Online and Distance Learning

Masters teaching programs are an excellent way to qualify for a teaching career, obtain the best jobs and get promotion.  This page gives details of the programs and where they can be found.

In order to teach in public schools in the US, you need to have passed a suitable program of study and obtained teacher certification (licensure).  There are various specifically designed masters programs to help you, such as those on this page.  If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, you can take a masters teaching program that satisfies licensing requirements.  In this way you obtain your teaching license and also enhance your career prospects by having the higher degree.  If you want to move into administration, you might also want to look at the Administration and Leadership page for details of suitable masters programs. 

Selected masters teaching programs

The teaching masters programs described in the list below include ones for different stages in the education system (e.g., early childhood certification or elementary certification) as well different specializations (e.g., online ESL certification or special ed certification).  The list includes programs which lead to certification.  If you don't find the programs or schools you want in this list, please use the search form provided.

• Grand Canyon University - College of Education
  • M.Ed. Elementary Ed (Eligible for IR/Credential)
  • M.Ed. Secondary Ed (Eligible for IR/Credential)
  • M.Ed. Special Ed (Eligible for IR/Credential)
  • M.Ed. Education Admin (Eligible for IR/Credential)
    

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

• University of Phoenix Online
  • MA in Education/Early Childhood Education
  • MA in Education/Elementary Teacher Education
  • MA in Education/Elementary Teacher Education/Early Childhood
    
  • MA in Education/Teacher Ed. for Elementary Lic.
    
  • MA in Education/Teacher Ed. for Secondary Lic.
    

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

• Browse more education schools and programs at the foot of the page

• Search for masters teaching programs

• Click the following link for Canadian campus universities and campus colleges.  It also provides some advice on choosing a suitable campus.

What is studied in teaching programs at masters level?

A masters in teaching program such as the MA in Education/Teacher Ed. for Elementary Lic. at University of Phoenix Online, the M.Ed. in Elementary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Teacher Licensure at Jones International University, or the MS in Special Education Teaching at Capella University, might include topics such as educational psychology, reading strategies, teaching methods, curriculum design and development.

Those masters with an emphasis on administration and leadership, such as the M.Ed. Education Admin Grand Canyon University, might include topics such as curriculum development, school administration, organizational theory, legal issues, school finance, and leadership.  Check the Administration and Leadership page for more details of these prorams.

The masters programs very often include assignments using observational and practice-based experiences, for which you need access to a suitable school.  You will also need to have supervised practice in a classroom or an internship.  All this ensures that education is the appropriate career for you.  A masters degree may also include a research project.

How do you obtain teacher certification?

State teacher certification requirements are often slightly different in each state in the US, so you should check the specific requirements where you want to teach.  However, in general terms, most states require the following to gain certification:

• Completion of a teacher training program which includes supervised practice teaching;
• A degree:
  
  • To teach at an elementary school level, an undergraduate major or minor in education or a Masters degree in education;
  • To teach secondary subjects, an undergraduate degree in the desired subjects, as well as the completion of an educational program which usually includes a student teaching and/or practicum component;
• The passing of a state-administered exam.

Some states require a Master’s degree, although it is sometimes acceptable to be close to finishing one.

Even if you are not actually teaching, but are working in an educational setting, it is useful to have teacher licensure.

What are the career prospects for teachers

Career prospects for graduates with an online masters in teaching are good - according to the United States Department of Labor the job growth for teachers is expected to be around 12% over the next several years. Salaries vary according to state, qualifications and experience.  Teachers in K-12 education earn an average income of $43,000 a year, but the figure is higher in some states and lower in others.  See the table in the right hand column for recent salary details.

For more schools and programs