DEGREES & PROGRAMS
Bachelor's Degrees in Education
Misty, B.A. Special Education grad
WGU Bachelor's Degrees in Education Leading to a Teaching License
Education
Elementary Education – B.A.
An online teacher certification program for aspiring elementary teachers....
An online teacher certification program for aspiring elementary teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 68% of students finish this degree within 36 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program (38 for Washington residents)
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Elementary Reading Methods
- Language Arts Instruction
- Elementary Mathematics Methods
- Elementary Disciplinary Literacy
- Children’s Literature
This elementary education degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This online teaching degree program helps you to be eligible for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.
Education
Special Ed and Elementary Ed (Dual Licensure) – B.A.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring K–12 special education teachers. Leads to dual licensure—elementary education teaching license and special education teaching license.
- Time: 60% of students finish this degree within 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 45 total courses in this program (46 for Washington residents).
(Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.) If your state offers a single K–12 special education teaching license and you are interested in focusing on teaching students with mild to moderate exceptionalities, consider the B.A. Special Education (Mild to Moderate) online teaching degree.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Elementary Reading Methods
- Elementary Mathematics Methods
- Elementary Social Studies Methods
- Elementary Science Methods
- Language Arts Instruction and Intervention
This special education teaching online degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – B.S.
An online teacher certification program for aspiring middle school math...
An online teacher certification program for aspiring middle school math teachers. Leads to teaching license in states that have a middle-grades math teaching license.
Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching licensure in your state.
- Time: 62% of grads earned this degree within 29 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 39 total courses in this program.
Candidates for this science teaching degree program often include:
- Aspiring junior high math teachers who currently lack a teaching license
- Substitute teachers
- Career-changers with a passion for math
- School paraprofessionals
- Others who feel the call to teach
This science teaching degree program includes requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This science teaching degree prepares you to be eligible for a teaching license in any of the 50 states.
Education
Mathematics Education (Secondary) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle school math teachers and high school math teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 60% of students finish this degree within 40 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 42 total courses in this program (43 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Trigonometry and Precalculus
- Probability and Statistics I and II
- Calculus I, II, and III
- Abstract Algebra
- College Geometry
This online math teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This online math teaching degree program helps students become eligible for math teaching certification.
Education
Science Education (Middle Grades) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle school science teachers. Leads to teaching license in all states that have a middle-grades general science teaching license.
Specific grade levels you are qualified to teach will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 62% of students finish this science teaching degree within 34 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program (39 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Heredity and Genetics
- Astronomy
- Ecology and Environmental Science
- Chemistry
- General Physics
This science teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school biology teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 61% of students earned this online biology degree within 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program (38 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Zoology
- Ecology and Environmental Science
- Health Sciences
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Heredity and Genetics
This biology teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school chemistry teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 65% of students finish this online chemistry degree within 37 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 39 total courses in this program (40 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Physical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Biochemistry
This chemistry teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. Earn a chemistry degree online and be eligible for a teaching certification.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Physics) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school physics teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching license options in your state.
- Time: 62% of students earn this online physics degree within 49 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 39 total courses in this program (40 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Educational Psychology
- Physics: Waves and Optics
- Space, Time and Motion
- Conceptual Physics
- Physics: Mechanics
This physics teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. Graduates of this online teaching degree program will be eligible for teaching certification.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school earth science teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching license options in your state.
- Time: 63% of students earn this middle school teaching and high school teaching degree within 33 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program (38 for Washington residents)
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Ecology and Environmental Science
- General Physics
- Physical Geology
- Earth Systems
- Astronomy
This geosciences teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This high school teaching degree program prepares you for teaching licensure in any of the 50 states.
Education
Special Education (Mild to Moderate) – B.A.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring special education teachers. Leads to your teaching license in states that offer a single teaching license in K–12 special education.
- Time: 61% of students finish this program within 34 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program.
If your state requires—or if you're interested in—dual licensure in both elementary education and K–12 special education, consider the B.A. Special Education (K–12) program.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
This online degree program includes a preclinical experience with face-to-face observation hours and a Student Teaching component hosted by an experienced teacher and directed by a clinical supervisor.
WGU Bachelor's Degrees in Education With No Teaching License
Education
Educational Studies – B.A.
These online, non-licensure educational studies degrees prepare you to...
These online, non-licensure educational studies degrees prepare you to make a difference in a field that interests you.
