A Master's in Online Teaching may seem like a pretty new graduate degree, and that's for good reason: it is. Online education, especially for working professionals, is fast becoming the most popular way of earning a graduate degree in America. It makes sense that the education field would then need to prepare professionals in this area.
If a professional wishes to become an online educator, the best way to do that is through, ironically, an online degree program, such as the ones listed below. These programs provide a freedom that traditional schools can't; students most often choose when and how they study. And with online programs becoming more affordable than traditional programs, professionals are starting to see that online teaching programs are a great alternative to a campus-based program.
Most Affordable Master's in Online Teaching Online
Methodology
Research conducted for this ranking was made possible by the use of the National Center for Education Statistics. Using the College Navigator database, schools were considered based on their degree offerings. From an initial pool of 180 schools, 10 were ultimately chosen based on in-state graduate tuition rates. These are listed below.
Explore these promoted online degree programs.
These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.
Ranking Low-cost Online Teaching Master's
Frequently Asked Questions
What are My Career Options for an Online Master's in Online Teaching Degree?
An online Master's in Online Teaching is a versatile degree that can lead to various career options. Most students think that working as a college instructor or as a GED online teacher are the only pathways, but the truth is far more freeing than that. With the Internet playing such a large role in Americans lives, it has become clear that online education will develop in all sorts of sectors and industries, not just education.
Online teaching professionals can work as teachers and instructors in P-12 schools, colleges, and universities. They can also work as a school's technology coordinator or consultant; this is possible because they hold a graduate degree that has seen them work with technology enough to provide the expertise needed.
These professionals can also work in education but outside of the traditional classroom. For example, a person with this degree can choose to become a course developer, instructional designer, or curriculum coordinator for businesses and professional organizations that utilize professional education programs to help their employees advance to new positions. They may also work as evaluators for licensing and credentialing bodies, ensuring that online coursework and examinations leading to a fair assessment of an applicant's knowledge.
It is also possible to work for the military and business sectors as a professional developer. This sees professionals work alongside industry professionals, military members, and the government to develop new educational programs that will help their employees become better prepared for any new issues and concerns that may emerge in the near future. It's an incredible opportunity for any online educator to move into creating and implementing their programs.
How Much Can You Earn in this Field?
The average salary range for a professional with an online Master's in Online Teaching ranges between $40,000 to $75,000. This range includes positions that require additional or professional training apart from a graduate education, the area of America in which employees work, freelance and contract work, and varying levels of work experience.
Online teachers who work as teachers in the school system typically make around $40,000 a year, depending on the cost-of-living in their area. College and university professors who also work as online teachers make between $75,000 to $90,000 a year. It is important to remember that only professors make this much money; online teachers who do not work as full-time professors tend to make freelance wages based on how many courses they are teaching. This can range from $1,500 to $2,000 a course.
Teachers and instructors who work outside of the educational field often work in business. They make around $60,000 to $75,000, depending on whether they are an online instructor or a manager of a full professional educational program. Salaries can also fluctuate depending on a professional's expertise in the particular field that they are teaching.
What are the Various Disciplines of Online Teaching?
Online teaching encompasses some very specific disciplines which find themselves under the main discipline of education. Curriculum and instruction, literacy, psychology, sociology, the design of an educational program, and educational research are all found under education. They are extremely important to education overall, but take center stage in the field.
Technology is the other major discipline in online teaching. As new technologies emerge that make it easier for people to learn various skills and concepts online, understanding computer science, educational technology, information technology, programming, virtual classrooms, the psychology of the online learner, and more is becoming critical. Everything from virtual portals to how e-textbooks are designed is influenced by the technology available to the online teachers who utilize them.
There are other disciplines as well, such as leadership, adult education, professional education, business, cognition, memory, and more. Each one plays a small but important role in designing and implementing online curriculums and study plans.
Is a Teaching License Required for Online Educators?
A teaching license is not required for all online educator positions. To work in a P-12 school, college, or university in the United States, educators are required to hold licensure within their state. This is mandated by law, so for professionals who would like to work as distance education or online teachers, this is a necessary step.
For professionals who work in the business or government industries as professional education trainers, teaching licenses are not important. This is because teaching licenses are meant for those working in schools, not those who work in adult professional settings.
Online trainers who work with adults on a one-to-one basis also do not require teaching licensure. They are considered tutors who perform their duties through the internet. Again, because they do not work for or at a school, teaching licensure is not required.
There are certifications and credentials that a professional can earn in order to work in various settings, such as healthcare or business, but these too are voluntary. They can be a great help to those who wish to advance rapidly, but as of now, they are simply used as a way to distinguish well-prepared candidates who adhere to a professional organization's guidelines from their non-credentialed peers.
Online teaching is the way of the future. With more employers encouraging their employees to study while working full-time, it has become necessary to prepare more educators for this brand new way of continuing a working professional's education. A Master's in Online Teaching can help pave the way for any educator to either expand their opportunities or advance in their current career; the only thing they need to do is apply for a program.
