2020 Best Online Education Degrees

Established in 1863, Kansas State University is a research university located in Manhattan, Kansas. The institution offers an online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education/Unified Teaching License. Students learn the latest methods in caring for children from birth to kindergarten, and the curriculum also covers techniques for helping children with special needs and developmental disabilities. Coursework is completed online, and students also participate in a real-world teaching experience in a school in their locality; instructors watch the students in real-time via live video and provide feedback and evaluation. Graduates are eligible to apply for teaching licensure in the state of Kansas. K-State also offers an online Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies that combines classroom instruction with an internship, and students can personalize the degree with electives such as global education, museum and nonprofit education, outdoor education, religious education, and social justice education.  Another option is an online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education that features a field experience like that of the BS in Early Childhood Education. All of the programs are available entirely online and require 120 credits for completion. Up to 60 credits can be completed at a local community college. Learning at KSU is asynchronous, and coursework is delivered via the Canvas online learning management service. Kansas residents and non-residents who are 21 and under must complete the Kansas pre-college curriculum prior to admission. Residents must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0, and non-residents must earn a minimum of 2.5. SAT/ACT scores are also required.

Southern Illinois University’s School of Information Systems and Applied Technologies offers a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Management/Education. This program is specifically designed for working hygienists who already have an associate degree and would like to work in dental hygiene education or management. Students in the program study theories, styles, techniques, and various approaches to the field of dental hygiene. An internship or research project is required, related to either dental hygiene or management. SIU also offers a BS in Radiologic Sciences Management/Education, which gives working professionals the training and skills needed to obtain a teaching or managerial position. An internship or research project is required. Both degrees can be completed entirely online. They require 120 credits, including 31 in management/education coursework. A Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education and Development is also available to anyone who is qualified for post-secondary education and has at least two years’ experience working in an occupational specialty or career field. Students can choose to study part-time or full time, and the program can be completed in as little as one year. Distance learners at SIU have access to writing assistance, research help, and career development. Transfer students to SIU must have at least 26 transferable credits and a minimum GPA of 2.0. Official transcripts are required from each college the student attended, along with an essay or personal statement. An admissions interview may also be required.

Founded in 1861, SUNY Oswego has campuses in both Oswego and Syracuse. The university offers an online Bachelor of Science in Career and Technical Education. The completion degree is designed for those who have technical or vocational experience and would like to teach such skills in community colleges, technical colleges, high schools, trade schools, adult continuing education, or industry. The degree is available with five different tracks: agricultural education grades 7-12, family & consumer sciences education grades 7-12, health career education grades 7-12, technical education grades 7-12, and trade education grades 7-12. Each specialization requires 36 credits towards the completion of the degree. Both part- and full-time study options are available, and all courses begin on the first day of the semester. Learning is asynchronous, so students can log on and study when and where it is convenient for them. Each course is 15 weeks in the fall and spring semesters and 3, 6, or 12 weeks during the summer. Coursework is delivered via the Blackboard online learning management system. This system incorporates the ability to receive and submit assignments, take quizzes and tests, participate in discussions, and interact with peers and instructors. The university ships textbooks to students who are distance learners. Applicants to SUNY Oswego must submit high school or college transcripts as well as SAT/ACT scores. A recommendation, essay, and information about activities are also required. Transfer students are those who have at least 12 college credits that can be applied to a program at the university.

Wayland Baptist University is a Christian university based in Plainview, Texas. An online Bachelor of Applied Science is available with ten different majors, including one in career and technology education and one in early childhood development. The degree is designed for those who have occupational training through work or the military, or who already have technical certifications. It is an inverted program, allowing students to apply coursework, training, and work experience as credit toward an associate degree, and the associate degree can then be applied toward the BAS. There are no on-campus requirements; the program can be completed fully online. A total of 124 credits are needed to complete the degree; the major makes up 36 credits, with an 18-credit core and an 18-credit specialization. Coursework is delivered via the Blackboard Academic Suite, and students interact with peers and instructors through email, discussion boards, and real-time classrooms. Blackboard supports the receiving and submittal of assignments, class discussions, audio and video material, quizzes and tests, and more. First-year students applying at WBU must provide SAT/ACT scores along with official transcripts from a high school that indicate completion of two years of math, sciences, and social sciences, as well as three years of English. Applicants over 22 may have to take additional tests. Credit can be awarded based on ACT/SAT scores.

