Best Traditional and Online Bachelor’s in Elementary Education Programs in America
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Elementary teachers are more than just babysitters while parents are at work. These educators invest in the success of their students’ futures, starting at an early age. You might choose an elementary teacher major just because you love the idea of shaping younger generations, or maybe you like children or the subject you want to teach.
The choices available for those who hold a degree in elementary education are almost endless. You can consider searching for jobs in any of these fields:
- Teacher
- School Librarian
- Tutor
- Camp Counselor
- Childcare Worker
- School Counselor
- Education Administrator
- Curriculum Designer/Writer
- Substitute Teacher
- Paralegal
- Museum Professional
- Corporate Trainer
- Technical or Grant Writer
- Youth or Education Based Non-Profit Positions
A kindergarten and elementary school teacher with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education is estimated to earn $55,490 annually, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Availability for these positions is currently slated to grow at an average rate in the next ten years, according to the same data.
Best Traditional Bachelor’s in Elementary Education Programs
Purdue University is at the forefront of a modern-day elementary education degree. With the frequent changes in education, Purdue’s curriculum teaches future educators how to ensure that students thrive in a positive environment while guaranteeing diverse cultures are treated fairly. With 43 interstate licensing agreements, graduates will be able to teach almost anywhere in the U.S.
Purdue is accredited by CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation). Its degree focuses on two key themes: social justice and diversity, and STEM education as well as four key strands: innovation, collaboration, advancement and leadership and requires 128 credit hours to graduate. Admission requires a 2.8 GPA, and transfer students must be transferring at least 12 credit hours.
Join other students at the renowned College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University, located at College Station. Those students who wish to teach elementary education can pursue a Bachelor’s of Science degree with a major in interdisciplinary studies, which focuses on the diverse instructional roles that public school teachers face. There is also a separate program for students wanting to focus their degree on English elementary education.
To be accepted into the teaching program, a student must obtain proof of taking the SAT or ACT, 42 hours minimum of pre-professional degree program coursework, 32 hours of core curriculum with all grades being higher than a C, completion of certain prerequisite courses, and a GPA of 2.75 or higher. A minimum of 123 credit hours is required to graduate from Texas A&M University’s Education and Human Development program.
Marshall University has been shaping teachers through training and education for well over a century. With three traditional elementary education degrees – Early Childhood Education, Early Education PreK-K, and Elementary Education K-6 – this University allows students to choose their unique path towards their careers. Students will learn core academics as well as the art and science of teaching children.
To be considered for this Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation accredited college, students’ undergraduate GPA must exceed 2.8. At least 120 credit hours are needed to graduate.
Louisiana Tech University’s College of Education thrives on its commitment to “being a leader in education; a catalyst for learning, research, and action.” The three programs offered for a degree in elementary education in Louisiana Tech’s Teacher Education Program – Early Childhood PreK-3, Elementary Education 1-5, and Elementary Special Education – set students up for success in today’s classrooms.
If you want to be considered for this program, an applicant must have 46 hours of college credit and a minimum C average. You must take 126 credit hours to graduate, including general education coursework, as well as other coursework that is flexible depending on the students’ interests. This prestigious program is accredited by the CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation).
Be a global leader of excellence in the education by earning a teaching degree at The College of Education at The University of Texas at Arlington. This program focuses on fostering critical, creative thinkers in professionalism, knowledge, and leadership.
The University of Texas at Arlington is well-known for its prestigious Elementary Education Bilingual and ESL program which arms teachers with strategies for providing instruction to students whose native language is not English. With the option of three different tracks – 4-8 English Language Arts and Reading and Social Studies, 4-8 Math and Science, and 4-8 Generalist, students can cater their education to the concentration of their choosing. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher and must have a passing score or an exemption from the TSI Assessment.
Best Online Bachelor’s in Elementary Education Programs
Liberty University provides students with the necessary tools to help children be successful throughout their educational journeys by way of coursework and hands-on experience options. The curriculum at Liberty University emphasizes current trends and practices in both public and private education to provide you with the best age-appropriate classroom management skills. Students will receive training in critical learning theories, teaching best practices, and cutting-edge teaching technology while being prepared with practical, ethical, and legal understanding to meet the challenges of current-day teaching environments. Professionals with real-world experience will teach the coursework, and you will have access to online tutors, 24/7.
Up to 90 credit hours are transferable to this Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)accredited program, which requires 120 hours total to complete.
Want to make meaningful contributions to students’ lives? Personalize your journey along the way by earning your accredited Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies online at Western Governors University. This school offers a mixture of coursework, assessments, and a preclinical experience that includes observation hours to prepare you to meet licensure requirements in any of the 50 states. With a Demonstration Teaching component hosted by a veteran teacher, your hands-on experience will help build a career portfolio in the subject of your choice.
