Compare Popular Online English Education Programs
Teaching English
To teach English to middle or high school students, you'll need to complete a bachelor’s degree in English education. After finishing the program and obtaining any required state certification, you can teach English or language arts from grades six to twelve. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), high school teaching jobs are expected to decline by 1% between 2023 and 2033. However, there will still be some options and job openings wherever there are schools due to retirements and people leaving the field or moving into higher education.
The name of the degree varies by school. Some offer a double major in English and education, while others provide an accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program that can be completed in five years. English education degrees can be a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, depending on whether they are awarded by the English or Education department.
Possible courses in these programs include the following:
- Creative Writing
- Technical Writing
- Literature - Shakespeare, British, American, etc.
- Educational Psychology
- Teaching Techniques and Pedagogy
- Student Teaching
- And More
Prospective teachers may learn their craft with the career objectives of teaching in high school or college, but those who complete an English education program may also find themselves working as writers of many kinds (including in technical and professional writing, science writing, business writing, etc.), as public relations experts, as professional education administrators, and more. Their subject matter competency can give them experience that prepares them for more than just teaching.
PROS
A bachelor’s degree from an English education program is an excellent degree to earn if you know you want to teach English or Language Arts. These classes are part of the standard curriculum, and demand should remain steady. English teacher salaries vary by state and region, but the job provides good benefits and summer vacations. English majors and teachers usually like to write, and the degree does transfer to other positions requiring good grammar, writing, and editing as mentioned before. These include technical writer and public relations specialist.
CONS
The primary con regarding this degree is that it’s somewhat limiting. The student may have to take additional classes or certifications to teach other subjects or at a different level if the degree focus is English and not education. While many people with this degree go on to earn graduate degrees for career enhancement, there are not a lot of jobs outside of teaching for someone who does not want to pursue further education, especially if you did not complete a full degree program in English.
Top 25 Best Online Bachelors in English Education Programs
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Score: 84.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,488
- Out-of-State:$36,402
- Net Price: $16,018
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 54,955
- Undergrad Students: 39,248
- Graduate Students: 15,707
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Central Florida
Score: 79.22
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,368
- Out-of-State:$22,467
- Net Price: $13,108
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 68,346
- Undergrad Students: 58,662
- Graduate Students: 9,684
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 29:1
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Score: 78.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,570
- Out-of-State:$35,396
- Net Price: $17,240
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 17,153
- Undergrad Students: 12,389
- Graduate Students: 4,764
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Florida International University
Score: 78.31
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State:$18,963
- Net Price: $9,881
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 55,609
- Undergrad Students: 45,688
- Graduate Students: 9,921
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Arizona State University
Score: 76.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,051
- Out-of-State:$32,193
- Net Price: $14,808
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 80,065
- Undergrad Students: 65,492
- Graduate Students: 14,573
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Louisiana Tech University
Score: 75.76
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,125
- Out-of-State:$16,866
- Net Price: $12,243
- Acceptance Rate: 62%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 10,839
- Undergrad Students: 9,924
- Graduate Students: 915
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
Washington State University
Score: 75.6
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,997
- Out-of-State:$29,073
- Net Price: $17,911
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 27,539
- Undergrad Students: 22,612
- Graduate Students: 4,927
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Missouri-Columbia
Score: 75.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,130
- Out-of-State:$34,338
- Net Price: $19,889
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 31,304
- Undergrad Students: 23,745
- Graduate Students: 7,559
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Score: 74.98
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,688
- Out-of-State:$34,934
- Net Price: $22,427
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 35,653
- Undergrad Students: 27,343
- Graduate Students: 8,310
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Texas Tech University
Score: 74.29
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,852
- Out-of-State:$24,451
- Net Price: $17,896
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 40,378
- Undergrad Students: 32,579
- Graduate Students: 7,799
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
American Public University System
Score: 74.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,400
- Out-of-State:$8,400
- Net Price: $11,172