Based on your career goals and interests, you can choose an educational studies program in one of 10 content areas that meets your needs while working toward employment in school settings, corporate training, or instructional design. These programs do not lead to a teaching license.
- Time: Completion time varies depending on the specialty track you choose.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- This bachelor's degree allows students to learn about education but does not include student teaching and it does not lead to a teaching license.
Focus areas of this educational studies degree program include:
- Elementary Education
- Elementary and Special Education
- Mild to Moderate Special Education
- Secondary Biology Science Education
- Secondary Chemistry Science Education
- Secondary Earth Science Education
- Secondary Physics Education
- Middle Grades Science Education
- Secondary Mathematics Education
- Middle Grade Mathematics Education
What Is a Bachelor's Degree in Education?
A Bachelor of Education is a crucial first step to becoming a teacher in the classroom. In most states, a bachelor's degree is required in order to become a licensed teacher, and those states will typically require your bachelor's degree be in an education field. There are some alternative routes to licensure options, but if you do not already have a bachelor's in education, earning a B.A. or B.S. degree in education will be vital to becoming a teacher.
A bachelor's degree in education can have many specialties that allow you to focus on and prepare for specialty licensure, so it's important to know what kind of grade and subject you want to teach.
WGU offers a wide variety of bachelor's programs in education to help students prepare for an exciting and rewarding career in the classroom. If you're considering becoming a teacher, WGU can help you reach your goal in a way that works for you. Our bachelor's courses that lead to teacher licensure prepare you for obtaining a teaching license in any of the 50 states.
WGU also offers a Bachelor's in Educational Studies degree program that does NOT lead to a teaching license. This program include a variety of emphasis options for students to choose the specialization they are most interested in, and helps them earn a degree that prepares them for many careers, including pre-school instruction, tutoring, non-traditional classroom instruction, etc.
Learn more about bachelor's degrees in education and why WGU could be the perfect fit to help you reach your career goals.
Bachelor's Degree Program in Education Specialties
When you choose a bachelor's degree in education, you'll also need to choose grade levels and subjects that you want to focus on as part of your learning. There are many specialties you can choose from and it's important to understand the outcome of each before deciding. The specialties you can choose from include:
Grade Level
Elementary education, middle school, and high school are all different grade levels you can focus on teaching. You can additionally pursue an early childhood education degree which would prepare you for preschool or younger students. Elementary education degrees and certification prepare you for licensure in K-6 classrooms. Secondary education degrees and certification prepare you for licensure in middle school or high school classrooms. There may be specialties that focus just on middle grades, 6-8. Consider carefully if you think a career as an elementary school teacher, a high school teacher, or even an early childhood educator would be the best fit.
Subject
Math, science, English—there are many subjects that teachers can choose from. If you opt for an elementary education degree, you won't choose a specific subject to teach as elementary teachers focus on all of the subjects. But if you want to get a secondary education degree and teach middle school or high school, you'll likely need to pick a specific subject to specialize in. Licensure requirements vary by state, but usually you will need education and specific exams in a certain specialization in order to be qualified to teach. Your education bachelor's program will focus on that subject to help you learn it thoroughly, and help you be prepared to teach it to students.
Diverse Students
Special education students and English Language Learners are important students in every classroom and school. Teachers can get additional qualifications and specialization so they are equipped to help diverse learners thrive in the classroom. Special education degree programs and ESL or ELL programs and certifications can be essential in helping teachers propel their career forward. Many special education teachers also opt for elementary education licensure because in some states this is a requirement. Additionally to be ELL certified you will also need a bachelor's degree and licensure in another subject area to begin.
What is a Bachelor's Degree in Education Called?
Bachelor's degrees in education will either be a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.). This can sometimes be confusing for students who are unsure what the difference is. Simply put, B.A. training focuses more on liberal arts, while B.S. training focuses more on sciences. One is not necessarily better than the other—degrees are given this distinction based on the subject matter and the focus of the program, and both are needed and seen as valuable for educators. WGU offers both B.A. and B.S. education degree programs for students simply based on the subject, the grade level, and the focus of the program.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
The Teachers College at Western Governors University is granted accreditation for its programs from CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-0077.
Every education program offered through the WGU Teachers College has been awarded full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through 2025.
WGU is a top conferrer of STEM degrees that is partnered with Beyond100K. WGU joins nonprofits, government agencies, companies, and foundations to combat challenges and prepare more teachers for STEM teaching positions nationwide.
Learn About a Career in Education
Why Choose WGU for Your Bachelor's Degree in Education?
