Online Secondary Education Degree Programs
Explore the best graduate and undergraduate online secondary education degrees
Last Updated: 05/11/2022
2022’s Best Online Secondary Education Degrees
Do you want to help shape young minds and prepare them to become successful adults? Have you always wanted to stand in front of a classroom and share your knowledge? A career in secondary education may be a good fit for you.
This is a rewarding career path—and a huge responsibility—that requires specialized training from a quality degree program. In order to help future educators narrow their choices, we’ve compiled the following list of the best online secondary degree programs in the nation. We scored schools based on important factors like proper accreditation, overall affordability, availability of student support services, and number of online programs. Learn more about each college below and see which one has the best online degree in secondary education for you.
Methodology for the STEPS Best Online Programs in 2022
Generate List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in subject area offered partially or fully online.
Assign Impact of Data Points
After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability. Online program availability and overall affordability received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. When unable to verify this number, a star-based system was used to signify the number of programs relative to peers.
Affordability
- Cost:
Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year. - Students w/ Institutional Aid:
Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
- Academic Counseling:
Existence of this service on campus or online. - Career Placement:
Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our Data
All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2021
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Total online programs: 2
Omaha, Nebraska
Total online programs: 2
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Total online programs: 2
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Total online programs: 2
Queens, New York
Total online programs: 2
Washington, District of Columbia
Total online programs: 2
Tucson, Arizona
Total online programs: 1
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Total online programs: 1
Starkville, Mississippi
Total online programs: 1
Lexington, Kentucky
Total online programs: 1
Columbia, Missouri
Total online programs: 1
Lawrence, Kansas
Total online programs: 1
Clemson, South Carolina
Total online programs: 1
Muncie, Indiana
Total online programs: 1
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Total online programs: 1
Orono, Maine
Total online programs: 1
San Marcos, Texas
Total online programs: 1
Boise, Idaho
Total online programs: 1
Denton, Texas
Total online programs: 1
Manhattan, Kansas
Total online programs: 1
Pocatello, Idaho
Total online programs: 1
Kennesaw, Georgia
Total online programs: 1
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Total online programs: 1
Kent, Ohio
Total online programs: 1
Wilmington, North Carolina
Total online programs: 1
Highland Heights, Kentucky
Total online programs: 1
Birmingham, Alabama
Total online programs: 1
Can You Get a Secondary Education Degree Online?
Whether you want to teach English, math, science, or social studies, online secondary education degree programs can help prepare you to work with students in the sixth through twelfth grades. These programs cover the pedagogical theories educators need to know when working with this age group, as well as the practical ways these ideas are applied in the classroom. Since the concepts of secondary education degrees can be taught online, many schools offer distance opportunities to its students, which can include programs that are fully or partially online. Continue reading for more information about the different types of secondary education degree programs available.
What You Learn in an Online Secondary Education Degree Program
There are many online secondary education programs available, but they won’t all be a good fit for your career goals and needs. What you learn in a specific education program depends on the level you choose, as well as the concentration you focus your studies on. However, there are still common competencies that students can expect to learn on each degree level, which are illustrated in the descriptions below.
Online Associate in Secondary Education
On the associate level, students in secondary education degree programs get the foundation they need to begin an education career, and may study topics such as adolescent development, education trends, and education technology. Some of the competencies students learn include:
- Applying different teaching theories to classroom situations
- Understanding the technologies used by educators
- Understanding cognitive, emotional, and physical characteristics of adolescent students
- Developing critical thinking skills
- Understanding approaches to curriculum creation
Online Bachelor’s in Secondary Education
Bachelor’s in secondary education degrees, which are the minimum degree level required in order to obtain a teaching license, are designed to prepare students for the rigors of the modern classroom through coursework on assessments, literacy, and adolescent psychology. When students complete these degrees, they are able to:
- Utilize critical thinking skills to solve problems in the classroom
- Understand how emotional and psychological changes affect adolescents in a school environment
- Work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds
- Create classroom rules and discipline students as necessary
- Perform assessments on students and create a plan to address their needs
Online Master’s in Secondary Education
A master’s degree in secondary education is a good choice if you want the opportunity to learn advanced skills and gain expertise in teaching a specific subject area—which can go a long way toward commanding higher salaries. These programs help foster the following knowledge and skills:
- Curriculum design
- Trends in secondary education
- Classroom management and teaching techniques
- Legal issues in education
- Student motivation
Online Doctorate in Secondary Education
These degrees are for education professionals who want to conduct research to advance the knowledge base of the field, work as an administrator, or build an educational consulting business. Students who enroll in online doctorate in secondary education programs will gain the following skills:
- Applying research methods when creating and executing an education study
- Designing a secondary school curriculum in a specific subject area
- Understanding the history and politics of secondary education and how those concepts apply to education today
- Assessing students numeracy and literacy skills
- Understanding education policy
Online Secondary Education Concentrations
If you want to expand your expertise in a particular education area, you may have the opportunity to enroll in a concentration in order to get the knowledge you need in that subsection of the field. Concentrations can help you prepare to teach a specific subject or obtain a precise skill set, which can help make you more attractive to employers. This section explores some of the concentrations that are available in online secondary education programs.
