Online Education & Teaching Degree Programs

Top Schools for Online Education & Teaching Degrees: 2022

Finding the right online degree program is important, especially in education and teaching. In addition to having convenient online coursework, you need a program that makes it possible to learn key face-to-face skills without sacrificing cost or quality. The following college rankings can be your first step. Schools in our list score high marks in key areas like accreditation, affordability, online degree options, and student support. Learn more about each school below and see if one of them has the online education or teaching program that best fits your needs.

How Does an Online Degree in Education Work?

There’s a reason so many online degrees in education exist: they translate easily to distance learning formats. The vast majority of topics covered in these programs can be effectively discussed and learned through live and pre-recorded lectures, online forums and chat features, innovative assignments that harness educational technology, and papers that can be sent and graded through email. Many online degrees in education can be completed fully online with the exception of any student teaching and internship requirements. These tend to mostly exist at the bachelor’s level, meaning some associate, master’s, and doctoral programs may not require any in-person components.

When researching a prospective education degree online, you should consider several components. If you already have a busy professional and/or personal life, asynchronous vs. synchronous delivery could make a big difference. Asynchronous programs allow you to watch pre-recorded lectures and complete assignments at times that work best with your schedule, while synchronous degrees require you to log-in at specific times. It’s also worth considering whether you want a part-time, full-time, or accelerated program. Part-time usually serves working students best, while accelerated paths appeal to learners who want to gain their degree and begin working more quickly.

And don’t forget about student teaching. While there may be an online component to it, you’ll need to log hours in the classroom, too. Read our Student Teaching Survival Guide to learn more about your final step from degree to career.

What You Learn: Online Education & Teaching Degrees

Because online education and teaching degrees covers a wide range of topics, what you learn depends largely on your degree level and concentration. Students enrolled in a general education associate degree will take different courses than the learner working towards an EdD in curriculum development and instruction. That being said, many education and teaching programs at all levels include courses on the following topics:

FAQs for Earning Teaching & Education Degrees Online

Pursuing a teaching or education degree online requires a great amount of preparation prior to entering the program, alongside devotion to your studies while enrolled and a solid plan of action for finding a career after you graduate. With so many components needing to fall together to find success, you may find yourself with a number of general or specific questions about the journey from matriculation to graduation. You’re not alone. We spoke to students to learn what they want to know about the process and then asked our experts to provide knowledgeable answers.

Which Education or Teaching Degrees Can I Earn Online?

Education and teaching degrees exist both partially and fully online, making it possible for you to find a program that works with your life. These degrees can be found at every level as well, meaning you can go from an associate degree to a Ph.D. with minimal visits to campus. Keep reading to learn about the variety of programs available.

The Online Bachelor’s in Education: Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements for online bachelor’s in education programs depend entirely on the university to which you plan to apply. Some programs exist as full, four-year programs while others are designed to serve learners who already completed an associate degree and need a degree completion program. Those falling into the latter category typically set general education requirements that must be met before a letter of admission is extended.

In addition to general university admission mandates, some education departments also set degree-specific requirements, including minimum GPAs, completion of certain prerequisites, clearance of a background check (required to participate in student teaching experiences), and a passing score on the PRAXIS core examination. General admission requirements typically include official transcripts from any high school or university previously attended, two to three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, answers to any essay questions posed, a completed application and payment of fees, and SAT/ACT scores.

What’s the Cost of an Online Bachelor’s in Education?

Costs for online bachelor’s in education programs vary significantly based on the type of institution you attend. Public schools offering in-state tuition tend to provide the best value for money, while private institutions usually charge significantly more. Check out the table below to get a sense of what to expect, but remember these figures do not include any additional fees.