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The demand for teachers in the next decade is expected to create a need for over 479,000 new teachers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) employment of school teachers is expected to grow by 12 percent between 2006 and 2016. This high growth is funneled by the last of the baby boomer generations’ children attending school and the high number of teachers expected to retire in the coming years. With this high demand for new teachers, online teaching degrees will help fill the need for newly trained teachers by offering e-learning programs that are fast, flexible and convenient. With more and more universities and colleges educating students online every year, why not hop into the growing medium by earning your education degree online as well?
Obtaining Your Teaching Degree Online
E-learning most often involves asynchronous coursework, where the material is accessible online 24/7 for the student to review. The lessons take on many different forms: downloads to read, videos to watch, internet links to follow to retrieve materials, online chat forums, reading online journals and articles, and finally writing up assignments, lesson plans and papers to email to the professor for review.
Many new technologies are readily adaptable to online learning, alone or in combination, such as Flash animation, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocols) and Virtual Classrooms. These new technologies create an advantageous learning environment that will put online learners a step ahead of their less-computer savvy fellow students from traditional schools.
The online easy access of materials also makes it convenient for students to study at any school they choose, at a time designed to fit their own personal schedules, accommodating full-time jobs, parenting, or both. 
Nearly 50% of all colleges and universities now offer online learning, in addition to the many excellent online universities, making choice and variety in coursework more available than ever before. With no buildings to maintain or utilities to pay, this makes e-learning universities an affordable option for everyone, from single students living at home on up to working parents with mortgages and families.
Required Teaching Credentials
Almost all states require a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification in basic competencies; reading, writing, math and teaching. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education currently accredits over 550 programs across the US. States differ in their certification requirements. It is important to verify the online program you choose can provide the certification in the state you want to work in. While studying online, it is possible to obtain a teaching certificate, even if the bachelor’s degree is in a subject other than education, as long as the certification is passed.
Many states have programs to allow quick certification to fill emergency needs in teacher shortage areas, such as math or science, and to attract recent college graduates to switch careers and join the teaching field. Coursework generally consists only of the classes they are lacking to become certified, which makes the switch to a new field quick and easy. Many e-learning programs are geared to give students credit for past studies and possibly life/work experience. This facilitates earning a teaching degree much quicker. Many online students choose this option to get their teaching degrees.
Teachers may be licensed to teach early childhood programs (pre-k through 3rd grade); elementary grades (grades 1 through 6 or 8, depending on district); a secondary-education subject area (grades 7 to 12) or a specialized area, such as reading or music (usually all grade levels).
Student teaching experience is a requirement of certification, even for on-line learning programs. Some education degrees require up to 900 hours of student teaching in a classroom setting. Many institutions now offer student teaching assignments as soon as possible to better integrate the teaching candidates into the field while they are studying, allowing the students to view schools directly from the teacher’s perspective. Online schools, which may be across country from the student, work with schools in the student’s area to complete the student teaching component wherever possible.
All students also must exhibit proficiency in their chosen subject, such as biology, math, reading, elementary Ed or physical education. Elementary school teacher credentials are usually a generalist or broad spectrum of knowledge, enabling them to teach a variety of subjects. Middle and secondary school teacher specialize in a specific subject area, like Spanish, Chemistry, History or Math. 
They can do this by majoring in the subject they want to take and completing the education coursework in addition, or majoring in education, and taking the subject coursework in their specialized area. School systems may also require teachers to pass performance evaluations over an extended period of time. Many states have reciprocity agreements with other states that allow teachers to become licensed in another state.
Some states require Master’s degrees to be obtained within a certain period of time for teacher certification. New York State requires teacher’s to earn a Master’s within 5 years to get their full state certification. Private school certification requirements differ by school and may or may not be the same as the state requirements of the district the school resides in. Because they are not regulated by the government, they can set their own teaching requirements.
Vocational teachers have many of the same academic requirements, depending on the state criteria for vocational teachers. In some states, knowledge and experience in the vocational field will substitute for a degree, provided they can demonstrate expertise in their field. In many states, field experience in the industry is required to become a vocational teacher, along with a bachelor’s degree.
Types of Online Teaching Degrees
Early Childhood Education Degree Online
The BLS documents over 437,000 preschool and 170,000 kindergarten teachers in 2006, with demand growing by over 50,000 in the coming years. Early childhood education (ECE) program allow students to pursue a career in daycare centers, public pre-k programs, kindergartens, religious schools and special needs programs Students may also qualify for positions in administration, technology and library studies. Typically, higher degrees will require students to have ECE experience.
Elementary Education Degree Online
All teachers are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree to teach. Elementary Education degrees give students the best depth of knowledge of the teaching students, but it is possible to teach with a bachelor’s degree in another subject by getting a teaching certificate. There are over 1.5 million elementary Ed teachers in the US, according to the BLS, and job growth should create a demand for 150,000 more in the next ten years. Elementary Ed degrees are offered at the bachelor’s, post-baccalaureate, and master’s level. Many programs offer subject matter specializations in reading, math, music, foreign language or physical education. While this degree is designed for prospective teachers, it may also lead students to careers in administration, guidance counseling or special education.
High School/Secondary Teaching Degree Online
High school teachers have a particular ability to shape young lives as they work with budding adults in their teenage years. There were over 1.1 million secondary school teachers in 2006, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a need for more than 100,000 more by 2016. Students earning a high school teaching degree will need to pick an area of specialization, in the sciences with Biology, Chemistry or Physics, in History, Spanish, English or Mathematics. High school technology teachers usually also have to demonstrate a work history in their fields for certification. There are also many certificate programs that allow students to get certified in their areas of specialization in only 1 or 2 years. Certificates are much easier to achieve now then in past, due to the shortage of high school teachers in many high growth and urban areas of the country. This option is especially popular for older adults, who switch careers to teach after many years in the business community.
Special Education Degree Online
The US BLS predicts the growth of the number of jobs for special education teachers will be over 15% in the coming decade; well ahead of the general population. Education requirements for students, an increase in the diagnosis of special education needs and laws pertaining to the methods of educating disabled students have all funneled this growth. Additionally, many special education teachers switch to general education positions, creating an even higher demand for new special Ed teachers. Most states require a Master’s in Special Education for certification as a special Ed teacher.
Master’s in Education Degree Online
Earning a Master’s in Education is viable option for current teacher’s and students holding a bachelor’s in another subject. While the coursework is more theoretical, the flexibility of studying at your own pace means you can earn a degree is less than the 2 years typically required at traditional schools.
Learn more about the following schools with online programs for teachers:
Early Childhood (Undergraduate)
Elementary (Undergraduate)
Secondary (Undergraduate)
Master's/Graduate Programs
Teacher's Aide
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