Best Online Elementary Education Degree Programs
Updated November 20, 2023
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You need a bachelor's degree to become an elementary school teacher. Learn more about earning your online elementary education degree here.
Online Bachelor's in Elementary Education Overview
An online elementary education degree prepares aspiring K-6 educators. This career-focused program helps you complete certification exams and licensure requirements to become a teacher in your state.
Education majors take an array of liberal arts courses alongside coursework in elementary education theories and methods. Courses cover topics like inclusive classrooms, language arts instruction, and assessing impacts on student learning.
Almost all education programs conclude with a field experience where students provide instruction in a classroom under the direction of a teacher and a clinical supervisor. Some programs also include pre-clinical experiences where learners observe instruction in classrooms. After graduation, aspiring educators must pass teaching certification exams before applying for jobs in public or private elementary schools.
Top 5 Online Bachelor's in Elementary Education Degrees
These rankings include
#1 Best Online Elementary Education Degree Programs
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $754
Credits to Graduate: 120
Brenau reports that it offers Georgia's only fully online bachelor's in elementary education program. Even though the coursework occurs remotely, each enrollee must complete 144 hours of field experience and a semester of student teaching that count toward certification.
The curriculum includes two core sections: professional development and content and methods. Professional development courses immerse students in the logistics of teaching through topics like classroom management, ethical issues, and multicultural education. The content and methods classes explore ways to teach each core subject.
#2 Best Online Elementary Education Degree Programs
Ottawa University-Online
Ottawa, KS - 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit: $499
Since OU offers residential classes in Kansas and Arizona, its online bachelor's in elementary education leads to licensure for students from either state. Online learners in Arizona must complete three extra classes: teaching methods for English language learners, the Arizona Constitution, and the U.S. Constitution.
The rest of the curriculum applies to all online learners. Core courses explore educational psychology, fine art integration, and students with exceptionalities. Enrollees also explore teaching methods for each subject and complete corresponding field experience hours. Before graduating, each teacher candidate must spend 12 weeks of student teaching and research.
#3 Best Online Elementary Education Degree Programs
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu, HI - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit: $585
Credits to Graduate: 120
Chaminade's online bachelor's in elementary education leads to licensure for students in Hawaii. Out-of-state learners interested in licensure must review their states' guidelines to see if the program meets licensure requirements.
The curriculum starts with foundational courses covering child development, math for elementary teachers, and intercultural communication. Students then dive into core educational courses like teaching methods and classroom management techniques. Each enrollee must complete 72 hours of field experience and a semester of student teaching before graduation.
#4 Best Online Elementary Education Degree Programs
Midway University
Midway, KY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $395
Credits to Graduate: 120
Midway offers its bachelor's in elementary education P-5 program online and on campus. Students can complete only the general curriculum or add a 21-credit concentration in learning and behavior disorders.
While online students can study from anywhere, Midway only guarantees the curriculum meets licensure requirements in Kentucky. The school also features alternative certification pathways through Option 9 agreements. Enrollees with non-teaching positions in certain Kentucky school districts can earn their initial teacher certificates and bachelor's in three years.
#5 Best Online Elementary Education Degree Programs
Southwestern College
Winfield, KS - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit: $325
Credits to Graduate: 124
The online bachelor's in elementary education at SC prepares learners to pursue employment as K-6 teachers, education consultants, and academic counselors. Classes occur in 12-week sessions, and SC may award credit for prior work experience, exams, and military service.
The core courses introduce teaching methods, management strategies, and educational technology. Since the program leads to licensure in Kansas (and potentially other states), the curriculum includes field experience and student teaching requirements. Each enrollee must also complete a capstone project before graduating.
Online Bachelor's in Elementary Education Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Our Methodology
Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.
Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.
While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.
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Academics -
Affordability -
Online Enrollment
Data Sources
The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.
Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.
Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology
About Our Ranking Factors
Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.
Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.
We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.
Academics - 75%
Affordability - 15%
Online Enrollment - 10%
In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.
If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page.
We thank you for your readership and trust.