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 48,668
- Undergrad Students: 39,206
- Graduate Students: 9,462
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
University of Illinois Springfield
Score: 74.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,252
- Out-of-State:$22,017
- Net Price: $11,733
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 4,198
- Undergrad Students: 2,393
- Graduate Students: 1,805
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Score: 74.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,026
- Out-of-State:$22,626
- Net Price: $13,025
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 11,306
- Undergrad Students: 7,383
- Graduate Students: 3,923
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
University of Minnesota-Crookston
Score: 73.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,120
- Out-of-State:$13,120
- Net Price: $12,894
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 2,303
- Undergrad Students: 2,303
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Score: 72.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,166
- Out-of-State:$27,166
- Net Price: $26,757
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 9,959
- Undergrad Students: 5,809
- Graduate Students: 4,150
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Louisiana State University
Score: 72.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,954
- Out-of-State:$28,631
- Net Price: $21,296
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 37,348
- Undergrad Students: 30,952
- Graduate Students: 6,396
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Central Washington University
Score: 70.17
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,192
- Out-of-State:$26,771
- Net Price: $15,864
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 9,257
- Undergrad Students: 8,743
- Graduate Students: 514
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Indiana University-East
Score: 69.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State:$22,043
- Net Price: $8,837
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 3,039
- Undergrad Students: 2,786
- Graduate Students: 253
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Texas State University
Score: 69.29
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,450
- Out-of-State:$23,210
- Net Price: $14,120
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 38,171
- Undergrad Students: 33,834
- Graduate Students: 4,337
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
Score: 69.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,208
- Out-of-State:$31,750
- Net Price: $19,700
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 7,457
- Undergrad Students: 5,517
- Graduate Students: 1,940
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Heritage University
Score: 69.05
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,920
- Out-of-State:$19,920
- Net Price: $7,841
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 853
- Undergrad Students: 796
- Graduate Students: 57
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
East Tennessee State University
Score: 68.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,950
- Out-of-State:$13,790
- Net Price: $14,350
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 13,483
- Undergrad Students: 10,554
- Graduate Students: 2,929
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Colorado Denver
Score: 68.93
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,017
- Out-of-State:$28,209
- Net Price: $16,079
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 23,744
- Undergrad Students: 14,055
- Graduate Students: 9,689
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Bowling Green State University
Score: 68.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,081
- Out-of-State:$22,070
- Net Price: $20,485
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 16,920
- Undergrad Students: 13,853
- Graduate Students: 3,067
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
St. Mary's University
Score: 68.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,242
- Out-of-State:$36,242
- Net Price: $21,379
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 3,253
- Undergrad Students: 2,001
- Graduate Students: 1,252
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Associate/Certificate vs. Bachelor's
What Degrees are Available Online?
If you're interested in becoming an English teacher, earning a degree online can offer flexibility while allowing you to gain the necessary skills and knowledge. Many universities now offer online English teaching degrees, ranging from bachelor’s to master’s programs. These programs are designed for individuals who want to teach English at the middle school, high school, or even college level, and often offer courses that align with state certification requirements. Here are some of the options you can access at the bachelor's level.
1. Online Bachelor’s in English Education:
An online Bachelor’s in English Education is typically a four-year program designed for students who wish to teach English language arts from grades 6-12. This program covers essential subjects such as literature, grammar, writing, and pedagogy, while also providing students with the opportunity to complete student-teaching internships. The degree prepares graduates for teaching positions in middle and high schools and includes coursework on classroom management, instructional strategies, and educational psychology.
2. Online Bachelor’s in English Language Arts:
Some schools offer an online Bachelor’s in English Language Arts, which is more focused on the content area of English (literature, writing, composition, etc.) rather than the pedagogy of teaching. This degree may appeal to individuals who want a broader English education foundation before transitioning into teaching through a post-graduate certification program. While it’s typically not as focused on teacher preparation as an education-specific degree, graduates often pursue alternative certification programs or additional coursework to become certified to teach.