WGU is a great fit for your online bachelor's degree in education for many reasons, including:
- Low, flat-rate tuition means that you're charged the same amount per six-month term, regardless of how many classes you take.
- Competency-based education means you can use your knowledge to your advantage, accelerating your program and graduating faster. Graduating faster also saves you money.
- We offer scholarships and financial aid to help with our already affordable tuition, making college education accessible for even more students.
- Respected and accredited programs help you demonstrate that your education degree is meaningful for you as a teacher.
How Long is a Bachelor's Degree in Education?
A traditional bachelor's degree in education will take 4 years to complete. However, an online bachelor's degree in education may be faster to complete. Schools like WGU offer competency-based education which allows you to accelerate your courses and graduate faster. Most WGU education bachelor's degree students finish in just 36 months.*
*WGU Internal Data
What Can I Do With a Bachelor's in Education?
Most bachelor's degrees in education are designed to prepare you to become a teacher. Early childhood education degrees may not lead to licensure in your state, but most other bachelor's degrees in education should help you prepare for a teaching license. Whether you want to teach elementary education, secondary education, special education, or something else, a bachelor's degree in education can help you get there.
What Will I Learn With a Bachelor's Degree in Education?
A bachelor's degree in education is designed to train you for life in the classroom. While a traditional math degree will teach you all about certain math skills, a degree in math education will teach you those same skills along with strategies for teaching to students. Some of the things you can learn include:
- Teaching diverse learners
- Classroom management
- Developmental understanding
- Understanding learning theories and styles
- Unique approaches to teaching students
What Are the Benefits of a Bachelor's Degree in Education?
While you may not be required to get a bachelor's degree in education in order to become a teacher, there are many reasons this type of degree program may be the best fit for your career. An education bachelor's degree focuses not only on the subject matter you will be teaching, but gives you important training and skills on how to work in the classroom with students. This training prepares you to take your knowledge and translate it into meaningful lessons, discussions, and assignments for all kinds of learners. A bachelor's degree in education has the sole focus of helping you be the best possible teacher by giving you skills and credentials that prepare you for that important work.
What is Student Teaching?
Student teaching is an important element of a bachelor's degree in education that prepares you for actual work in the classroom. In student teaching, you work with a licensed educator inside a classroom to understand what it is really like to work with students every day. You will teach lessons, help students who are struggling, give assignments, and more as part of your student teaching experience. Having this in-classroom experience is vital to helping you be ready for having your own classroom, and many states will require in-classroom experience before giving you a teaching license. A bachelor's degree program in education can help you set up your student teaching so you are ready to move forward and experience educating students first-hand.
Frequently Asked Questions about Education Bachelor's Degrees
A traditional bachelor's degree in education will take four years to complete. However, an online bachelor's degree in education may be faster to complete. Schools like WGU offer competency-based education which allows you to accelerate your courses and graduate faster. Most WGU education bachelor's degree students finish in just 36 months.*
*WGU Internal Data
While it can vary, with an online elementary education bachelor's degree, you may be qualified for some of the following positions, serving K-6 students:
- Elementary school teacher
- Kindergarten teacher
- Reading specialist
- Physical education teacher
A bachelor's degree in education is designed to train you for life in the classroom. While a traditional math degree will teach you all about certain math skills, a degree in math education will teach you those same skills along with strategies for teaching to students. Some of the things you can learn include:
- Teaching diverse learners
- Classroom management
- Developmental understanding
- Understanding learning theories and styles
- Unique approaches to teaching students
While you may not be required to get a bachelor's degree in education in order to become a teacher, there are many reasons this type of degree program may be the best fit for your career. An education bachelor's degree focuses not only on the subject matter you will be teaching, but gives you important training and skills on how to work in the classroom with students. This training prepares you to take your knowledge and translate it into meaningful lessons, discussions, and assignments for all kinds of learners. A bachelor's degree in education has the sole focus of helping you be the best possible teacher by giving you skills and credentials that prepare you for that important work.
Student teaching is an important element of a bachelor's degree in education that prepares you for actual work in the classroom. In student teaching, you work with a licensed educator inside a classroom to understand what it is really like to work with students every day. You will teach lessons, help students who are struggling, give assignments, and more as part of your student teaching experience. Having this in-classroom experience is vital to helping you be ready for having your own classroom, and many states will require in-classroom experience before giving you a teaching license. A bachelor's degree program in education can help you set up your student teaching so you are ready to move forward and experience educating students first-hand.
