Online Education Degrees: Pennsylvania

Quick Look:

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program and Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program are two scholarships for an early childhood degree in Pennsylvania.
Drexel University and Penn State Global are two top programs for online education degrees in PA.
Pennsylvania’s online education degrees are accredited and meet state teaching requirements, ensuring graduates are eligible for state licensure.
Many online education programs offer specialties like early childhood education, special education, and STEM, aligning with specific job market demands.
Even in online programs, Pennsylvania requires in-person student teaching and field experience, with many schools providing local placement support.

Pennsylvania’s public schools have 1.7 million students from Pre-K through 12th grade and 500 public school districts. With public education making up nearly 90% of school enrollment in the state, Pennsylvania needs a lot of qualified teachers who complete the Pennsylvania Department of Education approved degree program and certification requirements.

Because Pennsylvania is a member of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC), teachers from Pennsylvania or other member states can more easily transfer their certifications to other member states. Part of being a NASDTEC member state means that Pennsylvania has several stages of teaching licensure in additional to a vast array of content area certificates required of each license. With over 30 universities offering online education degrees, especially at the graduate level, Pennsylvania is a great location for early childhood education degrees.

Our editors first reviewed online education degrees in Pennsylvania in January 2018. Tuition was last updated in November 2024.

Related:

Requirements for Teaching Licensure in Pennsylvania

The requirements to attain a teaching license in Pennsylvania are extensive. Teaching licenses are split across 4 stages of training and education level, with a Stage 3 License being the first stage that allows teachers to be responsible for their own classrooms. At Stage 3, teachers must have a bachelor’s degree and an Instructional I, Educational Specialist I, or Program Specialist certificates that determine what level and content area they are allowed to teach in the state. Stage 4 requires post-baccalaureate credit or a master’s and an Instruction II or Educational Specialist II certificate.

With over 50 instructional certificates, 14 world language certificates, 8 specialist certificates, 31 supervisory and administrative certificates, and 8 other endorsements, Pennsylvania teachers are certain to know their content area. To gain a Stage 3 License, as well as Instruction I, Educational Specialist I, or Program Specialist teaching certificates, teachers in the state of Pennsylvania must complete a state-approved teacher education program that includes student teaching or field experience (as appropriate for the given certificate). Additionally, teachers must also take the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) Reading, Writing, Mathematics, as well as the correct content assessments as indicated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Pennsylvania Requirements for Teaching Licensure

Admission Requirements

Admissions requirements vary according to the degree sought. At the undergraduate level, students must meet the university’s entrance requirements. These vary widely from school to school, especially among public and private universities. Often undergraduate students are only admitted to the specific education degree program after they have completed an associates degree or the university’s general education requirements. Sometimes, undergraduate education programs will require certain GPAs or additional letters of recommendation for admittance.

At the graduate level, applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree. Sometimes that degree will need to be in education or a closely related field. Students without an education degree may be asked to complete additional coursework in order to be accepted into or graduate from a M.Ed program. Most M.Ed programs also require transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation. In order to pursue a Teacher Education Certification, teachers must also meet the Pennsylvania state content course requirements, which are reviewed upon application to most graduate programs. Many graduate programs will also require a current teaching certificate for acceptance. Most M.Ed programs will also require students to successfully complete Praxis content area exams in order to graduate.

Average Salaries for Common ECED-holding Roles in Pennsylvania

Job Title	Average Salary
School Principal	$101,320
Professor of Education	$80,840
Special Education Teacher	$62,950
High School Math or Science Teacher	$62,360
Public School Teacher	$61,810
Elementary School Teacher	$61,620
School Psychologist	$60,140
ESL Teacher	$58,590
Preschool Teacher	$35,330

Average salaries taken from the most recent information published by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Scholarships for Future Educators in the State of Pennsylvania

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program

Works with early childhood educators and their employers to pay for 10-25% of the cost of tuition, as well as funding for fees, books, and travel.

Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program

Designed for educators looking for post-baccalaureate or master’s degrees. Pays 95% of tuition costs for eligible college coursework taken by early learning professionals up to $6,000.

Lucy Valero Scholarship

Provides scholarships to outstanding Pennsylvania college and university students who are enrolled in accredited teacher preparation programs. Applicants must be members of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Foundation Scholarships

Offers multiple scholarships specifically for students in the state’s public universities, including education majors.

The PHEAA Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program

Not a scholarship but a loan forgiveness option, especially for teachers in high-need areas after graduation.

The Philadelphia Foundation Scholarships

Offers a variety of scholarships, some of which are directed towards future educators.

The 5 Best Early Childhood Education Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a total of 32 education degree-granting institutions that provide online education degrees. These schools range from small private liberal arts schools to large public research universities offering bachelor’s degrees in education to master’s degrees in various sub-specialities or with additional teaching certificate endorsements, especially in regard to special education. Because Pennsylvania has so many specialized teaching certificates, and very strict qualifying rules to earn those certificates, it is important that students choose the degree that offers the right certification or endorsement. A great resources is the complete list of teacher certification programs, broken down according to certification category, approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

To select the following top five universities, we’ve looked at several factors, including:

Cost of tuition
Number of online education degrees
Institution’s academic prestige according to national ranking numbers

1. Drexel University

Drexel University is a private research university in Philadelphia. With more than 22,000 students and over a 100 graduate programs, Drexel has a wide variety of educational options. This variety and quality carries over to their online programs. Drexel University founded National Distance Learning Week to bring greater attention to exceptional leaders in distance education, and since founding its online arm—Drexel University Online—Drexel has gone on to win the Sloan-C award for institution-wide excellence in online education, as well as, the United States Distance Learning Association’s Best Practices Awards for Distance Learning Programming.

Some of Drexel’s online degree programs include undergraduate and graduate programs in Education. At the undergraduate level, students can complete the fully online Bachelor’s in Education to prepare for PK-4 elementary teacher certification or PreK-4 & Special Education certification. At the graduate level over a dozen education degrees to choose from and even more graduate certificates. For instance, Drexel online students can earn a Master’s in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum with tracks for either PreK-4 or Secondary Education. Graduate students could also earn a Master’s in Special Education and choose between numerous concentrations like multisensory reading instruction and collaborative special education law. Drexel also has a range of graduate degrees and certificates that focus on educational technology, as well as a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Management (EdD) and School Psychology (EdS).

Online Education Degree Homepage
Online Ed Degrees: 20+
In-state Tuition: Bachelor’s $492/ credit; Master’s and EdD candidates $1,481/ credit

2. Pennsylvania State University – World Campus

Pennsylvania State University World Campus or Penn State Online, is the online campus of Pennsylvania State University. Launched in 1998 from the University’s long established distance education program, Penn State Online offers more than 120 online undergraduate and graduate degree or certificate programs. With nearly 14,000 students, Penn State Online has become a major resources for flexible, online education for today’s busy students. In the 20 years that Penn State Online has been around, it has received constant recognition as providing one of the nation’s best online educations.

A number of Penn State Online’s degrees cover the field of education, all of which are at the graduate level. For instance, online students can earn a Master’s in Learning, Design, and Technology. While the program focuses on teaching in a K-12 setting, students also move into careers as curriculum designers for higher ed, corporations, and the military. Another online degree option through Penn State Online is a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. In this program, students choose between 5 emphasis areas:

children’s literature
STEM education
elementary education
curriculum and supervision
theory and practice in English, social studies, and world languages

If students aren’t ready to enter a master’s program, Penn State also offers several online post baccalaureate certificate programs that can count towards a later master’s degree. These certificates include:

educational technology integration
e-Learning design
teaching and learning online in K-12 settings

Online Education Degree Homepage
Online Ed Degrees: 7
In-state Tuition: Master’s $1027/credit

3. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public, master’s-level university in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1889, Slippery Rock started as a teacher training school. While it eventually adopted a wider range of degree options in the 1960s, it remains known for its quality teacher education programs. Today, Slippery Rock offers a range of liberal arts and professional degree programs to its more than 8,500 students. Included in those degree options are several online undergraduate degree completion programs, and several master’s and doctoral degree programs.

