Best Online Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education

You need a bachelor’s degree to become an elementary school teacher. Learn more about earning your online elementary education degree here.

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.

We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

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.

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.

Though specific classes vary by program, common courses learners may encounter include:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 $63,670 in 2023 — 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.

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.