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Many don’t realize this, but elementary education is an important feat in everyone’s lives. Elementary school lays the foundation for future learning and life skills, teaching reading, basic science, math, and world history. With today’s distractions, elementary schools need professionals who can adapt to diverse learning styles and maintain engagement.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting that each year, there will be 109,000 job openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers. The job market is only getting more competitive.
While a bachelor’s is the minimum requirement, most schools will prefer those with a master’s degree as this shows a higher level of expertise and commitment to the profession.
A Master’s in Elementary Education degree program is designed for practicing teachers who want to gain practical applications and create a portfolio of experience that demonstrates advanced proficiency. It can open doors to advanced positions such as curriculum specialists or educational consultants, and it may lead to higher salary potential.
Its comprehensive curriculum encompasses learning about the development and implementation of a plan of action related to teaching by engaging in the action research process. Students are also taught how to use the appropriate technology and related instruction methods to enhance student learning.
Additional Resources:
- Best Online Master’s in Education Grad Programs
- Best Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education – Grad Schools
- Best Online Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction Grad Degree Programs
Overview
Online Master’s in Elementary Education programs are designed for educators seeking an advantage in the job market and increasing their pay potential. If you are passionate about teaching kids and making a lasting impact, pursuing a master’s degree in Elementary Education is an ideal choice.
Methodology
A large part of a person’s body of basic knowledge and character building happens in the elementary grade levels, making this a most crucial stage in education.
Those who intend to make a meaningful and lasting impact at this crucial life stage should choose the best graduate education they can, which develops their set of advanced skills and approaches as educators.
Let us help you! We’ve put together a list of graduate schools that offer the best Online Master’s in Elementary Education programs. Each graduate degree was selected according to the following criteria:
- Offers their programs online or in a hybrid learning arrangement, which gives students a degree of flexibility,
- Features courses that cover key advanced areas related to Elementary Education to prepare students to earn their professional teaching certifications,
- Prepares students for high-level teaching roles and qualifies them for doctorate programs in Elementary Education,
- Features coursework developed and facilitated by faculty with extensive expertise in the field,
- Offers competitive tuition rates as well as a range of options for financial aid,
- Holds the relevant accreditation credentials from academic agencies that uphold the standards of online graduate programs in Elementary Education.
Check out how our ranking process works. Visit our Methodology page.
Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education Degree Programs
Western Governors University
Millcreek, UT
Master in Elementary Education
The master’s degree in elementary education offered at Western Governors University can help prospective students change careers or pursue their passion for education. Students will learn the content knowledge and teaching skills necessary to run one’s classroom and connect with every kind of learner.
- The program helps students prepare for teaching certification across 50 states, allowing them to become teachers wherever they live.
- Students must take eight professional courses in topics like social and emotional learning technology and diversity inclusion in the classroom.
- It includes a full-time, supervised in-classroom experience of a minimum of 12–20 weeks.
- Students gain teaching experience through at least 75 hours of in-classroom observation.
Standout Features:
WGU is best known for its affordable degree programs. Instead of traditional tuition, students pay a flat-rate tuition fee, which allows for unlimited course access during each term. The program also emphasizes competency-based education, meaning students advance by demonstrating mastery of subject material rather than accumulating credit hours.
Did You Know?
Western Governors University, true to its name, was founded by 19 US governors. While it is a private university that emerged among the governors of the Western Governors Association, it operates independently with its governance structure. This means the university can keep its focus on the students.
Mississippi College
Clinton, Mississippi
Master of Education in Elementary Education
Mississippi College’s M.Ed. in Elementary Education is ideal for those who are looking for an education that helps them enrich their instructional practice at the elementary level. The program is based on the standards outlined in the Mississippi College and Career Ready Standards, as well as a range of other state-level and national standards.
- The program contains a total of 30 credit hours and can be completed in at least ten months.
- After completing the program, students become eligible to apply for upgrading their teaching licenses from Class A to Class AA.
- Students can enroll in multiple start dates and accelerated coursework to balance studies with work.
- This degree serves as a foundation for further doctoral studies.
Standout Features:
As a Christian institution, Mississippi College prides itself on its faith-based curriculum that integrates spirituality with the learning and educational processes. The program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Did You Know?
Mississippi College has its milestone in the annals of the country’s firsts, being the first coed institution to award a degree to a female student (Two female students were, in fact, awarded in the same academic year).
