25 Best Online Teaching Degree Programs

Explore online teaching degree programs. Compare schools and see what you could be doing after graduation.

The demand for teachers in every capacity is steady, with most degree holders earning between $30,000 and $60,000 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Types of Online Teaching Degree Programs

Click on an area you’re interested in to jump to that part of the page.

• Online Education Teaching Degree
• Online Early Childhood Education Degree
• Online Elementary Education Teaching Degree
• Online English Language Learning Teaching Degree
• Online Health Education Teaching Degree
• Online Math Education Teaching Degree
• Online Montessori Education Teaching Degree
• Online Music Education Teaching Degree
• Online Science Education Teaching Degree
• Online Special Education Teaching Degree

Some of these online teaching degrees can help prepare you to be a head teacher, while others can help prepare you for teaching specialized classes.

Online Education Teaching Degree

If you are interested in a flexible schedule or want a chance to work with students who may not be able to attend a traditional classroom, you could consider becoming an expert in online teaching.

Being a distance teacher involves many of the same principles as classroom teaching, but you’ll also need to learn skills related to technology use and engaging students when you’re not right next to them.

Your curriculum will likely begin with introductory teaching classes; the principles you learn there may apply to traditional and distance-education settings. These may include classes like Foundations of Education and Learning Theories. Your classes should also include information about using technology for educational purposes.

For example, you may get an introduction to some of the online teaching platforms that are currently available, and you may discuss the importance of using programs that are both desktop- and mobile-friendly.

Additionally, you will need to learn strategies for effectively delivering content and assessing the knowledge of students who are far away. With this degree, you might become a teacher for an online public school or an online homeschooling service. You might also teach English to overseas students. With enough graduate education, you may become qualified to lead online college classes.

Online Early Childhood Education Degree

Early childhood education usually encompasses teaching children from birth to age eight. If you want the opportunity to shape children’s hearts and minds during these formative years, you may want to select this specialization as your college major.

This program covers the growth and development that takes place in the first years of a child’s life. It will likely cover strategies for encouraging healthy growth, such as proper nutrition and positive family environments, as well.

The curriculum may include courses on children’s literature, curriculum development and planning, and teaching methods. Some courses in early childhood programs may cover working among diverse populations and teaching students with special needs. You may need to complete coursework that includes a student teaching session.

As an early childhood professional, you might get a job in a childcare facility so that you’ll have opportunities to work with children all day long. Your education may even prepare you to take a leadership role as a facility director.

Preschool teacher is another career path to consider with this degree, or you might work as a classroom assistant. With state teaching credentials, you might also work as an elementary school teacher; your license may allow you to teach kids up to third grade.

Online Elementary Education Teaching Degree

Kids who are just starting in school need caring teachers who can establish a strong educational foundation for them. As an elementary school teacher, you may guide kids as they learn to read, do beginning math problems, explore their worlds, and navigate friendships.

This degree is usually geared toward teaching kids from kindergarten through sixth grade.

To get ready for this responsibility, you’ll need to study child development, theories of learning and motivation, instructional methods, and student assessment. You’ll need to take classes on teaching subjects like math and social studies and explore literacy and reading instruction.

To teach you how to become an effective teacher in any setting, you’ll need to learn about cultural diversity and special needs. Most programs end with a student-teaching experience so you can try out your skills in a classroom setting and learn directly from elementary school teachers who are currently working in the field.

To teach in most schools, you’ll need to be licensed by your state. Once you hold licensure, you may work in an elementary school as a general education teacher or one who focuses on a particular subject area, such as reading skills or mathematics.

Online English Language Learning Teaching Degree

Kids are remarkably adept at acquiring new languages, especially if they have a caring teacher to guide them through the process. Adults who are acquiring English skills need this type of assistance as well.

If you want to teach people how to become better at speaking, writing, reading, and listening in English, then you should earn your online teaching degree in English language learning, often known by the acronyms ELL, TESL, ESL, or TESOL.

For this degree, you’ll probably get a general overview of learning processes and educational theories. Most of your courses, though, will likely specialize in the skills and understanding that you’ll need for helping people become proficient in a second language.

