Teaching is one of the most fulfilling career paths a student can pursue, and there are many areas through which to gain a degree. These online schools prepare undergrads for a multitude of education specializations, as well as the most effective teaching techniques for the modern classroom. The process of education is rapidly changing, especially with the introduction of newer technologies, and these fabulous online curricula prepare students for such environments. Teachers go on to fulfill gratifying career achievements with an undergraduate degree in teaching by instructing young minds in some of the most crucial educational disciplines.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the job outlook for kindergarten-high school teachers at around 6%, which is as fast as average, with an annual salary of about $50,000-$60,000/yr.
These schools were chosen for several factors that put them ahead of other online programs—due to the: nature of the coursework, degree of thoroughness and complexity of the curriculum, 100% online availability, sufficient financial aid availability, and an education that gives students more than just classroom experience. In developing this list, OnlineSchoolsCenter.com, chose not to list the schools in an ordered way, but instead highlighted twelve of the very best programs, all of which have their own unique strengths.
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Western Governors University is one of the most highly regarded distance education programs in the country. The Teacher’s College offers eight unique online undergraduate teacher licensure programs, and students have access to one-on-one mentoring throughout their entire academic career.
Campus Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education; National Council on Teacher Quality
Tuition and Fees:
- $65 one time—application fee
- $2,890 per 6-month term—tuition
- $145 per 6-month term—resource fee
- $100 per cohort—demonstration teaching application fee
- $900 per cohort—demonstration teaching cohort fee
Types of Aid: Fixed-rate tuition based on time spent rather than credits earned; federal and private loans; federal and state grants; institutional and military scholarship opportunities; military and veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 37%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, and official high school or GED transcripts.
Program Options:
- Interdisciplinary Studies (K—8)
- Special Education (K—12)
- Mathematics (5—9 or 5—12)
- Science (5—9)
- Science (Chemistry, 5—12)
- Science (Physics, 5—12)
- Science (Biological Science, 5—12)
- Science (Geosciences, 5—12)
Degree Outcomes:
Having earned a degree from such a prestigious university, students will have the experience and understanding to complete relevant state and federal certification examinations, and enter into prominent positions of employment. The different concentration areas allow graduates to enter into diverse areas of education at elementary, middle school, and high school levels of instruction.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY, CLICK HERE!
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
East Carolina University offers several online Bachelors in Education that cover a wide range of ages and areas. Each degree program provides a diverse choice of coursework and projects that refine best practices and teaching methods to therefore provide the best possible education of young learners.
Campus Location: Greenville, NC
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Tuition and Fees:
- $70 one time—application fee
- $163.48 per credit hour—in-state tuition and fees
- $702.60 per credit hour—out-of-state tuition and fees
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal and state grants; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; military and veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 77.3%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, and official high school or GED transcripts.
Program Options:
- Birth – Kindergarten Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- Elementary Education
- Middle Grades Education
- Special Education
Degree Outcomes:
Graduates from one of these fine undergraduate programs will go on to enter into positions of employment in kindergartens, elementary schools, and middle schools, as well as early intervention programs, child care and education centers, and career and human services departments.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY, CLICK HERE!
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Grand Canyon University is another of the country’s finest online academic institutions, and has provided thousands of distance education students with thrilling and thorough academic experiences. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to enroll in one of three outstanding degrees in teacher education.
Campus Location: Phoenix, AZ
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Arizona State Board of Education; Arizona Department of Education
Tuition and Fees:
- $440 per credit hour—tuition
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal, state, and institutional grants; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; military and veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official high school transcripts representing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher or GED transcripts, and SAT/ACT scores.
Program Options:
- Early Childhood Education – Initial Teacher Licensure
- Elementary Education – Initial Teacher Licensure
- Elementary and Special Education – Initial Teacher Licensure
Degree Outcomes:
East Carolina University gives students the ability to fulfill any number of positions within schools, daycare, development centers, and more. Having completed the necessary requirements, graduates of one of the three online programs will have the skills to complete their home state’s licensure examinations with aplomb.
FOR MORE INFORMATION GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY, CLICK HERE!
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Arizona State University is yet another of the finest online schools in America, and provides a multitude of degree programs, including the distinctive Bachelor in Health Education and Health Promotion. The Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is dedicated to providing curricula that impacts diverse populations in a multitude of regions and areas.
