Earning your Education Degree Online

There is no denying the critical role educators play in cultivating future generations. After all, teachers are responsible for equipping their students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to push boundaries and make a difference in the world. There will always be a need for influential instructors. However, some aspiring teachers feel as though they may have roadblocks, such as limited time, a family to raise, and/or a full-time job that may prevent them from pursuing their dream career the traditional way. Thankfully, online education programs do exist and provide an alternative path to a teaching career. Below are some steps you should take before committing to a specific program.

STEP ONE: Decide What Grade Level & Subject You'd Like to Teach

It's important that you decide early on what you would like to teach. This will help you determine which program you will need to enroll in and what certification test(s) you will need to complete. It can also help you determine what additional continuing education requirements you may need if you want to advance your career later in life.

STEP TWO: Determine Whether an Online Education Degree Is Ideal for You

Typically, online education degrees are best suited for students in need of flexibility. Therefore, online teaching bachelor's degrees can be extremely beneficial for future teachers who have a busy schedule. But online teaching bachelor degrees aren't only designed for people who are pressed for time. They're also a good option for students that live in rural areas, lack transportation, or even for those who have disabilities. Since some school districts require their teachers to earn their master's degree after working a designated amount of years in the field, online teaching masters degrees can also be ideal for current teachers looking for career advancements.

It's important to know that while online education degree programs do allow students with other responsibilities and obligations, such as a full-time job and or a family, to juggle everything at once, it's not easy. It's a false misconception that online education degrees are easier than traditional degrees. In fact, they can be much harder, since students must be extremely independent and must be self-motivated to complete assignments on time. But it can and has been done. If you're still unsure whether you can handle an online program, you might need to ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you struggle in your courses without immediate feedback from the instructor?
  • Do you favor peer-to-peer interaction and group projects?
  • Do you find social media, chat rooms, and forums confusing?
  • Do you lack basic tech and computer skills?

If you answered "yes" to two or more, you might face some challenges in an online learning environment.

STEP THREE: Investigate the Legitimacy of the School

Fraudulent online schools exist. Although it can be stressful having to verify whether the school you're looking into is real, one of the easiest ways to go about is to look at its accreditation. Accreditation serves as a certificate of competency administered by national and regional regulating agencies. Basically, accredited schools meet the necessary standards to be in operation. But just because a school website claims to be accredited doesn't mean that it's true. Some fraudulent schools, also known as diploma mills, invent accrediting agencies. To verify whether a school is truly accredited, try using various sources like the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and entering the school in the databases.

Other red flags that may indicate a school is fake include:

  • Outrageously cheap prices. If you shopped around and tuition sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Offers accelerated degrees
  • . While accelerated programs do exist, if it sounds like false promises watch out. You cannot earn a bachelor's degree in one or two years.
  • No federal financial aid available. Only legitimate online institutions are allowed to offer federal aid.
  • No .edu Web address Only accredited postsecondary institutions can register .edu domains.

STEP FOUR: Evaluate the Quality of Program

Now here comes the tricky part. Just because you've confirmed the online school you're considering is real doesn't mean the teaching program is any good — or at least, good enough for you.
A high-quality teaching program should definitely offer the same curriculum as a traditional program. Granted, the format of teaching maybe be slightly different and will vary depending on a student's concentration or what level of education a student is interested in teaching, but seldom will the online program differ from its respective traditional program. That said, online students can expect to take some, if not all, of the same courses as a traditional education program. Compare and contrast course catalogs to get a better feel for what you may be taking (or should be taking). A high-quality program should also do the following:

  • Prepare you for the Praxis exam so you can earn your teacher licensure.
  • Require supervised internship or student-teaching hours.

Typically, student teaching isn't required until the last two semesters of a teaching program, but it's a vital component in any quality online program. Therefore, technically most online programs transform into a "hybrid" later on down the road. Online students usually fulfill their student-teaching by guest teaching in a designated classroom, which is hand-selected by the online education program or the student themselves, and then video streaming their lesson through a video chatting service like Skype.

This is how their college professors can evaluate their skills and techniques. Professors also heavily rely on a supervising teacher's comments about their performance. Do take note that student-teaching is time consuming. Scheduling may conflict with your full-time job if you have one. It's important to call your program's academic advisor to truly understand how it works so you can make proper accommodations when the time comes.

STEP FIVE: Gauge Affordability

If the program looks right, the last thing you need to confirm is its affordability. Keep in mind that while online programs may cost the same as a traditional degree, there are some ways an online degree can save you additional money. For example, you don't need to commute back-and-forth to and from campus. This alone can save on gas and parking fees. In addition, some distance programs also do not require textbooks, instead providing students with digital reading materials.

