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• Best Online Teaching Degrees

Best Online Teaching Degrees Of 2024

Updated: Aug 24, 2023, 12:12pm

From early childhood to career education, teachers make a lasting impact on their students’ lives. With patience and dedication, educators empower students to achieve their academic, career and personal goals.

If you’d like to start—or elevate—your career in education, consider earning an online teaching degree. Completing a fully online or hybrid bachelor’s program can offer you a more flexible path to this rewarding career and help you fulfill your state’s teaching licensure requirements.

Read on to learn about our top 10 picks for U.S. schools offering online bachelor’s degrees in education . We also review important factors to consider when choosing a degree program. Let’s get started.

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Best Online Teaching Degree Options

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How to Find the Right Online Teaching Degree for You

Cost of an online teaching degree, methodology, frequently asked questions (faqs) about online teaching degrees, university of washington, university of central florida, florida international university, the university of west florida, university of wisconsin-whitewater, university of illinois-springfield, university of northern iowa, the baptist college of florida, ball state university, university of central missouri.

$231/credit (in-state)

Distance Education Reciprocity Agreement

Application Fee

The University of Washington ’s bachelor of arts in early care and education features diverse perspectives on teaching, focusing on intersectionality and equitable education. Early care and education majors must complete work or volunteer hours in classroom settings, following a community-based learning approach.

Depending on their transfer credits, full-time learners can complete this program in two years, while part-time students typically take three. To graduate, students must earn 180 quarter credits, including applicable credits from previous education.

UW provides helpful resources for online students. From the start, the school provides one-on-one enrollment coaching. After enrolling, students create a graduation plan with the help of an academic advisor. Students who come across technical issues can reach out to a technical support team.

As for the structure of the online program, almost everything is asynchronous. Live elements are either optional or offered at multiple times.

• Relatively low percentage of students who take out federal student loans
• Relatively high graduation rate
• Relatively high student retention rate
• Relatively high student-to-faculty ratio
• Low socioeconomic diversity

$180/credit (in-state)

The University of Central Florida offers two options for online education degrees: a BS in career and technical education and a BS in exceptional student education. The latter focuses on language and learning, preparing students to work outside of traditional school settings.

UCF posts a transparent breakdown of its pricing, including fees and benefits available for online learners. Online students pay a distance learning fee, and those studying in state pay about $33 less per credit hour than their out-of-state peers. All online students can take advantage of resources like success coaches, academic advising, the writing center and the library.

Many online classes at UCF include both online and in-person students. If you already have an associate degree, you can complete a bachelor’s degree with two years of full-time courses. An enrollment advisor helps create a transition plan considering your transferring credits and graduation goals. Most online students enroll part time.

• Relatively low average annual net price
• Relatively high percentage of students in federal student loan deferment

$229/credit (in-state)

Florida International University boasts an extensive online branch, with more than 120 fully online degrees. Its bachelor’s degree in early childhood education prepares educators to work with children up to 8 years old. The 120-credit program covers psychology, child development, classroom management and family studies.

First-year students can apply, but they must complete 60 hours of lower-division coursework before receiving full admission to this program.

FIU creates an interactive online classroom experience; the courses include discussions and group projects and are not self-paced. Online students can meet with a success coach several times per semester to get help with educational goals, time management, communication and organization.

FIU charges a distance learning fee of up to $360 per semester.

$219/credit (in-state)

The University of West Florida ’s online BA in exceptional student education prepares future educators to create inclusive learning environments for both general education students and students with disabilities.

This program meets requirements for the Florida teaching certification, including an in-person student teaching placement. Enrollees must complete two 100-hour field experiences, during which they take on full teaching responsibilities. This experience places a focus on English language learners.

With the capstone experience, this 132-credit program takes about four years to complete. The online delivery format varies by class; some are synchronous.

Out-of-state students pay more in tuition, but the University of West Florida offers a 75% out-of-state tuition waiver for online learners. However, remote learners must pay a distance learning fee of $15/credit.

• Uses Common App
• Relatively low graduation rate

$395/credit

The University of Wisconsin at Whitewater offers two degrees for educators with previous experience. The bachelor’s degree in special education opens a path to licensure for professionals who currently work with students with special needs. The fully online teaching degree allows educators seeking licensure to fulfill their placement requirement at their current school district.

The early childhood education program serves working professionals with certification or an associate degree. This degree doesn’t lead to licensure but gives students a lot of flexibility to customize their courses.

With working professionals in mind, the online courses in these degree programs are completely asynchronous. UWW even offers a “test drive,” allowing new learners to see if the program’s style of online learning suits them.

In-state and out-of-state online students pay the same tuition rate, which includes the cost of textbook rentals. Online students have access to an academic advisor and career services. Veterans and military personnel receive additional benefits, usually covering 100% of online tuition.

