Online K-12 Education Degrees

A degree in K-12 education will prepare students to teach at elementary, middle and secondary schools depending on the types of endorsements they
choose to get. While these programs will teach students some great foundational information about education, the majority will be focused on the grade level that the student chooses to teach, helping him or her to gain the skills they’ll need to work within
the needs and developmental levels of students of that age group. Online degree programs will offer students a wide range of degree programs that can meet their personal needs and career goals. Because the programs are done online they can offer a great deal of flexibility and allow students to further their educations without foregoing full time working positions—a big consideration in a time of economic downturn and tight finances.

Students in a K-12 Education program may be able to begin their degrees at the Associate’s level but state laws require that teachers have at least a Bachelor’s degree in their subject area or level in order to get licensure. Associate’s degree programs will, however, prepare students to work as a teaching assistant, and many programs are catered towards particular grade levels and specializations. Bachelor’s degree programs are usually the first step in becoming a licensed teaching professional. Students can expect to take a range of teaching courses as well as courses that relate to their specific field or grade level to ensure they are properly prepared to teach the subject matter. Additionally, those who are already teaching can get career advancement and training through Master’s and Doctoral programs offered online. These programs can often be quite specific in their focus and aim to help teachers expand their knowledge of the subject matter more fully. Of course, there are also programs designed to simply offer certification to those who already hold a Bachelor’s degree as well, providing students with the instruction needed to get state licensure.

In general, there is a favorable outlook for those entering the field of education when it comes to job prospects. In many areas of the country there is a high demand for new teachers, a fact that has resulted in loan forgiveness and incentive programs being offered to lure in new hires. As older teachers begin to retire in large numbers over the next few years, even more positions will open up making even easier to find employment. Students should keep in mind, however, that the ease of finding employment largely rests on where the student is located geographically within the country. Some areas have a huge demand for new teachers as their communities grow rapidly, while others have a much more slow and steady approach to hiring new teachers.