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Overview of an Associates in English Education
Are you considering a career in education? If you enjoy working with children or adolescents to build upon academic fundamentals and prepare them for further instruction, earning an associate degree in education may be a good career choice for you. It's important to realize, however, that every state requires public educators to be licensed. An associate degree alone will not satisfy the certification requirements necessary to teach in the United States. For this reason, you will be unable to find associate degree programs that focus solely on English education.
While this degree does not qualify graduates to become English teachers, they can pursue other roles within the school system or later complete a teaching-focused undergraduate degree with licensure. Career goals will determine the program choice. Students may opt for an Associate of Arts in education before earning a bachelor's degree in English, or complete an associate degree in English alongside general education requirements (e.g., chemistry, math, liberal arts) to transition to a bachelor's program. Core courses for an associate or higher-level English degree often cover creative writing, English language, world literature, literary analysis, and critical thinking subjects like political science. Offerings vary by institution, but Associate of Arts in English programs are commonly available at community colleges.
Education professionals at every level are usually expected to have successfully completed at least two years of higher education. In most cases, this means earning an associate degree in education, but some schools will accept the first two years of an undergraduate degree. An associate degree in English or education will provide graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to qualify for non-teaching, entry-level employment opportunities. There are several advantages and disadvantages associated with this degree type that you should be aware of.
Compare Popular Online English Education Programs
PROS
Pursuing an associate degree in English or education offers several benefits, including lower costs compared to bachelor's degrees. For the 2023–2024 academic year, average annual tuition and fees are:
Public two-year institutions (associate degrees): $3,860
Public four-year institutions (in-state tuition): $11,260
Private four-year institutions: $41,540
These figures highlight the cost-effectiveness of associate degrees, which can serve as a stepping stone toward a bachelor's degree while minimizing educational expenses. Associate's take less time than other higher education options, typically requiring about two years for full-time students, compared to four or more years for a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor’s degree holders take longer to enter the workforce, while associate degree graduates in English education can start working after two years. This allows them to begin repaying loans and earning a steady income sooner. Although their salaries may be lower than those with bachelor's degrees, they still earn more than those without any advanced education.
Credits from an accredited associate degree program can typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree, reducing the time needed to complete it. For example, an associate degree in English can expedite an education degree, and an associate of arts in education can speed up earning an English degree.
CONS
There are many advantages of pursing an Associate of Arts in English education, but there are drawbacks as well. Most importantly, graduates will not meet the minimum requirements to become licensed to teach in any state. All licensed educators must have, at minimum, an undergraduate degree from a school with proper accreditation. Individuals with an associate degree can apply for teaching assistant and teacher’s aide positions, but they will not be employable as full teachers. In some states, graduates cannot even work as preschool teachers or substitute teachers. In addition to employment opportunities being limited, professionals in these positions often make significantly less than full licensed teachers do, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Top 25 Best Online Associate in English Education Programs
Drury University
Score: 76.82
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,235
- Out-of-State:$35,235
- Net Price: $20,996
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 1,595
- Undergrad Students: 1,375
- Graduate Students: 220
- Grads Salary: $59,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Weber State University
Score: 76.1
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,391
- Out-of-State:$17,084
- Net Price: $10,525
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 29,914
- Undergrad Students: 28,903
- Graduate Students: 1,011
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Great Basin College
Score: 70.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,855
- Out-of-State:$13,448
- Net Price: $7,058
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 38%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 3,197
- Undergrad Students: 3,197
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $61,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Score: 66.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,140
- Out-of-State:$27,140
- Net Price: $24,828
- Acceptance Rate: 98%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 1,080
- Undergrad Students: 1,080
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Tusculum University
Score: 64.93
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,500
- Out-of-State:$28,500
- Net Price: $20,414
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 1,303
- Undergrad Students: 1,111
- Graduate Students: 192
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Score: 63.09
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,610
- Out-of-State:$18,610
- Net Price: $19,217
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 1,794
- Undergrad Students: 1,491
- Graduate Students: 303
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
South Texas College
Score: 62.18
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,220
- Out-of-State:$7,500
- Net Price: $1,692
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 26%
- Total Enrollment: 27,894
- Undergrad Students: 27,894
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $52,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Navarro College
Score: 60.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,718
- Out-of-State:$6,578
- Net Price: $10,124
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 59%
- Graduation Rate: 25%
- Total Enrollment: 6,277
