Choosing an online teaching degree is not just about finding an accredited school. You also need to know whether the program leads to licensure in your state, includes required classroom experience, and fits the route you plan to take into teaching.
This guide explains how CAEP accreditation works, when it matters, and how to compare online programs before enrolling.
What Is CAEP Accreditation?
CAEP accreditation is a quality review for college and university programs that train teachers and other education professionals. It shows that the program has been evaluated against national standards for coursework, teaching practice, student outcomes, and ongoing improvement.
CAEP accreditation applies to the teacher-training program, not automatically to every degree offered by the school. It also does not replace state approval or guarantee that a program will qualify you for a teaching license where you live.
What Standards Do CAEP-Accredited Programs Meet?
CAEP reviews teacher-training programs in five main areas:
- Coursework and teaching knowledge: Candidates must understand what they teach and how students learn.
- Classroom experience: Programs must provide supervised clinical practice, such as student teaching.
- Candidate support: Programs must recruit qualified candidates, track their progress, and help them meet completion requirements.
- Graduate outcomes: Programs must evaluate how well graduates perform and whether employers and graduates are satisfied.
- Ongoing improvement: Schools must use reliable data to identify and address weaknesses.
CAEP also reviews whether a school has the staff, funding, and administrative resources to support its programs. The current initial-licensure standards took effect for reviews beginning in 2022.
Does My State Require a CAEP-Accredited Program?
Usually, no. States set their own teacher-licensing rules, and many require completion of a state-approved program rather than a CAEP-accredited one.
Before enrolling, confirm that the program:
- Is approved for teacher licensure in the state where you plan to teach
- Covers your intended grade level and subject area
- Includes any required student teaching or clinical practice
- Prepares you for required exams or performance assessments
- Meets the state’s rules for online and out-of-state programs
CAEP accreditation can help you assess program quality, but it does not replace state approval. CAEP’s own process recognizes that states review individual licensure areas under state-defined standards.
Use the CAEP directory to verify accreditation, then check the relevant state education agency’s website for licensing requirements.
Will an Online CAEP-Accredited Program Lead to Teacher Licensure?
Not always. Some online programs are designed for students seeking their first teaching license, while others are intended for licensed educators or careers that do not require certification.
Before enrolling, check the program’s licensure disclosures or contact the school to confirm that it:
- Leads to initial teacher licensure
- Meets the requirements of the state where you plan to teach
- Includes required student teaching or clinical experience
- Prepares you for required state exams
- Accepts students who live outside the school’s home state
Licensure-Leading vs. Non-Licensure Programs
| Program type | Best for | Student teaching | Initial licensure |
| Licensure-leading | Students seeking their first teaching license | Usually required | May qualify graduates if state requirements are met |
| Non-licensure | Licensed teachers and students pursuing other education careers | Usually not required | Does not lead to an initial teaching license |
CAEP accreditation does not determine whether a specific program will qualify you for licensure. State approval, program design, and your intended teaching location are the deciding factors.
Which Route Into Teaching Should I Choose?
The best route depends on your education, work experience, and whether you want to earn a degree while becoming licensed. Most candidates enter through a traditional preparation program, an alternative certification program, or a teacher residency.
| Route | Best for | Typical structure | Classroom experience |
| Traditional teacher preparation | Students earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree before teaching | Coursework followed by supervised student teaching | Usually unpaid student teaching |
| Alternative certification | Bachelor’s degree holders changing careers or entering a high-need subject | Condensed training completed before or while teaching | Often completed as the teacher of record |
| Teacher residency | Candidates who want extensive classroom training with a mentor | Coursework paired with a yearlong school placement | Usually a full academic year; some programs offer a stipend |
Traditional programs generally provide the most structured path. Alternative certification may be faster, while residencies offer more classroom experience before candidates teach independently.
Requirements vary by state and program. Check whether the route leads to the grade level and subject license you want before enrolling.
Should I Choose an MAT, MEd, or MS in Education?
Choose based on your career goal. An MAT is usually the best fit for aspiring classroom teachers, while an MEd or MS in Education is often better for licensed educators pursuing specialization, leadership, or research.
| Degree | Typical focus | Best for |
| Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) | Teaching methods, subject instruction, and classroom practice | Career changers and future teachers |
| Master of Education (MEd) | Curriculum, leadership, policy, counseling, or specialized practice | Licensed educators and education professionals |
| Master of Science in Education (MS or MSEd) | Research, assessment, learning science, or specialized instruction | Educators interested in analytical or research-focused roles |
Students comparing a master’s degree in education should focus on the curriculum, intended career outcome, and licensure status—not the degree title alone.
Degree titles are not standardized. One school’s MEd may lead to licensure, while another school’s MAT may be designed only for licensed teachers.
Review the curriculum and licensure disclosures rather than choosing based on the degree name alone.
How Do I Become a Teacher?
The process varies by state, but most public-school teachers must earn a degree, complete an approved preparation program, gain classroom experience, pass required assessments, and apply for a license.
- Choose where and what you want to teach. State, grade level, and subject area determine the requirements you must meet.
- Review your state’s licensing rules. Check degree, coursework, testing, and student-teaching requirements.
- Select an approved preparation program. Confirm that the program leads to the license you want in your state.
- Complete required coursework and clinical experience. This may include classroom observations, a practicum, and student teaching.
- Pass required assessments. Depending on the state, these may include Praxis exams, a performance assessment, or state-specific tests.
- Complete a background check. Most states require fingerprinting and a criminal-history review.
- Apply for your teaching license. Submit your transcripts, test scores, program verification, and other required documents.