• Relatively low percentage of students in federal student loan deferment
• Relatively high median federal student loan debt among graduates

$368/credit (in-state)

The University of Illinois at Springfield offers four online teaching degrees at the bachelor’s level: secondary education degrees in English, mathematics and history, along with a middle grades education degree. Each program takes four years to complete and provides a path to licensure.

Online coordinators offer advice and help distance learners track their degree progress. Most online courses are asynchronous, but some have synchronous components.

In-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate for online courses. Students enrolled in 100% online courses avoid paying certain fees, but they’re liable for some extra costs related to online learning. UIS breaks down all fees on its website.

• Relatively low student-to-faculty ratio

$338/credit

If you already have an associate degree in education or a related field, you might be a good fit for the University of Northern Iowa ’s accelerated bachelor of arts in elementary education. This two-year program offers two paths: a “2+2” degree, which serves transfer students with associate degrees, and an online program for paraeducators who want to earn their teaching license without leaving their current job.

Even though the program is online, educators must complete in-school field experience to qualify for licensure. Classes are delivered synchronously via Zoom. Distance learners pay a $40 fee per online course in addition to tuition and other fees.

Online students can work with an enrollment contact to address questions about the process and ensure they stay on track to graduate.

• Relatively high average annual net price
• Relatively high percentage of students who take out federal student loans

$385/credit

Students looking to become Christian educators have three degree options at the Baptist College of Florida :

• Bachelor of arts in elementary education
• Bachelor of arts in educations studies
• Bachelor of arts in history and social studies secondary education

This program best suits students based in Florida since the final internship must take place at a Florida public school. Courses cover classroom management, special education and teaching strategies for English language learners.

Faculty teach from a Christian worldview, and students must complete biblical and theological foundation courses. Applicants to this program need a church or pastor’s recommendation.

Online courses at BCF cost the same as in-person classes, including tuition and fees. Distance learners complete weekly assignments; these degree programs are otherwise asynchronous. Online students receive a free Office 365 account to complete their coursework, along with access to a writing lab.

• High socioeconomic diversity
• Does not use Common App
• Relatively low median earnings among graduates

$326/credit (part-time); $4,217/term (full-time)

Students with early childhood education associate degrees may qualify for Ball State University ’s 90-credit bachelor’s degree in the field. Courses cover diverse family structures, child development theories and teaching techniques. Enrollees can customize their education by choosing a minor, such as early intervention, exceptional needs, psychology of human development or autism spectrum disorder. This program does not lead to licensure.

Ball State offers extensive resources to online students, including a job search tool and an online student support fund. Students also receive discounts on computers and software, plus a free Office 365 membership.

Online courses are asynchronous, with weekly assignments that students complete on their own time. Students pay a $25-per-credit fee for online courses and a technology fee of up to $168 per term.

• Relatively uncompetitive admissions

$268/credit

The online bachelor of science in educational studies and training at the University of Central Missouri builds on a related associate degree in a 2+2 program. Designed for working professionals, enrollees can earn course credit for relevant experience. Educators learn to teach career and technical information to diverse groups, develop lesson plans and evaluate students’ achievements.

Courses take place entirely online; some may require a monthly evening class. All online learners pay in-state tuition rates regardless of where they live.

UCM offers additional benefits for veterans, members of the military and military dependents.

Earning a degree is a huge accomplishment, but it also requires a commitment of time, effort and money. Before jumping into a program, assess your options and discuss your goals with an admissions counselor. Consider the following factors before committing to a program.

Know Your Time Commitment

The first question to ask yourself is how much time you can commit to earning your degree. Online courses provide a pathway for working professionals who might not have enough scheduling flexibility for in-person courses. An asynchronous format is a great option for students who need to work their studies around their jobs and other responsibilities.

But even with excellent time management skills, it’s challenging to work and study full time. Enrolling as a part-time student may be more sustainable, but expect to spend more time completing your degree if you study part time. On the other hand, if you can focus solely on your education, you can accelerate your timeline and enter the workforce faster.

Degree-completion programs offer a shorter degree timeline, but they only serve transfer students. If you already hold an associate degree, consider earning your online teaching degree through a two-year degree-completion program.

Look at Accreditation

When searching for a teaching degree, make sure your prospective college and program are accredited.

Institutional accreditation verifies that a school and its faculty maintain a minimum standard of education quality. Plus, federal student aid requires applicants to attend institutionally accredited schools.

In addition to institutional accreditation, programmatic accreditation is important for teachers, who typically must graduate from an approved program to earn licensure or certification. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation evaluates teaching departments and degree programs.

Consider Your Future Goals

Will you need teaching credentials for your dream job? Though many teaching roles require licensure, some positions in early childhood education and adult education, for example, require a degree but not necessarily a license.

Each teaching program should clearly state whether it meets standards for state licensure. If you pursue an online teaching degree out of state, verify before enrolling that the degree meets your state’s requirements for teaching credentials, if applicable.