Tennessee State University, located in Nashville, offers several online bachelor’s degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in teaching and learning. The program is designed for working adults who already have an associate degree or have completed at least some college-level courses. Students can speak with a counselor to see which previously-earned credits can be transferred. A total of 120 credits are required to complete the degree; at least 30 must be earned at TSU, and at least 45 must be at the 3000-4000 level. Students can take no more than 24 semester hours in business courses. Adult distance learners have access to such student support services as career development, counseling services, technical support, online academic support, online library resources, and test site assistance. TSU is the largest historically black university in Tennessee. It is also part of the Common Black College Application, which allows users to apply to over 50 historically black colleges and universities at the same time for one flat fee of $35. Applicants to the degree program must submit official high school transcripts and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Those with a GPA of 3.2 or higher are automatically admitted. ACT or SAT scores are required of all first-year students who are under 21 years of age. Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 from all college coursework, and they must submit high school transcripts if they have not earned the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree.

Oregon State University (OSU) offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies with a Pre-Education concentration. The online degree programs can prepare students to pursue a teacher certification program in elementary education. They require the completion of 180 quarter hours (120 semester hours) in general education and interdisciplinary coursework in the major. Students in the programs tailor their curriculum to include classes in child development, history, fine arts, elementary mathematics, and children’s literature. OSU offers four start dates each year, and courses are delivered in four 11-week terms. Students access and complete coursework through Canvas, the university’s virtual learning platform. OSU reviews potential first-year applicants with a holistic approach, considering the applicant’s high school curriculum, academic performance, SAT or ACT score, and resume. Applicants transferring from an accredited college or university must have completed 24 quarter hours (16 semester hours). The high school or college GPA requirements depend on the number of college-level credits earned upon application to OSU. Support services for distance learners include remote success coaching, tutoring, access to library resources, and the online OSU Learning Center.

The Bachelor of Science in Education in Library Science at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is designed to prepare students for work in a public, academic, or private library. This 120-credit hour online program offers start dates in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Students complete coursework in areas that include children’s literature, digital environments, managing information resources, and leadership and management. Coursework is completed online through the Canvas learning management system, and students can also video conference with classmates and professors through Zoom. Prospective students to the online education degree program must either rank in the top half of their graduating high school class or meet established GPA, SAT, or ACT minimums. Students are provided a number of support services, including access to the online library resources and tutoring. Technical assistance is available through the Help Desk during weekday business hours or also through Canvas technical support 24/7.

The Bachelor of Educational Studies at the University of Missouri is an interdisciplinary program instructing students in the fundamentals of the discipline and its application in two available areas of interest, Educational Leadership and Policy, and Games and Simulations for Learning, Design, and Development. Graduation requires 120 credit hours, including general education courses, 24 courses in the education core and the concentration area, and the completion of a capstone project. First-year applicants or transfer students with less than 24 college-level credit hours are required to submit an ACT or SAT score report and a high school transcript. Transfer students must submit an official transcript demonstrating the completion of 24 or more credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Students admitted to the online education degree program can choose to enroll in semester-based courses offered in the fall, spring, and summer, or self-paced courses. Students enrolled in self-paced classes complete coursework independently and are provided six weeks to six months to finish. Semester-based courses may be delivered synchronously or asynchronously, with no set login times. The university offers assistance by email and phone in resolving technical difficulties, and online learners are provided a number of academic support services, including online tutoring.

