Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education

A master’s degree can help advance your teaching career to roles with more responsibility and higher pay. Is an online master’s in elementary education a good choice? Explore information on these advanced degrees in this in-depth guide.

An online master’s in elementary education equips teachers with advanced learning, management, and technology skills. Graduates with master of education (M.Ed.) degrees can design curricula, use varied instructional techniques, demonstrate instructional effectiveness, and assess student achievement.

Most online M.Ed. students are certified teachers who work in public or private elementary schools. Individuals looking to change careers generally opt for an alternative certification or a master of arts in teaching (MAT), which emphasizes basic instructional and classroom management skills. The online M.Ed., by contrast, focuses on research, assessment, and theory.

This degree can qualify teachers for higher salaries and boost them into instructional coaching or other leadership positions. In some cases, teachers may use their master’s degrees to serve as adjunct professors at colleges.

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

An online master’s in elementary education helps teachers advance their skills and increase their earning potential. With a master’s degree, many educators earn higher salaries and move into leadership roles.

Master’s programs in education typically require a bachelor’s degree for admission, though it may be in a field other than elementary education. Some programs admit students who do not possess current teaching licenses, while others may require bachelor’s degrees in education.

Applicants must also meet minimum GPA requirements. Some programs require GRE scores, letters of recommendation, teaching experience, and a personal statement. Prospective students should research prerequisites and admission requirements for any potential programs.

Enrollees in an online master’s in elementary education program can often choose a concentration to focus their studies. This section introduces common elementary education concentrations.

Prospective enrollees should weigh multiple factors when researching online master’s in elementary education programs. For many students, cost, program length, and learning format rank at the top of their lists.

Current teachers may prefer the flexibility of online programs or accelerated master’s degrees. Some universities offer tuition discounts for distance learners, which can help teachers save money while earning their master’s degrees.

Applicants can also consider specialization options and student teaching experiences to find the right fit. Prospective enrollees should research each program’s accreditation status — earning an unaccredited teaching degree can negatively affect an educator’s career.

Educators considering master’s degrees should only attend schools with accreditation. Accredited institutions meet the highest standards for educating students and granting degrees.

In addition to institutional accreditation, prospective graduate students can seek accredited education programs. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation accredits online master’s in elementary education programs. In many states, only a degree from an accredited program and/or school meets the requirements for teaching licensure.

Elementary education is not just a degree for classroom teachers. It’s a versatile program that can prepare school leaders, instructional coordinators, educational policy analysts, and postsecondary teachers.

Becoming a principal, assistant principal, or superintendent may require additional training in leadership and state licensure for the role. Additionally, a student aspiring to teach pre-service teachers at the college level often needs to add an Ed.D. or Ph.D. degree to their resume.

The following list of careers shows a few examples of what an educator can do and how much they can earn.

These careers cover just a few options for an educator with a master’s degree.