2019 Best Online Teaching Degree Programs

Students interested in earning an online teaching degree can pursue several options at the University of Florida, including master’s and graduate certificate programs. The university offers programs in specialized fields, such as dyslexia, program evaluation, and teacher leadership, in addition to programs in general fields, like reading, science, and early childhood education. As a school that focuses entirely on graduate education, UF’s college of education provides many opportunities for online students to engage in research projects with faculty members.

UF’s college of education delivers some programs asynchronously without in-person requirements, and other programs through blended learning. In both cases, programs use Canvas to manage and deliver course content. Online students at UF benefit from many of the same resources as on-campus students, including technology support, student organizations, the UF Career Connections Center, and financial aid advising.

Based out of Orlando, the University of Central Florida reaches students worldwide as one of the nation’s preeminent distance learning universities. The school offers one online teaching degree: a master’s in educational leadership. The program’s 30-credit curriculum includes coursework in educational finance and administration and culminates in a research project. The program focuses on data-driven research and decision making. Full-time students typically complete the program in two years.

The educational leadership program delivers all coursework asynchronously without on-campus requirements. Applicants do not need to submit GRE scores. Catering to residents of the Sunshine State, UCF provides a lower tuition rate to in-state students. In addition to schools, graduates of the program may work in museums, zoos, and human resources departments.

Located in the quintessential college town of Chapel Hill, UNC styles itself as the Tar Heel State’s flagship university. The university does not offer an entirely online education program, but students can pursue online education degrees at other universities in the UNC System. Additionally, students can complete four education courses online at UNC, including foundational offerings in special education, school counseling, and differentiation.

UNC delivers these four online education courses synchronously and asynchronously through Blackboard Collaborate and Sakai. Blackboard Collaborate creates a synchronous environment in which students and professors interact through video conferencing, shared screens, text, and small group discussions. Online education courses at UNC often include mentoring sessions with faculty members.

Based in Tampa, the University of South Florida consistently earns a place among the top online schools in the Sunshine State. USF also earns a spot among the best online colleges for teaching thanks to the school’s diverse education programs, which include 10 master’s degrees and nine graduate certificates. Degree and certificate fields include gifted education, adult education, and autism spectrum disorders in addition to standard pre-teaching fields, such as secondary education and reading K-12.

USF provides flexibility to students pursuing an online teaching degree by delivering coursework asynchronously without on-campus requirements. Additionally, as many of the university’s programs require students to gain hands-on experience through student teaching or internships, USF typically allows students to complete these experiences at schools or learning centers in their communities.

The University of Illinois earns a spot among the best schools for students seeking an online teaching degree by offering many education-related programs. The college of education offers over 10 areas of study for future educators. These programs focus on equity and inclusion, with programs in diversity and equity, global studies, and ESL.

In most cases, UI delivers coursework asynchronously and does not require students to visit campus. Students committed to teaching in Illinois upon graduation can receive certification in several unique areas through UI’s programs. UI also offers special programs and certifications for future Chicago public school teachers.

Based in the heart of Seattle, the University of Washington operates an extensive group of online professional and continuing education programs. That group includes two education-related degrees: a bachelor’s in early care and education and a master of special education in applied behavior analysis. UW prides itself on hiring teaching professionals as instructors, so professors often work day jobs as early care and special education professionals.

Each program offers multiple start dates throughout the year and delivers all coursework asynchronously without on-campus requirements. Students can also complete the program through blended learning by taking courses at UW’s Seattle, Bothell, or Bellevue campuses. The bachelor’s program typically takes two years of full-time study to complete, while the master’s program takes 1-2 years as a part-time student.

Based in the University Park neighborhood of Miami, Florida International University maintained the fifth-largest undergraduate enrollment in the nation as of August 2018. FIU caters to students nationwide through its slate of online programs, which includes a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s degree in special education with an autism endorsement.

Each program strives for accessibility for working professionals — who comprise a significant percentage of each program’s students — by delivering all coursework asynchronously through Canvas. Each program offers multiple start dates throughout the year. The master’s programs require 36 credits and typically take 1-2 years to complete, while the bachelor’s requires 120 credits and usually takes four years of full-time study to finish.

Based in the titular Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota counts itself as the North Star State’s flagship university. The college boasts an extensive distance learning presence, which includes two options for students interested in pursuing an online teaching degree: a master of education administration specialist and a master of education in professional studies learning technologies.

The two programs use different delivery methods. Defined as primarily online, the administration specialist program delivers about 80% of coursework asynchronously and online. Students complete the rest of the coursework through short on-campus intensives. The learning technologies program delivers all coursework online and asynchronously. The administration specialist program requires between 35-50 credits, while the learning technologies program requires approximately 30 credits. The university offers several resources for online learners, including instructional support staff and feasibility assessments.

