How to choose the best bachelor's in education program for you | edX

How to choose the right bachelor’s in education programWhat kind of teacher do you want to be? Learn how to find a bachelor's in education program that provides all the necessary skills to achieve your goals on edX.Create an accountBy: Samantha Lord, Edited by: Mitch JacobsonLast updated: July 24, 2025Key takeawaysConsider your personal and professional aspirationsFind a specialization that suits your passionsCreate a budget and apply for additional funding through loans and scholarshipsVerify that your education program is accreditedEnsure you can commit to the program scheduleEvaluate work-study or student-teaching opportunitiesResearch necessary licensure requirements in your regionA bachelor's degree in education from an accredited program is required for teaching in public schools. If your dream is to become a teacher, you should consider earning this degree.Learn about what factors to consider when choosing a bachelor's in education program so you can select one that best aligns with your academic and career goals.Guide to choosing a bachelor's degree in educationThere are several important factors to consider when choosing a bachelor's in education program. These include:Institutional and programmatic accreditationSpecializations and concentrationsTotal cost and financial aidWork-study opportunitiesAsk the following questions to get closer to choosing the best bachelor's in education program for you.Is the bachelor's in education program accredited?Any school you're thinking of attending needs to have institutional accreditation from an organization that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). This is necessary for you to be eligible for federal financial aid and also ensures that your credits will be transferable should you need to transfer to a different school at some point in time.In addition to institutional accreditation for your school, the program you're attending needs to have programmatic accreditation. The primary programmatic accreditor for educator preparation programs (EPPs) is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). If you want to obtain teaching licensure, your bachelor of education program must have accreditation from the CAEP.To find out if a bachelor of education program is recognized by the CAEP, go to the Accredited Provider and Recognized Program Search page on the CAEP website. Click on the Accredited Provider Search tab, and then click your state (the state where you want to teach). This will show you a list of accredited program providers.Your bachelor of education program also needs state accreditation if you want to be eligible for teaching licensure. This accreditation must be from the state in which you want to teach.The educational requirements for teaching licensure vary from state to state. Make sure that you find out the requirements in the state where you want to work as a teacher. Ensure that your bachelor of education program is recognized in that state.Find out what organization accredits teacher education in your state and make sure that it recognizes your program. For example, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing accredits teacher education programs in California.Are degree specializations and concentrations available?Many bachelor's in education programs offer the chance to choose a specialization or concentration. Some common specializations relate to grade level. For example, you could specialize in elementary, middle, or high school education.Some programs offer other specialization options too. Other concentrations include special education, early childhood education, curriculum development, higher education, school counseling, and educational psychology.If you want to teach elementary school, you should look for a bachelor's in education program that will let you specialize in the elementary grades. If you want to teach high school, you should look for a bachelor of education degree that allows you to specialize in high school, including the specific subject(s) you want to teach.Is the bachelor's in education degree program affordable?Completing a bachelor's degree program usually involves significant financial costs. It's important to find out about all the tuition and other costs that you may need to cover if you plan on pursuing a degree at a particular school.Tuition varies from program to program and from school to school. You may pay significantly more if you're completing the project from out of state. However, if you want to take a program that is out of state, you may get a significant discount if you enroll in the online option (if available).Can you get student teaching experience while in school?Your bachelor of education program should include requirements or opportunities for you to do student teaching. Learn everything you can about your program's student teaching requirements.If you're doing an online bachelor of education program, remember that you may need to do your student teaching in person. Make sure that you're able to arrange to do your student teaching in locations that are accessible to you. If you want to get hired as a teacher for a public school in the future, you may be required to have student teaching experience.Explore courses and programs in educationStand out in your fieldUse the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.Learn at your own paceOn your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.Earn a valuable credentialShowcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.More questions about choosing a bachelor's degree in educationIs an education bachelor's degree worth it?A bachelor's in education degree can be worth it if you want to have a teaching or education-related career. A bachelor of education and teaching certificate are usually required to teach in public elementary and high schools.How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in education?Most bachelor of education degree programs take four years of full-time study to complete, though some schools may offer accelerated programs with increased course loads that may allow you to finish sooner. You are usually required to complete around 120 credit hours during the program.What are the benefits of getting a bachelor's degree in education?The main benefit of earning a bachelor's degree in education is being able to teach in public schools. You should be able to get student teaching experience during your studies in the program. This is important, as this experience is a requirement for many teaching positions.Share this articleShare on FacebookShare on XShare on LinkedinShare on Email