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So you want to get an education degree. Whether it's a first-time bachelor's degree in education, a teaching certification program or a doctorate in teaching methods, you've decided to take the plunge. Your mind is filled with questions about tuition, financial aid, location, prerequisites and degree requirements. But before you get any further, you may want to consider one of the most promising and emergent offerings of today's educational system: an education degree online. 
The Proliferation of Online Education Programs Since the first higher education schools started offering online classes in the mid 1990s, the industry has grown to include the vast majority of nonprofit and for-profit 2- and 4-year institutions. In 2001, over 80 percent of higher education institutions offered online courses,* and in 2006, the number had jumped to 96 percent.* The number of online education options is certain to continue increasing as more traditional universities start offering programs online and more for-profit colleges proliferate online learning across disciplines. Despite the prevalence of online education programs, you may still have questions about their acceptance in the field of academia. Does an online teaching degree bring the same esteem and opportunity as a degree from a traditional school? How does the learning environment compare? See below for answers to these questions and more as you learn more about pursuing your education degree online. How much do online education programs cost? Online students can expect to pay about the same $100 to $300 per-credit tuition as their on-campus counterparts. Public universities offer their online courses for an average of $110 to $170 per credit, while some for-profit schools charge more. Many purely online institutions, such as the University of Phoenix and Kaplan University, offer shorter programs in addition to regular online teaching degrees for those who have less time or money to spend on the venture. Expect to pay the same application, registration and enrollment fees that on-campus students pay. You will also need to purchase course materials and textbooks for the majority of your classes. Many online instructors offer much of their curriculum online; however, textbooks are still central to the learning process for those getting their education degrees online. An often overlooked fact is that online students have access to many of the same financial aid and scholarship opportunities that on-campus students have. They are also eligible for special funds dedicated to distance learning. If you are interested in pursuing your education degree online, be sure to explore your financing options with your college of choice, as well as from outside sources.
What is the admission process like? Admissions for online education programs are nearly identical to those at typical universities. Acceptance to an online teaching degree program through a state university generally require the same test scores, achievements and application process as acceptance to a similar on-campus program. Likewise, at for-profit institutions, admission processes may be harder or easier depending on the school's standards and reputation. For more information about admissions at a particular school, simply locate the school in our comprehensive school database and request information. What does a typical online teaching program look like? From beginning to end, the course requirements for an online teaching degree differ very little, if at all, from that school's traditional degree requirements. The same prerequisites, courses, tests and student-teaching component are utilized to give you the most complete learning experience possible. Each class follows the same general curriculum as the on-campus version, but assignments are turned in via email, discussions take place on secure class websites, and tests are often replaced with additional assignments or written reports. The identical nature of these programs has served to give them a high standing in the eyes of employers. In fact, many employers value applicants with credentials from well-known online institutions over lesser-known schools. As long as the school you attend is accredited, your degree will be fully legitimate. Because of the greater freedom inherent in online education programs, people whose schedules and responsibilities would once have kept them from pursuing a teacher education have been graduating from these accredited institutions in greater numbers than ever before. Is there support from professors and administration? Potential distance education students often worry about the amount of attention they will receive both from their professors and from the school administration. If you are concerned about having regular meetings with an academic advisor, rest assured that students in an online education program have access to the same amount of guidance that on-campus students do. In fact, you will probably find that communicating with campus administrators and advisors is vital as you work toward your goal of earning an online teaching degree.
How are online teaching degree schedules determined? There are two kinds of online classes offered today: synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous classes have predetermined starting and ending dates and they often utilize class involvement by following a typical quarter or semester schedule. Assignments are due at set times and class discussions (via email, forum or online chat) often play an important role in the class. Asynchronous classes are self-paced. Students taking asynchronous courses can fit classes into hectic schedules by allowing themselves more time to finish, or they can work at an accelerated pace to complete the program more quickly. For more information on how long it typically takes to complete your education degree online, see our teaching degree programs overview. What kind of technology do I need at home? At a basic level, all you need is a computer with a high speed internet connection and an email account (often provided by the university) in order to get your entire education degree online. However, some courses require the ability to use instant messaging, video streaming or conferencing software. Most schools also require you to use Microsoft Office or similar software to complete assignments. However, it's important to keep in mind that these technical requirements are not very different from what a student in an on-campus program would use as well. And online teaching degree students receive detailed instructions (through short classes and/or online tutorials) about setting up their computers prior to starting their program. In addition, private technical support lines are often open 24 hours a day to field questions and give technical advice. Will I still need to make campus visits or go in for tests? Campus visits are rarely required for those getting their education degree online. Some classes may still require students to attend proctored examinations on campus. However, as more students participate in online degree programs, many of those teachers are now offering secure, online testing options, or at the least, approving multiple locations for test taking. Generally, online classes—and especially online degree programs—are offered independently from the on-campus learning component. For the particulars of your program, search our list of accredited online education programs and request information from your school of choice. If you are interested in pursuing an education degree online, you are in for a rigorous and enriching experience. Get started today by narrowing down your list of potential online education programs in our extensive school database and request information from the teacher education schools of your choice. Related Article:
*Sources: National Center for Education Statistics
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