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL
Master of Arts in Elementary Education
The University of Alabama offers the fully online MA in Elementary Education that allows students to move at their own pace. More than 85% of its master’s degree students are currently employed in elementary school settings. The program’s curriculum focuses on integrating educational design and inclusive teaching practices.
- Students must complete a total of 30-36 credit hours.
- Core courses include Introduction to Educational Research, Evaluation of Classroom Learning, Early Childhood and Elementary School Curriculum, and Guiding Early Childhood and Elementary Pupil Learning.
- Offers several scholarships and grants specifically for online MA students.
- Students can choose one of the following specialties:
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Language Arts
- Science
- Literacy
- Students may enroll in the fall, spring or summer semesters.
Standout Features:
Students who complete the program will be able to earn an Elementary Education K-6 certification. Those who have a bachelor’s degree and bachelor’s level certification in Early Childhood Education will be able to earn the Early Childhood Education P-3 certification.
Did You Know?
Many students at the University of Alabama are recipients of prestigious national awards. In fact, a total of 62 students are Goldwater Scholars. The university is also home to 16 Rhodes Scholars, 4 Hollings Scholars, 16 Truman Scholars, and 17 Boren Scholars.
The faculty at the University of Alabama are also achievers in their own right, with 35% of the faculty members having received the NSF Career Awards, one of the nation’s most prestigious recognition for top-performing young scientists.
University of Central Florida
Orange County, Florida
Master of Education in Elementary Education
The MEd in Elementary Education at UCF has become one of the best in the industry due to its effective and excellent faculty members. Online students get to learn from the same full-time on-campus instructors. This program will give you the skills and experience to become an outstanding teacher of young students.
- This 30-credit hour program can be completed fully online.
- The program is designed for those who have at least a year of teaching experience and who have temporary or professional certificates for K-6 levels.
- The program also prepares Florida teachers on temporary licenses to pass the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) and obtain their professional certificates.
Standout Features:
The program’s curriculum includes a number of endorsement & specialization options for certified teachers, including Reading Endorsement, ESOL Endorsement, Gifted Education Specialization, and Exceptional Education Specializations.
Did You Know?
The University of Central Florida was established along with the launch of the United States space program and was intended to serve as a long-term provider of highly trained personnel for the latter.
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
Master of Education in Elementary Education
Arizona State University helps students become quality educators working with children grades K-8 with its online master’s degree in elementary education. This graduate program lets students learn how to create equitable learning environments and use instructional methods for language and literacy.
- To earn the program, students must complete a total of 34 credits.
- Courses include Creating Equitable Learning Environment, Educator Scholar Community, and Instructional Design, Planning and Assessment, among others.
- Each course lasts 15 weeks, allowing students to graduate in 2 years.
Standout Features:
This degree program trains students to work with elementary-age students in a variety of settings, with the curriculum encouraging them to integrate educational design and decision-making in their lessons while also advancing the promotion of professional growth and leadership.
Students will gain skills such as collaboration, communication, advocacy, classroom management, data literacy, learning design, and so much more.
Did You Know?
As one of the fastest-growing research enterprises in the country, Arizona State University recorded a total of $760 million total research expenditures in 2022. In fact, it ranks sixth among US universities in terms of research expenditures.
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Master of Education in Elementary Education
The University of North Dakota offers one of the best fully online MEd in Elementary Education. Designed for licensed teachers and other education professionals, the curriculum covers advanced topics in pedagogy and content knowledge. It is designed to deepen students’ understanding of the teaching and learning processes and maximize student achievement.
The University of North Dakota’s Online Master of Education in Elementary Education program is ideal for licensed teachers and other education professionals who seek advanced studies.
- The program requires a total of 30 credit hours.
- It typically takes 2+ years to complete.
- Classes are asynchronous, using a variety of methods and learning materials.
- It requires no campus visits.
- Students can pursue over 60+ free workshops through the UND School of Graduate Studies.
Standout Features:
The University of North Dakota’s M.Ed. program aligns with the standards set by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Did You Know?
The University of North Dakota, along with the North Dakota State University, form the anchors of a region called the Red River Valley Research Corridor, a special region dedicated to various research areas, including agriculture & engineering.
Ball State University
Muncie, IN
Master’s in Elementary Education
Ball University helps prospective students take on new leadership roles on their terms through the Master’s in Elementary Education program. This master’s degree can be customizable, allowing students to choose a concentration that aligns with their academic strengths and interests.
- Students can be assured of the program quality as it is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
- This graduate program requires the completion of 30 credits.