Subject-based Concentrations
Biology
Students who want to teach high school biology can enroll in this concentration to learn how to challenge students in lectures and labs. Topics covered may include biology areas such as ecology, genetics, and anatomy and physiology, as well as teaching skills like lesson planning and being creative in the classroom.
Chemistry
This concentration covers STEM teaching methods that lead to positive student outcomes, as well as subjects such as general chemistry topics, calculus, and laboratory formats and safety procedures.
English
Those who enroll in the English concentration will learn data-driven methods for successfully teaching topics like world literature, grammar, linguistics, and composition. In addition, people learn how to motivate students in their classroom and foster the critical thinking skills they will need throughout their education.
Environmental Science
In the environmental science concentration, teaching students are exposed to classroom methods that help adolescents develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Specific topics may include climate change, environmental biology, and calculus.
History
History buffs who want to share their knowledge can enroll in this concentration to learn how to teach history topics, including controversial historical events, to students of different populations. The curriculum may cover historian theory and practice, themes in U.S. history, and war.
Mathematics
Math can be a challenging subject for many students, so those who choose this concentration learn how to help adolescents navigate complex mathematical principles. In order to do this, coursework may cover mathematical modeling, classroom management, geometry, trigonometry, and working with exceptional students.
Physics
Aspiring physics teachers can get skills like science instruction methods and being inclusive in the classroom through this concentration. In addition, students may learn how to teach calculus, conceptual physics, magnetism, and electricity.
Social Science
Social science teachers are required to promote civic competence in the classroom by covering topics like sociology, religion, philosophy, political science, and history. This program helps students cultivate these skills through coursework in curriculum development, strategic development, and ethics in the classroom.
Visual Art
This concentration teaches future visual art teachers how to nurture the technical skills and artistic abilities of high school students. Coursework may include digital art, studio art, drawing, and sculpture, as well as assessment, classroom management, and secondary school teaching strategies.
Skill-based Concentrations
Curriculum and Instruction
The quality of the classroom instruction students receive is rooted in the quality of the curriculum that educators use. Students who enroll in this concentration learn how to use education theory to create a curriculum, as well as how a curriculum is applied to classroom instruction. Other topics studied may include literacy, educational psychology, and teaching policies.
Leadership in Education
Those who aspire to take a leadership role in a high school or board of education can enroll in this program to learn how to face the challenges that come with this important position. Coursework may cover instructional design, leadership techniques, and education law.
Literacy
In order to give students the skills they need to teach reading and writing, this program focuses on how to assess literacy skills, understand the needs of individual students, and select and use texts to help students improve their literacy. Specific topics may include writing theory, the politics of literacy, and developing a second language.
Social Studies/Justice
The social studies and social justice concentration is for those who are interested in addressing inequalities that exist in different societal systems, including education. Classes may cover health education, technology in the classroom, and teaching in urban communities.
Special Education
Special education teachers not only need to have classroom skills, they also need to know the pedagogical principles associated with teaching adolescents with special needs. In order to train people on the challenges of being a special education teacher, this concentration offers coursework in student engagement, transitional services for students with disabilities, and strategies for creating an inclusive classroom.
STEM
Those who are interested in focusing their careers on education in a STEM discipline can enroll in this concentration to learn strategies for handling these subject areas in the classroom. Coursework may address how to create a challenging learning environment and perform student assessments.
Supporting Language Learners/TESOL
Students who are navigating a new language and culture need teachers with specialized skills. In order to train ESL teachers, this concentration focuses on sociolinguistics, language development theories, and behavior management in the classroom.
In some cases, schools allow students to combine concentrations, so you can further customize coursework based on your specific career goals.
FAQs for Online Secondary Education Degree Students
Choosing the right degree program is a decision you shouldn’t take lightly, so when researching schools, it’s important to get all of the information you need. In order to help, we provide answers to some of the common questions prospective secondary education students may have below.
Does an online secondary education degree lead to certification?
No. Even if you successfully complete an online secondary education degree program, you will still be required to pass your state’s certification examination in order to earn your teaching credentials.
Will my degree program prepare me to get licensed?
Yes, the curriculum of a secondary education degree program is designed to prepare you to pass the licensing examination in your state. In order to ensure that you get this preparation, it’s important to enroll in a program that has been accredited.
How much does an online degree in secondary education cost?
Although the specific cost of a secondary education program depends on what school you enroll in, generally schools charge between $24,000 and $70,000 for these degrees. Factors that affect the cost associated with these degrees include the length and level of the program, as well as whether or not you qualify for in-state tuition costs.
What’s the salary of a secondary education teacher?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median salary of secondary education teachers is $60,320. The highest ten percent of earners in this job make $97,500, while the lowest ten percent make $39,740 annually.
Are secondary education teachers in high demand?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that secondary education teachers will have an eight percent increase in available positions between 2016 and 2026, which is as fast as the average for all professions. This means an estimated 1,095,500 new jobs created during this time period, however, the actual job growth depends on local and state government budgets.