The University of Phoenix online college awarded 5,976 teaching degrees last year. Arizona State University awarded 2,075 teaching degrees on their campus last year. The results of this USA Today study should give you an indication of just how popular an online degree is as a form of breaking into the teaching profession.
Many Online Students Are Working Parents
Why would someone want to get their teaching degree online? The biggest reason is that a lot of online students are craving the flexibility that they get from going to school online.
You don’t get to choose what time your class starts when you go to class at a typical college. Instead, you must hope that the starting time of a particular class happens to mesh with your schedule.
Another benefit of choosing an online school is that many of them offer a rolling enrollment period. This means that you can enroll whenever you are ready to start working toward your degree.
Online Courses Are Accredited
Students who choose to get their online degrees in education should feel confident that they are taking the same courses that their colleagues have to take. Online schools are accredited by the same organizations that accredit major colleges all across the country.
Schools can only be accredited if they meet stringent standards regarding classes, student well-being and other factors. This also means that you are eligible for federal student aid to help you pay for your education.
If an online school offers the same education as an traditional school, why wouldn’t a busy adult go to school online? Employers will take your degree seriously because it is from an accredited school.
You Will Satisfy Many Or All Certification Requirements
Teachers cannot simply get a degree by passing their courses. They must also spend time in the classroom teaching students. Many online schools partner with school districts around the country to help online students satisfy this requirement.
If you are thinking about getting your education degree online, check to make sure that you will have the opportunity to satisfy all the requirements that your state has in place.
Each state has different rules when it comes to certifying you to teach in that state. The last thing that you want is to finish your degree without being fully certified to teach.
Watch Out For For-Profit Schools
Before you choose an online college, you should make sure that you are not just going to a diploma mill. These colleges essentially give you a diploma in exchange for your money. The only problem is that your degree may not be worth the paper it is printed on.
Always do a complete inspection of any online college that you would like to attend. If you are still in high school, your guidance counselor can give you the information that you need to make a smart choice. Otherwise, you can contact the Department of Education (DOE) to give you more information.
Keep in mind that just because a college is for-profit does not mean that you should stay away. It just means that you need to check to be sure that it is accredited and offers a legitimate degree program.
Choosing to complete your degree in education online is a great choice. You give yourself the flexibility to complete coursework at your own pace. If you are a parent or student with a job, you could really benefit from taking class online. If you are worried that you are not getting a legitimate degree, your concerns can be eased by simply doing your research before picking an online school to attend.