Best Online Teaching Degrees

An online teaching degree prepares students for rewarding, in-demand teaching careers. Online learning gives students the flexibility to balance their studies with professional and personal obligations. Teachers with an online education degree can work with students of all ages, and they have a variety of options when it comes to work environments. They can work in public or private schools or at universities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that high school teachers earn a median salary of just over $60,000 per year. Professionals with postsecondary teaching credentials can expect higher wages, earning a median of 80,790 per year. Graduates of online teaching master’s programs can work as elementary, middle, and high school principals, earning a median of $98,490 annually.

This guide aims to help students find the right programs for their needs and professional goals by considering cost, student outcomes, and school reputation to rank the best online teaching degrees.

Certificates and licenses are not the same thing. Certification programs usually signify mastery of a specific career focus. Licensure is a professional requirement to practice. Typically, aspiring instructors need state licensure to teach public school at any level, though rules for private schools vary.

The traditional route to becoming a teacher is to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree in education or a related specialization, followed by a teacher preparation/certification program. Some educators pursue master’s degrees in education or teaching. All teachers must complete a practical classroom component, pass a certification test in the area they plan to teach, and apply for state licensure.

Applicants for some administrative need a master’s degree and an appropriate specialization to obtain licensure. Postsecondary teachers typically need master’s or doctorate degrees in their areas of expertise. It takes approximately 5-6 years to complete the education and training to become a teacher.

Aspiring teachers can pursue alternative pathways as well. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 18% of public school teachers earned alternative teaching certifications after completing degrees unrelated to education.

Candidates can also pursue emergency teaching credentials, which allow them to teach in a classroom setting for a limited time until they receive the proper certification. While state requirements vary, most emergency credential applicants need bachelor’s degrees. Similarly, some states do not require licensure for substitute teachers.

Other pathways include teaching at a private or charter school, for which some states and institutions do not require licensure. Many private schools, for example, value experience over an education or teaching degree. Students interested in this route should contact individual private schools to determine their qualifications.

Choosing the right teaching degree online requires careful consideration of your unique goals, needs, and circumstances. Our list is a good starting point, but you should also perform your own research to find the program that’s right for you.

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The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) serves as an accreditation organization for teacher education programs in the United States. CAEP was established in 2013 through the consolidation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.

CAEP has received recognition from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the nation’s largest institutional higher education membership organization. CHEA provides quality assurance and oversight of accrediting agencies alongside the U.S. Department of Education.

The Federal Student Aid Office of the U.S Department of Education mentions two types of loan forgiveness programs for teachers:

Under this program, teachers who teach full–time for five complete and consecutive academic years in specific elementary and secondary schools or in educational service agencies which serve low–income communities may qualify for forgiveness of up to a combined total of $17,500 on their Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans as well as their Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans. If teachers have only PLUS loans, they are not eligible for this type of forgiveness.

Teachers with a loan from the Federal Perkins Loan Program may qualify for loan cancellation for full–time teaching at a low–income school, or for teaching in specific subject areas. They can also qualify for deferment for these qualifying teaching services. Teachers should check with the school which made their Federal Perkins Loan for more information.

Featured Online Master’s in Teaching

Teachers can pursue many different career opportunities based on their training, interests, and expertise. Below, you will find some of the most common teaching careers, along with the standard degree requirements and median salaries for each.

The most traditional way to become a teacher is to complete a bachelor’s degree in education. However, postsecondary teachers typically need master’s or doctoral degrees.

Master’s degrees can lead to various teaching careers, including roles in leadership and administration. Graduates can also pursue postsecondary teaching roles in some schools.

Yes. Students who earn online degrees in teaching can pursue the same careers as on-campus learners. Most programs only differ in their method of delivery.