Campus Location: Tempe, AZ
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Tuition and Fees:
- $530 per credit hour—Educational Studies tuition
- $625 per credit hour—Health Education and Health Promotion tuition
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal and state grants; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; student employment programs;
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official high school transcripts representing a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and ACT/SAT scores. Some further documentation may be required from individual applicants.
Program Options:
- Educational Studies
- Health Education and Health Promotion
Degree Outcomes:
With a degree from ASU, graduates are a part of an incredibly strong and supportive alumni and faculty network, as well as a dedicated career services center, that will assist them in their pursuit of positions in schools, private and nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, CLICK HERE!
ATHENS STATE UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Athens State University’s College of Education is home to four exceptional Bachelors of Science in Technical Education. The curricula involve interactive and dynamic coursework that is both thorough and flexible. Each program is tailored to fit individual career goals to provide the most effect education possible.
Campus Location: Athens, AL
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Tuition and Fees:
- $274 per credit hour—tuition
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal and state grants; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; student employment programs; various payment plans.
Acceptance Rate: unavailable
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official high school transcripts representing a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and financial aid documentation.
Program Options:
- Instructional Design
- Military Instructor
- Post-Secondary Instructor
- Early Instructor
Degree Outcomes:
These four distinguished programs open the door to a diverse number of future career paths. Some work environments include public and private colleges, professional schools, community-based programs, government and military agencies, vocational schools, and more! These specialized undergraduate education programs lead to fascinating futures.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ATHENS STATE UNIVERSITY, CLICK HERE!
FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Fort Hays State University is an incredibly respected online school. These students have the opportunity to major in three undergraduate Business Education programs, as well as three Elementary Education programs, each of which provides sensational coursework through which students gain prominent experience.
Campus Location: Fort Hays, KS
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Tuition and Fees:
- $162.79 per credit hour—in-state tuition
- $225.94 per credit hour—contiguous state/MSEP tuition
- $480.88 per credit hour—out-of-state tuition
Types of Aid: Federal, alternative, and institutional loans; federal and state grants; institutional and external scholarship opportunities; student employment programs; military and veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 87.9%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official high school transcripts representing a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher or GED transcripts, and ACT/SAT scores.
Program Options:
- Business Teacher Licensure
- Corporate Communication
- Training and Development
- Early Childhood Unified
- Elementary
- Elementary with Special Education Minor
Degree Outcomes:
Graduates from FHSU have the knowledge and skill to work in K-12 schools as educators, as well as in corporate businesses as technology and training specialists. Fort Hays advisors work closely with current students and graduates to provide the most effective education and career resources available to them.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY, CLICK HERE!
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Program Standouts:
The undergraduate degrees in education offered through the University of Missouri are incredibly unique, and give students a fascinating lens into future careers as educators. Pulling from numerous departments within the school, the curricula give students experience in numerous areas that benefit their future abilities as teachers.
Campus Location: Columbia, MO
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
Tuition and Fees:
- $19,773 full program—Educational Studies tuition
- $30,919 full program—Early Childhood Education tuition
Types of Aid: Federal and alternative loans; federal, state, and institutional grants; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; student employment programs; tuition discounts; military and veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 77.7%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official high school transcripts as well as those from any undergraduate institutions attended representing a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and TOEFL scores from students who use English as a second language.
Program Options:
- Educational Studies
- Early Childhood Education
Degree Outcomes:
Graduates from one of these two fine programs will have the skills to affect strong success rates for their students. With a background in several areas of education and teaching due to the completion of broadly based coursework, Missouri alumni go on to become extremely influential educators.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, CLICK HERE!
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
Program Standouts:
The University of Massachusetts Amherst provides some of the most esteemed online degrees in the country, and provides diverse concentration options within both its undergraduate education programs. In this way, students refine their coursework to reflect all of their individual career goals.
