Online Master Degree in Education
Post-Professional Certificate
Designed for teachers seeking professional development, salary advancement or licensure renewal, post-professional certificate programs range from 8-unit credits to 30-credits. Some programs can be completed in one weekend and others may take one year to complete. Program prerequisites vary widely, some requiring an accredited bachelor's degree with a GPA above 3.0, valid teacher licensure and current employment as a teacher.
The online post-bachelor certificate in teaching is designed for career changers and those who are already temporary, emergency or substitute teachers and want to earn a formal teaching credential.
Check your state's Department of Education website for teacher requirements in your state.
Online Master Degree in Education
In states where a master in education isn't required to start teaching, students with a bachelor's degree can sometimes teach while they begin a master in education, thus completing the state requirements for a permanent teaching credential. Sometimes the difference between a certificate and master's program is only 15 extra credits; some other master's programs take an extra year to complete. Education students must also pass a state or national teaching exam such as the PRAXIS in order to become fully licensed teachers.
Of course, an online master degree in education is a great option for those who are already working. Online education gives you the flexibility to fit continuing education into your busy schedule. See Online Education Degrees for more details for the online master degree in education.
Teachers with a master in education earn more and can more easily qualify for promotions, sometimes becoming the head of their departments.
Master in Education: Fifth-Year Master Degree (MS)
In these programs, college undergrads take an additional year of coursework and intensive student teaching to qualify for a teaching credential and a master in education. Since the fifth-year master is consolidated, it will take less time than finishing your bachelor in education and then applying to a separate master in education program. In addition, since you have already been admitted to your college or university, you'll save the time, effort and expense of looking for and applying to separate master's programs. If you know that you want to be a teacher as an undergrad, this might be a great option for you.
A fifth-year master can also be done online. Again, the online master degree in education is a great option for busy people. See Online Education Degrees for more details about an online master degree in education.
Master in Education (MEd)
Some programs are designed for practicing teachers who wish to increase their skill level and earn a higher salary. Other programs are entry-level and confer the master in education degree concurrently with an elementary or secondary school teaching certificate.
Master in Teaching (MAT/MIT)
These programs are designed for practicing teachers who wish to increase their skill level and earn a higher salary. There is another option for first-time teachers which offers the master in teaching degree concurrently with an elementary or secondary school teaching certificate.
Both the MEd and MAT/MIT degrees can be done online. Once again, the online master degree in education might be a great option for you. See Online Education Degrees for more details for an online master degree in education.