Online Distance Education Degree Programs

Why should you consider an online distance education degree? With the advent of the Internet, distance learning has revolutionized post secondary education. But who is working behind the scenes to design and develop the courses?

The convenience and flexibility of self-paced, self-directed learning remains popular with working adults and other people who have family obligations. A degree in distance education trains students to design and develop courses that address the academic, social, and personal needs of learners. With ever expanding multimedia and online technology and research in teaching and learning, this medium of instruction continues to attract more learners. With this fast-paced development, distance educators must remain current in the latest developments and instructional methods. Distance educators generally have a masters or doctorate degree in education. Many masters education distance programs offer courses in online teaching methodologies, application of educational technology, and corporate training.

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Selected Online Distance Education Degree Programs

Ashford University

• MA / Education - Distance Learning
• Masters in Educational Technology Leadership
• Masters in Teaching and Learning with Technology

Capella University - Online

• PhD - Instructional Design for Online Learning
• PhD - Postsecondary and Adult Education
• PhD - Training and Performance Improvement
• MS - Instructional Design for Online Learning
• MS - Postsecondary and Adult Education
• MS - Training and Performance Improvement

Walden University

• Instructional Design Certificate
• B.S. in Instructional Design and Technology
• Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Technology
  M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology
  • General
  • Training and Performance Improvement
  • Online Learning
• Masters in Education Integrating Technology in the Classroom (Grades K–12)
• Ph.D. in Education - Adult Education Leadership
• Ph.D. in Education - Educational Technology

Western Governors University

• M.Ed. Instructional Design
• M.Ed. Learning and Technology

Jones International University

• MEd in Adult Education
• MEd in Corporate Training and Knowledge Management
• MEd in e-Learning Technology and Design
• MEd in K-12 Instructional Technology

American InterContinental University Online

• Master's of Education (M.Ed.) in Instructional Technology

Liberty University

• Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology
• Master's - Educational Technology (Online Only)

St. Joseph’s University Online

• Instructional Technology Specialist Certification

Strayer University

• M.Ed. in Technology in Education

Nova Southeastern University

• Master of Science in Information Technology in Education
• Doctor of Philosophy in Computing Technology in Education

Distance Education Courses and Training

Online education degrees in distance education are offered in different concentrations. Online distance education degree programs may go by the following titles:

• Master of distance education
• Master of education in e-learning
• Specialization in online teaching
• Instructional design for online Learning
• Master of education with a concentration in e-learning
• Master of education in instructional design for online learning
• Master of distance education leadership
• Master of science in instructional systems technology

With an online distance education degree, you can also train to be a certified e-learning instructor or teacher. In online distance education programs you will be learn the skills needed to teach an online course in the same medium that you will use to teach online courses.

Distance Education Careers

The demand for distance education teachers, instructional designers, and distance learning coordinators continues to grow. Professional distance educators teach a variety of courses in various subjects. They also design instructional strategies and online curriculum depending on the subject of study in addition to being involved with researching program effectiveness and managing the online courses and programs.

In addition to teaching online courses, graduates of distance education degree programs work in curriculum design, educational technology development, and distance education policy and management. Some related job titles with an online distance education degree are:

• Instructional designers
• Curriculum developers
• Online instruction coordinators
• Distance learning project managers
• Technical directors
• Online course support specialists
• Production managers
• Distance learning librarians

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

According to the United States Department of Labor, opportunities for postsecondary educators are promising. Jobs for people with campus and online distance education degree and related areas are projected to grow by 23% over the next several years. Post-secondary teachers earn a median salary of about $57,000 while instructors earn about $43,000. Jobs in education administration are expected to grow by 12% during the same period. The average salary for postsecondary administrators is over $86,000 while program directors earn around $68,000.