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Best Online Secondary Education Degrees

Explore today’s best online secondary education degree programs, including top schools, accreditation, overall cost, and how to move from application to graduation.

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2024’s Best Online Secondary Education Degree Programs

Are you interested in molding young minds and equipping them to become successful adults? Have you always dreamt of teaching in front of a classroom and sharing your knowledge? If so, a career in secondary education may be a suitable fit for you.

Teaching in secondary education is a fulfilling career path and a significant responsibility that necessitates specialized training from a quality degree program. To assist aspiring educators in narrowing down their choices, we have compiled a list of the best online secondary education degree programs in the nation. We evaluated schools based on essential criteria such as proper accreditation, affordability, availability of student support services, instruction quality, and more. Discover more about each college below and determine which one provides the best online degree in secondary education for you.

About the ranking

College Ranking Methodology

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 the subject area offered partially or fully online.
  • Career placement and academic counseling services.

Assign Weightings

After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on their performance in a variety of key categories. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings, followed by online learning and academic quality metrics (equally weighted).

Affordability

  • Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state tuition for undergraduate students per academic year.
  • Percentage of students who receive institutional financial aid (directly from the school).
  • Average amount of institutional financial aid awarded.

Online Learning

  • Number of online programs in subject area self-reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Percentage of students at the school taking at least one class online.

Academic Quality

  • Student-to-faculty ratio.
  • Percentage of full-time, first-time students graduating within 6 years.

About Our Data

All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: August 2023

Accreditation Glossary

ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation

ABHES: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools

ACCJC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges

ACCSC: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges

DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission

HLC: Higher Learning Commission

MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education

NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission

WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

1

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, Mississippi

No matter which type of secondary education teaching career a student has in mind, there's an online option for earning a degree at Mississippi State University. The Master of Science in Secondary Education provides both new and experienced teachers with expanded knowledge in the field. Students choose an area of concentration, including sciences, language arts, mathematics, and foreign languages. The Master of Arts in Teaching - Community College Education is ideal for those who want to teach in rural community college settings. For those who want to impact lives as a special education teacher, there's a Master of Arts in Teaching - Special Education. Coursework for all three master's programs is available online, though students must complete any required fieldwork in person.

Program Highlights:

Master of Science in Secondary Education

  • Credits: 33
  • Length: 2-4 years
  • Cost: $537/credit
  • Mode: 100% online
  • Accreditation: CHEA

Master of Arts in Teaching - Community College Education

  • Credits: 30
  • Length: 2-4 years
  • Cost: $537/credit
  • Mode:100% online
  • Accreditation: CHEA

Master of Arts in Teaching - Special Education

  • Credits: 33
  • Length: 2-4 years
  • Cost: $537/credit
  • Mode: 100% online
  • Accreditation: CHEA
Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 17:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 42%

2

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana

McNeese State University offers a unique online program for those who want to teach business courses to students in grades six to 12. This Master of Arts in Teaching program is only offered as a fully online program, making it ideal for students who require flexibility as they pursue higher education. Students are admitted once per year, during the fall semester. To be admitted to the program and make progress in the required coursework, students must pass a content-specific exam in business education and knowledge. While coursework can be completed entirely online, students must complete mandatory in-person field experiences each term of study.

Program Highlights:

Secondary Education Grades 6-12 [Business], Master of Arts in Teaching

  • Credits: 36
  • Length: 1.5-6 years
  • Cost: $146/credit
  • Mode: 100% online
  • Accreditation: CAEP
Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 19:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 86%

3

Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers two distinct online master's programs in secondary education. The Master of Arts in Teaching, Secondary Education Grades 6-12 helps future educators obtain the necessary training to become teachers in subjects such as biology, English, and social studies. The Master of Arts in Teaching, Secondary Education and Special Education Mild/Moderate Grades 6-12 is ideal for those who want to gain certification in mild/moderate special education as well as regular grade-level education. Both programs are geared toward individuals with diverse career paths who have bachelor's degrees in fields other than education. All coursework is available entirely online, making it convenient for students to manage their studies alongside their current lives and careers.

Program Highlights:

Master of Arts in Teaching, Secondary Education Grades 6-12 Professional Studies Program

  • Credits: 33
  • Length: 3 years
  • Cost: $475/credit
  • Mode: 100% online
  • Accreditation: NCTE

Master of Arts in Teaching, Secondary Education and Special Education Mild/Moderate Grades 6-12 Professional Studies Program

  • Credits: 39
  • Length: 3 years
  • Cost: $475/credit
  • Mode: 100% online
  • Accreditation: NCTE
Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 19:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 88%

4

Niagara University

Niagara University, New York

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 11:1
Tuition (In-State) $$$$
Accreditation MSCHE
Online Students 68%

5

University of Maine

Orono, Maine

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Tuition (In-State) $$
Accreditation NECHE
Online Students 66%

6

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 11:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 32%

7

Carlow University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 11:1
Tuition (In-State) $$$$
Accreditation MSCHE
Online Students 87%

