Elementary Education Degrees

Imagine standing in front of a room of animated children who are all waiting eagerly to learn the next big thing. If that sounds exciting, then completing an elementary education degree might be the path for you. Whether choosing a career as a teacher, counselor or administrator, an elementary education program prepares educators to influence the next generation.

This guide helps prospective students find the right elementary education degree program, learn about what courses they can expect to take and which careers are possible after they finish their degree.

Prospective teachers want to graduate from a degree program that can set them up for success. All of the programs listed below are accredited and meet our criteria to be called a top-ranked program. They have been ranked according to factors such as student-teacher ratio, tuition and graduation rate.

Aspiring educators have multiple degree options to choose from. Whether they want to have a general knowledge of all subject areas, are drawn to a specialized topic, or want to work on personal life and skills development with students, they can find a program that matches their needs.

Students should choose a degree level based on the type of jobs they seek and their goals for advancement. From an associate to a doctorate, each new degree tier opens up a different level of job opportunities. While an associate degree is appropriate for a prospective teacher’s aide, those aiming to become school superintendents should seek out advanced degrees. See what each degree level entails:

An associate degree should impart graduates with the basic skills required to later get certified in a four-year college and become teachers. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED to pursue an associate degree. Once enrolled, they will learn the basic tools needed to work in a primary classroom, such as communication and patience.

Courses for this program cover the fundamental concepts of a broad array of subjects.

Introduction to Education: Topics include purposes of schools and schooling; characteristics of effective schools; diversity and its effects on schools; and social problems affecting schools.

Mathematical Ideas 1: Introduces mathematical concepts, principles and applications. Designed specifically for elementary educators, it also covers the technology used to teach mathematics.

Assessment of Young Children: Surveys assessment techniques associated with the evaluation of young children. Students in this course will also learn about observation methods and application of assessment data.

Cultural Geography: Cultural geography is an examination of the human world from a geographic perspective, presenting culture and the changing Earth in tandem.

Bachelor’s degrees in elementary education are intended for students who want to become elementary school teachers. Students are exposed to coursework, student teaching experiences and fieldwork that will help them launch a career upon graduation. Graduates can earn teacher licensure, making them eligible to teach in their state. Students must complete about 120 to 180 credits and will earn skills in education foundations, methods and implementations.

Courses for this degree level offer the basics of education plus additional instruction on student and classroom management techniques.

Classroom Management: Examines the strategies used to manage a positive elementary classroom, such as communication and setting of classroom expectations.

Foundations of Education: Historical foundations, professionalism, the role of technology, and trends and issues in education are introduced. Students also examine personal reasons for wanting to teach.

Child Development: Learning stages from birth through eighth grade are explored, with the professor explaining how each affects instructional practices.

Legal & Ethical Issues In Education: Provides students with the opportunity to look at child protection laws and best practices when working with children.

A master’s degree in elementary education is for students who have already obtained their bachelor’s. A graduate program takes students through a rigorous course intended to provide them with all the skills and experience they need to become an outstanding licensed teacher with opportunities beyond the classroom. To complete this degree, students generally have to take about 35-40 credits.

Master’s degree courses often go more in-depth or delve into specializations.

Teaching Elementary School Mathematics: Students not only learn how to teach schoolchildren mathematics but also increase their own competency in math.

Literature for Children: Students survey children’s books for everything from early learners to adolescents, evaluating their effectiveness in improving early literacy.

Sheltered English Instruction: Prepares teachers to instruct and involve non-native English speakers in all parts of the curriculum without the use of their native tongue.

Designed Instruction for the Inclusive Classroom: Students learn how to design a curriculum to meet the needs of students at different ability levels. This course looks at the latest approaches and suggests roles for technology in the classroom.

Students pursuing a doctorate in elementary education need to start with a master’s degree and a desire to become the heads of their specialized interests. Most programs require students to undertake some combination of a supervised practicum, dissertation and comprehensive examination.

Coursework for this degree level includes advanced concepts in theory, assessment and instructional design.

Program Development and Evaluation: This advanced course looks at how to design and implement evaluations of social, educational and community-based programs to measure impact.

Survey Research In Education: Students learn how to utilize mail, telephone and interview techniques to approach research problems. Appropriate analysis of data is emphasized.

Research Application In Education: Through the use of a specific case study, this course shows what methods can be used to conduct research and examine findings.

Advanced Educational Measurement and Statistics: Students planning to contribute research findings of their own design can refine their statistical methods in this course.

When choosing an educational degree program, there are many items students should look for. Below are a few of the most important factors:

People looking to earn a degree in elementary education should be passionate about working with children. Although there are job avenues that do not involve direct instruction, such as curriculum design or administration, most people who graduate with an elementary education degree start in the classroom, at least to begin with. Here are a few common careers elementary education graduates may pursue:

Middle school teachers usually teach sixth to eighth graders a specific subject, such as science, math or English. However, in some middle schools teachers cover all subjects for one class, building upon the fundamental education that students learned previously.

Teaching aides work under the supervision of lead teachers to give additional instruction and attention to students. They reinforce classroom rules and design educational activities for students at the teacher’s discretion. They can work with students at all grade levels or in preschools and childcare centers.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (2015)