Best Online Education & Teaching Programs in Florida (FL)

Author: Ellery Weil

Editor: STEPS Staff

Est. Time: 6 mins

Updated: 10/15/2024

For future Florida teachers, finding the right school and program is critical to your academic and career success. Discover below how you can earn your degree or certificate through an online or campus-based program from one of today’s best education and teaching programs in Florida.

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Image shown is a blue silhouette of the state of Florida.

Teaching in Florida is unlike anywhere in the country. Where else can you enjoy a glass of fresh orange juice before class, teach by the beach or in the shadow of the Disney parks, or teach surrounded by the wildlife of the Everglades? If that sounds appealing, then you may be a future Florida teacher.

As an aspiring educator in the Sunshine State, you’ll need to choose the program that’s the best fit for you to get the bachelor’s degree you’ll need. Florida offers education degrees at colleges and universities large and small, public and private, online and hybrid. Let’s have a look at some of the best education programs in Florida.

Top Online Education & Teaching Degree Programs in Florida

Looking to earn your teaching qualifications from the comfort of home? Online and hybrid degree programs are more popular than ever — including in Florida. When pursuing an education degree online, it’s important to note that many programs require you to do some in-person work, such as student teaching at a school near you. That’s true even if the program is advertised as 100% online, which means you won’t need to go to your school’s campus. While many Florida schools offer online and hybrid education and teaching degrees, here is our ranking of the schools.

2-year Schools 4-year Schools

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Private

Public

University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida (UCF) has an online learning division that ranks in the top 10 for online schools by U.S. News and World Report. Within the education programs, students learn 100% online — with no visits to the UCF campus in Orlando required. If you’re interested in pursuing an online education degree at UCF, you’ll have the choice between two specialized teaching-focused bachelor’s degrees and a wide variety of master’s programs, which include teaching and other educational subjects, such as educational leadership and instructional design and technology. UCF offers online MEd, MA, and MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) programs.

UCF has a flat rate of tuition for all online students, regardless of residency status, although nonresident students pay a nonresident fee of several hundred dollars.

University of West Florida

At the University of West Florida (UWF), students have a choice among fully-online degrees in education, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. UWF’s education programs have a strong focus on curriculum and instructional design, including programs such as their EdD in Instructional and Performance Technology. However this online teaching degree program in Florida offers a wide range of education specializations, from community education to curriculum and instruction.

UWF is a state school, with a significantly lower rate of tuition for its online degrees for Florida residents than for those out of state. However, regardless of your residency status, all students are encouraged to apply for financial aid, with about 70% of UWF students receiving assistance.

Florida International University

Florida International University (FIU) offers a smaller but highly regarded group of fully-online degrees in education. The two bachelor’s degrees in education offered through FIU Online are specialist teaching programs, while the master’s degree programs include specializations ranging from Special Education to Music Education to Educational Leadership. All FIU teaching degree programs are offered fully online for maximum flexibility and convenience.

Prospective FIU Online students can calculate their likely expenses using the school’s online tuition calculator and may also apply for scholarships. Scholarships available for online students are different than those offered for students in on-campus programs.

Types of Education & Teaching Degrees You Can Earn in Florida

Education is a broad field with a large number of degrees you can earn in Florida, whether you’re starting at the associate degree level or ready for a doctorate. Take a look at some of the different degrees available to you and some of the top education degree programs in Florida where you can earn them.

Undergraduate Teaching/Education Degrees in Florida

Associate Degrees in Education

For those at the beginning of their education career, an associate degree can be a convenient and affordable initial qualification. While you’ll need a bachelor’s to teach K-12 students, an associate degree from a top education program in Florida may qualify you for other education roles, as well as serving as a pathway to a bachelor’s degree.

Accredited Florida Colleges with Associate Degrees in Education

Bachelor’s Degrees in Education

A bachelor’s degree in education, which typically takes four years, is a foundational postsecondary qualification for future teachers. If you complete a bachelor’s in education, whether it’s teaching and learning, special education, or another topic, you’ll have fulfilled many of the Florida educational requirements to become a certified teacher.