- Maintain or upgrade your license. You may need professional development, teaching experience, or an advanced credential to renew it.
Career changers may be able to complete some of these steps through an alternative certification program while working in a classroom.
What Are Praxis and edTPA?
Praxis exams measure academic skills and subject knowledge. edTPA is a performance assessment based on a candidate’s planning, instruction, assessment, and classroom evidence.
Does Every State Require Praxis?
No. States and licensing agencies decide which Praxis exams are required and set their own passing scores. Requirements may also vary by subject and license type.
Does Every State Require edTPA?
No. Some states or teacher-preparation programs use edTPA, while others use a different performance assessment or none at all. Candidates should check current requirements with their state licensing agency and program.
Because testing policies change, verify the required assessments before choosing a program or registering for an exam.
What Will I Study in an Online Teacher Preparation Program?
Coursework varies by grade level, subject, and license type, but most teacher-preparation programs cover:
- Learning and development: How students grow, learn, and respond to different teaching approaches
- Instructional methods: How to plan lessons, teach subject matter, and adapt instruction
- Classroom management: How to establish routines, address behavior, and create a productive learning environment
- Assessment: How to measure student progress and use results to guide instruction
- Special education and inclusion: How to support students with disabilities and varied learning needs
- Education law and ethics: Teachers’ legal duties, professional standards, and student protections
- Clinical experience: Classroom observations, practicum work, and student teaching
Some programs also offer concentrations in areas such as special education, literacy, educational leadership, or curriculum and instruction.
Can an Online Teaching Program Include Student Teaching?
Yes. Online programs can deliver coursework remotely while arranging student teaching or other clinical experience at an approved school near you.
The program may require you to:
- Complete a set number of classroom hours
- Work with an approved mentor teacher
- Teach in the grade level or subject tied to your license
- Submit observations, evaluations, or recorded lessons
- Follow placement rules set by the program and your state
Before enrolling, check how placements are arranged. Some schools place students directly, while others require students to help identify an eligible local site.
How Much Do Teachers Earn?
Teacher pay varies by grade level, location, experience, and school district. In May 2024, median annual pay ranged from $62,340 for elementary school teachers to $64,580 for high school teachers.
| Teaching role | Median annual pay, May 2024 | Projected employment, 2024–2034 | Average annual openings |
| Elementary school teacher | $62,340 | -2% | 103,800 |
| Middle school teacher | $62,970 | -2% | 40,500 |
| High school teacher | $64,580 | -2% | 66,200 |
| Special education teacher | $64,270 | -1% | 37,800 |
BLS projects modest employment declines in these occupations, but tens of thousands of openings each year as teachers retire, change careers, or leave the workforce. Actual salaries can differ substantially by state and district.
How Can I Verify a Program’s Accreditation and Licensure Status?
Check both CAEP accreditation and state licensure eligibility. They are separate, and neither should be assumed from the other.
Before enrolling:
- Search the CAEP directory. Confirm that the school’s teacher-preparation programs are currently accredited and review which program areas are listed.
- Check the program’s licensure disclosures. Look for information specific to the state where you live or plan to teach.
- Review your state’s requirements. Confirm the required degree, coursework, clinical experience, exams, and background checks.
- Verify the exact program. A school may offer both licensure and non-licensure degrees with similar names.
- Check location restrictions. Some online programs do not accept students from every state or may not meet every state’s licensing rules.
Federal requirements generally require covered colleges to determine whether licensure programs meet the requirements of the states where enrolled students are located. That does not remove the student’s need to verify the exact license and program before enrolling.
How Did CAEP Replace NCATE and TEAC?
CAEP was created through the merger of two former accrediting organizations: the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).
CAEP began accrediting teacher-preparation programs in 2013 and later became the primary national accreditor in the field. Programs that once held NCATE or TEAC accreditation generally transitioned to CAEP’s standards and review process.
Older school websites and records may still mention NCATE accreditation. In those cases, check the CAEP directory for the program’s current status.
How Does a School Earn CAEP Accreditation?
A college or university must show that its teacher-preparation programs meet CAEP’s standards and produce strong candidate outcomes.
The process generally includes:
- Self-study: The school reviews its programs, results, and areas for improvement.
- Evidence submission: It provides data on coursework, clinical practice, candidate performance, and graduate outcomes.
- External review: CAEP reviewers evaluate the evidence and may conduct an on-site or virtual review.
- Accreditation decision: CAEP grants accreditation, requests additional action, or denies accreditation.
- Ongoing monitoring: Accredited schools must continue reporting results and addressing weaknesses.
Accreditation is not permanent. Schools must complete periodic reviews to keep their status.
Frequently Asked Questions About CAEP Accreditation
How Long Does CAEP Accreditation Last?
CAEP accreditation may be granted for up to seven years. Programs with identified problems may receive a shorter term or another accreditation status.
Does CAEP Accredit Fully Online Programs?
Yes. CAEP can accredit teacher-preparation programs that deliver coursework online, provided they meet the same standards as other programs. Students may still need to complete in-person clinical experience or student teaching.
Is CAEP Accreditation the Same as Institutional Accreditation?
No. Institutional accreditation applies to the college or university as a whole, while CAEP focuses on the part of the school that prepares teachers and other educators.
Are CAEP-Accredited Programs More Expensive?
Not necessarily. Tuition depends on the school, degree level, program format, residency status, and available aid—not CAEP accreditation alone.
Can I Transfer My Teaching License to Another State?
Possibly, but teacher-license reciprocity is not automatic. Each state decides which out-of-state licenses it accepts and may require additional tests, coursework, or experience.