- It includes courses such as Basic Concepts in Elementary Education, Education in Diverse Society, Discipline and Classroom Management, Effective Use of Technology in the Classroom, and so much more.
Standout Features:
You can earn a 15-credit graduate-level certificate to specialize in a specific area without completing the full master’s degree. Certificate programs have their admission processes, and their courses can count toward the MAE. The completed certificate will then appear on your official transcript.
Did You Know?
Ball State University helps students afford their higher education. In fact, 4 out of 5 students qualify for financial aid. The university offers a variety of services and programs designed to help students meet the cost of their college education, from the free FAFSA application to providing other financial aid options like scholarships, grants, discounts, and work-study programs.
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia
Master of Education in Elementary Education
Georgia Southern University’s Online Master of Education in Elementary Education is designed for those who hold a renewable Induction or Professional Level 4 Certificate in elementary education or its equivalent.
- The program adds up to a total of 36 credit hours and can be completed within one year.
- This program is designed for the P-5 grade levels.
- The entry point is every summer semester only.
- The curriculum emphasizes developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
- Students must participate in extensive, hands-on field experience
Standout Features:
The program is designed to meet the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) and meets their certificate upgrade requirements. Its program outcomes are also designed to drive students’ teaching careers forward by making use of diverse, intensive field experiences.
Did You Know?
Aside from Elementary Education, Georgia Southern University also offers an online Master of Education in Reading Education, as well as in Special Education.
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Master of Arts in Teaching – Elementary Education
Liberty University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education. This program prepares students to become not just teachers but role models who make a meaningful lifelong impact on their students.
- It’s one of the fastest MAT degrees, with 8-week courses.
- The program contains a total of 45 credit hours.
- Students can transfer up to 50% of the degree total.
- The program covers a range of core competencies, including history, the lab sciences, social science, arts, English, and more.
- Liberty University’s MAT in Elementary Education program is accredited by CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation).
Standout Features:
The program’s curriculum includes integrated elective credits, which lets students earn a second endorsement in middle, secondary, or special education. Liberty University is a Christian university that emphasizes integrity and moral development.
Did You Know?
Liberty University also offers a range of other online master’s degree programs related to education, including the MA in Educational Studies, the M.Ed. in Higher Education, and the M.Ed. in Special & Gifted Education – Twice Exceptionalities programs.
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Master of Education in Elementary Education
The University of South Alabama offers a fully online Master of Education in Elementary Education. This program is designed to provide advanced education primarily for already certified teachers. It is open to teachers who already hold the Class B Professional Elementary Education (K-6) Certification.
- This is a 30-credit hour program.
- Students become eligible to earn the Class A Professional Elementary Education (K-6) Certification upon completing the program.
- The program has a 1 to 2-year timeframe, and students can start at any semester.
Standout Features:
As a program for already certified teachers, this Master of Education program is designed to continue their professional growth and connect them with other similarly passionate educators and practitioners. Educators from within the State of Alabama also automatically qualify for the Educator Excellence Scholarship.
Did You Know?
The University of South Alabama also offers an online Master of Education in Early Childhood Education, as well as an online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership for Higher Education Administration program.
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Master of Science in Elementary Education
Drexel University’s Online Master of Science in Education: Teacher Certification Track is ideal for those who are looking to earn their state teaching certifications. You’ll get the key tools needed to improve teaching and curriculum for PreK – 4, focusing on math, science, and technology.
- The program is focused on the PreK-4 grade levels.
- The program also includes an add-on Special Education Certification, which students can earn by completing eight additional courses and a Praxis exam.
- It’s a fully online program but requires field experience and student teaching.
Standout Features:
This program is a partner of the TEACH Early Childhood® PENNSYLVANIA Scholarship Program. Early childhood education teachers in Pennsylvania can receive a 95% tuition discount (scholarship).
Did You Know?
Drexel University is one of the earliest universities to launch an online/internet-based education program, with their Master’s in Library & Information Science first offered in 1996.
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA
Master of Education in Elementary Education
Georgia State University’s online MEd in Elementary Education has been one of the most rigorous online programs today. This is a fully online program that focuses on providing students with instructional capabilities. Its curriculum also includes pedagogical content knowledge and the mindset integral to serving effectively as teachers.
- Students must complete 36 semester hours.
- It offers free open endorsements in
- Kindergarten through 5th-grade mathematics
- Dual language
- Reading
- Students may add two credentials to their certificate, namely the M.Ed. and the endorsement.
