Do you see yourself at the head of a classroom teaching students about a subject you’re interested in? How about a school principal setting education policy or an administrator who works behind the scenes to keep a school running smoothly? If any of these describe you, then pursuing an online teaching degree may be worth your time.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a high school teacher in 2019 was $61,660 and demand for qualified high school teachers is expected to grow by four percent by 2028.
To start your teaching career, you’ll need to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Jobs in education involve a large amount of training and many people who get a degree in education do so on top of specializing in another subject, like history or math.
Online teaching degrees have skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years. These programs prepare you for any job within a school, from being an administrator to working as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school.
In this guide, we’re going to break down the top five online teaching degree programs. We’ll discuss the background of these programs, how much they charge and what you can expect to study before earning each online teaching degree.
Online Teaching Degree Rankings in 2020
With so many schools offering online teaching degrees, you may be wondering which one you should choose. That’s why we’ve prepared a list of the top online teaching degree programs below to help you get a better sense of what options are out there for you.
#1: Florida International University
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
- Tuition: $229 / credit (in-state); $346 / credit (out-of-state)
- Duration: 4 years
- Credit Requirement: 120 credits
Florida Internship University, based in Miami, offers a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education program.
This program covers childhood development, educational psychology and the essentials of teaching students at early grade levels and in kindergarten. You’ll also learn about family engagement, cultural diversity and classroom management.
This course was designed to prepare you for jobs in childcare, early education and childhood development. However, this course does not result in teacher certification. So, while this program will give you an accredited degree, there may be additional requirements you need to meet in your state before you can apply for a license to teach.
#2: Regis University
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
- Tuition: $450 / credit
- Duration: 4 years
- Credit Requirement: 124 credits
Regis University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program online. This course is designed to prepare you for initial licensure to become a teacher, so you can earn a BA in Education while also meeting your state licensure requirements.
To enroll at Regis, you must choose between elementary education or a dual-endorsement in both elementary and special education. In your courses, you’ll cover topics like how to teach exceptional learners, diversity and equity in education and classroom management.
Regis University has more than 100 partner schools which you can use to gain experience while you’re studying. Regis expects that students complete one to three hours in a classroom working under an experienced teacher while enrolled in the program.
#3: Fort Hays State University
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
- Tuition: $219 / credit
- Duration: 4 years
- Credit Requirement: 127 credits
Fort Hays State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program. This program prepares you to seek licensure in elementary education, which spans from kindergarten to 6th grade.
In this course, you’ll spend part of your time studying topics like curriculum design and classroom management, and the other part of your time participating in elementary internships. These internships will help you gain experience in teaching and assessing a particular school subject.
In your final year, you’ll be paired with a seasoned mentor for a student teaching experience. Your mentor will help you implement the theory you have learned in practice.
#4: University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
- Tuition: $169.43 / credit (in-state); $644.60 / credit (out-of-state)
- Duration: 4 years
- Credit Requirement: 124 credits
The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. This program provides 11 concentration offerings that allow you to explore particular areas of elementary education in-depth.
In your courses, you’ll cover topics like elementary school practices, instructional design and more. You’ll have an opportunity to tutor students on-on-one in an Education Lab on-campus. That’s not all: the school has excellent relationships with local public schools, so you’ll spend a lot of time working in a classroom environment.
The university also offers master’s-level programs in areas like teaching, school administration and instructional technology.
#5: University of Alabama
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences and Early Childhood Education
- Tuition: $275 / credit
- Duration: 4 years
- Credit Requirement: 120 credits
The University of Alabama offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences and Early Childhood Education. This program explores the growth of children from birth to the age of eight and will prepare you for a job teaching elementary and kindergarten students. However, this program does not prepare you for state licensure as a teacher.
In your coursework, you’ll learn about the physical, emotional and intellectual development of young children. You’ll cover courses like infancy and toddlerhood, preschool development, adolescence and educational statistics.
The University of Alabama is also home to the Child Development Research Center, which is a leader in the study of young children. The program also consists of an internship component which will allow you to practice your teaching skills in a classroom environment.
Online Teaching Degree Offerings
Online teaching degrees prepare you for a range of jobs in education. Whether you want to be a policymaker who helps set standards in high schools or a teacher working with students in a classroom, a teaching degree will go a long way.
