When choosing an online teaching certification program it is important that you find the one that best accommodates your goals, lifestyle, and location. Online education has grown significantly in recent years, and greater validity or recognition being given to online degrees has opened the doors for many people to pursue careers that would normally be out of reach due to finances or other circumstances. However, a quick internet search reveals an extraordinary number of schools making a lot of impressive promises, and finding the right program for you can be a daunting experience.

Online education has many advantages that make it an appealing alternative to the more traditional routes. Since most online schools allow you to access the material at any time, they provide the flexibility that most on-site programs cannot offer. Also, online schools are much less costly, and being able to follow a less rigid schedule makes it possible to pursue your teaching certification while still maintaining a job, gaining field experience, or taking care of your family. Unfortunately, not all programs are created equal, so before making any decisions or financial commitments, it is important to ask a few key questions:

1. Is the school fully accredited? There are many schools out there making promises they fail to keep. You do not want to enroll in a program only to discover two years later that your degree is not recognized by employers, or that the institution's reputation is questionable. Also, if a school is not accredited, it will be very difficult to transfer credits should you decide to pursue additional education at another school in the future.

2. What state do you plan to teach in? Qualifications and requirements for certification vary from state to state. Additionally, many regions and districts have their own specifications, so you need to do some research and make sure that the online program you choose will provide certification in the state you wish to teach.

3. What grade level or subject area do you want to teach? There are many different areas within the educational field including early childhood education, elementary school education, secondary school education, or special education, and before choosing an online teaching certification program you must determine if it will provide you with the credits and skills needed to work in your chosen area. Also, you should find out if your degree will allow you to teach in a specialized area such as art or music, if this is of interest to you.

4. Is work placement provided? All states require a certain amount of work/classroom experience for certification. Contact any online schools you may be considering and inquire about their placement policy. Many schools will work with the board of education in your area to secure placement experience for you; however, it is your responsibility to make sure that this is included in the program. You do not want to complete the course study and then find out that you cannot get the work experience necessary for certification.

5. What alternative pathways are offered? Alternative pathways are alternate routes to acquiring a teaching degree, and often accelerate the process so you achieve certification much more quickly and at significantly less cost. The alternative pathways available vary from school to school and from state to state, so take the time to ask some important questions. Does the school give credit for past studies and work experience? If you have taught in a private school, what is required to become qualified to teach in a public school? Will course study be reduced if you have a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctorate in another subject but do not have a license to teach?

If there is not a traditional program available in your area, if you require a flexible schedule, or if finances are an issue, then an online teaching certification program may be the perfect choice for you. But remember, requirements vary for online degrees, just like for on-site or traditional ones, and it is vital that you ask the important questions so you don’t waste time or make costly mistakes.