 


1. University of Phoenix

Type: 4-year, private, for-profit

Degrees Offered: Associate of Arts in Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science in Education - Elementary Teacher Education, Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies, Master of Arts in Education - Administration and Supervision, Master of Arts in Education - Adult Education and Training, Master of Arts in Education - Elementary Teacher Education, Master of Arts in Education - Secondary Teacher Education, Master of Arts in Education - Teacher Leadership, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration, Educational Specialist

 

2. Ashford University

Type: 4-year, Private for-profit

Degrees Offered: Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Arts in Child Development, Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Education and Public Policy, Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies, Bachelor of Arts in English Language Learner Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Instructional Design, Bachelor of Arts in Library Science and Media, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology

 

3. Arizona State University

Type: 4-year, Public

Degrees Offered: Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - Applied Behavioral Analysis, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - Autism Spectrum Disorders, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - Early Childhood Education, Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction - English as a Second Language, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - Teaching and Learning, Gifted Education, Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Principal Leadership, Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Teacher Leadership

 

4. Liberty University

Type: 4-year, Private for-profit

Degrees Offered: Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education, Associate of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science in Special Education, Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education, Master of Education in Administration & Supervision, Master of Education in Program Specialist - Math, Master of Education in Program Specialist - Reading, Master of Education in School Counseling, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning - Early Childhood, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning - Educational Technology and Online Instruction, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning - Elementary Education, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning - English, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning - General Education, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning - Gifted, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning - Leadership, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning - Middle Grades, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning - Special Education, Educational Specialist, Doctor of Education, Graduate Certificate in Autism Education, Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology and Online Instruction, Graduate Certificate in Gifted Education, Graduate Certificate in Preschool, Graduate Certificate in School Leadership

 

5. University of Central Florida

Type: 4-year, Public

Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Science in Technical Education and Industry Training, Undergraduate Certficate in Substitute Teaching Certificate, Master of Arts in Applied Learning and Instruction, Master of Arts in Career and Technical Education, Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, Master of Education in Exceptional Student Education, Master of Arts in Instructional Design & Technology, Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Graduate Certificate in Community College Education, Graduate Certificate in Instructional/Educational Technology, Graduate Certificate in e-Learning Professional Development, Graduate Certificate in Gifted Education, Graduate Certificate in Initial Teacher Professional Preparation, Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design for Simulations, Graduate Certificate in Pre-K Handicapped Endorsement, Graduate Certificate in Special Education, Graduate Certificate in Urban Education

 

6. Kaplan University

Type: 4-year, Private for-profit

Degrees Offered: Master of Arts in Teaching-Iowa Certification, Master of Arts in Teaching—Nationwide (Outside Iowa), Noncertification, Master of Science in Education, Master of Science in Educational Psychology, Master of Science in Education in Instructional Technology, Master of Science in Higher Education, Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design for Organizations, Graduate Certificate in K-12 Educational Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Literacy and Language Teaching, Graduate Certificate in Mathematics Teaching, Graduate Certificate in Online College Teaching, Graduate Certificate in Teaching with Technology

 

7. American Public University System

Type: 4-year, Private for-profit

Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Development, Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education, Master of Education in Teaching, Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Master of Education in School Counseling, Master of Education in Teaching Elementary Education, Master of Education in Teaching Secondary Social Studies, Undergraduate Certificate in Family Studies, Undergraduate Certificate in Infant and Toddler Care, Undergraduate Certificate in Instructional Design and Delivery, Graduate Certificate in K-12 Online Teaching Endorsement, Graduate Certificate in Post-baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Certification Program

 

8. Texas A & M University

Type: 4-year, Public

Degrees Offered: Master of Education in Bilingual Education, Master of Science in Bilingual Education, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Science in Health Education, Master of Education in Public School Administration, Master of Education or Master of Science in Special Education, Executive Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

 

9. University of Florida

Type: 4-year, Public

Degrees Offered: Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Master of Education Curriculum and Instruction in Teacher Leadership for School Improvement, Master of Education Curriculum and Instruction in Education Technology, Master of Education Special Education in Teach Well, Doctor of Education Curriculum and Instruction in Educational Technology, Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Curriculum Teaching and Teacher Education, Doctor of Education Educational Leadership, Doctor of Education Higher Education Administration, Specialist in Education Curriculum and Instruction for Teacher Leadership for School Improvement, Specialist in Education Curriculum and Instruction for Teaching, Learning and Facilitating Educational Change with Technology, Specialist in Education Special Education in Teach Well