Online teaching degrees offer a couple of additional benefits you don’t get out of a traditional degree. First, you can study from anywhere, which means you don’t have to show up to a physical campus every day. Second, online courses are often cheaper than in-person courses.
There are three main types of online teaching degrees you can earn:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- Certificate
Online Teaching Bachelor’s Degree
An online bachelor’s degree in teaching will prepare you for a number of careers in the field of education.
Many programs cover the coursework you need to apply for a license to become a teacher in your state. There are also programs out there which do not focus on licensing requirements; these are best if you want to pursue a non-teaching role in education.
Online Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Entry Requirements
You’ll need to have a high school diploma or a GED to enroll in a bachelor’s degree in teaching. You will also be expected to submit your high school transcripts and some schools may ask you to meet a minimum SAT or ACT score.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
You may also need to complete a criminal background check as part of the application process. This is especially common for degrees that cover teacher licensing requirements.
Online Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum
The coursework of an online teaching degree varies between programs and you’ll be able to customize your experience based on the specialization areas you choose. With that said, here is a list of the main courses you can expect to encounter in an online teaching bachelor’s degree program:
- Teaching Methods: This course covers how to deliver lectures, prepare classroom materials, steer classroom discussions and engage with students in a way that maximizes their ability to learn.
- Classroom Management: In this course, you’ll learn how to manage a classroom. This involves dealing with behavioral problems, ensuring students are focused and creating a positive environment for all students.
- Child Development: You’ll learn how children change physically, emotionally and intellectually as they grow. This will help you understand how to more effectively educate children and teenagers.
Online Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Progression
Graduating from a bachelor’s degree education program will prepare you for a number of roles in the education sector. Most people who have enrolled in an education degree go on to pursue one of three paths.
The first is to enter a career working for a school in a non-teaching role. This is common if you have studied toward a degree that does not explicitly prepare you for a state license. The second path is to use your degree to become a teacher, which will involve first acquiring a state license. Some people also choose to advance to a master’s degree, which opens more opportunities.
Online Teaching Master’s Degree
An online master’s degree in teaching will prepare you for more advanced roles in education. Some of these programs prepare you for teaching certification, whereas others are for teachers who are already certified but want to gain more knowledge in an area of speciality.
Online Teaching Master’s Degree Entry Requirements
To access an online master’s degree in teaching program, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. You will also need to submit your undergraduate transcripts and may be asked to submit GRE scores, a personal statement and/or letters of recommendation from your past teachers or professors.
Like a bachelor’s degree, if your program leads to state licensure, you may need to pass a criminal background check. If you are applying for a program that is for already-licensed teachers, you’ll need to provide proof of your teaching credentials – such as your license and relevant references – before you are admitted.
Online Teaching Master’s Degree Curriculum
The curriculum in an online teaching master’s degree covers a wide variety of areas related to education theory and child psychology.
The courses you choose to study will depend on your field of specialty. For instance, if you’re specializing in teaching numeracy, your courses would cover mathematical curriculum design, childhood development, algebra, calculus and other topics.
You can also expect to spend a lot of time working in the field. In some programs, fieldwork accounts for up to 50 percent of all the work you’ll do in your program. Once you’ve advanced far enough in your degree, you will be allowed to instruct courses under supervision of an experienced teacher.
Online Teaching Master’s Degree Progression
A master’s degree in teaching can lead to a teaching job in an elementary, middle or secondary school, or an administrative job in a school. Administrative jobs include roles such as principal, student coordinator and student guidance counselor.
You may also choose to progress to a doctoral program, which will allow you to further explore a particular field in education.
Online Teaching Certificates
Many colleges offer online certificate programs. These will help you fulfill the state requirements to sit for the teacher licensing exam. In these courses, you’ll learn educational theory, how to instruct students and how to design a curriculum.
Online Teaching Certificates Entry Requirements
You’ll need an undergraduate degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 for admission. The degree you have does not need to be related to teaching. For instance, if you want to become a history teacher, you may study history at the bachelor’s level, then attain a certificate so you can meet the state requirements to become a teacher.