Based in the state capital of Tallahassee, Florida State University is ideal for distance learners seeking an advanced online teaching degree. The university offers three education-related online graduate programs: a doctorate in educational leadership and master’s degrees in educational psychology and curriculum and instruction.

The doctorate program runs on a cohort model that uses blended learning, as students complete a face-to-face seminar each summer term over the course of three years. Each master’s program requires approximately 33 credits and allows students to finish in two years of part-time study. The education psychology program allows students to choose between a thesis and a nonthesis track. Both master’s programs deliver all coursework asynchronously without in-person requirements, although students may enroll in certain face-to-face courses if they wish.

Located in the picturesque college town of Athens, the University of Georgia offers diverse options to students seeking an online degree in education. Unlike many schools, UGA’s college of education offers an online bachelor’s degree in education — specifically in special education — in addition to nine specialist and master’s degree options. Degree fields include educational psychology; learning, design, and technology; and middle grades science, workforce, and reading education. UGA also offers endorsements in ESOL, gifted education, and reading education.

The university delivers much of its online coursework asynchronously without on-campus requirements to accommodate students with work and family obligations. Some of the school’s programs use a hybrid method that involves some in-person coursework at UGA’s Gwinnett and Griffin campuses.

Located in the Tar Heel State’s capital city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University competes with Duke University and the University of North Carolina for supremacy in the Triangle Area. NC State offers nearly 30 education-related distance learning programs. The university primarily offers master’s programs, but also offers doctorates and graduate certificates. Given the breadth of its programs, NC State earns its place among the best places to earn an online teaching degree.

Degree fields offered at NC State include adult and community college education, elementary education, secondary mathematics, middle grades and secondary social studies, and secondary science. In most cases, the programs deliver coursework asynchronously and do not require students to visit campus to complete their degrees.

Located in West Lafayette, Purdue University competes with Indiana University for top billing among public colleges in the Hoosier State. The university’s college of education boasts seven online programs, including master’s degrees and graduate certificates that provide many options to students seeking an online teaching degree. Degrees include educational leadership, learning design and technology, applied behavior analysis, and curriculum and instruction.

Purdue delivers all online coursework asynchronously through Blackboard and does not require students to visit campus. However, students can expedite graduation by completing a summer course on campus in West Lafayette. These courses provide students with a more personalized experience, as most courses maintain a lower student-to-faculty ratio than their online counterparts.

Located in the eponymous Southern California city of San Diego, SDSU is the oldest university in the area. The school earns a spot among the best schools to offer an online teaching degree thanks to its MA in educational leadership program.

Offered through the school’s college of education studies, which houses most of SDSU’s online and professional/continuing education programs, the MA in educational leadership typically takes 15 months to complete. Program coursework includes seminars in topics such as tech architecture, school improvement leadership, and organizational and systems leadership. Each course includes a focus on technology.

Though SDSU is a state university, the educational leadership program charges out-of-state and in-state students the same tuition. The program uses a cohort model to ensure that students benefit from structure and support.

Located in Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan is among the nation’s best public universities thanks to its strength across numerous disciplines. That strength extends to education, earning U of M a spot among the best online colleges for teaching due in part to its online teaching certificate program. Over the course of four courses and 12 credits, students learn about online teaching and become more proficient online instructors.

Course topics include a survey of educational technology tools, applications of industrial design, an introduction to teaching and learning online, and educating the digital learner. All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA, making the program a good fit for former undergraduate teaching students who want to advance their career in online learning.

Located on the Florida-Alabama border in the city of Graceville, BCF primarily focuses on distance learning by offering all of its degrees online. The college delivers each online course asynchronously without on-campus requirements through its proprietary MyBCF learning management system.

BCF offers many bachelor of education online programs. Students can pursue bachelor’s degrees in elementary, secondary English, secondary history, music, and Christian education. Each program requires approximately 120 credits and four years of full-time study to complete. The programs pair educational content with Christian and Baptist values. As a private college, BCF charges out-of-state students and Florida residents the same per-credit tuition.

Clemson University frequently earns nationwide attention for its football teams, which won two national championships in recent years. The school also boasts strong distance learning opportunities, including an online master of education in teaching and learning program.

The program’s curriculum comprises 30 credits, including 18 credits of core courses and 12 credits in a specialization, such as experiential learning for early childhood and instructional coaching. The program delivers all coursework asynchronously through Canvas and eschews in-person requirements. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA during the last degree they completed or a top 50% score on the MAT or GRE.

