Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Teacher’s Aide

Many people have always dreamed of being a teacher. You get to influence the minds of the next generation and have a real impact on who they’re going to become.If this sounds right up your alley then you might want to consider getting a teacher’s aide associate degree.

Teacher Aides are not certified teachers. They work directly with a classroom teacher in a supporting role grading papers, planning lessons, and assisting with projects.

Teacher’s Aides also work one-on-one with students, especially exceptional learners or students with disabilities. These students often need more specialized instruction, and many times a classroom teacher doesn’t have the time to work with them one-on-one. You, however, would be responsible for helping these students excel at their own pace. Many aides find that one-on-one instruction like this is incredibly rewarding.

When you go to school to get your teacher’s aide associate degree, you’ll likely take the following classes:

Educational psychology
How to plan lessons
Classroom discipline
Classroom management
Child development and learning
English and writing
Public speaking
Teaching skills

Now, if you’ve got your sights set on becoming a fully certified instructor then getting a teacher’s aide associate degree is still a great first step. You’ll learn the necessary background to running and managing a classroom, and most of the time these credits will easily transfer to a 4-year university, depending on where you go.

Students with a teacher’s aide associate degree typically earn around $20,000 to $25,000 per year. That salary is pretty low compared to most other fields, which is why many students choose to go on and get their Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Elementary teachers to middle school teachers earn around $45,000, which is significantly higher than an aide’s salary.

Keep in mind, however, that this is for 9 months worth of work, not 12 like in all other fields. Many teachers either get a part-time job over the summer or teach summer school to supplement their income. Or, if that’s enough for you, you could take the summers off and just lounge around or travel.

It’s also important to know that if you specialize in an area, like students with disabilities, then you’ll stand a good chance of making more money, either as a teacher or an aide. While both of these careers are expected to grow as fast as the national average, teachers specializing in things like learning disabilities are going to have a distinct edge over everyone else.

Getting a teacher’s aide associate degree can put you on the path to an incredibly fun, rewarding career. If you love being around children and love the idea of teaching them new things about the world they’re living in, then this might be the perfect career for you!

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information