Featured Online Bachelor's in Elementary Education Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Choosing an Online Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Program
Candidates should consider their academic priorities as they search for the right elementary education degree online. For example, prospective special education teachers should consider schools with relevant concentrations, while learners studying on a budget should search for institutions that charge lower tuition rates.
For many students, in-state public schools are the most cost-effective options. These institutions offer lower tuition rates, usually accept transfer credits from in-state community colleges, and may involve shorter commutes for on-campus requirements.
Distance learning gives students access to programs across the country. Attending school online helps degree-seekers find a program that matches all their criteria, even those in other states.
Accreditation for Online Elementary Education Bachelor's Degrees
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education oversee the process of accreditation from approved institutional accreditation agencies. Institutional accreditation evaluates schools to ensure they meet standards of academic excellence, examining factors like faculty credentials and student outcomes.
Programmatic accreditation, an optional process, verifies whether a specific program adequately prepares graduates for careers in the field. Education programs can hold programmatic accreditation from agencies like the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation.
Courses in an Online Elementary Education Bachelor's Program
Though specific classes vary by program, common courses learners may encounter include:
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Foundations of Education: Enrollees explore philosophical, political, and historical concepts of education alongside modern issues in the field. Coursework also examines topics such as intercultural classrooms, governmental expectations for schools, and the future of education. Students may need to perform fieldwork for this class. -
Science Instruction for Elementary Students: This course examines elementary science topics in subfields like physical and earth sciences. Students learn to use research-based strategies when delivering these lessons. These instructional methods may reflect child development concepts from kindergarten through the sixth grade. Typically, early education degree-seekers also take similar courses in subjects like math, reading, and history. -
Children's Literature: This class introduces learners to children's stories in various genres, such as fairy tales, picture books, and novels. Learners study how these stories impact children and ways to embrace these works when teaching. This course may also explore the evolution and significance of children's stories while examining the impact of culture on this literature. -
Classroom Management: Learners in this course study research-based methods for managing classrooms. They learn to make choices about curriculum requirements, activities, time management, and class rules. Enrollees also examine the correlation between classroom atmosphere and student behaviors. -
Child Development: This class explores social, physical, and cognitive growth for children. Degree-seekers learn to develop lesson plans to engage and encourage specific age groups at different stages of development. Students examine research and theories related to development as well as the impact of various factors — such as family behavior — on learning.
Elementary Education Careers and Outlook
An elementary education degree can lead to a variety of careers. While these programs generally focus on classroom teaching, graduates can also qualify for jobs in leadership or support roles such as reading specialist or assistant principal.
In addition, teachers can find employment in children's hospitals, museums, after-school programs, or curriculum publishing companies. Professionals with education degrees can also work as educational consultants to homeschool families or serve as instructors in online K-12 schools.
| Elementary Education Career | 2022 Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers | $61,620 |
| Special Education Teachers | $62,950 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $66,490 |
| Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals | $101,320 |
| Preschool and Childcare Center Directors | $49,690 |
Pursuing master's and doctoral degrees in this field can lead to teaching jobs at the postsecondary level or educational policy positions in local, state, or federal agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elementary Education Bachelor's Degrees
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in elementary education?
A bachelor's degree in elementary education usually takes four years of full-time study to finish. Students with prior credits from early college programs, CLEP, or AP and IB exams can shorten this graduation timeline.
What is the best degree for an elementary school teacher?
Each state determines which degrees it accepts in fulfillment of the educational requirements for teaching licensure. Often, elementary school teachers need a bachelor's or master's degree in elementary education or a related field. If you plan to teach at the postsecondary level, you should plan to pursue an Ed.D. or a Ph.D.
Is a degree in elementary education worth it?
Only you can determine if a degree is worth the time and energy you invest in it. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals the median wage for these professionals was $61,620 in 2022 — more than $15,000 higher than the national median wage for all workers. This salary data can indicate a positive return on investment for this degree.
Is elementary education a hard program?
Like any major, elementary education demands consistent study habits, a strong work ethic, and commitment to learning the required material. Learners who enjoy combining theoretical knowledge of education with hands-on practice may thrive in this field.
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