Students who are pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program at Brenau University graduate with the education, knowledge, and experience necessary to be certified to teach elementary-aged children. The 120-credit hour curriculum includes instruction in foundations and modern theories and techniques in education, developmental psychology, classroom and behavior management, diverse learners, and technology in the classroom. Students also gain hands-on experience through a semester-long student teaching internship in an elementary classroom. Coursework is completed in accelerated seven-week terms in Canvas, the university’s online learning platform. The program encourages a high level of interaction among students and professors through virtual group assignments and class enrollment capped at 20 students. Prospective students must submit an official transcript demonstrating a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in either high school or college-level coursework. Graduates of the program are eligible for certification to teach grades pre-K through 5 by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

The University of Georgia offers an online Bachelor of Science in Special Education designed to prepare graduates for licensure in teaching students in grades preschool through 12. Prospective students must have completed at least 60 credit hours of transferable coursework at an accredited college or university to be considered for admission. The full-time program requires the completion of 121 credit hours, which is typically achieved in two academic years or five semesters. Students are instructed in coursework in teaching pedagogy, assessment, behavioral management, and assistive technology and acquire hands-on learning through field experiences and a semester-long student teaching internship. Applicants must submit an official transcript demonstrating the completion of 60 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.8. Applicants must also satisfy the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) Program Admission Assessment by test or exemption and the GACE Educator Ethics Entry Assessment. Distance learners are supported through access to online academic advising, career services, and library resources.

Old Dominion University offers a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education designed for students with an associate degree or prior college credit. Both degree programs instruct students in teaching pedagogy and best practices specific to their area of concentration, in addition to classroom and behavior management, assessment, and assistive technology. The curricula also include a student teaching internship. Students must complete at least 30 credit hours of required coursework at Old Dominion, and graduation requires the completion of 120 credit hours total. Students pursuing either of the online bachelor’s degrees in education complete coursework through Blackboard. Course content and assignments include discussion board posts and responses, live classes, and virtual one-on-one meetings with professors. Online students have access to 24/7 tech support. Students who have completed an associate degree within the Virginia Community College System are offered guaranteed admission into Old Dominion University.

Eastern New Mexico University offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Physical Education in Sports and Recreation Management and a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science (BAAS) in Career and Technical Education. Both online degree programs require the completion of 120 credit hours and are typically completed in four years. Students pursuing the Physical Education Degree complete coursework in health and wellness, sports management, and sport finance, and participate in an applied internship in the field. The BAAS curriculum includes instruction in instructional facility design, teaching methods, curriculum development, and special education. Course content is accessed and completed online through the Blackboard virtual learning platform. Students view recorded lectures and complete coursework at their own convenience with no required login times. Applicants to the BAAS must submit a transcript demonstrating the completion of an Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences degree or a significant number of credit hours in a career-technical discipline. Online learners are provided access to online tutoring and library resources and databases.

The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education at Troy University is a degree completion program designed for students transferring with an associate degree. Students learn to work with adult learners in a variety of settings and contexts, including workforce development, continuing education, and military education. Students gain expertise in developing and delivering instructional programs through coursework in assessment, educational psychology, instructional program design, curriculum development, and educational leadership. Students use the Canvas online learning platform in accessing course content, including discussion posts, quizzes, writing assignments, and virtual conferencing. Prospective students are required to have completed an associate degree from an accredited college to be eligible for admission to the program. Students may be eligible to apply military or professional credentials or certificates in substitution of credit hours to accelerate their degree at the discretion of the department or university. Distance learners at Troy have access to library resources and tutoring online, and tech support is available 24/7.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Education Sciences at the University of Florida have a number of concentration areas to tailor their education to their academic and career goals. The degree is a non-licensing education program and does not lead to a teaching certificate following graduation. Students can choose to focus their education in Education Technology, Disabilities in Society, Educational Psychology and Research, Schools, Society and Policy, or General Studies. The core curriculum of the 120-credit hour program includes coursework in educational psychology, technology in education, research in the discipline, and educational theories, practices, and policies, in addition to advanced concentration area content. Students log in to the online learning platform at specific times for weekly scheduled lectures and participate in class discussions and virtual one-on-one meetings with professors. Students are admitted three times a year, in August, January, and May, and students are required to submit an official transcript for admission consideration. 24/7 Help Desk support is available to online students experiencing difficulties in accessing course content.

