Today’s education providers and leaders shape the minds of tomorrow’s students. As the education system shifts focus to improving the quality of education while meeting the needs of each student, many teaching professionals expand their own skills and abilities by completing online studies offered through some of the best universities and colleges. Participation in online degree programs provides students with a flexible path to expanding their academic foundation and propelling their goals while maintaining present responsibilities and obligations. Selecting the best school to meet educational, personal, and career goals is often difficult, particularly for students seeking degrees in teaching and education. Here is a list based upon the most reputable, accredited online programs guaranteed to update and advance skills necessary to increase ability and attract new opportunities with the Top 10 Schools For Online Teaching Degrees.
1. Kaplan University
Kaplan University has a long standing history of providing quality education to undergraduate and graduate students since 1937 within a number of disciplines. Students who have completed their undergraduate degree may enroll in online single courses, graduate level certificate, or master’s degree programs – all within education fields. Certificate programs include graduate certificates in: K-12 Educational Leadership, Instructional Design for Organizations, Literacy and Language Teaching, Mathematics Teaching, Online College Teaching, or Teaching With Technology to increase skills and enhance career options. They also may complete graduate level online programs including: Masters of Science in Education, Masters of Arts in Teaching, Master of Science in Higher Education, Master of Science in Education in Instructional Technology, or Master of Science Educational Psychology. As a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, all online programs offered at Kaplan are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offer flexible course scheduling, audio lectures, live seminars, and Power Point presentations in dynamic, distance learning education programs.
For more information on Online Education Programs at Kaplan, go here:
http://online.kaplanuniversity.edu/education/Pages/Schools_Of_Education.aspx
2. Walden University
Walden University was founded as a research institution dedicated to erasing the barriers between working adults and their educational goals. Walden’s specialty is providing students with award winning, unique, and highly personalized education degrees based upon its standard of social change and leadership. Walden’s online education programs include far ranging certificate, bachelor, and master doctoral level studies within a variety of specialties like: Administration Leadership, Educational Leadership, Adult Education, Adult Learning, English as a Second Language, Child Development, Early Childhood Studies, Early Childhood Education, Educational Technology, Nursing Education, College Teaching and Learning, Community Health Promotion and Education, Higher Education, Enrollment Management and Institutional Marketing, Instructional Design and Technology, Professional Development, and Education Specialist programs. Walden’s online programs are accredited through the Higher Learning Commission and the University is also a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
For More Information on Online Education Programs at Walden, go here:
http://www.waldenu.edu/37418.htm
3. Capella Univerity
Teaching professionals gain vital knowledge, enhanced abilities, and refined skills through Capella University’s world renowned online education programs. Featuring the Blackboard Learning System, online students may advance their careers with quality, affordable instruction based upon innovative technologies and information. Capella’s certificate, master’s and doctoral education and teaching programs are ranked as third by the Global Language Monitor and accredited by the North Central Association’s Academic Quality Improvement Program. Online programs include K-12 specialization fields like: Reading and Literacy, Curriculum and Instruction, K-12 Studies in Education, Leadership in Educational Administration, Special Education Leadership, and Special Education Teaching. Graduate level programs at Capella include the following fields: Educational Leadership and Management, Instructional Design for Online Learning, Leadership for Higher Education, Nursing Education, Postsecondary and Adult Education, Professional Studies in Education, Instructional design for Online Learning, Adult Education, Enrollment Management, Higher Education Leadership and Administration, Integrative Studies, and College Teaching. Capella is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and belongs to the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
For More Information on Online Education Programs at Capella, go here:
http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/profession.aspx
4. Liberty University Online
LIberty University Online offers students a level of academic excellence frequently unmatched by other programs. As a private, Christian university, the school promotes spirituality, leadership, and intellect by through some of the highest ranking online degree programs available. Listed fourth by Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges and one of America’s Top Colleges by Forbes, Liberty online is a top match for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Degree options include: Associate of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Science Early Childhood Education in Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor of Science Elementary Education in Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor of Science Special Education in Interdisciplinary Studies, Masters of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education, Masters of Arts in Secondary Education, Masters of Arts in Special Education, Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision, Masters of Education in Program Specialist – Math, Masters of Education in Program Specialist – Reading, Masters of Education in School Counseling, Master of Science Teaching and Learning – Early Childhood, Master of Science Teaching and Learning – Educational Technology and Online Instruction, Master of Science Teaching and Learning – Elementary Education, Master of Science Teaching and Learning – English, Master of Science Teaching and Learning – General Education, Master of Science Teaching and Learning – Gifted, and Master of Science Teaching and Learning – Special Education. All online programs at Liberty are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.
