Our focus today will be on the top schools offering Degree in Elementary Education Online. So let’s get started by explaining what Elementary education degree entails.
What Is Elementary Education Degree?
An elementary education degree is a college or university degree that prepares students to teach children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Most schools prefer teachers to have an education degree, rather than a general bachelor’s degree. The program consists of many hours of classroom time emphasizing hands-on teaching experience, as well as coursework in math, science, history and language arts. Some programs may also include foreign correspondence with teachers in other countries.
A career in elementary education can be very rewarding for the right person. With an online elementary education degree you will be qualified to work with younger children and help them develop their reading and writing skills during the most important times of their lives. In addition you will get valuable experience working with more advanced subjects such as history and mathematics in order to prepare students for later studies and careers in these fields.
How does an elementary teacher certification work?
There are different types of certification, depending on the state where you are seeking a license. The process varies from state to state and is not always necessarily the same for elementary teachers as it is for other certifications. Some states have reciprocity agreements with others that will allow you to transfer your existing teaching license. That being said, these are just some of the steps that are involved in most cases:
- Obtain a bachelors degree in education or another field (or more)
- Complete a teacher preparation program
- Complete student teaching requirements
- Pass required exams (state and federal) for licensure/certification
- Apply for your license/certificate
What can you do with an elementary teaching license?
Interested in teaching at the elementary level, but not sure where to start? Below are some of the most common career pathways you can take with an elementary education license.
- Teaching inside a school
You could teach all day in a classroom and report to other teachers and principals. You’d need to work well with children, as well as navigate working with parents who might be worried about how their kids are doing.
- Teaching outside of school
Some people work outside of schools, providing individualized tutoring for students or educating parents and caregivers about how to foster educational development in their young loved ones. In this case, you’d need to be able to adapt your curriculum to each individual student’s needs, so flexibility is key.
What is a major in elementary education?
With a major in elementary education, you’ll learn to effectively teach the youngest age group of students (typically kindergarten through 5th grade). You’ll gain an understanding of the developmental stages and learning abilities of children, along with pedagogical strategies for reaching them.
A degree in elementary education may be your ticket to a career as a public school teacher, or you could use it as a stepping stone to becoming an administrator or curriculum developer. You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree before you can get certified and begin teaching in most states.
An elementary education degree can help prepare you for a career as a teacher.
Earning a degree in elementary education can have many benefits for your career in teaching.
- You will be making a difference: A career as an elementary school teacher can be one of the most rewarding professions you could choose. As an educator, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of children. Ultimately, your contribution to society doesn’t get much more valuable than that.
- The pay isn’t bad: The salary for elementary school teachers is also competitive when compared to other professions requiring similar levels of education and training. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the annual mean wage for a kindergarten or preschool teacher is just over $45,000 (1). Elementary school teachers average around $54,500 per year (2). At both levels, educators typically qualify for benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans and discounts on products and services from many providers (3).
- You have options: Teaching jobs are available in a variety of environments. These include public schools (elementary), private schools and religious institutions. Further opportunities exist through community organizations such as libraries and museums; state government agencies; county governments; city or township governments; childcare centers; individual or family services; federal government agencies; employment services (temp agencies); residential intellectual/developmental disability facilities and more.
Top Schools Offering Elementary Education Degree Online
The following schools offer qualitative education in the field of Online Elementary Education Degree:
Lamar University
Lamar University is a Texas-based public university that has been delivering distance education programs since 1963. With a focus on offering quality, flexible, and affordable degree programs, Lamar University offers an online elementary education degree for aspiring teachers.
The online elementary education degree can be completed in five years. Lamar University’s program focuses on pedagogy and instructional methods that foster the inquisitive nature of young minds. Teachers develop skills to successfully manage various educational settings and diverse student bodies. The curriculum requires 124 credits – 41 general education credits, 37 core requirements, 11 professional development classes, 27 specialization hours, and eight elective credits. Courses cover topics such as child growth and development; teaching math concepts; classroom management; diversity in classrooms; reading instruction; introduction to special education; science methods for elementary teachers; creating positive learning environments; and much more.
University of Louisiana at Monroe
The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education that prepares you to teach Pre-K through 5th grade. The program is approved by the Louisiana Department of Education and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). A total of 120 credit hours are required, with 36 credits focused on education.
The core courses include Literacy in the Early Grades, Methods and Materials for Teaching Reading in Elementary Schools, Infant/Child Development PreK-3, and Content Area Reading. You will also complete supervised field experience throughout your four years in addition to student teaching during your final semester.
Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University offers a bachelor of science degree in elementary education that can be completed entirely online. This program is a College of Education program and is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the North Central Association’s Higher Learning Commission.
GCU’s online Elementary Education degree program is designed to prepare future educators with a core foundation of knowledge, as well as an understanding of current educational trends, teaching methods and techniques. The curriculum focuses on instruction in diverse classrooms and student achievement, while promoting the development of students’ cognitive abilities across all academic subjects.
This fully online program helps students gain the skills they need to be effective teachers in grades 1-8—and specifically those who may work in urban or rural schools with diverse populations. Those who earn their Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education are prepared to apply for licensure within their state as an elementary educator.
Brandman University
Brandman University is a private, non-profit university located in Irvine, California. The university offers more than 50 degree, certificate, credential and professional programs for working adults. As part of the Chapman University System, Brandman blends a legacy of academic excellence with innovative curriculum and strong support services designed for students with busy schedules seeking a quality education.
More than 13,000 students are enrolled at Brandman’s 25 campuses and online programs. The university’s main campus is situated near the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro on 40 acres (160,000 m2) just north of Irvine Spectrum in Orange County. Other centers offer classes at military bases including Fort Lewis College Park and Fort Hood as well as other locations across California and Washington state.
Liberty University
In this program, you will study alongside a community of educators who are dedicated to teaching the next generation. You will be able to work with a faculty mentor and an enrollment counselor to make sure you graduate in a timely manner. Study options include online, hybrid, and on-campus paths for your degree. The online program is designed for students who need flexibility in their schedule but also want personal support from professors and peers throughout their education.
With Liberty University’s Elementary Education degree online, you can earn your Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd) or Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). You will have the option of pursuing teacher licensure through the state that you plan to teach in after graduation. This school believes that everyone can be an effective leader when given the right training and education, so it enriches each student’s learning experience with Biblical principles on leading others as a teacher.
LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University is a comprehensive Christian university offering bachelor’s degrees in over 100 programs and master’s degree in business administration, counseling, education and engineering.
The Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education at LeTourneau University can be completed entirely online. The program provides students with the knowledge necessary to become successful teachers, including pedagogical theory and practice, instructional technology and effective classroom management strategies. Required courses include:
- Interpersonal Communication
- Educational Psychology
- Emerging Literacy Practices
