2024 Best Online Education Degrees

Within the education field, one of the most versatile degrees is a bachelor's in education. With this foundation, you'll have the choice of working as a teacher in public and private schools or behind the scenes in an education role outside of the classroom. 

Education bachelor's degrees typically fall into two categories: licensure and nonlicensure tracks. Licensure-track programs prepare students to teach at all K-12 levels by providing training in lesson planning, assessment, and effective classroom management. 

Nonlicensure programs typically offer a broader understanding of the field and may cover a wider array of topics, such as instructional design, education policy, or adult education.

Most on-campus and online education programs lead to either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS). BA programs typically include more liberal arts courses in the degree requirements, while BS programs generally incorporate more math and science courses into the curriculum.

Online teaching degrees that meet teacher certification requirements are also available in elementary education, early childhood education, secondary education, special education, and other focus areas. If you're interested in working in the public school system, you will need at least a bachelor's degree and teacher certification to qualify.

Degree Requirements

To earn a bachelor's degree in education, you'll be required to complete approximately 120-124 credit hours. Some programs may require you to have some type of field experience, such as on-site classroom observation. For a career that requires state licensure, you may also need to complete one semester of student teaching.

If you're a full-time student taking 15-18 credit hours per semester, you may be able to complete the graduation requirements in four to five years. However, if you're a part-time student balancing school with work and other time commitments, you may need an additional year or two. Some online schools offer accelerated education bachelor's programs, which you may be able to complete in about three years if you're willing to attend school year-round and carry a heavier course load. 

Education Courses

The curriculum for a bachelor's in education will vary depending on whether the program is designed for classroom teachers or for other education professionals. This distinction will also influence whether internships or other student teaching experiences are required. However, some of the core courses that may be part of your program include:

Licensed Education Specializations

If you're opting for a teacher licensure program so you can become a teacher, you have a wide range of concentrations available to you based on your personal interests and career goals. For example, you may decide to focus on a specific grade range to become a middle school teacher or high school teacher. You may also want to specialize in teaching methods, such as Montessori or Waldorf, or work with specific groups of students.

The following are a few additional examples of optional specializations:

Specializations in Nonlicensure Education Programs

From health and fitness programs to community education, there are many different careers available to education majors who want to work outside the K-12 classroom. Nonlicensure programs are typically offered as general education degrees, interdisciplinary studies programs, or degrees in educational studies. These programs can give you a solid understanding of education and learning needs and may prepare you for careers in adult education, nonprofit work, training and development for businesses, and other areas. 

Below are some specializations in educational studies that you might find in nonlicensure-track programs:

Admission Requirements

College admissions requirements, admissions formats, and deadlines vary. Depending on the admissions format of the colleges you'd like to apply to, you may need to submit your applications as early as a full year before the fall semester when you plan to start taking college classes. Some colleges are more selective, and the most selective schools often set earlier deadlines.

When you submit your online application, you will probably be asked to submit your official high school or GED transcripts. Depending on the school's criteria, you may be required to show a GPA of at least 2.5 or possibly higher. Below are some other documents that you may be asked for:

• SAT or ACT scores
• A personal essay 
• One or more recommendation letters from teachers, coaches, supervisors, or other mentors
• A list of extracurricular activities, including jobs and volunteer activities

Education majors who are passionate about learning have a range of career opportunities available to them. Some require only a bachelor's degree, while others may require an advanced degree in education, educational specializations, or educational leadership. Earning a graduate degree may also open the door to higher-paying administrative positions.

Further Education

A bachelor's in education can also open the door to graduate programs for careers in teaching, instructional design, administration, and educational leadership.

Similar Pathways

Rather than earn a master's in education with a concentration, you have the option of earning a master's degree in specific education specializations. You can earn any of these related education degrees online.

Education Careers

Many students enroll in an online education degree program to pursue a job as a teacher. You may be interested in working in early childhood education, elementary, or secondary education, but school systems also need teachers with training in special education, physical education, and other specialty areas.

An education bachelor's degree can also prepare you for careers outside of the traditional classroom, working with adults, English as a second language students, or the public. You could also pursue jobs in education advocacy, policymaking, community education, education-related nonprofit organizations, and other areas.

When it comes to choosing an online education degree, there are a few different factors to consider. For education majors who want to work outside of the classroom, finding a degree program that matches your career goals is critical. Some focus on education and society and may offer leadership, education policy, or equity concentrations. Others emphasize teaching for specific groups, such as adult basic education, coaching, or community education.

If you want to become a teacher, you'll need to make sure an online program meets state licensure requirements in your area. Check that your program meets the academic requirements, is accredited, and includes enough student teaching hours to become a licensed teacher in the state in which you want to teach.

Accreditation indicates that a school's academic programs, faculty members, and student services have been evaluated for academic rigor and proven to meet standards of excellence. Besides being a potential requirement for licensure, enrollment in an accredited school may also influence your ability to obtain financial aid, transfer credits among schools, and gain acceptance into a master's program. Searchable databases of accredited colleges are available on the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation websites.

In addition to earning accreditation for the entire institution, a school can be accredited for individual degree programs, often by professional organizations, to ensure the programs are meeting industry expectations. Programmatic accreditation of online education programs may be conducted by one of two authorized agencies: the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation or the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. 

One final consideration regarding online bachelor's programs in education is structure — whether a school offers synchronous or asynchronous online courses. Students who need a more flexible schedule may choose asynchronous classes, where they can watch pre-recorded lectures, complete coursework, and participate in class discussions through forums when it's convenient for them. For those who prefer a more structured learning environment, synchronous courses might be a better option. These online classes follow the traditional classroom model and meet virtually for live lectures and group discussions during a regularly scheduled time.