry of Education launched the "More Teachers for Brazil" program in January 2025, with the "More Teachers Scholarship" and the "Licenciaturas Nestlé Fund" as direct incentives for new students in the field.
What to consider before choosing a bachelor's degree.
Choosing a degree requires honesty about what you want from your career. Here are some questions worth considering before enrolling:
• Do you enjoy explaining things and seeing other people learn?
• Are you prepared to work with large groups with very different profiles without losing focus?
Are you prepared to invest in a civil service exam if you want stability in the public sector?
• Or would you prefer a more varied career path, with more opportunities outside of the school environment?
Conclusão sobre a carreira em licenciatura
Escolher uma licenciatura é decidir construir uma carreira que transforma vidas por meio da educação.
Além de abrir portas para a docência, essa formação permite contribuir para o desenvolvimento de crianças, jovens e adultos, promovendo conhecimento, pensamento crítico e cidadania.
Ao conhecer as diferentes opções de licenciatura, fica mais fácil identificar aquela que combina com seus interesses e objetivos profissionais.
FAQ — Frequently asked questions about bachelor's degrees
A teaching degree (Licenciatura) is a type of undergraduate degree that qualifies one to teach in basic education. The diploma grants the right to teach in public and private schools, from early childhood education to high school. Unlike a bachelor's degree, a teaching degree includes mandatory pedagogical subjects such as didactics, educational psychology, and supervised internships.
A bachelor's degree prepares one to directly practice a profession: administrator, economist, engineer. A teaching degree prepares one to teach that area of knowledge in basic education. Both are higher education diplomas recognized by the MEC (Brazilian Ministry of Education), but with distinct training focuses and job markets.
Yes. Graduates can work in pedagogical coordination, educational management, production of teaching materials, corporate education, and digital learning platforms. The classroom is an option, not a mandatory destination.
In the São Paulo state school system, the starting salary for teachers with a full teaching degree and a 40-hour work week is approximately R$$5,565. The national minimum wage for teachers in 2025 is R$$4,867.77. With postgraduate studies, remuneration can increase to between R$15% and R$21%.