For More Information on Online Education Programs at Liberty, go here:
http://www.luonline.com/index.cfm?PID=14279
6. Northcentral University
Northcentral University is one of the top providers of online education degrees focused upon supporting and cultivating student success. The University features programs from bachelor to doctoral levels with specializations in: Coaching/Adult Learning and Workforce Education, Curriculum and TEaching, Early Childhood education, educational LEadership, E-learning, Learning English as a Second/Other Language, General Education, Global Training and Development, Leadership in Higher Education, Instructional Leadership, International Education, Organizational Leadership, Special Education, and Sports Management. All programs at Northcentral are accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and the college is also a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
For More Information on Online Education Programs at Northcentral, go here:
http://www.ncu.edu/northcentral-programs/schools/education
7. Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University, a non-profit organization founded by the Arizona Southern Baptists, has offered faith based education since 1949. With bachelors and master degree offerings in a number of disciplines, its School of Education is considered among some of the best in the nation. The University has offered future educators the most effective, highest quality programs which meet or surpass state and national standards. Online bachelor level programs include: Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Grades K-8, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Grades K-8, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education (with an emphasis in Business Education, Biology, Chemistry, Math, Physical Education, or Social Studies). Graduate level online programs include: Master of Arts in Teaching (with an emphasis in Professional Learning Communities or Teacher Leadership), Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading (with an emphasis in Elementary Education or Secondary Education), Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Technology, Master of Education in Early Childhood Education, Master of Education in Educational Administration, Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Master of Education in Elementary Education, Master of Education in Secondary Education, Master of Education in special Education for Certified Special Educators, Master of Education in Special Education: Cross-Categorical, or Master of Education in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). All programs at Grand Canyon University are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Arizona State Private Post Secondary Education organization. The University is also a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
For More Information on Online Education Programs at Grand Canyon University, go here:
http://www.gcu.edu/Prospective-Students.php
8. Pennsylvania State University Online
Pennsylvania State University is a nationally recognized institution of higher learning focused upon a tradition of quality education since founding during 1855. With online programs delivering the same standard of academic excellence traditionally known by the University, students enhance their skills and expand their knowledge through offerings in over 70 in-demand disciplines pioneered exclusively by Penn State Online. With certificate and degree programs based in the latest industry trends, Penn State ranks #1 in terms of the most well-rounded and best prepared graduates per surveys conducted by the Wall Street Journal. Penn State online offers the following education programs: Masters of Education in Adult Education, Applied Behavior Analysis, Master of Professional Studies in Art Education, Postbaccalaurate Certification in Autism, Graduate Certificate in Children’s Literature, Master of Education in Children’s Literature, Postbaccalaurate Certificate in Distance Education, Master of Education in Earth Sciences, Master of Education in Educational Leadership- Teacher Leadership, Postbaccalaurate Certificate in Educational Technology Integration, Postbaccalaurate Certificate in Family Literacy, Graduate Certificate in Institutional Research, Master of Education in Educational Technology, Special Education Supervisory Program for PDE Certification, and Ta Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Programs available through Penn State online are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
For More Information on Online Education Programs at Penn State Online, go here:
http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates
9. Kendall College
Kendall College is a Chicago, Illinois, based for profit institution of higher learning founded by seminarians and endorsed by the Scandinavian Conference of the Methodist Church during 1934. Offering progressive certificate and bachelor level online early childhood education program, Kendall is a great match for individuals interested in concentrating studies within online studies in a Bachelor of Arts In Early Childhood Education degree program. Kendall offers undergraduates the ability to specialize training within Special Education, Infant and Toddler, ESL or Bilingual Endorsement, or Childhood Nutrition fields. The College also allows students to earn teaching certification for students who have already completed their bachelor degrees. Kendall has a number of learning formats suited to meet the demands of even the busiest students. As a subsidiary of Laureate Education, Kendall’s programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The College also belongs to the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
For More Information on Online Education Programs at Kendall College, go here:
http://education.kendall.edu/
10. Western Governors University
Western Governors University was founded during 1997 by 19 U.S. governors as a private nonprofit school. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, the exclusively online school quickly grew to an enrollment of 32,000 U.S. and military students as of March 2012. Individuals pursuing online education degrees a unique and flexible distance learning environment accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the Distance Education and Training Council, and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Western Governors Online Teachers College consists of a dedicated faculty with the commitment to delivering a quality degree experience. Degree options for present and aspiring teaching professionals include Bachelor of Arts programs based in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8), Special Education (K-12), Early Childhood Education, Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12), Science (5-9), Chemistry (5-12), Physics (5-12), Biological Sciences (5-12), or Geosciences (5-12). The University also offers instruction in Post Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Programs within programs like Elementary Education (K-8), Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12), Sciences (5-9 or 5-12), or Social Science (5-12). Master’s level Teacher Licensure Programs include Masters of Arts in Teaching within the following specializations: Elementary Education (K-8), Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12), Science (5-9 or 5-12), or Social Science (5-12). Licensed teachers may complete graduate programs within Master of Science degree programs in: Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education (K-12), Educational Leadership, English Language Learning/English as a Second Language (ELL/ESL PreK-12), Science (5-9), Mathematics (K-6, 5-9, or 5-12), Chemistry (5-12), Biological Sciences (5-12), or Geosciences (5-12). The University also offers Master of Education degrees in Instructional Design or Learning and Technology as well as Endorsement Preparation Programs in English Language Learning (ELL/ESL PreK-12) or Educational Leadership.
For More Information on Online Education Programs at Western Governors University, go here:
http://www.wgu.edu/degrees_and_programs
That sums up our list of the top colleges for online teaching degrees for 2012. We hope it helps you make a good decision when choosing the best school to meet your needs as a teaching professional. And please make sure to check back next year for our updated college rankings.
