Online Education Degrees: California

Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California is the oldest non-profit research university in California. Located in Los Angeles, USC is home to one one of the largest and topmost ranking schools of education in the nation, the Rossier School of Education, which places consistently among the Top 20 such schools in the nation and supports online programs for all of its degrees. As the state’s largest, most prestigious institution of higher learning, and one that consistently ranks among the Top 25 in the nation, the University of Southern California enrolls greater than 42,000 students, the vast majority of which are graduate and professional students.

The University of Southern California’s 8 online degree programs in education offer some of the best graduate degree programs in early childhood education in the United States. In addition to the more traditional master’s programs in Teaching, Special Education, and Teacher Leadership, USC’s M.Ed. in Learning Design and Technology is especially suited to students who want to start or advance careers in educational program design and online learning, which can lead to careers as Education Coordinators and Directors in Museums, Science Centers, Aquariums and After-School Centers. The M.A.T. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is sure to go a long way toward securing gainful employment as one of California’s high-demand second-language teachers. And of course, the education program’s two doctoral programs will undoubtedly increase both the job prospects and earning potential of early childhood educators who want to become leaders of their profession.

Founded in 1908 as the Bible Institue Of Los Angeles, Biola University is a private, Evangelical Christian university located outside of downtown Los Angeles. Biola is particularly well-known for its moderate theological approach to Christian education, as well as for its education degrees, which rank consistently among the most popular degrees for undergraduates at Biola. Biola is one of only two Christian Universities to rank among the top 200 National Universities in the United States. A growing portion of Biola students attend online classes and earn online degrees.

Biola University’s 10 online degrees in education offer some of the best Christ-centered graduate programs in early childhood education the United States. In addition to the traditional master’s degrees in Teaching and Education, which include emphases in Special Education and Early Childhood Education, Biola’s M.S. in Curriculum, Instruction, & Publication offers an excellent path to pursue more administrative leadership roles in the early childhood education arena that may involve applying for much-needed grants and funding packages for young teachers and students. The M.A. or M.Ed. in Personalized Education also offers a unique opportunity for students who might like to customize their degree while teaching either full- or part-time. All of these options, and their attendant flexibilities, make Biola University a perfect fit for busy working Californians who are looking to add another line to their educational résumés.

Founded in 1899, Azusa Pacific University is a Christian liberal arts college located in the Los Angeles suburb of Azusa. It is particularly well-known for its forward-thinking Christian curriculum and breathtaking scenery on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Azusa Pacific University is also one of only two Christian Universities to rank among the top 200 National Universities in the United States, and a growing portion of Azusa Pacific University students attend online classes and earn online degrees.

Azusa Pacific University’s 8 online degrees in education offer some of the best Christ-centered graduate programs in early childhood education the United States. In addition to the traditional master’s degrees in Education, which include emphases in Special Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Azusa Pacific University’s unique Master of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Educational Leadership offer an excellent path to pursue more instructional leadership roles in the early childhood education arena that may involve teaching technology or becoming certified as a school administrator. The M.A. in School Librarianship and M.S. in Physical Education also offer unique opportunities to prepare to teach and coach in an early childhood setting. All of these options, their Christian influence, and their attendant flexibilities, make Azusa Pacific University a perfect fit for busy working California Christians who are looking to add another line to their educational résumés.

Established in 1919, the University of California, Los Angeles is one of the most selective public research universities in California. Located in Los Angeles, UCLA is home to one one of the largest and topmost ranking schools of education in the nation, the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, which places consistently among the Top 20 such schools in the nation supporting online programs and degrees. As the state’s second most prestigious public institution of higher learning, and one that consistently ranks among the Top 25 in the nation, the University of California, Los Angeles enrolls greater than 44,000 students, over 25% of which are graduate students.

The University of California, Los Angeles’s 7 online degree programs in education offer some of the best graduate degree programs in early childhood education in the United States, as well as one of the best undergraduate programs in the same. That Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Studies for Learning and Developments will undoubtedly increase the job prospects of early childhood educators who want to become leaders in the field of Family Studies. In addition to the more traditional master’s programs in Education, UCLA’s M.Ed. in Special Education, Autism and Developmental Disabilities in Early Childhood is especially suited to students who want to start careers as teachers of children with special needs, which might lead to taking on leadership roles in special school districts and other early childhood care centers. And of course, the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction for Digital Literacy is sure to go a long way toward securing gainful employment as a leader in one of California’s specialty schools for technology.

Founded in 1971, National University is a private, nonprofit university located in La Jolla, California on the state’s southern border. NU’s four professional schools and two colleges are known for their concentrated course formats that permit online, distance, and adult learners the flexibility to enroll in courses that work best with their own busy schedules. National University maintains one of the largest graduate student institutions in the United States, and its Sanford College of Education program is well-known for holding teacher contracts with nearly 650 California school districts, as well as it Harmony and Institute of Philanthropy programs.

National University’s 16 online degrees related to business range from the associate’s level to the master’s level, and they include but are not limited to an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education for Nevada or California Licensure, as well as a Master of Science in Instructional Leadership and Master of Arts in Teaching. In addition to these more traditional options, National University also offers highly specialized degrees such as the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Development with a Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential, an ideal program for prospective teachers who are looking to knock out their requirements for licensure in one fell swoop. At less than $416 per credit hour for in-state graduate and undergraduate students, these degree programs are a best value.