With programs like the Teaching Fellows, North Carolina is determined to help future educators learn, grow, and make a difference in communities where qualified teachers are needed.
So it makes sense that the state would also have great, easy ways to get your teaching degree and certification.
To determine the best fit for you, check out some of the finest North Carolina online education degree programs in the Best Accredited Colleges' list below.
Online Education Degrees (BA) in North Carolina
Here are some of the best North Carolina online education programs that aspiring future teachers can join.
1. University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) is a public research university that offers over 150 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. It's one of the 16 public universities comprising the University of North Carolina (UNC) System.
UNC Charlotte's Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Elementary Education helps students learn how to plan curriculum for and work with diverse groups of students from kindergarten to 6th grade. The degree also has a Teacher Assistants (TA) to Teachers subprogram.
The fully online program is 60 credit hours, includes a full semester of student teaching, and costs $198 per credit hour for residents.
2. East Carolina University
Originally a teacher training school, East Carolina University (ECU) is the fourth–largest public research university in North Carolina. It's accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Birth–Kindergarten Teacher Education program from ECU can be accessed in person or online and is designed to prepare graduates for careers related to early childhood development including at–risk or disabled children.
Online undergraduate programs cost $204 per credit hour for residents, and only North Carolina residents can participate in this teaching program online.
3. North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is a public historically black university that's part of the UNC system. It's also a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
With a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (Birth through Kindergarten), students of NCCU can obtain licensure to teach children from birth to five years old in inclusive settings.
Graduates of the program can pursue positions in these workplaces:
- public school classrooms
- private preschools and kindergartens
- home–based early intervention programs
- Head Start
- developmental day programs
- childcare/daycare centers
Undergraduate tuition for residents taking classes online at NCCU is $183 per credit hour.
4. Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University (WCU) is the fifth–oldest public institution in the UNC System. It offers over 100 undergraduate programs and just under 50 graduate degrees to residents of the North Carolina mountains.
WCU has a fully online Bachelor of Science in Birth to Kindergarten degree program with concentrations in early childhood education or professional education for educators with associate degrees who want to pursue teaching licensure.
An alternative licensure program is also available for students with a degree in another field who want to apply their credits and education toward a teaching licensure program.
Residents taking part in distance learning programs pay $65 per credit hour for undergraduate degree programs.
5. Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University (App State) is a public university in Boone, NC that was originally founded as a teacher's college. It enrolls over 20,000 students through its physical campus and online.
App State offers a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education online that emphasizes academic preparation grounded in liberal arts tradition and disciplinary studies.
A science and social studies concentration is available for students who would like to specialize rather than teaching any subjects for 6th to 8th grade students.
Students who complete the 120–credit hour program are ready for licensure in the state. Tuition for residents is $203 per credit hour.
6. Campbell University
Campbell University is a private Christian liberal arts university serving students through multiple North Carolina campuses and an Adult & Online Education program.
Campbell's Adult and Online Education (AOE) education studies program lets students pursue a B.S. in either elementary education or special education entirely online.
Courses are offered in eight–week terms and 124–credit hours are required for both programs. Learn about the issues surrounding teaching disabled students, communicating with parents and colleagues, and crafting curriculums for elementary students.
Tuition is $450 per credit hour for all AOE undergraduate courses.
7. Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a public historically black university that's part of the UNC System and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. It's the second–oldest state–supported school in North Carolina.
The Bachelor of Science in Birth through Kindergarten Teaching and Non–Teaching program helps graduates get a North Carolina B–K Teaching License and work in private or public preschools and kindergartens.
The program has an Online Degree Completion (ODC) option that allows students who have already completed general education requirements to take their junior and senior classes online.
Career options for graduates include:
- education administrator
- preschool director
- daycare consultant
- kindergarten teacher for private/public schools
- youth organization owner/director
FAQs: Earning an Online Education Degree in North Carolina
Check below if you want to learn more about North Carolina online education programs.
What Degree Is Needed to Teach Online?
At minimum, a bachelor's degree in an accredited program is needed for teaching licensure in North Carolina. Regardless of whether you teach online or in–person, a North Carolina teacher needs to have a bachelor's degree and a teaching license.
What Are the Requirements for Teacher Licensing in North Carolina?
According to Teach.org, you must complete a bachelor's program and teaching program (this can be included in the bachelor's) and meet North Carolina testing requirements before submitting your teaching license application to the state for approval.
Are Online Education Degrees Respected?
North Carolina online education programs are just as respected as in–person programs.
In fact, many of the online learning programs offered above are exact copies of the program offered on campus, and there is no difference in the diploma students receive upon completion.
Start Your Education Program in North Carolina Today
Reach out to Best Accredited Colleges today to learn more about North Carolina's online education programs and how to start your journey toward becoming an educator with the help of an accredited undergraduate education.
