Elementary Education Degree: Bachelor’s to Doctorate Guide
An elementary education degree prepares you to teach young students, though the grades covered by an elementary credential vary by state. The standard entry point is a bachelor's degree from a state-approved teacher-preparation program, which generally includes supervised clinical experience. Master's and doctoral options build on that for licensure endorsements, instructional coaching, and administrative or postsecondary roles.
Most people who earn an elementary education degree end up teaching young students, though the grades covered by an elementary credential vary by state. Some go further with a master's or doctorate and move into instructional coaching, administration, or teacher-prep programs at the college level.
Elementary education is one of several teaching degree paths, and it comes in three tiers: bachelor's, master's, and doctorate, and each one opens different doors. Here's what each level actually requires, what it costs in time, and where it can take you.
History of the Field of Elementary Education
Elementary education used to stretch from first through eighth grade. When junior high schools appeared, the range narrowed toward kindergarten through sixth grade in many places, but the grades covered by an elementary credential vary by state. Teachers with an elementary license are generally expected to cover every core subject for their grade band, and some schools also ask elementary teachers to handle PE, art, or music.
Choosing an Elementary Education Degree Program
Online and on-campus programs vary more than people expect, so it's worth checking a few things before you commit to one.
Accreditation
Look for a program accredited by CAEP (the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation), the most common national accreditor for teacher-prep programs. CAEP accreditation may apply, but candidates should verify that the specific program also meets the applicable state's educator-preparation requirements. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of recognized accreditors if you want to verify a specific one.
Program Length and Curriculum
A bachelor's in elementary education typically runs 120 to 130 credit hours, about four years of full-time study, less if you're transferring credits in. State-approved teacher-preparation programs generally include supervised clinical or student-teaching experience, though the structure and required hours vary by state and program. Ask a program directly for its curriculum and outcomes data rather than taking a glossy brochure's word for it.
Support and Outcomes
A newer online program isn't automatically a red flag, but one with graduates you can actually talk to is worth extra weight. Ask about advising support and, most importantly, what recent graduates are doing now: that's the question programs sometimes dodge.
Is an Online Elementary Education Degree Right for You?
An online degree fits around a job or a family in ways a traditional program can't, but it isn't the right format for everyone. It works best for self-directed students who don't need in-person accountability to stay on track.
Cost is often lower once you factor in what you're not paying for: relocation, room and board, parking, and sometimes out-of-state tuition, since many online programs charge a flat rate regardless of where you live. Ask a program directly whether its online rate applies to you before assuming it does. For someone who can't relocate or commute to a campus at all, whether because of location, family, work, or a disability, online study can be the difference between earning the degree and not earning it.
Bachelor's Degree Course Topics
A bachelor's in elementary education prepares you to teach every core subject at the elementary level, from reading and math to science and social studies. State-approved teacher-preparation programs generally include supervised clinical or student-teaching experience alongside your coursework, though requirements vary by state and program. Course content varies by school, but most programs cover:
Educational Psychology
How children learn, and what actually works to manage behavior and motivate a class: reinforcement strategies, study techniques, and the psychology behind why some approaches land, and others don't.
Curriculum, Assessment, and Instructional Technology
How to use classroom technology to teach and to measure whether it's working. This is a bigger part of the job than it used to be, and most programs treat it as a standalone course rather than an afterthought.
Developmental Reading
Kids learn to read in stages, and a student who's missing an earlier building block will struggle with the next one. This course covers those stages and how to spot and address gaps in a specific student's reading development.
Beyond those core courses, most programs also cover lesson planning, assessing student work against learning objectives, child development, and classroom management, plus how to work productively with administrators, support staff, and fellow teachers.
Master's Degree in Elementary Education
A master's degree in elementary education isn't required to start teaching, but it's a common next step for teachers moving toward instructional coaching, curriculum work, or school administration.
Degree Requirements
Requirements vary by program: some master's tracks are built for teachers who already hold a license, while others lead to initial licensure or are non-licensure altogether. Most ask for a completed application, undergraduate transcripts meeting a minimum GPA, an interview, and a statement of purpose with reference letters, and some still require GRE scores, though that requirement is dropping at a lot of schools.