The online Bachelor of Science in Adult and Career Education at Indiana State University is a degree completion program designed for transfer students who may tailor their undergraduate education to best suit their professional and academic ambitions. Students receive general instruction in the fundamental skills sought after by employers and develop a plan of study in coordination with an advisor unique to their interests and goals. The 42-credit hour curriculum includes coursework in leadership, organizational problem solving, communication, and critical thinking, in addition to classes in the student’s concentration. Course content and assignments are delivered online in accelerated, eight-week terms. Applicants to the online adult career education program are required to submit an official transcript demonstrating completion of at least 60 credit hours from an accredited college. Credit may be substituted with prior learning experiences at the discretion of the department or university, including military training, proficiency exams, and work experiences. Indiana State University provides online learners access to the Student Services Concierge, online math and writing centers, and the online career center.

The University of Louisiana Monroe offers an online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education for grades 1 to 5. The program curriculum includes general studies, teaching methods and theories, content studies (Math, Social Studies, Science, etc.), integrative courses, and field experiences. The overall degree is 120-125 credits, with 57 in the major. Classes are delivered in 8-week sessions. Courses in the program include Classroom Behavior and Instructional Management, Assessment Principles and Practice, and Music Education for the Lower Grades.  First-year student admission requires a diploma, minimum 2.0 GPA, and ACT or SAT scores. Transfer students should have a minimum 2.0 GPA; the transfer policy is generous, as is the assessment for prior experience. Distance learners have access to a free online homework application that allows them to keep track of homework assignments and set alarms and reminders. Online coursework is delivered through the Moodle learning management system, which offers 24/7 access and collaboration tools that allow students to communicate with teachers and peers.

The Bachelor of Science in Education Studies at Wilmington University offers students options in tailoring their instruction to best meet their academic and career goals. The program is designed to prepare graduates for employment in non-instructional roles in education through coursework in learning theory, psychology, development, assessment, evaluation, and teaching strategies. Students can choose to focus their education in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education (K-6), Middle-Level Education (Grades 6-8), and Skilled and Technical Sciences, with specialized coursework unique to each track. Students complete 120 to 122 credit hours in seven or 15-week terms facilitated through the university’s online learning platform. The university offers six start dates a year, and applicants are required to submit official transcripts for admission consideration. First-year applicants and transfer students must submit an ACT or SAT score report or complete a placement test before enrolling. Students transferring from an accredited college or university can transfer up to 90 credit hours. Wilmington’s Online Student Navigators are available by chat, email, or phone to answer questions and provide guidance throughout a student’s online learning experience. Students can also access remote advising and tutoring.

Utah State University offers a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Special Education (SE) and a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education (ComDDE). Students complete 120 credit hours of coursework in their field of study in addition to field experiences and internships. Students pursuing the Special Education Degree are educated in strategies and techniques in teaching students with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities, in addition to assessment, behavioral management, and assistive technology. The communicative disorders and deaf education program trains graduates to support and promote the education and progress of students of all ages with difficulties in speaking, hearing, or communicating. Admission to the ComDDE program requires the completion of 45 credit hours of general education and prerequisite coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants to the degree program must complete 40 credit hours of coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students complete online coursework through the USU Canvas learning management system and the MyTech Service Desk provides support for online services 24/7. Students in the online education degree programs also have access to online library resources and online tutoring.

The Bachelor of Science in Technical Education at Ferris State University is an accelerated degree completion program providing students instruction in teaching, career and technical education, and human growth and development. Completion of the program requires 120 credit hours, though the number of courses students are required to take at Ferris State depends on previously earned credits. The degree is designed to be completed in under 18 months, and students begin and end the program in cohorts with an intensive two-week, on-campus term. The curriculum includes field experiences in public schools and a full-time student teaching internship in a vocational or technical program. Admission to the program requires an Associate of Applied Science Degree and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Graduates of the online education degree may obtain an Interim Occupational Certification through the Michigan Department of Education. Completion of the Technical Education Degree does not lead to a teaching certificate in secondary education. Online learners have access to virtual and remote academic support, tutoring, and career services.

