Online Education and Teaching Degree Options
If you want to become a teacher and have an interest in earning an online education and teaching degree, you will want to learn about the different types of degrees out there. Read below to discover what you can obtain online. Also, check out what your coursework might be like and read up on a number of popular online education degree programs.
Associate Degree Options for Online Teaching Degrees
For a career as a special education teacher or a teacher's assistant, you might only need an associate degree to further your career.
Online students in associate degree programs often complete their degrees with 60 credits in less time than traditional on-campus full-time students who typically take two years. There are two types of online associate degrees: transfer and vocational. A transfer credit program allows you to be able to enter certain bachelor's degree programs and apply those credits toward the degree.
Types of associate degrees available:
- Elementary Education
- Paraprofessional Education
- Early Childhood Education
Bachelor's Degree Options for an Online Degree in Education
For a bachelor's degree online, you can expect to spend about two to three years on your studies. Many programs also include the certification process as a part of their curriculum. If you want to teach elementary school, your studies will likely include a range of all subjects you will be teaching such as math, English, social studies and science, as well as teaching theories, classroom management and child development.
Middle school and high school teachers will probably focus more intently on their subject of choice during their education rather than the wider range seen with elementary school teachers.
Bachelor's degree programs offer a variety of concentrations, including:
- BA in Mathematics (Grades 5-9 or 9-12)
- BA in Science (Grades 5-9 or 9-12)
- BA in Social Science
- Elementary Education/English
- Elementary Education/Math
- Elementary Education/Science
- Organizational Management/Child Study
- Organizational Management /Early Childhood Education
- Organizational Management /Education
- Organizational Management /Elementary Education
- Organizational Management /Physical Education
Master's Degree Options for a Teaching Degree
Online master's degree programs are suited to educators who want to advance their careers in a wide variety of educational disciplines.
Online master's programs offer the following:
- Teaching: Master's degrees in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Teaching and Learning; Teaching Literacy and Language K-6 and 6-12; Teaching Mathematics K-5, 6-8 and 9-12; Teaching Science K-6 and 6-12; Teaching Students with Special Needs and Teaching with Technology.
- Curriculum & Instruction: Master's degrees in Elementary Reading and Mathematics, Curriculum & Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Instructional Leadership and K-12 Studies.
- Leadership & Administration: Master's degrees in Administration and Supervision, Educational Leadership, Organizational Leadership and Management and Innovation.
- Adult Education: Master's degrees in Postsecondary and Adult Education, Professional Studies in Education, Training and Performance Improvement, Educational Psychology, Corporate Training and Knowledge Management.
- Instructional Technology: Master's degrees in Instructional Technology, Instructional Design for Online Learning, Learning and Technology, Management and Innovation and Technology in Education.
PhD Options for an Education Degree
Earning a PhD in education will help you understand what environments and procedures enhance teacher effectiveness and student learning. You can specialize in elementary and secondary education, adult education, higher education or special education. If you want to become a college professor, you will probably need a PhD, but you might typically gain a doctorate degree in your desired field rather than education.
Online PhD programs offer the following:
- Educational Leadership and Management
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Leadership in Educational Administration
- Instructional Design for Online Learning
- K - 12 Studies in Education
- Leadership for Higher Education
- Nursing Education
- Postsecondary and Adult Education
- Professional Studies in Education
- Special Education Leadership
Other Certifications Available for Education and Teaching
- Continuing Teacher Education: Earn the continuing teacher education credits you need for recertification, endorsements and pay increases in the most efficient and convenient way possible.
- Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology: This certificate prepares teachers and other education professionals to systematically develop and use technology to support teaching and learning in the classroom, their schools and other learning environments.
- Foundations of E-Learning: This certificate will provide you with the fundamentals of online teaching, as well as training in e-learning management.