Campus Location: Amherst, MA
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Tuition and Fees:
- $385 per credit hour—tuition
- $150 per semester—program fee
- $45 per semester—registration fee
Types of Aid: Institutional loans; federal and state grants; institutional and external scholarship opportunities; tuition waivers; tuition reimbursement programs; military and veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 58.3%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application and official high school transcripts as well as those from an accredited undergraduate institution representing 12 college credits completed with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Program Options:
- Children’s Learning and Development
- Early Care and Education
Degree Outcomes:
With a prominent degree from UMass Amherst, graduates have the skills and notoriety to enter into positions of employment in prominent schools, as well as in child advocacy centers, youth and family programming, and educational administration. Students establish relationships with well-respected faculty members who introduce them to all of the most effective teaching techniques.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST, CLICK HERE!
CITY UNIVERSITY OF SEATTLE
Program Standouts:
In the City University of Seattle, students have the opportunity to concentrate in two areas of educational endorsement at a time. In this way they gain greater skills and more experience than the typical undergraduate. Students learn from dedicated faculty members that bring a world of experience to the online classroom.
Campus Location: Seattle, WA
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board
Tuition and Fees:
- $50 one time—application fee
- $340 per credit hour—tuition
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal and state grants; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; student employment programs.
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official high school transcripts, and successfully passed Washington Educator Skills Test-Basic and the National Evaluation Series Subtests I and II. Applicants must also contact an admissions advisor.
Program Options:
- General Education
- Elementary Education and Early Childhood
- Elementary Education and Middle Level Math
- Elementary Education and Special Education
- Elementary Education and ELL
- Elementaryl Education and Reading
- Special Education and Middle Level Math
Degree Outcomes:
Coursework from this fine academic institution prepares graduates for a wide variety of future careers in education. Having gained multiple endorsements, alumni have their pick of numerous positions within the field, making them an incredibly valuable asset in many different environments.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF SEATTLE, CLICK HERE!
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Program Standouts:
The University of Florida is a highly decorated online school that has received glowing recognition from institutions such as U.S. News and World Report. The Bachelor in Health Education and Behavior provides students with training in how to promote healthy lifestyle choices in individual and group settings.
Campus Location: Gainesville, FL
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
Tuition and Fees:
- $31.75 one time—application fee
- $129.18 per credit hour—in-state tuition and fees
- $552.62 per credit hour—out-of-state tuition and fees
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal and state grants; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; student employment programs.
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, and official high school transcripts as well as those from any accredited undergraduate institutions.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Applied Human Anatomy with Laboratory
- Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory
- Foundations of Health Education
Degree Outcomes:
This online program is one of few like it in the entire country. Graduates have a strong background in health education and health promotion in community, clinical, and worksite settings. Alumni provide a much-needed educational service to communities across the country.
FOR MORE INFORMATION UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, CLICK HERE!
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Liberty University is another of the country’s most celebrated online schools. This impressive educational institution delivers three challenging bachelor’s programs that thoroughly train students in areas associated with elementary and special education.
Campus Location: Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation: National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
Tuition and Fees:
- $455 per credit hour (part-time); $390 per credit hour (full-time)—tuition
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal and state grants; federal and state grants; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; student employment programs; tuition assistance; military and veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 20.2%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official high school transcripts as well as those from any undergraduate institutions attended representing a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and a self certification form.
Program Options:
- Early Childhood Education Interdisciplinary Studies
- Elementary Education Interdisciplinary Studies
- Special Education Interdisciplinary Studies
Degree Outcomes:
Liberty University provides its students with unparalleled academic and career support services throughout their undergraduate degree. Coursework is both educational and Christian-based, giving students a strong education that is moored in the tenants of Christianity.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, CLICK HERE!
DREXEL UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Drexel University offers an online Bachelor in Education completion program that is designed for students with prior college experience. Coursework is geared toward giving students adequate training and experience toward achieving state certification as an elementary or special education instructor.
Campus Location: Philadelphia, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition and Fees:
- $479 per credit hour—tuition
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; employer tuition reimbursement deferment plans; various payment plans.
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application and official high school transcripts as well as those from an accredited undergraduate institution representing a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Creating a Positive Classroom Climate
- Multimedia in Instructional Design
- Engaging the Learner
Degree Outcomes:
This undergraduate degree allows individuals to enroll in either a certification or non-certification program, depending on if they are seeking licensure after graduation. A diverse curriculum allows students to focus their electives in an area of their choosing, or seek a more broad approach to the field.