In this article, we review the various options so you can solidify your professional steps and become an educator in Mexico.
If your passion is teaching and actively intervening in the construction of human knowledge, then pedagogy is likely your calling. Yes, a calling, because despite being a profession, its practice demands more than scientific knowledge and requires great commitment, passion, and a strong desire to transform the world one class at a time.
Whether you’ve finished high school and are looking for university study options, or you wish to specialize in pedagogy after university and pursue a teaching career, find out that in Mexico, training options abound and are offered at various levels.
According to the National Survey of Occupation and Employment in Mexico, for the third quarter of 2020, there were a total of 167,263 educators nationwide. Educational professionals have an average salary of 9,300 Mexican pesos – 470 USD per month – and it is a high-demand job profile, with less than a 3% unemployment rate.
What is pedagogy and what is the role of an educator?
But before reviewing the range of options, let’s check the term. Pedagogy is the social and interdisciplinary science focused on the research and reflection of educational theories across different stages of human life. The educator accompanies the student in their learning process from childhood to adulthood; they are a mentor and, in many cases, a role model.
However, although the most well-known role of an educator is in the classroom, it is actually a profession with multiple responsibilities:
- The planning, design, execution, review, and evaluation of educational programs.
- The processes of intervention and educational change in individuals, groups, and communities are handled by the educator.
- The advisory and technical and scientific coordination of social, business, and educational projects and interventions.
Educators not only work in the educational field but can also perform their duties in organizational, healthcare, and penitentiary settings.
In addition to being a profession with a noble purpose, pedagogy is necessary for the development of a nation and, for this reason, enjoys great recognition and esteem in Mexico and worldwide. A country will always need teachers.
Pedagogy study modalities in Mexico
In Mexico, pedagogy training levels are offered at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. At the undergraduate level, we find technical professional training, which is intermediate (1 year of study), and assistance to university professionals, which is the most complete training (4-5 years of training).
In postgraduate studies, specializations, master’s degrees, and doctorates in pedagogy are offered, providing a research focus that allows pedagogy graduates to build specific training related to their interests.
In fact, only 1% of Mexican professionals hold a master’s degree, according to the OECD. For good reason, it’s time to raise that percentage and, with it, the professionalism and competitiveness of Mexican teachers.
Distance and in-person modalities are the options for pedagogy training. In the virtual option, a person can become an educational professional in two or three years, depending on the study plan. The in-person modality requires a dedication of 3 to 5 years.
In Mexico, the best universities to study pedagogy (virtually) are:
- Universidad ISEP with a program of master’s degrees, specializations, and courses in various modern educational trends, Universidad ISEP offers the most complete range. This university has quickly positioned itself in the Mexican educational context. The institution offers 17 master’s programs and will soon integrate a bachelor’s degree program in education.
- Universidad Tecnológica de México (Unitec) offers a bachelor’s degree in education with a duration of 12 quadmesters and a course of 54 subjects. It also offers it in person and blended learning at its various campuses throughout Mexican territory.
- Universidad Kuepa offers a three-year program for 100% virtual training of pedagogy professionals.
What type of pedagogy is studied in Mexico?
The education and pedagogy program offers content that balances general and specific aspects of education and prepares students to meet the challenges of educational innovation. However, for those who do not want such a broad degree, specialized sites in Mexico list 45 related training programs.
The most prominent programs are: Childcare, pedagogy, psychopedagogy, foreign language teaching, educational sciences, educational psychology, methodology, secondary education, and child education.
After initial training in pedagogy, postgraduate programs in cognition, educational management, educational leadership, educational technology and digital competencies, and psychopedagogy are distinguished.
Educator in Mexico: What comes after your initial training is Universidad ISEP
We particularly want to highlight the programs of Universidad ISEP for their high quality and innovation in the pedagogical field, which enhance the Mexican academic offer. Whether you are an education graduate or a professional linked to the educational, health, or social fields, Universidad ISEP’s proposal offers a bold and multidisciplinary approach that guarantees your job prospects and professional positioning.
We have already mentioned that it offers 17 programs, including specializations, master’s degrees, and courses with an emphasis on educational intervention, new technologies, and the education-psychology relationship.
Universidad ISEP offers two-year programs nationally and internationally accredited, with active professionals for postgraduate training in: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, educational innovation and digital competencies, school bullying and mediation, Montessori pedagogy, neuroeducation and capacity optimization, to name a few.
Two virtual programs focused on addressing school and developmental deficits are offered: autism spectrum disorders and early intervention. These have strongly technical content oriented towards early childhood education.