Slippery Rock University offers 13 online education degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels. Online students can earn Master’s degrees in Elementary Education with different tracks including:

K-8 Math/Science
K-12 Reading Specialist
K-12 Reading with a Coaching Literacy Endorsement

Similarly, for Master’s in Secondary Education, online students can choose between a range of content areas, including math and science, english, and history. Many of Slippery Rock’s online education degrees are designed to help working teaching gain additional certifications, professionalization hours, or advance their careers. With that in mind most programs require students to successfully pass the Praxis II exam in their degree’s content area in order to graduate.

Online Education Degree Homepage
Online Ed Degrees: 13
In-state Tuition: $3,858/ semester

4. Saint Joseph’s University

Saint Joseph’s University, or St. Joe’s, is a private, Catholic university in the Philadelphia suburbs. Founded in 1851 by the Jesuits, St. Joe’s is the 7th oldest Jesuit university in the nation. Today, St. Joe’s works to maintain it’s Jesuit Christian mission by promoting service and social justice. St. Joe’s meets the needs of its 7,800 students by offering a wide range of degrees including:

over 60 undergraduate majors
53 graduate programs
over a dozen study-abroad, special study, and joint degree programs

The variety of degree options at St. Joe’s carries over to their online offerings. With over 30 online degrees and certificates, students have the flexibility to explore their interests.

Several of those online degrees and certificates are in the field of education. St. Joe’s offers several Master’s in Education degrees:

Deaf and Hard of Hearing PK-12
Secondary Education
Special Education

Within the Master’s in Special Education degree, online students can also add one of 5 certification tracks (which are also offered as certificate options outside of the master’s degree). These certificates include:

Applied Behavior Analysis
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Wilson Reading System
Special Education

Students in this program must also have a related bachelor’s in education, as well as a Level 1 teacher certification in one of several areas. Upon completing any of St. Joe’s online Master’s in education degrees, students are eligible for related Pennsylvania state teaching certificates.

Online Education Degree Homepage
Online Ed Degrees: 18
In-state Tuition: $53,060 (full year rate)

5. Robert Morris University

Robert Morris University is a private doctoral university in Moon, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1921 as the Pittsburgh School of Accountancy, Robert Morris University quickly changed its name to honor the Declaration of Independence signer. Slowly the school expanded its course offerings, until it became a comprehensive university in 2002. Today, RMU has a little over 3,400 students. With a small student body, RMU can ensure that each of its students have individualized educational experiences. Despite its size, RMU offers a wide range of degree programs including:

60 bachelor’s
over 20 masters and doctoral programs

At RMU students not only get the benefits of a small school, but the variety of options at a large university and the numerous resources of a major metropolitan area.

RMU also offers a number of online degree programs to meet the needs of busy students. Several of those programs are in the field of education. For instance, online students can earn a PhD in Instructional Management and Leadership. This program is designed for teachers looking to advance their careers. As such, students can combine the program with online certification and endorsement options, including: teaching in higher education.

