The Bachelor of Arts in Education is a fully online non-certification degree program designed for students interested in educational theory, practice, and foundations without pursuing teaching certification, offering flexibility for working students while maintaining academic rigor through coursework in educational theory, special education, instructional strategies, and educational technology. Given the critical teacher shortage across the state and nation, this program creates an important pathway for nontraditional students to begin their journey toward the education field, with its flexible online format allowing working adults to complete their bachelor's degree while maintaining employment, positioning them to later pursue alternative certification programs if desired. Additionally, this program will serve as a vital pipeline to graduate education programs, preparing students for advanced degrees in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, counseling, and other specialized areas where there is growing demand for qualified professionals.

The program features a 100% online delivery format consisting of 120 credit hours with a core curriculum aligned with state requirements, specialized courses in educational theory, special education, literacy, and technology, and no student teaching or field experience requirements. While traditional education degrees with certification are common, this non-certification pathway fills a unique niche for students seeking education careers outside classroom teaching. The online delivery format further distinguishes it from similar programs in the region.