If you’re considering a career in teaching or education, an online degree program can give you a way to pursue your goals while maintaining your existing work and personal commitments. But the right program depends on what you want to do in education, the students or setting you want to work with, and whether your career plans require teacher licensure.
Use the finder below to explore online education and teaching programs from schools that may fit your interests and goals.
Find an Online Education or Teaching Program
Explore online programs in education and teaching and compare schools based on the options available through the program finder.
What Type of Education Program Are You Looking For?
“Education degree” can mean very different things depending on your career plans. Before comparing schools, consider the type of work you want to pursue.
Preparing to Become a Teacher
If your goal is to become a classroom teacher, look for programs designed around the grade level and subject you want to teach. Depending on the program and your circumstances, you may also need to complete student teaching, clinical experiences, or other supervised requirements.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, you may want to explore alternative teacher preparation or post-baccalaureate pathways rather than starting another undergraduate degree.
Advancing as a Current Educator
Teachers and other education professionals may pursue additional education to qualify for advancement, develop expertise, or meet requirements associated with a particular role.
Online programs can be particularly useful for working educators because coursework may be designed to accommodate an existing professional schedule.
Working With Young Children
If you’re interested in early childhood education, look for programs that align with the age group and type of setting where you want to work. Career requirements can differ depending on whether you plan to work in a public school, private setting, childcare environment, or another early learning setting.
Specializing in Special Education
Students interested in special education should look for programs that provide preparation appropriate to the population and role they intend to pursue. If teaching licensure is part of your goal, make sure the program’s curriculum and field requirements align with the applicable state requirements.
Exploring Education Beyond the Classroom
Not every education career involves leading a traditional classroom. You may be interested in areas such as curriculum development, instructional design, educational technology, academic support, or education administration.
Programs in these areas can have different goals and requirements than programs designed specifically for classroom teaching.
Online Education Programs for Aspiring and Current Teachers
Online education degree programs can serve people at different stages of their careers.
You might be looking for a program if you are:
- Preparing for your first teaching position
- Already working in education and looking to advance
- Changing careers and interested in becoming a teacher
- A current teacher seeking additional credentials or expertise
- Interested in working with a particular age group
- Interested in special education
- Exploring curriculum, instruction, or educational technology
- Looking for an education-related role outside the traditional classroom
Identifying your intended role first can make it easier to narrow down the programs and schools that are relevant to you.
What to Look for in an Online Teaching Program
Once you know what type of education career you’re pursuing, look beyond the program title. Two programs can have similar names but prepare students for different outcomes.
Teacher Preparation
If you want to become a licensed teacher, determine whether the program is designed as a teacher preparation program and whether it leads to the credential or licensure pathway you need.
This is particularly important if you’re enrolling in an online program from a school located in another state.
Student Teaching and Field Experience
Online coursework does not necessarily mean that every part of a teaching program can be completed remotely.
Teacher preparation programs may include student teaching, classroom observations, practicums, internships, or other supervised experiences. Ask the school where these requirements take place and whether you can complete them in your local area.
Grade Level and Subject Area
Think about whether you want to teach:
- Early childhood students
- Elementary school students
- Middle school students
- High school students
- Students with special needs
You may also need to select a subject area, particularly if you plan to teach at the secondary level.
Your intended grade level and subject can affect which programs are appropriate for you.
State Licensure Requirements
Teacher licensure is generally handled at the state level, so an online program’s location does not necessarily determine where you can eventually teach.
Before enrolling, check the requirements for the state where you plan to seek licensure. Pay particular attention to whether the program’s teacher preparation, field experience, testing, and other requirements satisfy that state’s pathway.
Program Format
Online teaching programs can use different course formats. Some courses may be primarily asynchronous, while others require scheduled online classes.
Also check whether the program includes in-person requirements, particularly if it involves student teaching or other clinical experiences.
Choosing an Online Education Program Based on Your Goals
Rather than starting with a particular school, start with the outcome you want.
For example:
I want to become an elementary school teacher.
Look for programs that provide the appropriate elementary teacher preparation and licensure pathway.
I already have a bachelor’s degree and want to become a teacher.
Explore alternative certification, post-baccalaureate, or graduate-level teacher preparation options that may fit your situation.
I’m already a teacher and want to advance.
Look for programs that align with your current role and the area in which you want to develop.
I want to work in special education.
Look for programs specifically aligned with special education and the requirements of the role you want.
I want to work in education but not necessarily teach in a classroom.
Explore programs focused on areas such as curriculum, instruction, educational technology, or administration.
Starting with your intended outcome can help you avoid comparing programs that aren’t designed for the same purpose.
Questions to Ask Before Enrolling
Once you’ve found education programs that look promising, ask the school questions that are specific to your intended career path.
- Does this program prepare students for teacher licensure?
- Which states recognize or accept the program’s teacher preparation pathway?
- Where can student teaching or field experiences be completed?
- Are there in-person requirements?
- What grade levels or subject areas does the program prepare students to teach?
- Can transfer credits be applied toward the degree?
- Are there multiple start dates throughout the year?
- Can I complete coursework asynchronously?
- What are the admission requirements?
- What additional exams, background checks, or requirements apply to teacher candidates?
- What support does the school provide during student teaching or clinical experiences?
- What will I need to complete after graduation to obtain licensure in my state?
The answers can help you distinguish between programs that may look similar on paper but lead to different outcomes.
Start Exploring Online Education Programs
Once you know what you’re looking for in an education degree or teaching program, you can begin comparing schools based on the factors that matter most to your goals.
Use the program finder above to explore online education programs and identify schools that may offer programs aligned with your interests.
Before enrolling, confirm the program’s curriculum, delivery format, field experience requirements, accreditation, and applicable teacher licensure requirements with the school and the appropriate state licensing authority.