Online Education Degrees: Delaware

The current state of education in Delaware has its fair share of challenges. The achievement gaps between races and genders, funding disparities between school districts, and inconsistent academic outcomes are cause for concern.

But the First State has many strengths in its education system, too, which makes it among the best states for aspiring and current teachers. The state has made significant investments in early childhood education, particularly in expanded access and improved quality of its ECE programs. The Common Core State Standards are in effect across the education system, which promotes rigorous academic standards, and low-income students receive state support.

With transformative initiatives like the ESSA Plan, Delaware’s performance in teacher quality and school leadership is on track. Indeed, it’s an excellent time to establish a successful career in education in the First State today. If you’re interested, here are the things that you should know.

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Requirements for Teaching Licensure in Delaware

The Delaware Department of Education, particularly the License and Certification Office, is the state agency in charge of the teaching licensure and certification process. The process itself consists of two steps wherein aspiring teachers must be approved for both:

A license, which authorizes a teacher to work in public or charter schools in Delaware; AND
A certificate that identifies the specific content area in which a teacher has the authority to teach.

The two-step process means a teacher can hold one or more certificates but only one license type.

The teaching license requirements are:

Earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university. The bachelor’s degree may or may not be in education or a specific area of education (e.g., special education, elementary education, or secondary education).
Complete a state-approved teacher education or preparation program. This can be integrated into an undergraduate or graduate degree program or undertaken separately in a post-baccalaureate program.
Achieve passing scores on the required Praxis exams. In Delaware, these are the Praxis I Math, Reading and Writing exams and the Praxis II: Subject Test exam; both are required for a Standard Certificate. Note that these can change. The Delaware State Board of Education approves, while the Delaware Professional Standards Board adopts the content readiness exams.
Complete a comprehensive state and federal background check, including fingerprinting.

The entire process can take 4-5 years, depending on your academic route and teaching experience.

General License Types

The State of Delaware has a three-tier teaching licensure system.

1. The Initial License is for individuals who fall into one of these three categories:

Aspiring teachers getting their first teaching license
Practicing licensed teachers with more than one year but less than four years of appropriate teaching experience
Individuals who previously possessed a Delaware Initial License but it has expired for more than five years

Applicants must also apply and be approved for a Standard Certificate. No Standard Certificate, no Initial License. The Initial License is valid for three years.

2. The Continuing License is for currently licensed teachers with more than four years of appropriate teaching experience. This can be renewed every five years.

The application process for the Continuing License:

Submit your complete and accurate application form in DEEDS.
Submit verification of satisfactory DPAS annual summative evaluations covering the Initial License period.

If you have more than one unsatisfactory evaluation, you become ineligible for the Continuing License.

3. The Advanced License is for teachers and educators with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification. This is valid for up to five years.

Certificates

Delaware issues three types of certificates.

The Standard Certificate credential certifies that its holder possesses the prescribed competencies for teaching a specific content area or population. These can be in math, science, English, special education, or early childhood education.
The Emergency Certificate is only a temporary credential and, thus, can only be exercised within a single school year. You must meet two requirements to be considered:
- You must either have an offer of employment or have been hired for a teaching job with an employing authority and
- You have a valid teaching license at any level, but you don’t have the required knowledge and skills to meet certification requirements in the specific field/s you were hired for.

Once you’re issued an Emergency Certificate, you must meet certification requirements within the time frame.

The Certificate of Eligibility is a one-year credential that can be renewed up to two times, depending on the employer’s request. You must have a valid teaching license and participate in a state-approved licensure and certification program for teachers working with children with exceptional needs, such as disabilities.

Applications for both licenses and certifications are made through DEEDS. Documentary requirements include official transcripts, a refundable one-time $100 application fee, test scores, and proof of student teaching. You can apply for teaching jobs at school districts and charter schools while your application is in process.

Online Education Program Admission Requirements

The admissions requirements for online education programs at the bachelor’s level in the State of Delaware include:

Completed online application with paid application fee
High school diploma or GED equivalent with a satisfactory GPA
Official transcripts

Master’s and doctoral degree programs have more selective admissions criteria and more documentary requirements. Most programs also require a minimum number of relevant work experience.

Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from a regionally accredited university
Official transcripts from all colleges attended with satisfactory cumulative GPA
Valid teaching license and certificate
Professional resume detailing relevant teaching or educational leadership experience, as the case may be
Statement of purpose or essays with prompts
Letters of recommendation or referrals
Leadership or teaching portfolio
Panel interview

Average Annual Salaries For Common Educator Roles in Delaware

Elementary School Teachers $66,099
Middle School Teachers $66,790
High School Teachers $66,900
Special Education Teachers $63,838
School Administrators $121,306
Principals $120,186
Assistant Principals $98,700
Curriculum Developers $95,360
Instructional Coordinators $75,652
Librarians/Media Specialists $64,208

Scholarships for Future Educators in Delaware

The Christopher K. Smith Memorial Future Teacher Scholarship program awards $1,000 every year for four years to a public high school graduate majoring in education in college.
The Howard Weinberg Scholarship program also awards $4,000 distributed over four years to children of DSEA members.
The WilmU Works for Aspiring Teachers Scholarship program offers tuition reductions for deserving college students in its education programs.
The University of Delaware offers many scholarship programs for education majors, including the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society Award, Alpha Chapter, Education Alumni Association Scholarships, and Delaware Teacher Corps Scholarships.

The 3 Best Online Education Degree Providers in Delaware

The Delaware universities considered the best online education degree providers were selected based on the following methodology:

Have valid regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
With established track records for excellence in academics, student support services, and graduate outcomes
Offer financial aid options
Provide students with flexible, accessible, and convenient online education degree programs

University of Delaware

Students in UD’s education programs embody the university‘s motto – Knowledge is the light of the mind – in their studies. Free inquiry, intellectual curiosity, and empowerment are principles to live by.

MEd in Educational Technology

K-12 teachers and professionals pursuing careers in educational technology in schools, government, and businesses are welcome to apply. Here, their advanced knowledge and skills in the principles and applications of educational technology prepare them for career success.

Core courses include Learning Technologies Across the Curriculum and Technology and Cognition. Students must complete specialization courses, including Multimedia Literacy and Internet Technologies.

There are two tracks offered:

AECT Standards for Education Technology Specialists
ISTE Standards for Technology Coaches

Students complete other degree requirements, such as a curriculum project, action research project, and capstone e-portfolio.

Admission is on a selective basis. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and provide supporting documents to demonstrate their fit for the graduate program.

MEd in Exceptional Children and Youth

Graduates become education consultants and special education teachers, among other professionals working with children and youth with disabilities. Students choose from two tracks:

The Master’s Program is the best choice for licensed teachers who want to acquire special needs-related teaching competencies. Non-educators with appropriate work experience in the special needs and disabilities sector can also apply. Many students consider the Master’s Program as an effective route toward earning a second certificate in one of the following concentrations:
- Elementary Special Education
- Secondary Special Education
- Autism/Severe Disabilities
- Special Education Technology

The Master’s Plus Certification Program is suitable for individuals who want to earn their initial license and first teaching certificate. Concentrations in the following areas are offered:
- Elementary Special Education
- Secondary Special Education
- Autism/Severe Disabilities

Both these programs are offered in a hybrid format. Online synchronous and asynchronous classes are common for all courses.

Talk with an admissions officer or academic advisor about the best path to take in your case.

MEd in Literacy

The MEd in Literacy program is a fully online program that prepares licensed teachers for the Reading/Literacy Specialist certification. Students enroll on a part-time basis to complete the 30-credit curriculum in more than two years. The ten courses are completed over 7-week terms; there are no elective courses.

The required 3-credit courses include:

Language Development in the Classroom
Teaching Writing in the Elementary School
Literacy Assessment and Instruction
The Role of Literacy in Content Areas
Supervised Reading Clinic

Students develop teaching competencies to address the educational needs of both English native speakers and English learners. Their competencies also include cultural awareness and digital literacy.

As candidates for the Reading Specialist certification, students must earn a passing score on the Praxis II Reading Specialist exam (i.e., at least 165). Candidates must also have at least three years of teaching experience before applying for the Reading Specialist certification.

MEd in Teacher Leadership

The fully online MEd in Teacher Leadership program welcomes current PK-12 teachers who want to assume leadership positions in their schools. These include curriculum development specialists, department chairs, and professional development specialists.

The program of study complies with the rigorous standards set by the Teacher Leadership Exploratory Consortium (i.e., the National Teacher Leadership Standards). Students also complete two courses in line with the Common Core State Standards.