These classes may include Listening in English and Strategies for Second Language Acquisition. Your studies may also help you improve your skills at working with diverse groups of English language learners and across cultural lines. You may have the opportunity to travel abroad or complete an internship.

With this degree, you may teach domestically or overseas to help people improve their knowledge of English. Many ESL teachers work with adult English language learners in community programs. With the proper certifications, you might be able to provide language assistance to kids in a public school district.

Online Health Education Teaching Degree

Do you have a passion for helping others live safe, healthy lives? Perhaps you’d enjoy a career in health education. Through your work, you can have opportunities to teach others how to learn about taking care of themselves and their children. The lessons you teach may motivate people to make healthy choices.

To teach others about health, you’ll need to be an expert on the topic yourself. Classes on diseases, nutrition, and anatomy will likely be essential components of your studies. You may also learn to share information through engaging presentations or helpful publications.

Many health educators run community initiatives, so you’ll probably study how to assess needs, launch programs, and evaluate their effectiveness. You may also need to study marketing methods so you can get your messages out to the community.

Many people with this education degree choose to become health or patient educators. For a job like that, look for a position with a community organization, a health clinic, or a hospital system. You might also become a program coordinator or a care coordinator for clients in a human services program.

With additional studies and credentials, you could teach health to school-age students.

Online Math Education Teaching Degree

If math class was always your favorite part of the school day, then you may want to become a mathematics teacher. Quality math instruction can teach students how to gain confidence in a subject that is often considered challenging.

As you teach kids to work with numbers, you can also help them develop important critical thinking skills.

If you’re looking to become a math teacher, you’ll need to learn instructional skills and classroom management techniques. You’ll also have to take quite a few math classes; these will likely cover algebra, statistics, and calculus.

After fulfilling your general math requirements, you’ll probably take classes on turning your extensive mathematics knowledge into teachable content. After learning how to create lesson plans and deliver engaging content, you may practice your skills as a student-teacher.

To teach math in schools, you’ll need to become licensed by your state. Your licensure may qualify you to deliver instruction in public or private schools, usually at the junior high or high school level. You could also consider becoming a math tutor for struggling students.

Online Montessori Education Teaching Degree

Montessori teaching is an approach to education that prizes following children’s lead in their learning. Teachers encourage students to be independent and engage in tasks that intrigue them.

Becoming certified in Montessori education can help prepare you to use these strategies to improve student achievement in your classroom and promote yourself as a Montessori teacher.

To become a Montessori teacher, you will need to study child development and explore how kids acquire language, thinking, and movement skills. Your studies can also help you learn how to observe children and assess their educational needs.

Montessori courses encourage teachers to engage children with interesting experiences and hands-on materials.

Montessori training programs do not usually offer the necessary classes for state teaching licensure, so it may be best to already have your teaching credentials before beginning a training program.

After completing your Montessori courses, you can apply for teacher certification from the American Montessori Society. Montessori teachers usually work with young children, so you may want to become a preschool or elementary teacher. This approach to teaching is often used in specialized private schools, so becoming certified as a Montessori teacher may open up new job possibilities for you.

Montessori teaching skills can also be useful for daycare providers and social workers.

Online Music Education Teaching Degree

Studying music helps kids interact with others, learn what they’re capable of, and increase their chances of academic success. If you’d like to foster those opportunities by helping kids explore music, then you might be a good candidate for a music education program.

Of course, it’s a good idea for you to have your own musical abilities if you’re going to pursue this career.

Music students take multiple classes on music history and theory. These courses can help you learn the fundamentals that underpin all music skills and guide you in creating music that is pleasing to the ear.

They can also help you learn how to lead groups of vocalists and instrumentalists, teach with specific instruments, and use technology that can bolster kids’ learning. Before graduation, you may try your hand at student teaching.

As a music teacher, you might lead school band, orchestra, or choir groups. You could also pursue work as a general music teacher who introduces kids to the fundamentals of music and teaches them to appreciate a variety of styles. More often than not, many music teachers take on a mix of these roles. Teaching credentials will probably be required for most kindergarten to 12th-grade positions. An alternative would be to teach private music lessons.

