Accredited Online Secondary Education Degrees

Overview of Online Bachelor's Degrees in Secondary Education

Aspiring teachers can earn a secondary education bachelor's degree entirely through distance education by taking fully online classes. They can even complete practicum and fieldwork requirements at schools near their home. These programs are designed to prepare graduates to work as licensed classroom teachers in middle and high schools.

Teacher candidates study current theories and strategies in education while developing skills to effectively teach and manage their classes. All programs typically require 120 credit hours and are generally structured to be completed in four years of full-time study.

Students who opt for online learning may be able to reduce the cost of their college degree program by eliminating expenses for on-campus housing and transportation. Non-resident students may also benefit from choosing an online program, as many schools' online tuition rates are lower than their out-of-state student tuition rates. Overall, the online colleges on our list have a median annual tuition of $18,972, but this amount can be further reduced by applying for financial aid.

Three Types of Secondary Education Degrees

While a Bachelor of Education degree typically trains prospective educators on how to cover a broad range of subjects, other programs are designed for those who want to teach individual subjects. For example, a Bachelor of Arts could be the best option for those who want to teach language arts, while a Bachelor of Science degree may be more useful for those who want to teach in subjects such as math and science.

Common Courses

The curriculum for bachelor's degrees in secondary education is based on the grade level that future graduates intend to teach. For example, if prospective educators plan to teach middle school, they would typically take courses about how to instruct their students on an array of subjects, such as English, math, and history. By contrast, future high school teachers are more likely to take classes focused on teaching a single content area. All programs, however, include general education classes, foundational courses about pedagogy, and electives in practical teaching methods and skills.

While online secondary education degree programs vary widely at the bachelor's level, they all culminate in several field experience courses, which serve as a program’s capstone. Depending on the program, fieldwork can take several forms: in-class observation, internships, and unpaid student teaching. In addition to these term-length field experiences, some online education courses may require 5-10 practicum hours. The fieldwork component varies because programs are generally designed to meet a school's state licensing requirements.

The following are some typical online courses in secondary education programs.

Careers in Secondary Education

Teaching is the primary career path for students with online degrees in secondary education. In addition to having solid lesson planning and instructional skills, teachers at a secondary school must be adept at active listening and clear verbal communication.

Depending on their state licensing requirements, graduates may qualify to teach one or multiple subject areas at the middle or high school level. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for middle school teachers is $60,810, and the role’s projected growth rate of 7% may result in about 48,400 new jobs each year through 2030. High school teachers earn a slightly higher median salary of $62,870, and this level has more employment opportunities, with 77,400 new openings projected to emerge annually throughout the decade.

Graduates with secondary education credentials can pursue other alternatives besides being a traditional teacher. Some interested in professional development may decide to take on additional training and teach special education or English as a second language. Experienced educators may consider earning an online master's degree in educational leadership so they can take on administrative roles, such as middle or high school principal.

Secondary teachers report having mixed feelings about their occupation. The BLS notes that while many teachers find personal satisfaction in educating young minds, some are frustrated by the working conditions sometimes found in public schools, from overlarge classes to a lack of current tools and resources. The recent pandemic has had a significant impact on teachers, especially regarding how they view their roles. In a 2020 survey of more than 1,000 educators, 46% believed that their work had become more meaningful, and 68% felt the public now placed a greater value on the importance of teachers.

Licensing Requirements

Before enrollment, prospective online students should ensure that the program they choose prepares them to meet all of the requirements in the state where they plan to work — not just the state where the school is located. Each state has unique requirements for teaching licenses. In some states, secondary educators may need teaching certification to teach a single content area or multiple subjects and to teach specific grade levels.

The eligibility requirements to sit for a state's teacher certification exam also vary but may include specifications for college accreditation, number of completed practicum hours, types of fieldwork, teacher certification programs, and more.