Online Education Bachelor’s Degree
While people rarely enter the field of education for the money, an online teaching degree can lead to a stable and financially rewarding career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that high school teachers earn a median annual salary of $59,170. Teachers generally work standard school hours with extended breaks established throughout the school year.
The BLS estimates growth rates on par with the rest of the U.S. — around 8% — for school administration positions, roles for which a bachelor's serves as a good starting point. A bachelor's in education can also lead to careers in policymaking that can prove even more lucrative.
Overall, online bachelor's degrees in education give students the flexibility, convenience, and affordability they need to pursue their passion for teaching.
Why Earn an Online Teaching Degree?
Earning a bachelor's takes hard work and dedication, but online education degrees give students the tools to make it happen. Many of the top online education programs incorporate asynchronous formats where students do not attend lectures at set times. Instead, learners watch lectures and complete homework when and where it fits into their schedules. This allows busy parents and working professionals to pursue a teaching education without sacrificing family responsibilities or their current income.
Many accredited online teaching degrees allow learners to choose between accelerated, part-time, and full-time tracks. Whether learners want to graduate as quickly as possible or take their time while they continue working, the best bachelor's degrees in education can accommodate their wishes.
Affordable online teaching degrees give more learners access to teaching opportunities. Distance education programs often provide tuition and fee discounts, while students from other regions can even pay in-state tuition rates at certain institutions.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor's in Education?
Many graduates with online teaching degrees work as educators in elementary, middle, and high schools, but they may qualify for other positions within the field of education. Online education programs teach learners to design lessons, assess learning, and analyze program effectiveness. Students working toward an online bachelor's degree in education develop skills to help in training, curriculum development, governmental education initiatives, and school district administration.
Skills and Knowledge Gained
Online education degrees provide students with useful skills applicable to their careers. For example, students typically explore the foundations of effective communication with people at various stages of life. Degree candidates also learn to distill complex topics into pieces that their students can understand, regardless of academic level or previous knowledge. This skill translates nicely into careers in education, writing, marketing, and workforce management.
Learners also discover how to develop and implement curricula that meet specific goals. This allows graduates to become curriculum coordinators or work in public policy agencies. Students in online education programs also gain instructional skills that can help them in teaching or training careers. Religious organizations often seek professionals with these abilities to assist with their educational programs.
Bachelor's degree in education students graduate equipped to gauge the effectiveness of an educational program. Education evaluations determine if instructional techniques help students learn effectively, analyze the efficacy of the curricula across schools and districts, and examine the effects of education policies on students across the country. Healthcare organizations often hire people with these evaluation skills to aid in community health programs as well.
Careers and Salary Potential
Graduates may choose their career paths based on interests, desired schedules, and available pay ranges. For example, parents who want to go back to work when their children get out of school may opt for teaching jobs. However, professionals who want to impact their communities outside the classroom setting may work in IT services or healthcare organizations. Those who hold strong religious beliefs can work for their place of worship as instructors or childcare workers. Read on to explore industries for graduates of online education programs.
Early Childhood Education: Early childhood education can include both daycares and preschools. Graduates with education degrees can lead classrooms in these organizations or work in administrative roles, such as daycare director or instructional coordinator.
Public K-12 Education: Public schools educate children from about five years of age until the completion of 12th grade. Professionals with online teaching degrees can work for these schools as teachers, instructional aides, or vice principals. They may also work for school districts in administrative roles.
Churches and Religious Organizations: Private religious organizations offer places for like-minded people to share their spiritual ideas. Places like churches or private religious schools hire online education graduates to teach children and adults about belief systems.
IT Services: Graduates with online education degrees can bring their journeys full circle by working for education technology companies. These professionals consult with program designers and engineers to create the most effective forms of instructional technology.
Healthcare: Organizations in this industry not only care for the sick, but also implement public health campaigns to improve the welfare of their communities. Education professionals use their communication and assessment skills to help make these programs successful.
Adult Literacy and High School Diploma Teacher
Annual Median Salary: $52,100
A variety of situations can prevent people from finishing high school as teenagers. Adult literacy and high school diploma equivalency teachers help adults gain literacy skills and complete their high school education. These professionals can lead courses at local schools, community colleges, or within a workplace. Classes often occur at night or on the weekends.
Kindergarten or Elementary School Teacher
Annual Median Salary: $56,900
These teachers lead classrooms from kindergarten through about fifth grade. Many states require teachers to earn certification after their bachelor's degree. In the lower grades, educators teach several subjects to the same students throughout the day. In fourth and fifth grades, they may specialize in certain subject areas.
Middle School Teacher
Annual Median Salary: $57,720
Middle school teachers lead classrooms between fifth and eighth grades. They can work for private or public schools and often concentrate on specific subjects. Like elementary school teachers, these educators need certification. Middle school teachers prepare students to transition into the more advanced coursework they'll encounter in high school.
High School Teacher
Annual Median Salary: $59,170
These educators teach students from ninth grade through high school graduation. They may also coach sports or lead extracurricular activities. High school teachers must earn state certifications in the specialized subjects they wish to teach.
Special Education Teacher
Annual Median Salary: $58,980
These educators instruct children with different physical and mental abilities. Special education teachers work in elementary, middle, and high schools. Students in special education classrooms may live with conditions that vary in severity and impact their learning abilities. Teachers need a bachelor's degree and specialized certification to fill these positions.
Latest Posts
How to Become a Therapist
Have you always wanted to help people work towards greater mental health? Learn what a therapist does, how to become one, and how much you can make.
How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor
Begin your career as a substance abuse counselor today. Here, we list all the necessary steps and certifications to enter the growing field.
How to Become a Social Worker
Now is a great time to consider entering the field of social work. Here, you can find everything you need to become a social worker.
LearnHowToBecome.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
View the most relevant programs for your interests and compare them by tuition, acceptance rate, and other factors important to you.