Online Science Education Teaching Degree

Do you love leading experiments? Are you always curious to learn as much as you can about the human body or the natural world? Perhaps you’d enjoy helping students kindle those same interests. A teaching degree in science education might be for you.

As a science education student, you will probably take general education classes, such as lessons on instructional methods, curriculum development and implementation, special education, and classroom structure. You should also take a variety of science classes to help you become equipped with plenty of information to pass on to your prospective students.

Courses on science instruction can help you learn how to present that information on an age-appropriate level in classroom settings. You may major in general science education or pick a specific area of focus like biology, earth science, chemistry, or physics.

Science teachers usually provide instruction at the junior high and high school levels. You might also have opportunities to be a science specialist in elementary schools. A state teaching license will usually be required for any of those teaching positions.

After gaining experience, you may be able to move into a curriculum and instruction position so that you can improve student achievement and shape how science is taught in your school district.

Online Special Education Teaching Degree

Some students need an extra measure of care and guidance. To work with students who have disabilities, you’ll need to study special education. This degree can also equip you to teach kids whose academic skills are above those of their peers.

Whatever sort of modifications your students require, a special education teaching program can help you learn how to provide that support.

In a special education program, you may take classes like Inclusive Education, Learning Disabilities, and Student Assessments. The curriculum development process can help you learn how to address a variety of learning needs and modify your instruction accordingly.

You’ll need to learn about the laws that govern special education and how to write and follow Individualized Education Programs (IEP). Depending on your interests, you may take classes that focus on specific disabilities, such as autism. The program will probably include a semester of student teaching.

This degree may prepare you for state teaching licensure. You may be qualified to work with all grades, or your license may be specific to special education at the elementary, middle school, or high school level. As a special education teacher, you might work with students with behavioral, cognitive, or physical disabilities, or you may coordinate programs for academically gifted students.

Courses for a Degree in Education

Being a great teacher requires you to understand how people learn and what motivates them to grow and develop. You’ll also need to become more knowledgeable about the subject matter you plan to teach.

Finally, it’s important that you acquire skills that you’ll use day in and day out, like classroom management, curriculum planning, and how to navigate education law. Here are some courses that are in many education degrees:

• Curriculum and Instruction: This class can help you learn how to pick out curriculum and materials that can reach your students and meet grade-level standards. This course also covers delivering those materials in effective ways and performing assessments.
• Education Law and Ethics: Learning to be a responsible teacher is the main focus of this class. The topics may include mandated reporting for child abuse and following Individualized Education Programs.
• Educational Psychology: Students in this course study what makes people want to learn new information and how outside factors can help or hinder the process.
• Educational Technology: This course introduces students to new developments that can enhance students’ learning experiences. You may cover in-classroom technologies and distance-learning systems.
• Exceptional Students: This class is an introduction to disabilities that affect students’ learning and discuss strategies for teaching prospective students with special needs.
• Foundations of Literacy: This course can help you gain a better understanding of how children’s literacy skills develop and allow you to explore reading difficulties and strategies for addressing them.
• Human Growth and Development: This course is an overview of physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development throughout the lifetime.

Teacher preparation programs for aspiring teachers – particularly those leading to licensure — typically require a student teaching session. During one of your last semesters of your college education, you’ll probably work alongside a veteran teacher so you can try out your teaching skills and learn what it’s really like to be in a school.

Bachelor’s Teaching Degree Salary

Although aspiring teachers don’t usually choose this career path based on salary alone, it’s still helpful to know what you might make in the education profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some various teaching roles include:

Your salary is likely to increase with experience and education. Many school districts have a set schedule for pay raises based on years served and college credits earned. Further education may also qualify you to teach as a college professor, or work as a school administrator or an instructional coordinator.

Certification and Licensure Following an Education Degree

While your teaching degree and state license are meant to show your competency to work in the classroom, national teacher certification programs can help you demonstrate that you have what it takes to rise to the top. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards issues certifications to teachers who excel in their areas.

