Top 11 Online Teacher Certification Programs: Perfect to Teach

The procedure that your state’s state board of education requires of all public-school instructors is teacher certification. It makes you eligible to apply the right teaching techniques to help your students excel. The criteria for getting the teacher certification vary depending on the state. However, most of them include submitting an application, supplying a copy of your degree, passing a Praxis exam, going through a background check, and paying a fee.

The completion of an education program at an approved college that provides you with the information you need to be a good teacher is one of these prerequisites for obtaining a teaching certificate. So, to help you enroll in an accredited online institute, check out this article with the top online teacher certification programs.

best Online Teacher Certification Programs

Most state licensure requires you to get certification from an accredited program. Below are some of the best online teacher certification programs that can help you get licensure as a teacher in a public institution. It is recommended to do your own research before enrolling in any of the programs mentioned. You should also look for eligibility and course fees to get the right program for your needs.

1. Post Bachelor’s Teaching Certificate by Drexel University

With a Bachelor’s degree and a desire to get certified as a teacher for grades PreK–4, Drexel University offers an authorized online program for teaching certification. The program combines online courses and field experiences to help you acquire the right teaching skills. It is best suitable for people looking to change careers as well as those who currently work as temporary, emergency, or substitute teachers but want to obtain formal teaching certification.

In addition to the graduate-level Core Pedagogy courses, the program requires a specific set of undergraduate content courses in the subject areas mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The program provides a flexible, entirely online approach that is simple to fit into your hectic personal and business life. The different field experiences and student teaching, which are conveniently scheduled at an acceptable school in your neighborhood, are the only in-person prerequisites.

Drexel University is a partner of the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® PENNSYLVANIA Scholarship Program. The educator preparation programs of the Drexel University School of Education are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP).

2. Graduate Certificate in Online Learning from Drexel University

With the help of Drexel University’s online Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning, you will be equipped with the specialized knowledge and abilities you need to successfully plan and deliver online education. It is best suitable for all those teachers who are interested in teaching online in PreK–12, higher education, adult education, business settings, and even casual settings.

The program is fully online, and you can complete it within a year. It incorporates real-world and experimental curricula to provide the best learning experience. You get customizable assignments that best suit your requirement. You need to have at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally recognized school, or the equivalent, to enroll for the online Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning.

You can pursue the certification alone, combined with additional credentials of your choosing to create a unique and tailored course of study. In addition, following acceptance into the program, you can transfer it into the MS in School Improvement and Transformation. As soon as you enroll, you will also have access to the Steinbright Career Development Center, the Writing Center, the Drexel Libraries, the Counseling Center, the Center for Learning and Academic Achievement, and the Health and Wellness Center.

3. Certificate Program in Secondary Teaching Preparation from the University of Florida

Certificate Program in Secondary Teaching Preparation from the University of Florida is an online certificate program that puts a strong emphasis on coursework and a demanding, closely supervised field experience in your subject. It is best suitable for those who wish to teach maths, physics, English, or social studies at the secondary level (6–12 grades).

At the post-baccalaureate level, they provide an online program that leads to Florida Teacher Professional Certification. It includes 1 semester of supervised student teaching and strong subject-area preparation. It is an 18-credit certification program that includes online education under video surveillance.

The program has received full approval from the Florida Department of Education and qualifies graduates for Florida’s Professional Educator certification. Moreover, the Florida Department of Education has authorized this certificate program’s sponsor, the Educator Preparation Institute (EPI).

4. Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) M.Ed. from Kennesaw State University

A fully online program leading to a Master’s in Education with a concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Kennesaw State University equips educators to become proficient in TESOL. With the use of inclusive teaching methods, this advanced program equips instructors to work with students from a variety of cultural and language backgrounds.

The ESOL Endorsement is given to TESOL majors following the first two semesters of the program. It is a two-year program with 36 credits completed in six semesters conducted fully online. Teaching students from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds in welcoming surroundings is a key component of the TESOL study program.

The program comprises foundational courses in curriculum creation, group work, and reading and writing instruction. Both the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) have approved the M.Ed. in TESOL program.

5. UW Accelerated Certification for Teachers from the College of Education University of Washington

An emphasis on learning in the context of direct and regular practice is the cornerstone of the UW Accelerated Certification for Teachers (U-ACT) program approach to teacher development. The program is intended to assist applicants who have a teaching position in a Washington state public school. As the U-ACT Program offers an alternate route to obtaining a teaching credential, all teacher candidates enrolling in it are already employed as full-time instructors.

Hence, an individual must be employed in a full-time teaching position to be eligible for the U-ACT Program. The U-ACT Program has been authorized to assist people in obtaining their Washington state “residency” teaching credential with an initial endorsement in Elementary (K-8) Middle & Secondary Endorsements.

Two years’ worth of coursework is part of the U-ACT program. Enrolled teachers get a WA state “residency” teaching credential after completing Year 1 training. Teachers participating in Year 2 courses graduate with a Master of Teaching (MiT) degree. The majority of the time, the coursework is delivered via synchronous hybrid in-person and online.

6. Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from Kansas State University

A flexible and practical route to teaching is the online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from Kansas State University. For those who work as full-time teachers and study for the MAT, LEAP licensure is needed for instructors in Kansas. Regardless of what you majored in as an undergraduate student, you can pick a secondary option in English, social studies, math, or modern languages or a specialization in primary education.

For those who continue with their present jobs while pursuing the MAT, regardless of what you studied as an undergraduate student, you can pick a specialization in elementary teaching or secondary choices in agricultural education, social studies, English, mathematics, or modern languages.

You can finish the program in a minimum of 11 months with a course schedule that is flexible to meet your demands. Your very own MAT GradCat, a seasoned, expert mentor teacher, can help you learn more about teaching.

7. TEACH-NOW® Online Teaching Certification Program from Moreland University

To be eligible to apply for a teaching license from a U.S. state, you can enroll in the TEACH-NOW® online teaching certification program from Moreland University. To ensure that every student learns, develops, and grows, the TEACH-NOW® online teaching certification program aims to enable and empower teachers to enter any learning environment anywhere in the world.

The program helps them diagnose where each learner is coming from to design and implement learning experiences. Students can complete the program in 9 months. The last 12 weeks of the program are dedicated to a demanding teaching practice that combines weekly virtual sessions with actual classroom teaching and collaborating with a mentor teacher.

The program starts every month, so you can enroll any time of the year. The tuition for this online program is $6,500. A $200 non-refundable registration fee is included in the tuition cost and is needed at the time of enrollment. You can contact the admission counselor to learn about the payment options.

8. Foundations for Online Education Certificate from Penn State World Campus

Foundations for Online Education Certificate from Penn State University is a four-course online certificate program from Penn State University. The program assists you in gaining fundamental proficiency in online instruction. As you gain more experience, numerous courses, qualifications, and chances that might promote your professional development become accessible.

To fulfill the demands of the faculty in certain colleges and academic programs, the university also collaborates with colleges to repackage this certificate. The course in the program includes Essentials of Online Teaching, Essentials of Online Teaching for Graduate Students, Introduction to Canvas, Supporting Accommodations for Online Learners, and Student Support and Advocacy in Online Learning.

There are also three more certifications available. To meet certificate criteria, you can either finish the series or take specific courses within the certifications.

9. Inclusive Online Teaching Certificate from Penn State World Campus

Inclusive Online Teaching Certificate from Penn State University credential provides faculty with knowledge, procedures, and practices to react to specific student needs. It will help them provide equitable learning experiences for every kid as they have certain situations, difficulties, and circumstances that affect how they learn and perform in a classroom.

The emphasis is on online teaching methods. However, regardless of the modality, educators will discover useful content to change their instruction and make it more inclusive. Some of the courses in the program are open enrolment; others are conducted during specific periods.

The course includes Teaching the International Student, Inclusive Online Pedagogy, Supporting Accommodations for Online Learners, Student Support and Advocacy in Online Learning, Teaching the Under-Resourced Student, Excellence in Academic Advising: Under-Resourced Students, Part I, and Excellence in Academic Advising: Under-Resourced Students, Part II.

10. ESL/Bilingual Endorsement from Chicago State University

ESL/Bilingual endorsement program from Chicago State University helps educators to move further with the careers of teachers and educate ESL and bilingual children. The program provides the skills and information they need to excel in teaching. Teachers acquire the knowledge and abilities essential to individualize instruction using linguistically responsive pedagogy.

They also learn to comprehend and engage the diverse learning styles of their students. Only those who presently have a professional educator license are eligible for endorsements in bilingual education and English as a Second Language (ESL) from the university.

Both the ESL Endorsement and the Bilingual Endorsement need 18 credits. The Bilingual Endorsement requires an extra 3 credits through the course BIL 4012/5012 – Methods and Materials for Teaching in Bilingual Classroom.

11. Teacher Certification Program from The American Board

The teacher certification program offered by American Board is an online and self-paced course created to be quick, adaptable, and economical. You can enroll at any moment to begin your preparation for a fulfilling career as a teacher. They provide two program options, Standard and Premium, for each of the four certification areas, including Biology, Mathematics, English Language Arts, and Special Education.

The Standard program gives students the knowledge they need to study for and pass the Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) test as well as the subject area exam. Everything offered in the Standard program is also offered to students in the Premium program, including additional study resources and practice exams.

The Premium program also comes with a workbook and webinar for job counseling to help the students look for employment. Certifications in history, chemistry, elementary education, general science, and physics are only offered in standard. The examinations that Standard and Premium students take and pass result in the same certification. They offer multiple payment options, including installment plans, reduced enrolment, and one-time payments.

Wrapping Up

For those looking to pursue careers in teaching, teacher training certificate programs online are becoming increasingly popular to meet the need for high-quality education. However, you should weigh your options as choosing the right certification program is essential to get licensure in a particular state. You can choose an online program by researching it before applying to know what’s best for your situation.