Programs that lead to licensure include a full-time, in-person student teaching experience; some online programs allow you to complete this requirement locally or even at your current place of work.

In many cases, earning your degree online saves money, even if you are an out-of-state student. Some schools set a separate, flat tuition rate for all online learners. Others offer in-state rates to distance learners regardless of where they live. However, many colleges charge online support, distance learning or technology fees to remote learners.

One way to save money as an online student is by transferring credits from a community college. The University of West Florida estimates that most in-state students pay about $29,000 for their teaching degree. Students with 90 transfer credits, however, pay only about $9,000 to complete their BA at UWF.

On average, tuition at a two-year college costs about $3,500 per year for in-state students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). In comparison, public four-year universities cost $9,375 per year on average. Taking two years of general education and prerequisites at a community college can cut down your total degree cost by thousands of dollars.

Online students may also save money by living at home or not living on campus. NCES estimates that students pay more than $11,000 per year in room and board while attending a four-year college.

We scored 96 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online teaching degree programs in the U.S. using 16 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience and application process. We pulled the data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites. We weighted each category as follows:

Student Outcomes: 38% Affordability: 28% Student Experience: 14% Credibility: 10% Application Process: 10%

Specific characteristics we considered within each category include accreditation, nonprofit status, average net price per year, median earnings among graduates, overall graduation rate, socioeconomic diversity, online offerings and Common App participation.

We chose the 10 best schools to display based on those receiving a curved final score of 88.18% or higher.

The highest-ranking schools are fully accredited, nonprofit institutions with relatively high graduation rates. Schools that rank well have higher student retention rates and lower average annual net prices.

Are online teaching degrees respected?

Yes. As long as your college and program are properly accredited, employers will respect your online degree as much as one earned on campus—and in most cases, they will not be able to tell the difference. If you aim to become a credentialed teacher, however, ensure your online program will prepare you for licensure in the state where you plan to teach.

Can I teach online with just a bachelor’s degree?

Yes. With a bachelor’s degree, you can pursue teaching credentials and become an educator at an online school. Some online teaching jobs do not even require licensure.

Kayla Missman specializes in making complicated topics more approachable. She has eight years of experience in journalism, editing and marketing, allowing her to dive into interesting topics and industries. She primarily researches and writes about higher education, insurance and healthcare, helping readers make empowered, informed decisions.

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Education Degrees On Campus & Online Teaching Programs

The world is always in need of great teachers, especially those with the skills and knowledge to advocate for education. Become a force for good and learn the latest theories and techniques for education, administration and curriculum development with one of the on campus or online education programs at SNHU.

Pursue your passion on campus , where you'll find bachelor's and master's degree programs to help you cater your college education to your interests, as well as opportunities to earn your teaching certification. Or pursue an affordable online master's degree in education tailored for working educators – which may be completed in as few as 15 months.

Whether you're looking to simply increase your marketability and skill set as a teacher or pursue a position as a curriculum administrator or principal, SNHU can help you in the classroom and beyond.

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Education Leadership (online)

Graduate Program

The Master’s in Education (Ed.M.) prepares students with the skills needed to change the world through education. The online Master’s in Education Leadership is a part-time, two-year Ed.M. program from the Harvard Graduate School of Education with Higher Education and PreK-12 pathways. The program is specifically designed for mid-career working education professionals and is career-embedded—so students can immediately apply what they are learning. Through this program, students will strengthen the invaluable skills they’ve already developed and develop the tools to propel themselves to new leadership opportunities and to even greater impact.

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Why study education?

An education degree prepares you to influence all learner types and make a positive change in academia. Gain the analytical and research skills to inform, design and improve instructional strategies and learning methods. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in education, training and library occupations is projected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031.

ASU Online offers various degrees in these subject areas:

• Administration and instruction.
• Early childhood education.
• Education studies.
• Special education.
• Language teaching.
• Teacher certification.

Find an online education degree for you

Our online education and teaching degrees will develop your skills in communication, critical thinking and creativity to become an effective educator. Whether you want to work with young or adult learners, we have degrees related to gifted and special education, educational leadership and innovation.

39 programs total

What can I do with a degree in education?

Careers for education graduates.

• Education program manager.
• Grants administrator.
• Instructional designer.
• Learning and development manager.
• Policy analyst.
• Teacher trainer.

Support for students and alumni

• Job and internship opportunities.
• Mentorship and career advising.
• Resume and interview support.
• Virtual job and career fairs.

Why pursue your education degree at ASU?

ASU is home to a college of education that excels at teacher preparation and scholarly research. The prestigious Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College ranks in the top 10 for best online master's in education programs, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2024. Our commitment to student success, innovation and meaningful learning prepares students like you to bring positive change in your community.

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ASU Online offers over 300 degrees and certificates in a plethora of fields. Check out other areas of interest to find the right program for you.

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