Teaching has for long been seen as a noble profession. Teachers empower learners and contribute to building a better society. Though the profession has had its ups and downs with its share of reforms, and even though edtech has shaped a new future for learners and teachers, the teaching profession continues to be necessary to society. In other words, teachers are nowhere close to biting the dust.
A passion for teaching and a genuine need to help learners may be all you need to teach. However, if you intend to take it up as a profession, a degree in education and teaching will be useful and becomes a prerequisite to a teaching career.
There are many online teaching programs that you can do on the side while working to earn a teaching certificate (not all programs award a teaching certificate). The programs will equip you to handle both classroom and non-classroom activities.
The Strayer MEd allows you to customize your degree by choosing a concentration. Choices cover Adult Education and Development, Instructional Technology, Teacher Leadership, and Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. Courses include Leadership in Global Education and Educational Research Methods. The degree is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.
Walden University has education programs at all levels. You can start with a BS in Child Development and Elementary Education. Master’s degree programs include MS in Higher Education, Education, Education Accelerated, and Early Childhood Studies. There is also an MA in Teaching. You can also do a doctorate program in education. Besides the degree programs, there are certificate programs in Adult Learning, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and more.
The University of Georgia’s online learning programs include a BS in Special Education. It also has a choice of MEd programs in Adult Education; Educational Psychology, Applied Cognition and Development; Educational Psychology, Gifted and Creative Education; Learning, Design and Technology; Middle Grades Education; Reading Education; Music Education, and more. You can also earn a TESOL or ESOL certificate.
UMass Lowell’s Education, Science and Engineering faculty has designed the Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Science Education. Other graduate programs include MEd in Higher Education Leadership and Management, and Educational Administration. You can also consider a BA in Children’s Learning and Development or a Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling.
GCU’s College of Education has 10+ bachelor’s degree programs in dance, music, physical education and theater in addition to traditional education programs. Both MA and graduate certificate programs are available at the university, which cover Reading, Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Elementary Education. There are doctorate programs too – Organizational Leadership with emphasis in different areas, and Education Specialist in K-12 Leadership.
Along with its comprehensive 18 Master’s (MS and MEd), 23 Doctoral (PhD, edD and EdS), and 16 Graduate Certificate programs, Capella also offers free professional development courses. These teaching programs have been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Capella is known for its education innovation and technology degrees.
Concordia Portland is an accredited university that offers six Master of Education degrees and 18 concentrations, and five Doctorate of Education degrees. Concentrations include Environmental Education, Online Teaching and Learning, and Teacher Leadership. These degrees are created keeping working educators in mind.
Arizona State University’s Educational Studies (BAE) program does not offer a teacher certification but it will prepare you to teach. It offers MEd degrees in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis, Curriculum and Instruction: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Curriculum and Instruction: Gifted, Early Childhood Education – Certification/Endorsement, Educational Leadership (Principalship), and Educational Technology. It also has graduate certificates in education that allow you to explore various careers in education and teaching.
These programs help you obtain a teaching degree. And when combined with classroom practice, it is a good way for aspiring teachers to get started.