Teaching is a vocation. In many cases, teachers can’t imagine doing anything else. But the first step to becoming a teacher is to get a teacher education degree and teacher certification in your state.
A teacher education degree will give you the following knowledge and skills that are essential for all successful teachers:
- Content knowledge in your area of expertise; specialize in more than one subject if you want to have more job opportunities
- Pedagogy, the effective teaching tools that will make you an effective teacher
- Classroom management techniques
Two important considerations for future teachers:
- Earn a master's degree: Job promotions and higher teacher salaries depend on it. Plus, an advanced degree will increase your job satisfaction.
- Strive for work/life balance: A happy teacher is an effective teacher. Not only do teachers get summers off, but they must also find down time during the school year.
A teacher education degree is your first step to becoming a teacher. For more information on education degrees, see our detailed article on education degrees, including information on early childhood education, elementary education and secondary education, and the teacher certification requirements for each. A satisfying teaching career is waiting for you.
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Online Certification and Advanced Degree Programs for Teachers and Administrators
Online
Grand Canyon University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- M.A. in Teaching - Professional Learning Communities (Online)
- M.Ed. in Secondary Education (Leads to initial teacher licensure) (Online)
Ashford University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- Master of Arts - Teaching & Learning with Technology (Online)
Keiser University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- Master of Science in Education - Teaching & Learning (Online)
- Master of Science in Education - Online Teaching and Learning (Online)
Kaplan University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- Master of Arts in Teaching (for Aspiring Teachers Grades 5-12) (Online)
- Master of Science in Education (for Existing Teachers Grades K-12) (Online)
Western Governors University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- M.A. Teaching (K-8)
- M.A. Teaching --Science (5-9 or 5-12) (Online)
- Post-Baccalaureate in Teacher Preparation - Science (5-9 or 5-12) (Online)
- Post-bacc Teacher Prep Prgm (K-8) (online)
Capella University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- Master of Science in K-12 Studies in Education (for licensed K-12 teachers) (Online)
Saint Joseph's University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- MS in Education of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing w/PA Hearing Impaired K-12 (Online)
- Master of Science in Secondary Education with OATCERT Certification (Online)
- Online Accelerated Teacher Certification (Online)
- Pennsylvania Hearing Impaired K-12 Certification (Online)
Walden University
Campuses: Online
Degrees Offered:
- Teacher Preparation Program with Master of Arts in Teaching (Online)
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"I decided to go to graduate school and earn my Master of Arts in Education because I am inspired by new knowledge. I feel in order to perform my job to the best of my ability, I need to keep up with current practices and trends in the field of education."
- Sara Marvez
-- 6th grade science teacher
"Gaining my Master's degree has earned me respect from administrators and colleagues. Also, my salary has benefited greatly. The cost of graduate school was paid off in only a couple years."
- Thomas Bjornson
-- high school English teacher
"Postgraduate study was a personal goal of mine, and completing my Master's degree has given me a great sense of personal satisfaction. It has also increased my efficiency in the classroom and my marketability in the job market."
- Janet O'Reilly
-- 8th grade social studies teacher
"I found my online courses efficient and friendly. I had a desire to go to graduate school, but I didn't want to go through the nonsense of another undergraduate degree, bumping shoulders with students a third my age who have very little understanding of real life or the benefits of real knowledge. A friend recommended online education and I haven't looked back since.
At the age of 53, I love my job more than ever. I get so much satisfaction knowing that many of my students respect me for what I do as a teacher.
I am able to face any sort of situation that arises in my classroom with complete confidence."
- Jonathan Lloyd
-- high school chemistry teacher
