Online Teacher Certification Programs

Online teacher certification and teaching licensure programs are required by all states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) for all who wish to work in public school education (K-12).

In addition to a bachelor, master, or PhD degree for those who wish to work in K-12 may be required for certain positions like administration and college-level teacher education programs. Online teaching certification can be attained in different areas of K-12 education, elementary education licensure, and secondary licensure, as well as the Master of Arts in Teaching programs. Attaining a teacher license is recommended for all teachers, even if they do not intend to work in public schools, as they may need to be licensed if they choose to work in departments of education or when supervising colleges students in K-12 schools during their practicum. Students can complete a Bachelor of Arts in Education and also simultaneously complete the requirements for teacher licensure. While requirements vary according to individual states, from state to state, all public schools and many private schools require their teachers to have a teaching license. In addition, students are required to complete a supervised classroom teaching internship or practicum.

Teacher Education Programs

Capella University

• MS - Special Education Teaching
• Post-master's Certificate - College Teaching

Walden University

• Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Administrator Leadership for Teaching and Learning
• Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Teacher Leadership
• Teacher Preparation Program with a Master of Arts in Teaching

Jones International University

• M. Ed. in Elementary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Teacher Licensure
• M. Ed. in K - 12 Instructional Technology - Teacher Licensure
• M. Ed. in Secondary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Teacher Licensure

Kaplan University

• MA in Teaching (for Aspiring Teachers Grades 5 - 12)
• MS in Higher Education - College Teaching and Learning
• MS in Higher Education - Online College Teaching

Grand Canyon University

• BA in English for Secondary Teachers
• BS in Math for Secondary Teachers
• BS in Social Studies for Secondary Teachers
• M.Ed. Elementary Ed (Eligible for IR/Credential)
• M.Ed. Secondary Ed (Eligible for IR/Credential)
• M.Ed. Special Ed (Eligible for IR/Credential)

Western Governors University

• M. A. in Mathematics Education (K - 6, 5 - 9, and 5 - 12)
• M. A. in Science Education (5 - 12, Biological Science)
• M. A. in Science Education (5 - 12, Chemistry)
• M. A. in Science Education (5 - 12, Geosciences)
• M. A. in Science Education (5 - 12, Physics)
• M. A. in Science Education (5 - 9)
• M. A. in Teaching (K - 8)
• M. A. in Teaching - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
• M. A. in Teaching - Science (5-9 or 5-12)
• M. A. in Teaching - Social Science (5 - 12)

Grantham University

• Teacher Education Certification Courses

Teaching License and Certification Training

Online teacher certification programs offer comprehensive preparation in instructional methods, classroom teaching methods, classroom management techniques, assessment and evaluation, curriculum design and development and educational technology. Students are also required to engage in supervised practice in a classroom in addition to taking teacher licensure classes online. This practical aspect of the Online teacher certification degree is organized with the assistance of your teacher education degree coordinator.

The teacher education courses and related Online teacher certification courses may include science and liberal arts curriculum courses in the first two years of the program. In the second half of the program of study, students take specific online teacher certification courses in:

• Classroom Management
• Pedagogical Methods
• Curriculum Design and Development
• Assessment and Testing
• Educational Psychology
• Child Development and Learning
• K-12 Education Trends
• Educational Technology and Technology Integration

The requirements typically include having at least a bachelor's degree, completing the requirements of an accredited teacher education program that includes supervised practice teaching, and passing a state exam. Some states also require potential teachers to have a master's degree.

In other cases provisional licensing can be granted, and gradates must complete all requirements within a stipulated number of years to retain the license. Advanced teacher education courses focus on topics in pedagogy, school administration and leadership, curriculum design, and program.

Careers in Teaching and Education

In K12 education teaching careers one can specialize in a multiple or specific areas of instruction, for example mathematics education, science education, reading and literacy education, social studies education as an example of teachers certification areas.

Some teacher certification masters degree programs also have a focus on technology integration into the curriculum or educational leadership as an example. Some advantages of having teacher licensure are:

• Attractive income and benefit packages
• Extended vacations
• Tenure and job security
• Reimbursement for higher education
• Career growth in other areas for example administration and leadership

Estimated Income and Projected Career Growth

The annual income ranges from $26,000 to $71,000 depending on years of teaching experience. Beginning teachers, with a bachelor degree in education, earn an average of $31,700 a year and private school teachers generally earn less than public school teachers. Teachers can boost their income by volunteering to coordinate extracurricular activities or earning an advanced degree such as an online secondary education degree at the masters or education specialist level.

With campus or online teacher certification, the future employment for licensed teachers is positive. Opportunities for secondary schoolteachers are expected to be positive over the next 10 years, especially in areas like mathematics, science, and bilingual education (ESL). Employment of high school teachers is expected to grow by around 9% between 2008 and 2018 also according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).