Cost and Financial Aid
FAFSA-based federal aid is available for qualifying students in both online and in-person master's programs, and many states run their own grant or loan-forgiveness programs for teachers who commit to working in high-need schools for a set number of years. Check with your state's educator-licensing agency or your program's financial aid office for what's actually available where you live, since it varies too much by state to generalize.
Where It Can Take You
A master's degree can open the door to roles like instructional coordinator, curriculum specialist, department head, or administrator, depending on your state's requirements for those positions and your district's own hiring practices. Course topics at this level typically include advanced instructional planning, language arts intervention, and integrating teaching-practice research into your own classroom.
Doctorate in Elementary Education
Doctoral admission requirements vary by institution: programs may require prior graduate study, professional education experience, recommendations, and other application materials.
Time
Because of the dissertation, doctoral programs vary more in length than bachelor's or master's degrees: plan on roughly two to four years, depending on your pace and your program's structure.
Where It Can Take You
A doctorate can lead to roles like school board member, program director, master teacher, district coordinator, or a faculty position at the postsecondary level, training the next generation of teachers. Doctoral candidates typically pick a research path - curriculum and pedagogy, literacy, policy, leadership, or special education - and spend a significant stretch of the program in a practical or clinical research setting before defending a dissertation.
Comparing Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral Programs
If you're weighing which level makes sense for where you are right now, here's how the three compare at a glance.
| Degree Level | Typical Length | Prerequisite | Best Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | ~4 years full-time (120-130 credits) | High school diploma or equivalent | Entering the classroom for the first time |
| Master's | 1-2 years, often part-time | Bachelor's degree (some tracks also require an active teaching license) | Endorsements, coaching, or a step toward administration |
| Doctorate | 2-4 years, dissertation-dependent | Varies by institution (typically a master's degree) | District leadership, research, or postsecondary teaching |
Elementary Education Degree Scholarships
An elementary education degree, like most degree programs, isn't cheap, but a few scholarships are aimed specifically at this field.
Nancy Larson Foundation
The Nancy Larson Foundation funds scholarships for declared elementary education majors at the junior, senior, or graduate level.
TEACH Grant Program
The TEACH Grant Program offers up to $4,000 a year to students completing coursework toward a teaching career, provided you're enrolled in a TEACH-eligible program, meet federal aid and academic requirements, complete TEACH Grant counseling, and sign the Agreement to Serve.
For more options, see our full Scholarships and Grants page.
What Can You Do With an Elementary Education Degree?
Most people with this degree end up in the classroom, but it opens a few other doors too.
Elementary School Teacher
The most direct path: teaching young students in a public or private school, covering whatever subjects your district assigns to your grade band (the specific grades an elementary credential covers vary by state). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, elementary school teachers earned a median annual salary of $63,970 as of May 2025. Employment is projected to decline slightly, about 2% between 2024 and 2034, according to Projections Central, but that still works out to roughly 91,000 openings a year nationally, mostly from retirements and teachers leaving the field rather than new positions being created. Learn more about becoming an Elementary School Teacher.
Professor
A doctorate in elementary education can qualify you to teach college-level courses to future teachers, usually inside a university's teacher-prep program. Learn more about a career as a College Professor.
District Coordinator
District coordinators typically work out of a board office rather than a single school, visiting classrooms to check that curriculum standards are being met and working with district, state, and sometimes national education authorities.
Specialty Elementary Education Programs
Reading and Literacy Specialist
A reading specialist works with small groups, often one to five students at a time, on interventions for kids who are falling behind on reading. Reading-specialist roles may require an additional state credential or endorsement, and requirements vary by state.
Curriculum and Instruction
Often titled instructional coach or curriculum coordinator, this role usually oversees curriculum across most or all schools in a district, bringing evidence-based practices into classrooms and training teachers and staff on new materials and methods. Most districts require a master's or doctorate for this position, plus real classroom experience first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an elementary education degree online?