Online Teaching Certificates Curriculum
Online certificate programs usually consist of between 10 to 20 courses, as well as hands-on classroom work experiences. You’ll spend about one or two years studying toward an online teaching certificate, depending on your prior credentials and experience.
Most certificate programs cover foundational courses like childhood development, instructional skills and how to evaluate students. Below are some other classes that may come up in your certificate program, depending on your field of specialty:
- Special education
- Early childhood education
- Curriculum design
- Teaching methods
- Student evaluation
In addition to studying general education theory, you’ll also learn how to teach a particular subject, depending on your field of interest. For instance, if you want to teach chemistry in high school, you’ll spend time learning about specific techniques that apply to teaching science at a high school.
Online Teaching Certificates Progression
Most people who earn an online teaching certificate will go on to take their state’s licensing exam before pursuing a career as a teacher in a K-12 school.
What Can You Do With a Teaching Degree?
Online teaching degrees are a great alternative to an on-campus program if you have a tight schedule or prefer to learn online. These programs provide you with the foundational knowledge you need to start a career in teaching.
Because teaching is a stable job, earning a degree could be the start of a long career with good salaries. There are a number of different jobs you can hold with a teaching degree. These are:
- Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher: These teachers instruct young students in basic subjects and prepare them for middle school. They also create lesson plans, evaluate their students and communicate student progress with their parents.
- Middle School Teacher: Middle school teachers educate students at the sixth through eighth grades. They’ll create lesson plans, teach lessons, grade student assignments and exams, and prepare students for standardized tests.
- High School Teacher: High school teachers teach students the skills they need to go to college or start their careers. They plan lessons, adapt lessons based on student needs, assess students’ abilities, grade assignments and exams, and prepare students for exams and state-mandated tests.
- Principal: Principals oversee all school operations. This involves managing school activities and staff, overseeing class schedules, observing and evaluating teachers, maintaining curriculum standards and managing a school’s budget.
You could also use your degree to become a preschool teacher, a postsecondary teacher, or a career and technical education teacher. On the other hand, if you don’t want to become a teacher, you could use a degree in education to enter into a role such as curriculum designer or school administrator.
Career Prospects for Teaching Degree Graduates
Graduates of a teaching degree program have excellent job prospects, in large part due to the consistently high demand for quality teachers.
No matter what type of school you work at – public or private – you can expect to earn a good salary. If you work at a public school, you can also expect to have the stability of a public pension because teaching is a civil service job. If you work at a private school, you may command a slightly higher salary, depending on your prior experience.
To help you better understand what salary you can expect to earn with a degree in teaching, consider these median salaries collected from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher: $59,420
- Middle School Teacher: $59,660
- High School Teacher: $61,660
- Principal: $96,400
- Preschool Teacher: $30,520
Can You Get a Teaching Degree Online?
It’s possible to earn a teaching degree entirely online. If you choose a degree that prepares you for state licensure, you can meet all of the student teaching requirements while studying online.
Before you enroll in an online teaching degree, you should decide what type of teacher you want to become. Do you want to work in an elementary school? Or does a middle school sound like a better environment for you? This will help ensure you choose the right specialization areas as you study toward a degree.
If you want to become a teacher, there are steps you need to take after you have earned your degree. Most states require that you complete a Teaching Preparation Program (TPP) before you apply for a license. This will ensure you have all the requisite knowledge and expertise to practice as a teacher.
Once you’ve completed the TPP, you can apply for licensure. Many states require that you complete a final exam before you earn your teaching license. You may also need to complete a background check and a drug test.
Conclusion
An online teaching degree is a great investment if you want to become a teacher or work in an administrative role at a school or education department.
You’ll learn the foundations of learning pedagogies, child psychology, child development and more in an online teaching degree.
If you choose a license-track degree, you will be well positioned to lead a classroom, whether you want to teach at an elementary, middle or high school. Alternatively, if you choose to study education without a focus on becoming a teacher, you’ll be well prepared for a range of administrative roles.
Online teaching degrees allow you to study toward entering into a role in education with more flexibility than you’d receive by studying on-campus. That’s not all: online programs are often cheaper than in-person ones.
If you’re thinking about a career in teaching or education, an online teaching degree may be a good fit for you.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
