masters in teaching online stats

Online Masters In Teaching

Do you enjoy the idea of teaching and inspiring future generations? If so, you may be perfectly suited for earning an online masters degree in teaching. With this education focus comes the opportunity to concentrate your studies on a variety of different subjects, or prepare to pursue a career as an action researcher, educational leader or a professional learning community practitioner. No matter your career goals, earning your masters degree online may be a good idea for students who need more flexibility in their class and study schedules. While all states require public school teachers to have at least a bachelors degree, some states require public school teachers to earn a master’s degree after earning their teaching certification. Please be sure to look into the requirements in your state[i].

Skills and Qualities Common to Pursue Teaching Careers

Before searching for an online masters in teaching, you might be wondering which skills and qualities may be ideal to have if you want to pursue a career in teaching. While you may pursue teaching positions at the elementary, middle school and high school level, foundational skills and qualities commonly required for all levels of the profession include:

  • Giving your full attention to your students in order to truly comprehend what they’re saying.
  • Understanding written paragraphs and sentences.
  • Speaking in a way that you’re easily understood.
  • Being able to listen to and understand verbal information and communicate information through spoken words.
  • Utilizing and choosing instructional procedures and techniques for a variety of situations.[ii]

Besides the above skills and qualities, it’s also common for teachers to possess knowledge of how to use standard classroom technology, such as educational software and multimedia projection equipment. Depending on your online masters in teacher education program, you could be provided with instruction on how to effectively use these technologies.[iii]

Common Coursework in a Masters in Teaching Online

Just as there are several different subjects students learn about in school, there is a vast variety of courses offered while pursuing a masters in teaching online. That being said, teachers typically need the proper education foundation no matter the specific subject in which they are interested. Such foundational courses in an online masters degree in teaching might include:

  • Giving your full attention to your students in order to truly comprehend what they’re saying.
  • Understanding written paragraphs and sentences.
  • Speaking in a way that you’re easily understood.
  • Being able to listen to and understand verbal information and communicate. information through spoken words.
  • Utilizing and choosing instructional procedures and techniques for a variety of situations.[ii]
  • Current issues in school environment.
  • Development of cross-cultural competencies.
  • Critical thinking for teaching and learning.
  • School, family and community relations.
  • Methods of assessment.

Depending on the program, there’s a good chance you might be required to complete a practicum in teaching, which is designed to sharpen your classroom problem-solving skills using acquired knowledge. There might also be a research seminar in which you survey school research methods in environments stimulated by data.[iv]

If you’re more interested in pursuing a future teaching reading education, some of your common courses might include:

  • The reading process in the content area
  • Techniques of remedial and corrective reading
  • Educational measurement
  • Diagnosis and assessment of reading difficulties
  • Content methods of teaching language arts[v]

Concentration Options for an Masters in Teaching Online Program

There may be a number of concentration options available for those interested in an online masters degree in teaching. For example, by enrolling in an art education, you may learn about research trends in art education, teaching art to K-12 students and developmental reading. Your program might also have an internship and online portfolio requirement. Portfolios are used as a way to measure a student’s overall progress and professional development.[vi]

Should you choose to concentrate your teaching education on coaching, you may have the chance to learn about improving your leadership capabilities, tactical skills and technical proficiency. Coaching curriculum may include such courses as:

  • Finance for sport coaches
  • Coach performance evaluation
  • Ethics and diversity for sports coaches
  • Psychology for sport coaching
  • Management and leadership in sport[vii]

Online masters degree in teaching programs offered online usually afford students the ability to earn their degrees and work at the same time, meaning those currently employed as coaches are able to remain in their positions as they learn how to be more proficient at their jobs. What’s more is that there might be a guided independent study component to the program focused on athlete recovery.[viii]

What Industries Might Employ People Who Earn an Online Masters Degree in Teaching?

Teachers might pursue careers in public and private schools as well as public magnet and charter schools. You might even like the idea of jump-starting a career in either a private secular or religious school.[ix]

In regards to the overall career outlook for teachers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that kindergarten, elementary[x], middle school teachers[xi] and high school teachers[xii] are expected to experience a six percent growth rate between 2014 and 2024, which is about as fast as average when compared to other occupations. [xiv]Special education teachers are also expected to see a six percent increase in job growth.[xiii]

Reach out to schools offering online teaching degrees, including Masters of Arts in Teaching Online, for more information regarding costs, program length and whether or not the program includes a licensure or teaching endorsement portion. Online degrees could be a good option for busy individuals and those looking to learn at their own pace.


[i]catalog.alliant.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=21&poid=2142&returnto=725 [ii]onetonline.org/link/summary/25-2022.00 [iii]onetonline.org/link/summary/25-2022.00 [iv]catalog.alliant.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=21&poid=2142&returnto=725 [v]online.stu.edu/education/ms-reading-education/#courses [vi]graduatecatalog.ucf.edu/programs/program.aspx?id=9727&tid=3697&track=Art%20Education [vii]mastersincoachingonline.ohio.edu/ [viii]mastersincoachingonline.ohio.edu/ [ix]bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm#tab-3 [x]bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm#tab-6 [xi]bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/middle-school-teachers.htm#tab-6 [xii]bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm#tab-6 [xiii]bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm#tab-6 [xiv]bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/middle-school-teachers.htm#tab-4, [xv]bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm#tab-4, [xvi]bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm#tab-4