Best Online Degrees in: Business Education

Editor's Picks: Online Schools for Business Education

Value
This award goes to East Carolina University, where the 30-year net return on investment if 5.6%, according to PayScale.com. This number increases to 7.4% when factoring in financial aid, which 40% of students receive, according to the site. The school is also considered among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and is specially accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, which speaks favorably to the quality of its education programs.

Career Support
Appalachian State University gets this award due to its range of career services. Students, both those on campus and online, can find assistance in their job and internship search skills through the school's online tool, Career Gear. This includes scheduling an appointment with a career counselor and uploading a resume to connect with employers. If students need help on that resume, they can use the school's Optimal Resume tool to build a strong one and submit it for review.

Technology Support
This distinction goes to Appalachian State University, which is ranked among the best online schools in the country for student services and technology, according to U.S. News & World Report. Of note are such online services as career placement assistance, a smartphone app, and live streaming video. Additionally, students can take advantage of online tutorials and contact the support center vide email, phone, or online.

Student Engagement
This award goes to Appalachian State University, which was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top online bachelor's degree programs in the country for student engagement and for providing ways for students to participate. At Appalachian State, this means mobile technology, live Web conferencing, and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Library and Research Support
Appalachian State University gets this award thanks to its distance learning-friendly library resources and assistance. Online students have access to the library's collections, including electronic titles and print books, which can be delivered usually free of charge to students. There's also an online orientation introducing students to the library services for distance learners. And, when they have questions, students can contact designated distance learning librarians via phone, chat, or email.

Learning Support
This award goes to East Carolina University for its accommodations for online students when it comes to academic resources. Academic advisors are available to all students to provide guidance in choosing majors and understanding academic policies. Through the school's writing center, distance education students can submit writing via email for online consultation. Course-specific and study skills resources are also available on Blackboard.

Faculty Credentials
East Carolina University receives this award for the strength of its faculty, training, and program. The majority of the school's instructors are experts in their fields, with 83% holding Ph.D.s or other first-professional degrees. The school is also committed to professional growth, as evidenced by its Office for Faculty Excellence, which provides faculty of all levels, from emerging to tenured, with resources and services that support their distance education training, assessment, teaching, research, and mentoring. Additionally, the school's education program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teach Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and the school itself is ranked among the best universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report, speaking to the strength of its education and instruction.

Faculty Accessibility
Appalachian State University receives this award thanks to its small class sizes and instructor availability. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the student-to-faculty ratio is only 16 to 1, which helps instructors maintain contact with their students. Additionally, students can expect their instructors to hold weekly office hours, according to U.S News & World Report, which ranks the school among the top online bachelor's degree programs for student and faculty engagement and assessment.

Alumni Engagement
This award goes to East Carolina University, which provides a variety of resources and networking opportunities for its alumni. Graduates can take advantage of job services through the school's career center. And ECU's Alumni Association helps connect grads through regional groups, events such as Homecoming and reunions, and an alumni directory.

New Online Student Orientation
This distinction goes to East Carolina University, where new students can become acquainted with the online learning environment through a series of online tutorials, which cover applications including Blackboard, OneStop, Banner Self Service, and Piratemail. Additionally, they can learn all about the school's distance education program through its step-by-step orientation.

Explore a Bachelor's Degree in Business Education

If you have an interest in business, particularly the technology being used in business today, and want to make a career out of educating students and preparing them for the business world, you may want to consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in business education. On average, a bachelor's degree can be earned in around four years. Even so, the amount of time it takes to complete a program can vary for each student. Factors such as your program's requirements, your ability to successfully complete each course and progress through the program, if you have an transferable credits you can use toward your degree, and whether you are a full-time or part-time student will determine how long it takes you to earn your degree.

Class Curriculum

A bachelor's degree program in business education will have a heavy emphasis on computer technology and software and how to educate students about the various aspects of business and the technology that drives it. Each business education program will be different, but here are three of the more common courses:

• Teaching Methods for Business Education. This course will teach you how to organize and manage your classroom, and determine what instructional materials to use. You will also learn methods and standards for instructing and evaluating students.
• Methods of Teaching Computer Courses. In this course you will learn about the technology and computer software programs being used today. The focus of the course will be on familiarizing students with how to use and teach students how to use necessary computer applications, business software, and programs.
• Curriculum Development for Business Education. This course will teach you how to design and determine course objectives and content and develop curriculum for business education programs. You may also learn how to assess the needs in the job market and design courses to meet those needs.

Many business education programs rely heavily on hands-on, technical training to familiarize students with the various technology, applications, and programs being used by businesses. You may also have assignments such as developing a curriculum focused on a particular area, writing papers about teaching methods, or taking exams over topics that have been covered in your class.

Building a Career

Once you earn your bachelor's degree in business education, you should be familiar with the technology and practices being used by businesses today, and you should know how to educate students about each aspect of business. The hands-on training you receive will give you the skills needed to demonstrate to students how to use the various technology and computer applications. Most business education majors go into a career as a secondary educator teaching high school business courses. Keep in mind that earning your degree does not guarantee employment, and each state has specific licensing and certification requirements that individuals must meet before being allowed to teach.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), high school teachers are expected to have an increase of 7% in employment through the year 2020. The BLS also shows that the average income for high school teachers is $53,230 a year. However, your income will depend on several factors, such as how much experience you have, what school district you teach in, and whether you teach at a public or private school.