There are ten required courses, each with a 7-week duration, including:

The Role of Literacy Across the Content Areas
Data-Based Decision Making & Assessment
Understanding Teacher Leadership
Action Research
Fostering Technology-Based Collaboration

Students can earn the MEd degree in two years.

Note that this isn’t a licensure or certification program. The goal is to be eligible for leadership positions with an advanced degree.

In-state Tuition: $1,028/credit (Base tuition only; Master’s degree)
Online Education Degrees: 4
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Delaware State University

DSU is committed to academic excellence and student success, a twin goal embodied in its “REACH 2026 strategic plan. Among the areas in which it excels is in its graduate programs in education. Here, students are encouraged to pursue academic excellence and enjoy success in and beyond the classroom.

MEd in Educational Leadership

Gaps in access and opportunity for disadvantaged children and communities are among the challenges in its education system that the State of Delaware wants to address. If you’re interested in being part of the solution, consider earning the MEd in Educational Leadership degree.

The degree program is a collaborative project between DSU and the State of Delaware and, thus, has been adjusted according to the changing needs of the K-12 education system. Graduates are well-prepared to address the current challenges upon completion, thanks to the regular curriculum updates.

The CAEP-accredited program features a 36-credit curriculum with courses in:

Contemporary Curriculum Designs and Implementation Practices
Human Growth and Development Implications: Designing Learning Experience to Meet The Needs of Diverse Students
Interpreting and Applying Educational Research

Admission requirements are a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, GRE/MAT scores, a current professional resume, and three letters of recommendation, among others. Applicants will only be considered if they hold a valid Delaware license or a specific type of certificate.

EdD in Educational Leadership

The EdD in Educational Leadership is the logical next step after earning the MEd in Educational Leadership degree. Graduates are eligible for senior-level administrative positions as well as high-level research and policy jobs. Students gain the advanced competencies that make them effective transformational change agents in schools, government agencies, and nonprofits.

The CAEP-accredited program features a cohort model, meaning students progress in the program as a group. Students tackle a rigorous curriculum that includes didactic coursework and research capstone projects. There are also internship and community immersion requirements for hands-on learning experiences.

Students choose from two concentrations:

Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) in Educational Leadership in K-12
Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) in Educational Leadership in Higher Education

Both concentrations feature a 55-credit curriculum and 3.5 years time-to-degree for full-time students.

Admission requirements are a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher, GRE/MAT scores, and a personal statement, among others.

In-state Tuition: $19,014
Online Education Degrees: 2
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Wilmington University

WilmU offers several education degree programs through its College of Education. The CAEP-accredited College of Education has more than 1,000 education majors involved in supervised fieldwork across Delaware.

BS in Early Care and Education (Birth-Grade 2)

Graduates are eligible for an initial teaching license and a standard certificate in early care and education. There are 40 courses for completion and a year-long residency student teaching option.

BS in in Elementary Education (K-6)

This is also a licensure and certification program for individuals who want to teach at the elementary level. Both theories and applications are emphasized in the comprehensive curriculum. Up to 19 credits can be granted to students who achieve passing scores on their Praxis II exams in their first six months of studies.

MEd in Instruction: National Board Certified Teacher

The 30-credit program has a non-credit e-portfolio requirement. Students must also pass a content knowledge exam, have at least three years of teaching experience, and hold a valid license.

Other online degree programs in education are:

BS in Education Studies with concentrations in Early Childhood Education (Preschool); Elementary Education (K-6); Middle- Level Education (6-8) with a content focus in English, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies; and Skilled and Technical Sciences (All are non-licensure)
MEd in Higher Education
MEd in Reading (For licensed teachers seeking the Reading Specialist credential)
MEd in School Leadership
MEd in Applied Technology in Education
MEd in Instruction: Special Education
MEd in Instruction: Teacher of Reading
MEd in Instruction: Teaching and Learning
MEd in Special Education Teacher of Students with Disabilities K-12 (Traditional Route; Licensure)
MEd in Special Education, Instruction (Traditional Route; For licensed teachers seeking further certification)
Paraeducator to Special Education Teacher K-12 (Alternative Route – ARTC; Licensure)
Special Education Teacher K-12 (Alternative Route – ARTC; Licensure)
M.Ed. in Education Studies, Special Education K-12 (Non-Licensure)
EdD in Higher Education Leadership

In-state Tuition: $1,257/course (Bachelor’s degrees); $1,611/course (Master’s degrees); $2,139/course (Doctoral degree)
Online Education Degrees: 17
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