Best Elementary Education Degrees in 2024

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program at St. Petersburg College provides graduates with an endorsement for ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Reading in addition to the preparation to teach children in K-6 grades. In addition to the classroom courses, students receive extensive experience in the public school system, and a culminating internship that is supervised by veteran educators. The college also extracurricular professional development experiences at no cost to students in the fully online elementary education program.

Nevada State College offers the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, and challenges students to “Be the difference in a student’s life.” Program highlights include research-based teaching methods, the latest innovative teaching techniques, and engaging classes at a college that believes in molding students to become effective educators from day one on the job.

Students that pursue the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at the University of Central Florida have a few concentrations, including the Elementary Education K-6 certification track. This track is primarily for future educators that want to find employment with formal K-6 schools that requires certification.

This program is a state-approved, initial teacher preparation program

The University of Cumberlands offers a bachelor’s degree in elementary for individuals with a passion for becoming a teacher in an elementary education setting. The degree focuses on the pre-kindergarten through fifth grades, and provides students with the foundation in concepts, effective teaching practices, the skills, values and knowledge to excel as an elementary teacher.

The Arkansas State University Elementary Education Bachelor of Science in Education provides students with the solid foundation that is needed to teach children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade in a variety of settings. Students learn in the classroom and through several field experiences. The program produces graduates with knowledge of best practices, child development and applied skills.

Students have the opportunity to simultaneously earn an endorsement for early childhood education to teach three and four-year-old students

The Atlanta campus of Georgia State University offers two concentrations in its Elementary Education, B.S.Ed. degree program for graduates to prepare to work with children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Choose the Early Childhood Education Pre-kindergarten through 5th Grade certification with an English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement, or the Early Childhood Education, Pre-kindergarten through 5th Grade and Early Childhood Special Education, Pre-kindergarten through 5th Grade dual certification.

Students receive instruction in all disciplines taught in elementary classrooms and participate in field experiences.

The Utah Valley University Elementary Education program provides students the opportunity to select a minor in autism studies, giving students additional skills beyond the degree requirements for completion. Students participate in the practice-based program by going outside the classroom and engaging in hands on experiences working with children in the classroom setting. Graduates receive a baccalaureate degree and a Level I Utah Professional Teaching License.

Indiana University suggests that prospective students enroll at the school and “make a difference in countless lives,” upon earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the university. The program focuses on preparing educators that will teach grades kindergarten through sixth grade. Students that complete core courses and meet all requirements to advance to pre-professional and professional-level coursework learn the knowledge and skills to become a transformative elementary school teacher.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education P-5 program at Wright State University also leads to licensure. Students participate in integrated coursework, field experiences and a year-long student teaching assignment. Coursework is included in the program so that students develop the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for teaching at the early childhood and elementary education level.

The University of Kansas believes that it is crucial for students enrolled in its Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education program to supplement their classroom learning with hands-on learning in the field in order to excel in their studies. Students participate in multiple field experiences. The dual programming also prepares graduates to pursue a Kansas initial teaching license.

The Old Dominion University Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program is offered both in the traditional campus setting and online. The program prepares future educators with the knowledge, skills, abilities and values to become pre-service teachers and to make a meaningful impact on learning in the elementary-level classrooms of tomorrow. The primary focus is on the diverse needs of children in grades K-6, and includes influence on the performance of students and ethical aspects of teaching in elementary education. The program prepares graduates to meet licensing requirements.

Members of the military receive a generous tuition discount

Students that choose to enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and complete all requirements will be eligible for the Alabama “Class B” professional teaching certificate in elementary education, Grades K-6. Students have a variety of opportunities while pursuing their degree, including research opportunities, the opportunity to participate in service learning, and the opportunity for field experiences.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is not just another school offering education programs. The school reports that six of the last nine Alabama Teachers of the Year are alumni of the school.

The William Carey University Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree program prepares students to graduate with K-6 licensure. Students complete 44 credit hours of liberal arts core courses before advancing to other university requirements and the elementary education courses.

Students have the opportunity to take additional coursework to complete endorsements, such as the mild and moderate disabilities K-12 endorsement, or the reading K-12 endorsement.

The University of Southern Mississippi has been educating elementary and special education teachers for more than 100 years. The university boasts that school districts across the State of Mississippi compete to hire their graduates, particularly graduates of the Elementary Education/Special Education Dual Degree Program.

Students in the program learn from engaging faculty, and from hands on experiences, scuh as the field-based practicums.

Weber State University offers some unique benefits to its bachelor’s degree in elementary education program that likely appeals to some students that want to have enhanced career opportunities as an educator. Students pursuing their elementary education degree at the university have the opportunity to earn an endorsement in a dual language immersion, in elementary education mathematics, or in English as a second language. Another additional benefit is that students have the opportunity to double major in elementary education and early childhood education, which allows graduates the flexibility to teach students from pre-K through the sixth grade. Students that choose this option will receive two licenses.

Students learn how to plan their classroom curriculum, use technology in the classroom, and demonstrate mastery in the specific subject matter.

The Mercer University Bachelor of Science in Education program with a major in Elementary/Special Education was designed for students that wish to be certified to teach elementary school children in grades PreK to 5th grade. Students that successfully complete all course requirements and assessments are eligible for ‘Level 4 induction’ certification.

Become a transformational educator as you learn to understand various curriculum models, learn best practices, and learn to integrate technology into the curriculum, while completing all program requirements.

The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program at the University of South Carolina is designed for individuals that look at teaching as a calling, and that have a passion to teach and meet the needs of children. Students first study core courses and engage in a variety of learning experiences, including coursework in reading assessment, literacy instruction, integrated curriculum, and classroom management. Other experiences include attending conferences, educational forums and experiences in multiple school environments including rural, urban, and suburban schools.

Future teachers that pursue an Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science degree at Northern Arizona University learn best practices and gain the pedagogical knowledge and tools to stimulate learning in the classroom, and to demonstrate professional disposition required to teach in the elementary educational setting. Graduates also learn to address learner diversity and to build interpersonal relationships.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree at North Carolina State University is unique among elementary education degrees because it focuses primarily on STEM. The rigorous approach of this program provides students with a sound literacy foundation, and core courses that integrates STEM subjects into other areas of the curriculum. Students participate in field experiences and students teaching, spending a large amount of time in the classroom.

New England College urges prospective students to ‘Answer your calling at New England College.’ The college offers the Education, K-8 Elementary Teacher Certification, B.A. degree. This bachelor’s degree in elementary education allows students to select one of four concentrations, with supervisor approval. The concentrations include English, mathematics, science, or social studies.

Future teachers learn through classroom study, learning research-based practices, hands-on experiences and collaboration with peers and practicing education professionals. Some students continue their education and earn a master’s degree at New England College.