Career Advancement

There are a lot of good programs out there, and both the quickest and cheapest online programs are fortunately also the “safe” state schools. By safe I mean with regard to job security.
What do I mean by that? Ten years ago, you could get a degree in just about anything from the big name, unaccredited schools. They were expensive but generally had less rigorous standards than a traditional university. I’m talking about your Nationals, Phoenixes, Westwoods, and similar institutions. Today, not in education, but in other fields, recruiters deliberately overlook people with degrees from these institutions (including me in making a recent hiring decision). I know because I have worked for half a decade in job development, resume building, and job seeking skills training. Today, any MA and credential will do, just like five years ago any MBA or MA in Psychology or Sociology would do. Today, those same Master’s degrees are far less competitive than other schools.
But you’re in luck, those are expensive programs, and while they are quick, they’re not necessarily the easiest either.
Look at the California State University system, I believe CSU Bakersfield and some other institution have distance or online programs that prep you for the California credentialing process – a credential that is accepted in lieu of a state credential in I believe all fift states (it is considered the hardest credential to obtain, but even if you don’t go for the credential in the state, consider yourself well prepared for your home state with the programs through this).
Also, I’m not sure, but I think the Georgia State system has a good program. I’m getting my MBA online through them because they are fully accredited and inexpensive. In general, if a state subsidizes the school, you’re going to have cheaper tuition (if you are a resident) and you don’t have to worry about your degree not being worth the paper it is printed on in the future.