 

10. Walden University

Type: 4-year, Private for-profit

Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies, Bachelor of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Science in Adult Learning, Master of Science in Early Childhood Studies, Master of Science in Education, Master of Science in Higher Education, Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, Doctor of Philosophy in Education, Doctor of Education, Education Specialist in Administrator Leadership for Teaching and Learning, Education Specialist in Adult Education, Education Specialist in Assessment, Evaluation, and Accountability, Education Specialist in College Teaching and Learning, Education Specialist in Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development, Education Specialist in Early Childhood, Education Specialist in Educational Leadership and Administration, Education Specialist in Educational Technology, Education Specialist in Reading and Literacy Leadership, Education Specialist in Special Education, Education Specialist in Teacher Leadership, Post-Master's Certificate in Adult Education, Graduate Certificate in Adult Learning, Post-Doctoral Certificate in Assessment, Evaluation, and Accountability, Graduate Certificate in College Teaching and Learning, Post-Master's Certificate in College Teaching and Learning, Graduate Certificate in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Graduate Certificate in Developmental Education, Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Administration, Management, and Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy, Graduate Certificate in Elementary Reading and Literacy, Graduate Certificate in Engaging Culturally Diverse Learners, Graduate Certificate in Enrollment Management and Institutional Marketing, Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Leadership for Student Success, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate instructional Design and Technology, Graduate Certificate integrating Technology in the Classroom, Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching for Adult Educators, Graduate Certificate in Professional Development, Graduate Certificate in Science K–8, Graduate Certificate in Special Education, Graduate Certificate in Teacher Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Teaching Adults English as a Second Language, Graduate Certificate in Teaching Adults in the Early Childhood Field, Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Diversity in Early Childhood Education, Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners, Graduate Certificate in Teaching K–12 Students Online

 

11. Michigan State University

Type: 4-year, Public

Degrees Offered: Master of Arts in Education, Master of Arts in Educational Technology, Master of Arts in Health Professions Education, Master of Arts in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education, Graduate Specialization in Literacy and Language Instruction, Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in Special Education, Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology, Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education

 

12. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Type: 4-year, Public

Degrees Offered: Master of Education in Educational Organization and Leadership - Education Leadership and Policy, Master of Education in Educational Policy Studies in Global Studies in Education, Master of Education in Educational Policy Studies in Diversity and Equity Issues in Education, Master of Education in Educational Policy Studies in New Learning and New Literacies, Master of Education in Human Resource Education in Community College Teaching and Learning, Master of Education in Human Resource Education in Human Resource Development, Master of Education in Human Resource Education in Health Profession Education, Master of Education in Human Resource Education in eLearning, Master of Education in Educational Psychology in Curriculum, Technology, & Education Reform, Master of Education in Educational Psychology in Evidence-Based Decision Making, Master of Education in Special Education

 

13. Indiana University-Bloomington

Type: 4-year, Public

Degrees Offered: Master's Degree in of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education, Master's Degree in Adult Education, Master's Degree in Special Education for Indiana Schools Today, Doctor of Education in Instructional Systems Technology Distance, Doctor of Education in Instructional Systems Technology Distance, Certificate in EFL/ESL Program via Distance Education, Certificate in Higher Education and Student Affairs, Certificate in Instructional Systems Technology, Certificate in Learning Sciences, Media, and Technology

 

14. University of Maryland-University College

Type: 4-year, Public

Degrees Offered: Master of Education in Instructional Technology, Master of Distance Education and E-learning, Master of Arts in Teaching, Doctor of Management in Community College Policy and Administration, Distance Education Leadership, Distance Education, Globalization, and Development

Foundations of Distance Education and E-Learning, Instructional Design for E-Learning, Instructional Technology Integration, Intellectual Property, Digitization, and Digital Media, Library and Intellectual Property in Distance Education and E-Learning, Policy and Management in Distance Education and E-Learning, Teacher Education Reading Strand (TED), Teaching and Training at a Distance, Technology in Distance Education and E-Learning

 

15. Florida State University

Type: 4-year, Public

Degrees Offered: Master of Science in Educational Leader, Master of Science in Instructional Systems for Instructional Design, Master of Science in Instructional Systems for Open & Distance Learning, Master of Science in Instructional Systems for Performance Improvement & Human Resource Development, Educational Leadership Specialist, Blended Online Learning and Teaching (BOLT) Certificate

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