3. Online Certification Programs in English Education:
For those who already have a degree in English or another subject but want to become certified to teach, many online programs offer certification courses. These programs are typically shorter in duration and designed to meet state-specific requirements for teachers. Students will learn instructional methods, educational technology, and how to apply their subject expertise in a classroom setting.
Online English teaching degrees are ideal for working adults, those with family commitments, or anyone who needs the flexibility to balance their studies with other responsibilities. They are designed to offer the same high-quality education as traditional on-campus programs while allowing students to study at their own pace and from the comfort of their own homes. However, it’s important to ensure that the program you choose is accredited and meets the certification requirements for the state in which you plan to teach.
English Bachelors Admission Requirements
While requirements may vary by school, most online colleges or universities require students considering an English education degree program to have a minimum 3.0 GPA and either a high school diploma or English associate degree. Student should possess strong reading and writing ability, good communication skills, and must feel comfortable speaking in public.
How long does it take to earn a Bachelor's?
If going to school full-time, most people can earn an online bachelor’s degree in English education within four years. Those going to school part-time, whether online or on campus, can expect to earn their degree within six or so years. Some universities offer a five-year dual online degree program, in which the student earns an online bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in education.
Potential Careers in English Education with a Bachelor’s
- Educational Publisher:
Working for a publishing company in the educational market is a good career option for a person with a degree in English education. These companies require researchers, writers, and editors to prepare materials for the classroom, from the primary school to university level. - Educational Training Developer:
This job entails developing training programs for teachers and other education professionals. Many of these programs revolve around professional or curriculum development. - Middle School English Teacher:
Also known as a language arts teacher, middle school English teachers focus on grammar and expanding student vocabulary. During these years, the curriculum may include essays and poetry, as well as creative and expository writing. - High School English Teacher:
In high school, English teachers may teach different classes. Along with basic writing and reading courses, they may teach specific courses in American or English literature. Often, high school English teachers may teach other courses related to English, such as journalism. - Textbook Editor:
It is the job of the textbook editor to read and edit the textbooks used in schools across the nation. A textbook editor needs not only good editing skills, but a superior knowledge of the field in which they are editing, so errors are less likely. While most textbook editors work in offices, it is a job increasingly performed remotely.
English Education Options to Advance
If a teacher wants to instruct beyond high school, he or she must earn a master’s degree to teach at the college level, although many institutions of higher learning require an English education masters or PhD. For those interested in moving from teaching to educational administration, additional degrees are needed. Many principals, superintendents, and other administrators began their careers in the classroom. Pursuing a master’s degree in education can help a teacher transition to administrative roles, such as assistant principal and eventually principal. Some states do not require a principal to hold a master’s degree in education per se, but may consider candidates with master’s degrees in related fields. The role of superintendent may require a master’s degree or a doctorate in education, depending on the school district’s standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why might you want to choose English education as a major?
There are many reasons why college students choose majors. Even within that framework, there are a huge number of reasons that students choose education as their major. Maybe they love to work with children or teens, or maybe they like that moment when something clicks for someone and they are born teachers. However, if you wish to teach English, you might need something more: a love for language and literature. By choosing to teach English, you will have the opportunity to share this love with your students every year. You can introduce them to the beauty of language and the books that moved you when you were in school, or you can introduce new books that will let them see how things have changed over the last 100 years. No matter what you choose to do with your English education degree, it’s important that you start from a place of passion for the English language and for literature if you are going to succeed.
Will I complete a single degree in English education or do I need to double major?
For most education students who wish to focus on teaching a specific subject, degrees are set up to allow them to earn a double major. This can change depending on what school you attend and how their education department works, but this is the accepted way to ensure that not only is a student well-versed in English, literature, and any specialties they need to know within those fields, but also that they are prepared to teach children with a knowledge of pedagogy, classroom management, curriculum creation, and everything else they need to produce well-taught students. However, you needn’t worry that this will increase the time you must spend in school. Schools know what they are doing and they set up these programs so that you can fit everything into the usually time frame, as long as you are able to attend your program full-time and devote as much time as necessary to ensure that you don’t need to retake any courses.
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