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Under the “No Child Left Behind” legislation, teachers in the US are required to be certified in their preferred subject area. So if you have always wanted to be a teacher, have the thirst for knowledge and love to help others succeed in their academic lives, then getting a teaching certificate is an absolute must for you. Multiple online colleges offer these certificate programs, and distance learning is becoming more …

Under the “No Child Left Behind” legislation, teachers in the US are required to be certified in their preferred subject area. So if you have always wanted to be a teacher, have the thirst for knowledge and love to help others succeed in their academic lives, then getting a teaching certificate is an absolute must for you.

Multiple online colleges offer these certificate programs, and distance learning is becoming more and more accepted with time. Opting for an online certificate gives you the flexibility and freedom to work around your schedule, and you can earn a living to pay for your course while you study for it. Students can look forward to a hands-on, rigorous curriculum in which both the instructors and fellow students provide detailed feedback on every project. Students can communicate with their peers and faculty in a variety of ways: e-mail, telephone, chat room office hours, and/or videoconference.

Two Main Areas

Teaching certificate options can be divided into two main areas:

• Programs for those eventually going for a bachelor’s, or
• Initial teaching certification and programs for current educators who want to continue their education.

You can also narrow your choices based on whether you will eventually seek a bachelor’s or graduate degree and whether you want to focus on a specific level or subject.

Is This Certificate Right For You?

Well, if you are in any of the following positions, then this certificate can benefit you:

• University and college faculty
• K-12 teachers
• Corporate and military trainers
• Educational administrators and curriculum designers
• Educators and trainers who already design, implement, or teach online courses who seek to update their skills and knowledge of evolving best practices in online learning.

This certificate program can give you the foundation skills needed for higher education, and also give you the confidence to teach to the best of your abilities. Aspiring students need to be extremely committed, love teaching and children, and should be patient, and hard-working. Teaching is one of the hardest jobs there is, and keeping in mind what is at stake, these online certificates also require quite a bit of hard work and learning.

Cost of Online Teaching Certificates:

The tuition cost of such programs can run anywhere between $1500 to upwards of $4000.

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for postsecondary education professions is expected to grow 15% from 2008-2018 largely due to an increase in student enrollment.

The median earnings for postsecondary education professions were approximately $59,000 per year as of May 2008. Salary varies according to experience, job duties and status and can range from as much as $122,000 to as little as $29,000.

Employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is expected to grow by 17 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth is expected because of both decline in student–teacher ratios and increase in enrollment. However, employment growth will vary by region. Median annual salary of teachers is $51, 380.

Employment of high school teachers is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, while their median annual salary was $53,210.

Before you pursue this course, however, definitely be aware of the requirements in the state where you want to teach. Check with the programs you are interested in to make sure they prepare students to meet those requirements.