Yes. Online elementary education programs are common at every degree level, and a good one carries the same accreditation standards as its on-campus counterpart. Licensure-track programs generally include supervised clinical experience, though the specific placement, format, and hour requirements depend on the program and state.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in elementary education?
Most bachelor's programs run 120 to 130 credit hours, which works out to about four years of full-time study. Transfer credits from an associate degree or prior coursework can shorten that timeline.
Do I need a master's degree to teach elementary school?
No. A bachelor's degree plus completion of the applicable state's educator-preparation and credential requirements, including any assessments the state or pathway requires, is the standard entry point for elementary teaching. A master's becomes relevant later if you're after a licensure endorsement, an instructional coaching role, or a step toward administration.
What's the difference between an elementary education degree and an early childhood education degree?
The grades covered by an elementary credential vary by state, but elementary education programs generally prepare you to teach the early grades through about fifth or sixth. Early childhood education typically covers birth through third grade instead, with more emphasis on developmental milestones in very young children. The two overlap in the early grades, but they lead to different licenses in most states.
Does my elementary teaching license transfer if I move to another state?
Sometimes, but not automatically. Many states have reciprocity agreements that make transferring a license easier, but you may still need extra coursework or exams depending on the state and your original program's approval status there. Check directly with the new state's educator-licensing agency before assuming your license carries over as-is.
- Bachelor's is the standard entry point - about 120 to 130 credits, roughly four years full-time, through a state-approved program that generally includes supervised clinical experience.
- Grade bands and accreditation are state-specific - what counts as "elementary" for licensure purposes varies by state, and CAEP accreditation is common but not the only path, so verify both with your state's educator-licensing agency.
- The job outlook is a slight decline, not growth - the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects elementary teaching employment down about 2% by 2034, but Projections Central still counts roughly 91,000 openings a year from turnover.
- Master's and doctoral degrees build toward endorsements, coaching, or administration - but administrator roles carry their own separate state licensure requirements, and admission requirements for these degrees vary by institution.
- Licensure reciprocity varies by state - confirm requirements with the receiving state's educator-licensing agency before assuming a license transfers automatically.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers. Job growth projections (2024-2034) are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2026.
Degree level is only the first decision. Format, cost, and accreditation matter just as much once you've settled on elementary education. The sponsored programs listed on this page span online, hybrid, and campus formats, and several accept students who already hold a degree in another field.
Best Colleges for Elementary Education Degree: Bachelor’s to Doctorate Guide
We are happy to release our Teacher.org's Best Colleges for Elementary Education Degree: Bachelor’s to Doctorate Guide rankings. This list was compiled by scoring several areas including, relative size of the program, graduation rates, default rates, tuition affordability, and online education options availability. More information about each college listed is available by clicking on the web address provided. Over 781 colleges were analyzed and the top 20 were included in our Best Colleges Ranking.
For more information on education degree rankings, see our methodology page: https://www.teacher.org/college-ranking-methodology/.
The State University of New York at New Paltz is home to an acclaimed Department of Elementary Education. A degree in Elementary Education aids pre-service teachers in developing the knowledge and skills to effectively instruct and assess students from junior kindergarten to grade 6. Faculty at the New Paltz campus is committed to staying abreast of research trends in education in order to train teachers to best assist today's students. Learn more by visiting the college website at newpaltz.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 2.8% Loan Default
Located in Cortland, New York, the State University of New York at Cortland offers a robust undergraduate program for students seeking a degree and licensure in elementary education. Teacher candidates combine theory, practice and research to hone teaching skills in classroom settings from pre-K to grade 6. SUNY College-Cortland students commit to spending hundreds of hours in their practicum environments partnered with mentor teachers before graduation and licensure. Learn more by visiting the college website at www2.cortland.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 2.9% Loan Default
Located in Oneonta, New York, the State University of New York - Oneonta campus offers a well-renowned program for students pursuing a bachelor of elementary education. SUNY Oneonta faculty is committed to providing undergraduate students with the best opportunities for research, theory and practice for instruction and assessment, as well as providing mentorship to teacher candidates who are ready to begin their careers as teachers in the elementary school environment. Learn more by visiting the college website at oneonta.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 3.1% Loan Default
At University of Nebraska-Kearney, students enrolled in the school's bachelor's in elementary education degree excel in practice, research and theory in order to become qualified to teach students from grades kindergarten through 6. With a well-rounded foundation in teachable subjects as well as instruction and assessment, professionally renowned faculty ensures that each student has a firm understanding of how to manage the inclusive elementary classroom environment. Learn more by visiting the college website at aaunk.unk.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- Online Education Options
- 4.5% Loan Default
At the University of Wyoming-Laramie, students and faculty alike work toward the common goal of becoming quality educators in the state's elementary classrooms. With a curriculum founded on years of research and best practice in the education profession, undergraduates learn about children's development from birth through third grade and apply this knowledge to creating and measuring quality programming for young children. The interdisciplinary nature of the program means pre-service teachers are exposed to multiple perspectives from grades JK - 6. Learn more by visiting the college website at uwyo.edu.