Online Education Degree Homepage
Online Ed Degrees: 2
In-state Tuition: $34,360

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania	Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania	Online Ed Degrees: 13
TUITION 10507 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES N/A GRADUATE DEGREES ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: K-8 MATH/SCIENCE M.ED. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: K-12 READING SPECIALIST M.ED. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: K-12 READING SPECIALIST WITH COACHING LITERACY ENDORSEMENT M.ED. SECONDARY EDUCATION: TEACHING MATH & SCIENCE (ADV. TRACK ONLY) M.ED. SECONDARY EDUCATION: TEACHING ENGLISH (ADVANCED TRACK) M.ED. SECONDARY EDUCATION: TEACHING HISTORY (ADVANCED TRACK) M.ED. SPECIAL EDUCATION: AUTISM M.ED. SPECIAL EDUCATION: GRADES 7 -12 M.ED. SPECIAL EDUCATION: BIRTH TO GRADE 8 M.ED. SPECIAL EDUCATION: SUPERVISION M.ED. SPECIAL EDUCATION: AUTISM (ENDORSEMENT) TEACHING ONLINE (CERTIFICATE) TEACHING MUSIC ONLINE (CERTIFICATE)SPECIAL EDUCATION ED. D

Saint Joseph’s University	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Online Ed Degrees: 18
TUITION 49610 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES N/A GRADUATE DEGREES BLS in General Studies MS in Education – Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing PK-12 Certification MS in Education – Secondary Education MS in Education – Special Education MS in Instructional Technology Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement Autism Studies Certificate (Post-baccalaureate) Certificate of Proficiency in Autism Studies Instructional Technology Specialist Certification Online Accelerated Teaching Certification Pennsylvania PK-12 Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Certification Special Education Certification

Wilkes University	Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania	Online Ed Degrees: 8
TUITION 41112 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES N/A GRADUATE DEGREES M.S. in Education, ESL Program Specialist Certification, Instructional Technology Specialist Certification, Grades 4-8 Certification, K-12 Principal Certification, Special Education Certification, Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility, Doctor of Education

CaliforniaUniversityofPennsylvanialogo 204

Cedar Crest College	Allentown, Pennsylvania	Online Ed Degrees: 1
TUITION 43643 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES N/A GRADUATE DEGREES Online M.Ed. in the Art of Teaching

Delaware County Community College	Media, Pennsylvania	Online Ed Degrees: 2
TUITION 6420 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES Early Childhood Education, Associate in Arts Education, Associate in Arts GRADUATE DEGREES N/A

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus	University Park, Pennsylvania	Online Ed Degrees: 7
TUITION 15054 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES N/A GRADUATE DEGREES Art Education Curriculum and Instruction Educational Leadership Higher Education Learning, Design, and Technology Lifelong Learning and Adult Education Special Education

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	Online Ed Degrees: 4
TUITION 21080 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES N/A GRADUATE DEGREES Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education, Master of Education (MEd) in English and Communications, Master of Education (MEd) in Mathematics Education, Master of Education (MEd) in Secondary Social Studies Education

Duquesne University	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	Online Ed Degrees: 4
TUITION 45376 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES N/A GRADUATE DEGREES M.S. in Instructional Technology, M.S.Ed. in Educational Studies (Hybrid), Ed.D in Instructional Technology and Leadership Online Teacher Endorsement

Clarion University of Pennsylvania	Clarion, Pennsylvania	Online Ed Degrees: 17
TUITION 17972 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education (Part Time) GRADUATE DEGREES Early Childhood Director’s ProgramOnline Instruction EndorsementEarly Childhood Directors Credential Renewal ProgramGifted and Talented Education Skills for Teacher Leaders CertificateMaster of Science of Library Science Master of Education in Education Online Instruction Endorsement Master of Education in Education Curriculum & Instruction Master of Education in Education Early Childhood Master of Education in Education Technology Master of Education in Education Reading Master of Education in Education Mathematics Education Master of Education in Education Reading Specialist Certification (One Summer Residency) Master of Education in Education Science EducationMaster of Science in Special EducationGraduate Certification in Early Childhood

West Chester University of Pennsylvania	West Chester, Pennsylvania	Online Ed Degrees: 6
TUITION 18651 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES N/A GRADUATE DEGREES The M.Ed. in Special Education Online Program The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education Online Program The Graduate Certificate in Adapted Physical Education The Educational Technology Certificate The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification in Special Education Online Program The Certificate in Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technologies

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