While this answer used to be four years, this was when most students attended their classes on-
campus. Now, students have some additional choices, including the online option. Depending on
how an individual university has this structured, an undergraduate student who takes at least 15
credit hours each semester can earn their degree in close to four years. However, most students
decide to take only the minimum 12 credit hours per semester. This makes their program run close
to five or even six years. Depending upon how flexible the university is with courses being offered
(and how long a term or semester runs), students can anticipate graduating in five years, on
average.

An undergraduate degree in education costs $28,750 for one academic year (fall and spring). For an
out-of-state student, the academic year costs can run up to $53,504, and for an international
student, $59,312.
In another state where costs are higher, one academic year for an in-state student runs $55,320.
This estimate is for 12 to 18 credit hours per semester.

Although a traditional teaching job is generally not attainable with an associate degree in education,
there are still job options available to those with a two-year degree. Some of them even allow
workers to teach in a certain capacity.

Below are some of the jobs someone with an associate degree in education is qualified to
hold:
 Teaching Assistant:
You’ll assist the lead teacher in executing curriculum plans and may be in charge of managing
the students when they aren’t in a classroom setting, such as in the gym or while on the
playground. This person could also be tasked with riding the bus or taking care of other duties as
they’re assigned.
Average Salary - $24,314
 Preschool Teacher:
In this position, you’ll work with children younger than school age, generally between 3 and 5
years old. A preschool teacher helps these children prepare to start school by setting and
reaching certain educational benchmarks. The classroom generally has two teachers as classes
in preschools can be on the larger side or may consist of students of different ages and abilities.
Average Salary - $32,500
 Childcare Worker:
when parents of young children work, they need reliable people to take care of their children.
Childcare workers can work in a daycare setting or they can offer services in client homes.
These people ensure that children are safe, fed, entertained, and educated. The worker might
use a prepared curriculum or allow free play as a learning tool for the child.
Average Salary - $30,554

Quite simply, an unaccredited education program or university means that you won’t be able to
access federal financial aid (that FAFSA application) or receive higher salary offers. Depending on
your state, you may not even have the option to take the necessary exams to receive a teaching
license unless you attend an accredited program.

As you check various universities and colleges out, make sure that you dig deeply to verify whether
the university or education program is accredited or not. Accreditation is a voluntary step. Not every
program will be accredited.

This lack of accreditation means that you, your parents, financial aid organizations and employers
wouldn’t be sure of the quality of your education. Without accreditation, they won’t know whether
your professors were of the best quality.

A top-notch College of Education should have an accreditation from an education-based accrediting
organization as well, or a state-approved teacher preparation program. In addition, if it has
accreditations from other agencies, to cover special education, mental health, athletics, speech and
hearing, school psychology, and a state education department, then you will know the program is
definitely of the highest quality.