Finding Tomorrow’s Teachers in Today’s Classrooms
Learn More About Degrees Offered at WGU
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Prepare to Be a Teacher—Without Stepping Away From the Students Who Need You
You already bring value to the classroom. Now lead one of your own as a teacher, without stepping away from your paraeducator responsibilities.
WGU’s flexible, accredited programs are designed for people like you who want a clear, supported pathway to licensure.
Why paraeducators choose WGU:
- Study when it’s convenient. With online coursework available 24/7, you can learn on your schedule.
- Low tuition. Bachelor’s degree programs start at just $4,025* per six-month term.
- Scholarships build for educators. You may qualify for scholarship opportunities, including the $5,000 Education Support Professionals Scholarship—potentially saving even more on tuition.
- Opportunity to graduate faster. WGU’s competency-based education lets you move through coursework more quickly by demonstrating what you know as soon as you’re ready.
- Curriculum you can trust. Our AAQEP- and CAEP-accredited programs help you confidently prepare for licensure in any of the 50 states.
- Personalized support. WGU’s attentive Course Instructors and dedicated Program Mentors are there to help you stay on track throughout your WGU journey.
See how Seraphina balances working on her teaching degree at WGU while continuing her work as a paraeducator.
*As of January 1, 2026. Price includes fees.
"I know that every interaction I have can have the impact of inspiring somebody.”
—Seraphina B. Special Education paraeducator
Bachelor's Degrees That Prepare You for an Initial Teaching License
These bachelor's degrees are for individuals who do not hold a bachelor's degree and do not have a teaching license. They will prepare you to earn a teaching license in your state and become a teacher.
Education
Elementary Education – B.A.
An online teacher certification program for aspiring elementary teachers....
An online teacher certification program for aspiring elementary teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 68% of students finish this degree within 36 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program (38 for Washington residents)
Concepts included in this program:
- Elementary Reading Methods
- Language Arts Instruction
- Elementary Mathematics Methods
- Elementary Disciplinary Literacy
- Children’s Literature
This elementary education degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This online teaching degree program helps you to be eligible for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.
Education
Special Education (Mild to Moderate) – B.A.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring special education teachers. Leads to your teaching license in states that offer a single teaching license in K–12 special education.
- Time: 61% of students finish this program within 34 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program.
If your state requires—or if you're interested in—dual licensure in both elementary education and K–12 special education, consider the B.A. Special Education (K–12) program.
Concepts included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
This online degree program includes a preclinical experience with face-to-face observation hours and a Student Teaching component hosted by an experienced teacher and directed by a clinical supervisor.
Education
Special Ed and Elementary Ed (Dual Licensure) – B.A.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring K–12 special education teachers. Leads to dual licensure—elementary education teaching license and special education teaching license.
- Time: 60% of students finish this degree within 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 45 total courses in this program (46 for Washington residents).
(Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.) If your state offers a single K–12 special education teaching license and you are interested in focusing on teaching students with mild to moderate exceptionalities, consider the B.A. Special Education (Mild to Moderate) online teaching degree.
Concepts included in this program:
- Elementary Reading Methods
- Elementary Mathematics Methods
- Elementary Social Studies Methods
- Elementary Science Methods
- Language Arts Instruction and Intervention
This special education teaching online degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Master's Degrees That Prepare You for an Initial Teaching License
If you already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field, you may want to pursue a master's degree that will prepare you for an intial teaching license. These master's programs allow you to be eligible for a teaching license in your state.
Education
Teaching, Elementary Education – M.A.
An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification...
An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification program for aspiring elementary school teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to a teaching license. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 64% of students finish within 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 28 total courses in this program (29 for Washington residents)
Concepts included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
This online teacher's degree requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Teaching, Special Education (K–12) – M.A.
An online master's degree for aspiring teachers looking to further their...
An online master's degree for aspiring teachers looking to further their careers with a focus on K–12 special education.
- Time: 64% of students finish similar programs in 22 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 30 total courses in this program.
This program is ideal for students who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field and are looking to earn their initial teaching license.
Concepts included in this program:
- Professional, Ethical and Legal Guidelines in Special Education
- Management Strategies for Academic and Social Behavior
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Methods of Instruction and Intervention
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Find a rewarding career teaching students with diverse challenges and special learning abilities with this teaching master's degree.
Education
Teaching, Social Studies (Secondary) – M.A.
This online master's degree program prepares you to become a licensed...
This online master's degree program prepares you to become a licensed social studies teacher in your state.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 63% of students finish similar programs within 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 19 total courses in this program (21 for Washington residents).
Concepts included in this program include:
- US History
- World History
- Economics
- Classroom Instruction Strategies
- Technology for the Classroom
This online social studies degree prepares students for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.
Undergraduate
School of Education undergraduate program tuition
$3,825
Tuition rates effective January 1, 2026. Costs are per six-month term. Tuition covers unlimited courses per term.
All programs: $200 per-term Resource Fee covers e-textbooks and learning resources.
Undergraduate
School of Education undergraduate program tuition
$3,825
Tuition rates effective January 1, 2026. Costs are per six-month term. Tuition covers unlimited courses per term.
All programs: $200 per-term Resource Fee covers e-textbooks and learning resources.
Scholarships Available
The $5,000 Education Support Professionals Scholarship is for paraeducators pursuing a WGU degree leading to teacher licensure.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality is institutionally recognized.
Prepared for Success on the Job
*From a 2024 Harris Poll of 300 employers of WGU graduates.
100% of employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.*
94% of employers said WGU graduates meet or exceed expectations*
95% of employers rated the "soft skills" of WGU grads as equal to or better than graduates from other institutions*
Get Started on Your Journey
Let us know what kind of information you'd like and how you'd like us to be in touch. The personalized support you receive at WGU starts long before you become a student. In fact, it starts now:
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Receive a Program Guide full of detailed information on your program of interest.
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An Enrollment Counselor specializing in your school of interest will answer your questions and can even help you pick a program. No obligation, no pressure.
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