- Undergrad Students: 6,277
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $61,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
College of Southern Nevada
Score: 59.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,110
- Out-of-State:$12,209
- Net Price: $7,685
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 17%
- Total Enrollment: 28,901
- Undergrad Students: 28,901
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Casper College
Score: 57.67
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,410
- Out-of-State:$10,710
- Net Price: $8,451
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 3,354
- Undergrad Students: 3,354
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $35,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Bucks County Community College
Score: 57.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,221
- Out-of-State:$13,421
- Net Price: $7,061
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 25%
- Total Enrollment: 6,162
- Undergrad Students: 6,162
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $45,500
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Score: 57.47
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,000
- Out-of-State:$5,000
- Net Price: $4,879
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 2,801
- Undergrad Students: 2,801
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $30,100
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Georgia Military College
Score: 56.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,112
- Out-of-State:$8,112
- Net Price: $10,544
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 33%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 6,998
- Undergrad Students: 6,998
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $48,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Miami University-Middletown
Score: 56.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,278
- Out-of-State:$18,847
- Net Price: $13,405
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 23%
- Total Enrollment: 1,269
- Undergrad Students: 1,269
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $57,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Georgia Highlands College
Score: 56.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,944
- Out-of-State:$9,296
- Net Price: $6,055
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 19%
- Total Enrollment: 4,768
- Undergrad Students: 4,768
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $52,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
North Central State College
Score: 56.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,624
- Out-of-State:$9,102
- Net Price: $3,885
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 27%
- Total Enrollment: 2,439
- Undergrad Students: 2,439
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,500
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Sinclair Community College
Score: 56.02
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,569
- Out-of-State:$8,316
- Net Price: $5,830
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 30%
- Total Enrollment: 17,591
- Undergrad Students: 17,591
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,700
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Cowley College
Score: 55.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,650
- Out-of-State:$6,150
- Net Price: $8,396
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 2,230
- Undergrad Students: 2,230
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $30,900
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
McLennan Community College
Score: 55.65
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,200
- Out-of-State:$5,910
- Net Price: $6,362
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 6,942
- Undergrad Students: 6,942
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,900
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Barton Community College
Score: 55.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,904
- Out-of-State:$4,832
- Net Price: $9,073
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 50%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 4,269
- Undergrad Students: 4,269
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $38,350
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Highland Community College
Score: 54.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,116
- Out-of-State:$4,116
- Net Price: $9,373
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 38%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 2,339
- Undergrad Students: 2,339
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,700
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Community College of Aurora
Score: 54.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,030
- Out-of-State:$15,680
- Net Price: $7,340
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 25%
- Total Enrollment: 8,343
- Undergrad Students: 8,343
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $42,700
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Saddleback College
Score: 54.56
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,432
- Out-of-State:$13,732
- Net Price: $6,940
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 16,660
- Undergrad Students: 16,660
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $27,500
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Brookdale Community College
Score: 54.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,056
- Out-of-State:$9,806
- Net Price: $8,962
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 29%
- Total Enrollment: 9,896
- Undergrad Students: 9,896
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,200
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Northern Virginia Community College
Score: 53.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,703
- Out-of-State:$11,786
- Net Price: $10,109
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 51,896
- Undergrad Students: 51,896
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,000
- Student-to-faculty: 28:1
Search Colleges Offering Online English Education Majors
What Associate Degrees are Available Online?
Associate degrees in education vary by title, with most institutions offering an Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Arts (AA), or sometimes Associate of Applied Science or Applied Arts. Common specializations include early childhood, paraprofessional, elementary, and secondary education, preparing students for non-teaching roles or further studies. Alternatively, enrolling in an English degree program with courses in creative writing, English language, and liberal arts can reduce the number of English-related classes needed for a future bachelor’s degree.