- Public University
- 10,000 - 20,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 4.2% Loan Default
The College of New Jersey has an acclaimed faculty that is committed to leading undergraduate students toward their elementary teaching degree in a timely and sequential fashion. The College mandates that teachers from grades K - 6 must have a broad educational foundation in order to best serve their students; additionally, by providing access to caring, competent, highly qualified teachers and counselors, the college ensures student success as well as modeling these values as future classroom teachers. Learn more by visiting the college website at bulletin.tcnj.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 1.3% Loan Default
Located in the heart of Maryland, Salisbury University offers an Elementary Education Program through the Department of Teacher Education. Teaching faculty members are motivated to prepare prospective teachers for entry into the state's elementary classroom environments. Through a mixture of theory, practice, and research based around a conceptual framework that includes the necessary values and dispositions that pre-service teachers should strive for, students learn how to administer assessment and instruction methods to ensure student success. Learn more by visiting the college website at salisbury.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 4.3% Loan Default
Designed by leading education faculty, Appalachian State University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education is designed to take students from the lecture hall to the classroom as leading educators for grades kindergarten through 6. The undergraduate program's goal is to produce strong elementary teachers through understanding of pedagogical models and strong classroom practice. Learn more by visiting the college website at elemed.appstate.edu.
- Public University
- 10,000 - 20,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 3.4% Loan Default
Winona State University is home to one of Minnesota's foremost elementary educator programs. With emphasis on design and implementation of curriculum, instruction and assessment, students leave the lecture hall well-prepared for the rigors of practical placement and later, teacher status. With a mandate to improve Minnesota's classrooms, Winona graduates are ready to shape the future of education, starting with elementary students. Learn more by visiting the college website at catalog.winona.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 4.1% Loan Default
East Carolina University faculty is committed to creating the strongest elementary teacher cohort in the state. The program is nationally recognized for its innovative approach to teacher education, including research, practice and theory for instruction, assessment and classroom management. The Elementary Education program also offers on-campus undergraduate licensure for those who already hold a degree, and distance education programs for those who require flexible means of study. At every stage, ECU faculty ensures that teacher candidates are guided appropriately. Learn more by visiting the college website at ecu.edu.
- Public University
- 20,000+ Students
- 200+ Grads/Yr
- Online Education Options
- 5.1% Loan Default
Offered by the College of Education and Human Services at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, students may choose to focus on a degree specializing in Early Childhood - Middle Childhood, or Middle Childhood - Early Adolescence. With a broad foundation of coursework, pre-service teachers will learn how to instruct and assess students from grades junior kindergarten to eight in order to strengthen communities and build strong learners and achievers. Learn more by visiting the college website at uwosh.edu.