8

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 76%

9

Columbus State University

Columbus, Georgia

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 70%

10

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 19:1
Tuition (In-State) $$
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 40%

11

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 18:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 53%

12

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, Georgia

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 22:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 65%

13

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 14:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 60%
Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 17:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 93%

15

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 75%
Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 82%

17

University of West Georgia

Carrollton, Georgia

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 19:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 76%

18

Alcorn State University

Alcorn State, Mississippi

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 15:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 72%

19

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 10:1
Tuition (In-State) $$$
Accreditation WSCUC
Online Students 63%

20

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 17:1
Tuition (In-State) $$
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 91%

21

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 19:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 62%

22

Ottawa University-Ottawa

Ottawa, Kansas

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 11:1
Tuition (In-State) $$$$
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 100%

23

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 15:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 75%

24

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Tuition (In-State) $$
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 49%

25

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 15:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 61%

26

Delta State University

Cleveland, Mississippi

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 10:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 68%

27

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 68%

28

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, North Dakota

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 13:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 61%

29

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 21:1
Tuition (In-State) $$
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 55%

30

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 15:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 57%

31

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 20:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 60%

32

Troy University

Troy, Alabama

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 64%

33

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 13:1
Tuition (In-State) $$$$
Accreditation NECHE
Online Students 38%

34

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 63%

35

Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, Georgia

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 35%

36

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 20:1
Tuition (In-State) $$
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 46%

37

Idaho State University

Pocatello, Idaho

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 13:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation NWCCU
Online Students 59%

38

William Carey University

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 13:1
Tuition (In-State) $$
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 51%

39

Mercer University

Macon, Georgia

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 13:1
Tuition (In-State) $$$
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 35%

40

Concordia University-Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 13:1
Tuition (In-State) $$$$
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 85%

41

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 10:1
Tuition (In-State) $$$$$
Accreditation MSCHE
Online Students 50%

42

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, Iowa

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 11:1
Tuition (In-State) $$$$
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 59%

43

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, Georgia

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 22:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation SACSCOC
Online Students 58%

44

Black Hills State University

Spearfish, South Dakota

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 17:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 65%
About the ranking

College Ranking Methodology

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 the subject area offered partially or fully online.
  • Career placement and academic counseling services.

Assign Weightings

After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on their performance in a variety of key categories. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings, followed by online learning and academic quality metrics (equally weighted).

Affordability

  • Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state tuition for undergraduate students per academic year.
  • Percentage of students who receive institutional financial aid (directly from the school).
  • Average amount of institutional financial aid awarded.

Online Learning

  • Number of online programs in subject area self-reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Percentage of students at the school taking at least one class online.

Academic Quality

  • Student-to-faculty ratio.
  • Percentage of full-time, first-time students graduating within 6 years.

About Our Data

All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: August 2023

Accreditation Glossary

ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation

ABHES: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools

ACCJC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges

ACCSC: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges

DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission

HLC: Higher Learning Commission

MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education

NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission

WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

1

Washtenaw Community College

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Aspiring secondary education teachers can begin their educational journey online through Washtenaw Community College (WCC). The Associate in Arts degree provides undergraduate students with general education courses in preparation for transfer to a bachelor's degree program in secondary education. To make transferring more accessible for students, WCC designed this program to meet the educational requirements of secondary education programs at four-year colleges and universities in the state of Michigan. After earning this AA, students are ready to keep working toward their bachelor's degree in preparation for taking the state-mandated basic skills tests. All courses are available entirely online.

Program Highlights:

Associate in Arts

  • Credits: 60
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $112/credit (in-district); $125/credit (out-of-district); $135/credit (out-of-state)
  • Mode: 100% online
  • Accreditation: HLC
Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Student-to-Faculty Ratio 17:1
Tuition (In-State) $
Accreditation HLC
Online Students 86%

Can You Get a Secondary Education Degree Online?

Online secondary education degree programs can help prepare you to teach English, math, science, or social studies to students in grades six through twelve. These programs cover the pedagogical theories that educators need to know when working with this age group, as well as practical methods for applying these concepts in the classroom. Many schools offer distance education opportunities for secondary education degrees, including fully or partially online programs. Read on to learn more about the various types of secondary education degree programs available.

What You Learn in an Online Secondary Education Degree Program

With numerous online secondary education programs available, it can be challenging to determine which one aligns best with your career goals and needs. The content covered in an education program depends on the level of degree pursued, as well as the concentration area in which a student chooses to specialize. Nonetheless, there are general competencies that students can expect to acquire at each degree level, which are outlined 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’re interested in expanding your expertise in a specific area of education, you may have the opportunity to enroll in a concentration program that provides you with the knowledge you need to excel in that subfield. Concentrations can help you prepare to teach a specific subject or acquire a particular skill set, making you more attractive to potential employers. This section delves into some of the concentrations 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

Individuals who are passionate about history and want to share their knowledge with others can enroll in a concentration program in order to learn how to effectively teach history topics, including controversial events, to students from diverse populations. The curriculum for such programs may include courses in historian theory and practice, themes in U.S. history, and topics related to 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.