Earning nationwide acclaim for its medical school and hospital, Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University also excels in distance learning. The college provides students interested in earning an online teaching degree with 13 online education-related graduate programs. Standout programs include a doctor of education and master’s degrees that cater to teachers participating in Teach For America and The New Teacher Program. Distance learners should visit the university’s state authorization page to make sure that Johns Hopkins offers their desired program.

Johns Hopkins delivers these programs through multiple delivery methods. Some of the school’s online programs deliver coursework asynchronously and some programs use live classes and synchronous learning. Other programs use blended learning, with some on-campus requirements.

Styling itself as the Badger State’s main university, the University of Wisconsin-Madison earns a spot among the nation’s best public colleges. UW operates an extensive college of continuing studies, which offers a professional certificate in online education.

The program primarily caters to practicing teachers who want to complete professional development hours, as it awards seven Continuing Education Units to graduates. The program consists of 70 instructional hours. Courses cover topics such as writing objectives for online learning, the basics of online discussions, and the basics of instructional design for online learning.

Courses typically require students to create projects based on their own teaching practice. The program delivers all coursework asynchronously without in-person requirements. Teachers who want to pursue additional continuing education in online learning can complete several other online certificates through UW.

Based in College Park just outside of Washington D.C., UMD operates an office of extended studies that offers educational opportunities to working professionals. Students interested in an online teaching degree can pursue a graduate certificate in special education through UMD. The program targets general education teachers seeking to make their classrooms more inclusive.

Practicing teachers can finish the 15-credit curriculum in a year of part-time study. Students complete one course in the spring, two in the summer, and two in the fall. Program course topics include issues and trends in special education, special education classroom management, and inclusive practices. The program delivers all coursework asynchronously without on-campus requirements.

One of the newer members of the University of South Florida System, USFSM established its own campus in the past decade. However, students do not need to visit campus to earn an online teaching degree, as the university offers a master’s program in general education through distance learning. The program includes a concentration in online teaching and learning, which prepares graduates to design and teach online courses.

The program’s curriculum consists of 34 credits and includes coursework in areas such as learning principles, educational research, instructional design for computers, and the development of technology-based instructions. Students must complete a field experience in online learning. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA or a minimum 3.5 graduate GPA. USFSM delivers all online coursework asynchronously.

Based in East Lansing, Michigan State University competes with the University of Michigan for supremacy in the Great Lakes State. The university provides eight options for students seeking a graduate online teaching degree, including programs in educational psychology, educational technology, teaching and curriculum, and special education. MSU’s college of education awards master’s degrees and graduate certificates.

Catering to working professionals, each program delivers coursework asynchronously without in-person requirements. MSU caps each online course at 25 students, maintaining a low student-to-faculty ratio. Most of MSU’s education programs allow students to focus on one or two concentration areas.

CSUF enrolls more students than any institution in the California State University System. The school offers six programs to students seeking an online teaching degree.

Program fields include special education, autism, and reading and learning. Cal State Fullerton also offers a credentialing program in a single subject and a teacher induction program. Each program focuses on applying lessons from coursework to the student’s classroom. Most programs take 8-12 months to complete.

Cal State Fullerton delivers online coursework asynchronously without on-campus requirements, providing flexibility for working professionals.

A public research university located on the Panhandle in Pensacola, the University of West Florida offers four options for distance learners pursuing an online teaching degree: a doctor of education in curriculum and instruction/assessment, an education specialist program in curriculum and instruction, and two master’s degrees in educational leadership and instructional design and technology.

Each program prepares graduates for careers in education in the Sunshine State. UWF delivers all coursework asynchronously without on-campus requirements. The school prides itself on close student-faculty interaction, ensuring that professors remain accessible in online programs. UWF holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Buckeye State’s flagship university, Ohio State, recently expanded its distance learning offerings, which now include two options for students seeking an online teaching degree: an associate in early childhood development and education and a master’s in learning technologies.

Each program delivers all coursework asynchronously without on-campus requirements, providing flexibility for working professionals. The associate program prepares graduates for careers as pre-kindergarten teachers in Ohio, while the master’s program prepares graduates to use technology to support learning in various contexts across the nation. Each program includes a practicum course that allows students to gain hands-on experience in their field.

The University of Nebraska excels in many disciplines as the Cornhusker State’s flagship university. Nebraska offers several distance learning programs for students seeking an online teaching degree. Education-related online degrees at Nebraska include early childhood education, special education, school leadership, and higher education administration.

Though Nebraska offers several of these programs asynchronously without on-campus requirements, many of the school’s education-related programs use a blended or hybrid learning model. Nebraska’s education administration and school leadership programs run on this model, in addition to the master’s in special education with a focus on visual impairment. Nebraska offers online learners access to several resources, including career counseling, technical support, academic advising, and tutoring.