- Public University
- 10,000 - 20,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 4.0% Loan Default
Designed to create exemplary elementary educators, Westfield State University's Faculty of Education program is committed to creating a robust foundation of learning upon which education students can learn to assess and instruct in the classroom. Elementary Education majors earn concentrations in teaching, reading, and special programs that involve an ongoing partnership with area elementary schools. With a strong local network for support, mentorship and practicum, Westfield students are easily able to join theory with practice in the classroom. Learn more by visiting the college website at westfield.ma.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- 2.6% Loan Default
Rider University education faculty enables professionally skilled individuals to become elementary teachers each year through their dedicated Elementary Education program or their dual Early Education-Elementary program, with the intent of continually raising the bar of excellence for schools in the state. Future teachers are required to select a liberal arts concentration to provide a broad foundation of knowledge. Paired with learning on assessment, instruction and pedagogy, students become successful classroom teachers in the states elementary schools and beyond. Learn more by visiting the college website at rider.edu.
- Private University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- 4.4% Loan Default
University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a degree program that leads directly to a Bachelor of Arts In Elementary Education. The goal is to give each child in grades K through 6 a robust and effective education, as well as to make them into lifelong learners. To this end, program faculty strive to develop highly competent and caring individuals to graduate with a degree and pursue licensure in order to teach in North Carolina schools. Learn more by visiting the college website at uncw.edu.
- Public University
- 10,000 - 20,000 Students
- 100-200 Grads/Yr
- Online Education Options
- 4.4% Loan Default
Combining academics with practice, students who attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Elementary Education program are passionate about having a vital role in supporting students through their elementary education. With a broad foundation in teachable subjects, students alternate class time with placement blocks. Learn more by visiting the college website at uwrf.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- 4.3% Loan Default
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville faculty provides an Early Childhood-Middle Childhood degree program, the course of study combines current educational theory and practice for those candidates who want to teach at the elementary level. Coursework and subsequent licensure prepares students to teach children and students from birth to grade 6. This inclusive program also provides information and training on students with disabilities and special needs; faculty ensures that theory is concurrent with practice for robust learning. Learn more by visiting the college website at uwplatt.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- 4.0% Loan Default
Students enrolled in Northwest Missouri's Elementary Education major gain knowledge and practice to work effectively with students from birth to age 8. Faculty are committed to mentoring pre-service teachers through evidence based practices, hands-on classroom work, and theory for assessment and instruction in order to mold educators who can manage and thrive in an elementary classroom. The program focuses imparting core values to students like how inquiry-based learning and responsive care-giving can build positive connections far beyond the classroom. Learn more by visiting the college website at nwmissouri.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- 7.8% Loan Default
At Kennesaw State University, the Bagwell College of Education is dedicated to helping future elementary educators establish excellence in their practice through cross-disciplinary foundations and concurrent teachings in the fields of instruction and assessment. Candidates graduate the Elementary Education degree program understanding how knowledge is conceptualized in the developing brain; classroom teaching practicum blocks prepare new educators for their own classroom environment under the mentorship of veteran elementary teachers. Learn more by visiting the college website at bagwell.kennesaw.edu.
- Public University
- 20,000+ Students
- 200+ Grads/Yr
- Online Education Options
- 7.1% Loan Default
Attaining a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree with a Major in Early Childhood/Late Childhood means that candidates from Pittsburgh State University will be ready to enter the classrooms of kindergarten through grade 6 students upon graduation. With a broad general education and concurrent learning of pedagogical subject matter, the program is interspersed with several practicum teaching blocks designed to give students an opportunity to match theory with practice under the mentorship of senior teachers. Learn more by visiting the college website at pittstate.edu.
- Public University
- 5,000 - 10,000 Students
- 50-100 Grads/Yr
- Online Education Options
- 8.5% Loan Default
Offered by the College of Education and Human Performance at the University of Central Florida, the Elementary Education undergraduate degree prepares students for classroom instruction from kindergarten through grade 6. With faculty guidance, candidates alternate blocks of research, theory, and practice in order to prepare themselves to enter the elementary classroom to begin changing lives of students. Students interested in seeking employment opportunities outside the formal K-12 school environment should pursue the university's Lifelong Learning (LLL) track for greater opportunity. Learn more by visiting the college website at education.ucf.edu.
- Public University
- 20,000+ Students
- 200+ Grads/Yr
- 4.3% Loan Default