This program, accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), focuses on per term costs instead of per credit costs, allowing you to choose your length of study (typically 2-4 years) and how much you spend. Transfer credits average around 28 but are determined on a case by case basis.
Regis University is the package deal! Not only does the school offer the online courses needed to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, but the course requirements also fulfill the state of Colorado’s standards for licensure/endorsement. This detailed program emphasizes Jesuit ideals – serving others, striving for excellence, and reflective practice, integrating a practical application with academic theory, and a curriculum geared towards data literate and critical thinking students.
Graduation requires 120 credits, 75 of which may be transferred in (final credit transfer decision depends upon Regis faculty’s acceptance). To obtain a teaching license, students must complete field and student teaching hours in the state of Colorado.
The Baptist College of Florida has a rich history dating back to 1943 with famous Indian descendants attending as students. The Christian university’s elementary education program emphasizes knowledge and skill development through Christian values and spiritual growth. Topics of study include classroom management, child psychology, literacy development, and curriculum planning, taught by interactive assignments and online discussion forums, encouraging the diversity of ideas.
Graduating with an elementary education degree requires 127 hours, 18 of which are Biblical/Theological Foundation classes. To be admitted, students must be a high school graduate or have obtained a GED and must have an official copy of test scores from either the ACT or SAT.
Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University is one of the best decisions you will ever make in your life. The flexible program options of either full or part-time allow students to cater classes around their schedule. Students will learn from teachers with professional classroom experience and have the opportunity to focus on several concentration areas.
Graduating students must earn a minimum of 73 credit hours from Appalachian State University with 128 total hours. Obtaining this degree can take anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 years depending on which path a student chooses. Students are also required to practice teaching in the field through an internship their senior year.
How to Choose the Right Program
You can choose the perfect program based on your future career aspirations and the academic course load each school provides. Some will focus more specifically on elementary education while others give you a more significant opportunity to study outside of the teaching field. After this, you can rank schools by convenience, price, and accreditation.
Who accredits a bachelor’s degree in elementary education?
Understanding the accreditation schools possess is the key to ensuring that you receive a top-notch education that will prepare you for a future in elementary education. Every school, including online programs, will have to maintain some accreditation with a state, regional or national accrediting agencies.
Beyond this accreditation, many will opt to maintain accreditation with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This accreditation helps to hold the schools accountable for offering a well-rounded curriculum that adequately prepares students for the future. Not all of the top schools maintain this accreditation, but this is something students should review to make a decision.
How long does it typically take to get a degree in elementary education?
Most colleges and universities allow you obtain your degree in elementary education in four years, just as with a standard bachelor’s degree from other programs. Some course loads will require five years depending on the timing of the courses offered and your enrollment date.
What does the curriculum include?
The modern curriculum should include an emphasis on current trends and practices in both a public and private educational setting to provide you with the best age-appropriate pedagogical and classroom management skills. The curriculum should include critical learning theories, teaching best practices, cutting-edge teaching technology while being prepared with practical, ethical, and legal understanding to meet the challenges of current-day teaching environments.
Students should also gain a practical understanding of child psychology and development along with how to handle diversity issues in today’s classroom settings.
How can I finance my education?
Obtaining your bachelor’s degree can be an expensive endeavor. You can finance this dream by applying for financial aid and grants through the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are not required to repay grants offered by the federal government upon graduation.
Some of these top universities will also have scholarships available to eligible students on a first-come-first-served basis. Grades, test scores, and other criteria determine if a student is eligible for these grants. Similar to a scholarship, some colleges will offer work-study programs that allow you to work off your debt in various positions around campus.
For the remaining amount, you might consider taking out a student loan that can be paid back upon graduation. Look for investments that have a low-interest rate and don’t impose a penalty for prepayment. The federal government tends to offer more advantageous loan programs compared to private lenders.
What are the employment prospects for a bachelor’s in elementary education graduate?
The employment prospects for those who receive their bachelor’s degree in elementary education can vary based on the career path you decide to take. Let’s take a look at the most popular careers that many people with this degree choose to pursue to give you an idea of expectations. All data reflects the figures available from the United State Department of Labor found on projects made from 2016 to 2026.
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers: Kindergarten and elementary school teachers with a primary teaching degree should see a seven percent increase in the number of jobs available over the coming decade. It is growing roughly the same as the average employment rates in the country. There are currently 1,565,300 positions with this title.
School and Career Counselors: This career path has a faster than average growth rate that is expected to grow 13 percent in the coming decade. In 2016, 291,700 jobs were available in this field with an additional 36,700 expected in the next ten years. The annual salary is around $54,560.
Training and Development Managers: With a faster than average job growth rate, training and development manager position availability is expected to increase ten percent over the next 10 years. There are currently 34,500 positions available in this field. This position could be based in a human resource department or considered corporate management. The expected annual salary for a public relations specialist is $105,830.