Earning these certifications may help you rise to leadership positions in your district or increase your chances of landing a promising new job.

Art, Early and Middle Childhood

If you teach art in a preschool or elementary setting, then this may be the certification for you. The credential is for teachers who work with kids ages 3 to 12.

The standards for this program focus on your ability to teach the visual arts. This includes disciplines like sculpture, painting, and drawing.

To be ranked as an accomplished teacher, you must connect kids to art history, inspire creativity, and encourage artistic growth. You should also foster an atmosphere of exploration in which students have opportunities to express themselves.

English Language Arts, Adolescence and Young Adulthood

This teacher certification option is for high school teachers — specifically, those who work with students between the ages of 14 and 18 or higher. It’s designed to acknowledge excellence in teaching language arts, including reading, writing, and speaking.

To earn this certification, you’ll need to be good at all aspects of language arts education. In other words, you can’t qualify solely on your ability to teach writing well.

You’ll need to demonstrate that you have what it takes to deliver quality instruction that covers literary genres, essay-writing, listening strategies, and more.

Health Education, Early Adolescence Through Young Adulthood

The Health Education standards apply to teachers who work with students who are 11 or older. Good health teachers aren’t one-dimensional in their understanding of health; they realize that it encompasses physical, emotional, and social wellness.

Your role as a health educator can help students make good choices for the rest of their lives. Becoming board-certified can help demonstrate that you understand this responsibility.

To earn certification, you’ll need to prove your teaching competence in several key areas. These vary from disease and injury prevention, drug use, stress management, and healthy eating.

Music, Early and Middle Childhood

Music teachers who work among kids ages 3 to 12 can apply for this teaching certification. To earn this credential, you’ll need to demonstrate how you encourage every child — even those who may not appear to be gifted in this area — to develop musical skills.

For this credentialing program, you can choose a particular area of specialty. The options are Band, Orchestra, and Vocal/General.

No matter which you choose, you’ll also need to demonstrate how you teach general music-education skills. You may be evaluated on your knowledge of music theory or performance instruction.

Physical Education, Early Adolescence Through Young Adulthood

P.E. teachers in the upper grades can look into receiving this level of Physical Education certification. This division is geared toward the instruction of students who are at least 11 years old.

Great P.E. teachers are experts in exercise science, and they know how to translate that knowledge into age-appropriate activities and lessons for kids. Your exam scores and portfolio submissions will be used to determine whether you’re a teacher who excels in those areas.

The competencies for this credential also address nutrition, motor skills, healthy choices, and lifelong fitness.

Social Studies–History, Adolescence and Young Adulthood

High school teachers of history and social studies can look into this credential that addresses the education of students between the ages of 14 to 18.

To excel in this area, you need to teach students how to make connections between their current lives and the events and cultures of the past. Doing that can make history come alive for young learners. You’ll turn in portfolio items that show the ways you do this in your classroom.

Topics covered in the credentialing exam include U.S. history, economics, civics, geography, government, and world history.

World Languages, Early Adolescence Through Young Adulthood

French and Spanish teachers can pursue teacher certification in World Languages. This credential is specifically for those who teach students ages 11 to 18.

Earning this credential requires thorough knowledge of how people acquire foreign languages and how teachers can bring out students’ best language-learning efforts.

The other determining factor in whether you qualify for this certification is your grasp of the foreign language you teach. French teachers must have an excellent understanding of French vocabulary and grammar, while Spanish teachers need to possess stellar Spanish skills.

Accreditation for an Online Education Degree

Getting great online education degrees starts with choosing a regionally accredited school. This is a designation that’s given to schools that consistently demonstrate reliable educational practices and acceptable academic outcomes.

There are only seven organizations in the U.S. that are approved to hand out regional accreditation. If your school is recognized by one of those organizations, then you can trust that you’ll receive a decent education. If not, then it’s time to look for a different school.

Otherwise, you may end up with a education degree that’s not respected by employers or grad programs.