- Since all courses are offered online, students will be able to complete the degree program at their own pace.
- The program admits students every Fall, July 15 and Summer, February 14.
Standout Features:
In this master’s degree, students will be able to choose a concentration to help them better meet their professional needs and goals. Their options include Dual Immersion, Elementary Mathematics, Teacher Support and Coaching, Elementary Literacy, and Elementary Literacy in Reading Recovery.
Did You Know?
The online courses at Georgia State University are designed in close collaboration with the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Online Education (CETLOE). The professionals from CETLOE provided guidelines for faculty and students in order to succeed in digital literacy, accessibility, and online resources.
Bay Path University
Longmeadow, MA
Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education
Bay Path University’s MS.Ed. in Elementary Education provides students with an intensive study focused on the Grade 1-6 areas. Bay Path aims to help students obtain a high ROI. Qualified online master’s degree students have various options for financial aid.
- The program has three options: Initial Licensure (for those seeking initial licensure), Professional Licensure, and a non-licensure option.
- The program is offered 100% online.
- The program also prepares students for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).
- Classes start every May and September.
Standout Features:
Students can work with a network of similar professionals and supportive faculty in a small, engaging, and interactive classroom setting.
Did You Know?
Bay Path University is part of the 8-college consortium called the Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield, which is made up of accredited colleges and universities.
Troy University
Troy, AL
Master’s in Elementary Education (Grades K-6)
Troy University offers an online Master’s in Elementary Education program to help teachers build on their bachelor’s degree and teaching experience.
- The program can be completed fully online. However, students must complete one semester of a teaching internship.
- The hands-on experience focuses on teaching students how to incorporate the use of technology.
- The master’s degree has an accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), ensuring the program meets or even exceeds the field’s highest academic standards.
Standout Features:
Troy University provides excellent academic support services. Online students have access to the same resources as those on campus, including the library, counseling, and job placement services.
Did You Know?
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Troy University guarantees quality in its faculty, academic programs, financial stability, services, and so much more. This also means that eligible students will have opportunities to avail federal student financial aid options.
Worcester State University
Worcester, MA
Master of Education in Elementary Education
Worcester State University’s online Master of Education in Elementary Education is designed to equip students with the ability to meet the needs of students in grades 1-6. Students are expected to gain a broader understanding of educational theories and research, which they can readily apply to instructional practice and policy.
- Applicants must have work experience in formal or informal learning environments.
- It can be completed in 14 months, making it one of the fastest online MEd programs.
- This doesn’t provide initial licensure. Yet, you can use this degree to apply for professional licensure in the state.
Standout Features:
A total of 34 credit hours are required to be completed by graduate students to earn this online program. Core courses include Research in Education, Technology and Literacy in the Classroom, Advanced Foundations of Education, and Teaching and Learning Literary Across Multiple Disciplines.
Did You Know?
Students can have ample opportunities to perform cutting-edge, transformative research at Worcester State University, where curiosity and drive are valued. Each year, the university recognizes the accomplishments of hundreds of scholars and researchers during the Celebration of Scholarship and Creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to look for in an online Master’s in Elementary Education?
When choosing a school for your master’s in elementary education, ensure a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization accredits it. This accreditation ensures quality education and access to financial aid and credit transfers.
Additionally, look for Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (or CAEP)-accrredited programs for high standards in education.
Other considerations include:
- Faculty credentials
- In-person program requirements
- Support services for online students
- Concentrations
For more details, visit the school’s website, contact admissions, follow them on social media, or attend an open house.
How long does it take to complete an online Master’s in Elementary Education degree?
Typically, this graduate program can be completed in two years. Some universities, however, have fast-track options that allow students to earn it much more quickly.
What are the common requirements for admission into this master’s program?
Students are usually required to hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Some may need to meet a minimum GPA requirement and teaching experience. Other requirements may include official transcripts, personal statements, and letters of recommendation, among others.
Will my teaching license be valid in all states?
It varies. Universities often design programs to meet the licensure requirements of their state. For the simplest route, earn your degree from a university in the state where you plan to teach. License reciprocity between states is complex, so check the specific requirements for each state.
Summary Points
- Master’s in Elementary Education programs are designed to provide students with advanced knowledge crucial in elementary education levels, typically PreK-6.
- Many Elementary Education master’s programs are designed for those who already have teaching licenses and have a certain number of years of teaching experience.
- Master’s in Elementary Education degrees typically integrate preparation for students to earn higher certifications or license upgrades.