Accredited Florida Colleges with Bachelor’s Degrees in Education

FSU (On-Campus)
University of Miami (On-Campus)
University of Florida (Online)

Graduate Education Degrees in Florida

Master’s Degrees in Education (MEd)

For those who already hold an undergraduate degree — and may have already started working as educators — a master’s degree in an education-related field can be a way to take the next step in your career, become more specialized within your field, or change careers entirely. Choosing a degree from a top education program in Florida ensures your degree will give you an advantage.

Accredited Florida Colleges with Master’s Degrees in Education

University of Florida (Online or On-Campus)
FSU (On-Campus)
University of Miami (Online)

Doctorate of Education (EdD) Programs

EdD degrees are professional doctorates, meaning that they’re intended to prepare education professionals for a more specialized career. These programs typically include a large research component and a thesis and are available at top online and on-campus teaching programs in Florida.

Accredited Florida Colleges with Doctorate (EdD) Programs

University of Florida (Online/On-Campus Hybrid)
FSU (Online)
University of Miami (Online)

Education PhD Programs

While PhD programs are similar to EdD programs in many ways, there are key distinctions between these two types of education doctorates. While an EdD is meant to advance you in your career as an educator, a PhD in education, with its focus on theory, pedagogy, and academic research, is designed to prepare you for a career in academia or educational research.

Accredited Florida Colleges with Education PhD Programs

FSU (On-Campus)
University of Miami (On-Campus)
UCF (On-Campus)

Graduate Certificates

Graduate-level certificates don’t confer a full degree. However, if you already hold degrees but want to earn a specialization within your field (for example, a licensed teacher looking to work in arts education or gifted education), these shorter options from the best on-campus and online education programs in Florida can help you gain the skills you need.

Accredited Florida Colleges with Education Graduate Certificates

FSU (Online)
UCF (On-Campus)
University of Florida (Online)

Financial Aid and Scholarships for Education & Teaching Students in Florida

As you prepare to select from among the best education programs in Florida, finances are likely to come to mind. After all, “best” can mean “best for your wallet.” While higher education can be a significant financial burden, there are ways to lighten the load. In addition to filling out your FAFSA for any federal student loans or grants you may qualify for, be sure to look into scholarship and financial aid opportunities, both from your school and from private organizations. You’ll be surprised what you may qualify for — such as this scholarship for future Florida teachers!

Job Outlook and Earnings Potential for Teachers in Florida

Teachers and other education professionals are always in demand in Florida and elsewhere. Because Florida is a large state, pay for educators varies significantly depending on where you’re based. Areas with a higher cost of living, such as Miami and Naples, are more likely to have higher pay for educators than cities like Ocala and Gainesville, which have lower housing costs and other key expenses.

A piece of good news is that educator pay in Florida for secondary school teachers is among the highest in the country. Have a look at a few education professions and their average pay in Florida:

	Job Growth Rate (2022-2032)	Average Annual Openings (2022)	Annual Mean Wage (2023)
High School Teacher	1%	1,072,300	$63,470
Elementary School Teacher	1%	1,548,400	$59,240
K-12 School Administrator	1%	300,400	$90,390
Instructional Coordinator	2%	216,600	$67,280
Preschool Teacher	3%	512,300	$30,990

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Projections Central

Florida Education & Teaching Professional and Student Resources

Association of American Educators (AAE) Florida The AAE is a national professional organization for teachers and other education professionals. The Florida chapter partners with various educational organizations in the state and elsewhere.
CPALMS CPALMS stands for Collaborate, Plan, Align, Learn, Motivate and Share, and the CPALMS website is the official home of source standards for courses in Florida. You’ll also find interactive tools to help meet teaching standards.
Florida Center for Reading Research Resources An initiative of FSU, the Florida Center for Reading Research Resources is an online hub of teacher resources for literacy education. Explore resources by grade, ranging from Pre-K through fifth grade.
Florida Education Association (FEA) The FEA is the largest professional organizing association for Florida teachers. This body comprises multiple teachers’ unions in Florida and organizes collectively to improve the educational system and rights of teachers in the state.
UF Digital Collections Teacher Resources The University of Florida’s online library is home to a vast digital collection accessible from anywhere — including a database of teacher resources. Teachers can access these resources for use in the classroom, lesson planning, and more.