The University of South Carolina-Columbia offers two degree completion programs in education: a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education. Graduates of the Elementary Education and Special Education programs are eligible for certification in teaching grades 2 through 6 and special education (K through 12) classes, respectively. The BAEE and BASE curricula instruct students in teaching pedagogy, learning assessment, and classroom management, and both programs include a student teaching internship. The university admits in the fall and spring semesters, and students enrolled full-time can complete their degree in two to three years. Prospective students are required to submit an official transcript demonstrating 36 to 60 credit hours of specific program prerequisites to be considered for admission. Many of the courses required of each online degree program do not require set log in times, allowing students the flexibility to complete assigned coursework at their own convenience. Students are supported in their studies through online tutoring, writing support, and academic success consulting.

Fort Hays State University offers multiple online bachelor’s degrees in early childhood, elementary, and business education, including several programs leading to a Kansas state teaching certificate. Those leading to licensure in their respective disciplines include the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, the Bachelor of Science in Education (Early Childhood Unified), and the Bachelor of Science in Business Education in Business Teaching Licensure. The Business Education program also offers concentrations in Corporate Communication and Talent Development. Required credit hours range from 121 to 132, and students complete coursework in the traditional 16-week semesters in the fall and spring, as well as an eight-week semester in the summer. First-year applicants must submit an official high school transcript and an ACT or SAT score report and are required to complete the Kansas Qualified Admissions Pre-College Curriculum with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Transfer applicants must submit an official college transcript demonstrating a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students pursuing an online education degree access and complete all coursework through Blackboard, the virtual learning platform utilized by Fort Hays. Learning is facilitated through a number of modes, including presentations, projects, discussion boards, labs, and exams. Online learners have access to a number of academic support services, including online tutoring and writing support, career services, and library resources.

The Bachelor of Science in Community Engagement and Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee allows students to concentrate their education in Child Care, Child and Family Services, Community Based Organizations, Policy and Leadership, Community Leadership, or Youth Work. Students in the 120-credit hour program explore the causes and consequences of inequality in schools and urban communities and strategies for addressing and resolving inequalities in addition to advanced coursework in each specialty area. Applicants are required to submit official transcripts, but ACT and SAT scores are not required for admission consideration. All students take placement tests upon admission to the university. Students can use previous professional and technical experience, including military experience and technical degrees, to substitute up to 42 credit hours of required coursework. Online learners access and complete course content through the University of Wisconsin’s virtual learning platform. Students can access tutoring, career services, library resources, and technical support online.

The online Bachelor of Arts in Education in Education Studies at Arizona State University teaches students to work in the field of education outside of the classroom. Students develop an understanding of the role of education in families, communities, and society and gain the knowledge necessary to pursue a career in education administration or policy-making. The program is non-licensing, meaning students do not qualify for a teaching certificate upon completion. The 120-credit hour program includes coursework in the impact of social and economic factors affecting access to education and innovations in improving the quality of education. Students also select a professional track outside of education to complement their studies and gain real-world, hands-on experience through three internships. Instruction in the online degree program is delivered asynchronously, meaning there are no set log in times and students can access and complete coursework by assigned deadlines at their own convenience. Online classes are designed to encourage interaction among students and faculty and professors facilitate learning through a variety of virtual instruction tools. Students are provided a number of virtual support, including online tutoring, access to library resources, and career services. Applicants are required to submit official transcripts and an ACT or SAT score report for admission consideration.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney offers a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Family Advocacy and a Bachelor of Arts in Education in Early Childhood Inclusive. Both degrees require the completion of 120 credit hours, including general education classes, prerequisites and courses specific to the major, and an internship at an early childhood education institution. The Early Childhood Inclusive program also offers concentrations in Birth Through Kindergarten or Age 3 to Grade 3. Online learners access class content and complete coursework through the Canvas learning management system. Zoom is also used for video conferencing professors and peers. The university provides online students with a number of academic support services, including remote access to tutoring and library resources. Tech support is available through the university’s Help Desk during weekday business hours and through Canvas 24/7. Prospective students are required to submit transcripts and ACT or SAT scores for admission consideration. Both the BS and the BA are non-licensing degree programs, meaning neither leads to a teaching certificate.