When you’re going into teaching, it’s also a good idea to seek out a college that’s been approved by an industry-specific organization. Known as programmatic accreditation, this is a type of credential that is given to approved teacher preparation programs that do a great job of preparing education students to work in a certain field.

The main programmatic accreditor for teaching programs is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

This group provides accreditation for undergraduate and graduate programs that get aspiring teachers ready to work in preschool to 12th-grade settings. CAEP uses outcomes-based standards to determine whether a program is eligible for accreditation.

The group was formed in 2013 when the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) merged. Today, some schools still hold valid accreditation from one of the former groups.

When one of those programs comes up for renewal, the school will be evaluated against the new CAEP standards, and accreditation will be granted under the CAEP name. But for now, if a school boasts NCATE or TEAC accreditation, there’s no need to worry.

Although licensure requirements vary among states, accredited programs — whether they bear the CAEP, NCATE or TEAC name — may do the most reliable job of preparing you to become licensed after graduation.

Financial Aid for Online Teaching Bachelor Degrees

If you want to become a teacher, you’ll have to invest in an applicable college degree that offers a teacher preparation program. That costs money, but don’t let worries about tuition deter you from pursuing that goal. Instead, research how financial aid opportunities can reduce your college bills.

You’ll probably want to start with federal aid. You may be able to get grants that you won’t have to repay or loans with low-interest rates.

You’ll learn more about your eligibility after you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may receive similar assistance from your state as well.

Scholarship money can significantly reduce your tuition costs as well. These gifts may come from organizations in your community or national programs.

You may want to consider applying for the scholarship opportunities listed below, most of which are offered exclusively to education students.

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation Scholarships: This organization gives both merit- and need-based scholarships to education students who demonstrate leadership and service.
• Federal TEACH Grant: If you’re willing to work in a field with teacher shortages or among low-income populations after graduation, you may be eligible to receive grants from the federal government.
• Jack Kinnaman Scholarship: If you are a member of the NEA Student Program, you can apply for this scholarship worth $2,500.
• Robert Noyce Scholarship Program: STEM students who agree to teach in low-income areas may be able to receive financial help through this program.
• org Inspire Our Future Scholarship: This program provides financial assistance for students who are earning a degree in teaching or school administration.

Your college may offer scholarship money, as well. In fact, you should discuss ways to reduce your bill with the school’s financial aid office. They may be able to suggest additional funding sources.

Questions Related to Earning a Teaching Degree Online

Here are our answers to a few more questions you might have about earning an online teaching degree.

Can You Become a Teacher with an Online Degree?

To get started with your teaching career, you can earn an online bachelor’s degree in early childhood, elementary education, special education, or another teaching-related field.

If you already hold a bachelor’s in a different field, you could consider preparing for your state teaching licensure by enrolling in an online master’s in teaching program.

Also, if you really want to get into the classroom quickly, consider pursuing an accelerated teaching degree program.

Can You Become an Elementary Teacher Online?

There are many online college programs for studying elementary education. You may be able to complete coursework entirely through online study. To finish your program, though, most approved teacher preparation programs may require you to complete an in-person teaching practicum in order to receive live, student teaching experience.

You may be able to do this at a school in your local area.

What Is the Best Online College for Teaching Degree?

There are many good schools where you can earn an online teaching degree as part of a teacher preparation program. To find the one that’s the best choice for you, look for a school with both regional accreditation and the approval of CAEP or a related organization.

Make sure that the education degree program is aligned to your state’s licensure standards as well.

How Much Is an Online Teaching Degree?

Tuition for online education degrees is usually comparable to on-campus tuition rates, but you may save by not needing to pay for room and board.

Tuition costs can vary widely, but you may pay $20,000 to $40,000. In-state public schools are often cheaper than other options, and financial aid can help lower your costs for online education degrees.

Is an Online Teaching Degree Different Than a Traditional Teaching Degree?

The only difference between an online teaching degree and a traditional teaching degree is how you obtain it. However, both degrees will prepare you with the appropriate teaching background and can qualify you for the same opportunities to teach.

List of School Offering Online Teaching Degree Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.