Online Colleges for Distance Education

Distance Education Online Colleges

Online teachers generally have to meet the same state licensure requirements as those working in a traditional classroom. In most instances, a bachelor's degree in liberal studies or interdisciplinary studies along with a teaching certificate could be enough. However, since virtual platforms present a unique learning environment, online schools could prefer job candidates who have a degree geared toward distance learning. Online distance education degrees are often found at the graduate level. A master's degree in e-learning or distance learning should address the specifics of online teaching. Online distance education programs in curriculum and instruction are also available for those who would like to pursue a career outside of teaching. Finally, a PhD in education could lead to a high-level job in administration or a teaching position at a college or university. Additionally, you should be able to find online graduate degrees available in e-learning through either a master of education, doctor of education or PhD in education.

Individuals with online distance education degrees could go on to work in one of three capacities: as a teacher, administrator or instructional coordinator. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not maintain separate data for online instructors, but the BLS does indicate that teaching jobs for the elementary and secondary levels should increase 13 percent from 2008 to 2018. Secondary school teachers had the highest mean annual wages of these teachers, earning $55,990 in 2010. Education administrators could see slower growth at 8 percent, but they had higher incomes: $89,990 in 2010 at the elementary and secondary levels, according to the BLS. Instructional coordinators, another potential career field, develop curriculum, and could see projected job growth of 23 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the BLS; these professionals earned mean annual wages of $61,270 in 2010. Online distance education programs could also lead to jobs in a number of other occupations, such as those for administrative services managers, human resources specialists, or librarians. Pursuing an online distance education degree could be a way to step out from behind the desk and to the front of the virtual blackboard.

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