- Online Associate of Science (AS) in Education
An AS is usually best for students interested in entering the field as soon as possible. Coursework focuses primarily on critical content, necessary for a successful career as a non-teaching school employee. - Online Associate of Arts (AA) in Education
An AA usually appeals to individuals interested in continuing their education after graduation. Coursework typically includes both general education and education-specific classes. Completing a two-year AA in education degree program is often considered equivalent to completing the first two years of an undergraduate degree. - Online Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
AAS degrees are designed for individuals who plan to seek employment immediately after graduation. They tend to be much more technical in nature than AA and AS degrees, with fewer general courses. Some institutions may offer an online Associate of Applied Arts degree in education, but these programs are not common.
English Associate Admission Requirements
Online associate degree candidates must complete various institutional requirements before they can enroll in a program.
While these standards vary, they often include the following:
- A high school diploma or GED certificate
- Minimum overall academic grade point average
- Transcripts from any post-secondary education, if applicable
SAT and/or ACT scores are often required for bachelor degree candidates, but this is rarely the case for community colleges. Candidates may, however, need to submit additional paperwork, pay application fees, and arrange financial aid.
There are also several admission requirements that must be met before enrolling in an online bachelor degree program. If you intend to become an English teacher, you should become familiar with these before the completion of your associate degree in education. You should also be prepared to provide a complete transcript of classes taken.
How long does it take to earn These Degrees?
In most cases, full-time associate degree students can expect to graduate within two years. Those who take classes on a part-time basis, however, will likely need more time. While exact time frames will vary, part-time students may require between one to three additional years to complete the graduation requirements. Conversely, students with advanced placement credits may be able to graduate sooner. Earning an associate degree in English education will not lead directly to a career as an English teacher. Further education and certification will be necessary. This should be taken into consideration when calculating the total amount of time needed to prepare for various levels of employment in this field.
Potential Careers in English Education with an online Associates
Individuals who graduate with an associate degree in English education will have several employment opportunities available. While they will be unable to teach most grades professionally, they could work as a preschool teacher, teacher assistant, or childcare worker.
- Preschool Teacher:
Preschool teachers work with children who are too young for school, usually between ages three and five. They frequently engage these students in activities that are educational, but not too challenging. The primary goal for these professionals is to better prepare children for success in kindergarten.
According to the BLS, the average yearly salary for a preschool teacher is $37,130. - Teacher Assistant:
Teacher assistants supervise, tutor, and/or mentor students, individually or in small groups. They are often responsible for planning instruction, as well as maintaining paperwork pertaining to student grades and progress. These professionals also enforce school policies and rules when necessary.
According to the BLS, the average yearly salary for a teacher assistant is $35,550. - Childcare Worker:
Childcare workers are responsible for providing a safe and orderly environment for young children. They must ensure all physical, emotional, and social needs are effectively met, while also maintaining appropriate documentation. These professionals also contribute to facility planning and administration tasks including, but not limited to, interacting with parents and other child care workers.
According to the BLS, the average yearly salary for a childcare worker is $30,370.
Salary by Occupation
Occupation | Entry-Level | Mid-Career | Late Career |
---|---|---|---|
Writer | $40,900 | $54,200 | $65,2000 |
Composition | $38,900 | $51,000 | $66,800 |
Journalist | $30,900 | $44,800 | $57,900 |
Rhetoric | $46,000 | $58,000 | $70,000 |
Film/TV | $50,500 | $72,100 | $106,500 |
Digital Strategist | $55,600 | $69,700 | $124,800 |
Options to Advance
In most cases, the only way to advance in the education field is to earn an English education undergraduate degree. Graduates will be able to apply for a teaching license and can then seek more advanced employment. Because every state requires teachers to have a license, there are very few advancement opportunities available until this certification is earned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be ready to teach after completing this degree?
The short answer to this is no. Generally, teachers in the US are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree. If you wish to teach English, that means that you’ll need to complete a teacher preparation program that prepares you to take your PRAXIS exams in elementary, middle, or high school teaching. Additionally, most associate degree programs will provide you with a degree in English or in teaching but will not give you an English education dual degree. You’ll need to attend at least a bachelor’s-level program to earn that kind of degree. However, at the associate level, you can certainly earn a teaching degree or English degree that will give you an excellent foundation on which to continue your education.
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