Bachelor's in elementary education

Becoming an educator often begins with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Discover the benefits, use cases, and typical admissions requirements for this rewarding educational path.

Explore online elementary education programs

Why get a bachelor's degree in elementary education?

Flexibility

Online degree programs offer scheduling flexibility, making it easier to balance schoolwork with personal and work responsibilities.

Employability

A bachelor's degree satisfies the primary educational requirements needed to eventually obtain your teaching license.

Affordability

Many online programs offer cost advantages. These vary by provider but may include lower tuition fees and in-state rates for out-of-state students.

What can I do with a bachelor's in elementary education degree?

A bachelor's in elementary education can prepare you for multiple career paths. With this degree, you can enter the workforce as a childcare worker, pursue your teaching license, or seek a non-licensed career path in training and development or educational consulting.

Bachelor's degrees in elementary education also pair well with undergraduate or graduate degrees in adjacent fields, such as library science, counseling, social work, and psychology. With schooling and certification or licensure in these areas, you can seek employment as a school librarian, school psychologist or counselor, or youth social worker.

Educators earn salaries that roughly align with the broader labor market’s average salary. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for educators, instructors, and library professionals was $59,220 in 2024.

However, pay is based on your job title, education level, and the number of years you've been working in the field. Your location can also impact your earning power, with employers in areas with higher living costs typically offering higher salaries.

Here are some common roles you can pursue with a bachelor's in elementary education, with salary and job outlook data from the BLS:

Elementary school teacher

Elementary school teachers work with children from kindergarten through sixth grade (K–6), providing fundamental academic instruction. Many work in public school systems, for which a formal license is required. Others work in private institutions with variable licensing requirements.

If you want to become an elementary school teacher, check with your state's department of education for specific licensing guidelines and information.

Median annual salary (May 2024): $62,310
Projected employment growth (2023–33): -1%

Special education teacher

Some schools offer bachelor's programs in elementary education with special education concentrations. Special education teachers follow a similar licensing path and work with children who have emotional, physical, mental, or learning disabilities.

Median annual salary (May 2024): $64,270
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 0%

Training and development specialist

While most training and development specialists work in the corporate world, some businesses specialize in extracurricular programs for elementary-aged students. A bachelor's in elementary education degree could qualify you for employment opportunities with these organizations.

Median annual salary (May 2024): $65,850
Projected employment growth (2023–33): +12%

Online elementary education program overview

Bachelor's programs in elementary education usually cover the standard 120 semester credits or the equivalent. If you enter as a first-time student and study full time, you can graduate in about four academic years.

Formal degree concentrations are more common at the master's level, but some bachelor's programs offer them. They can take the form of specialized learning tracks or endorsements in areas like:

Content areas, such as English, math, or science
Curriculum and instruction
English for non-native speakers
Special education

Programs typically include fieldwork requirements, such as classroom observation experiences and practice teaching assignments. You'll need to complete these in person, even if your coursework is otherwise entirely online.

Learn more about admissions requirements

Admissions requirements vary among institutions, but schools generally make bachelor's in elementary education programs accessible to anyone with a high school diploma or the equivalent. Grade point average (GPA) requirements may apply.

You'll usually need to provide:

Academic transcripts
A personal statement explaining your interest in the program
Two or more letters of recommendation

Depending on your school and location, you may also need to pass a background check as part of the admissions process.

Discover common elementary education courses

Elementary education bachelor's programs usually combine required and elective courses, plus fieldwork components and a capstone or other culminating experience.

Schools configure their elementary education curricula in unique ways, and you should seek out programs that match both your personal interests and your career development plans. That said, many programs cover a comparable set of core topics. Some of the courses you may encounter include:

Classroom management: This type of course highlights strategies for gaining and maintaining control over classrooms populated by young students. It may also explore alternatives to traditional disciplinary actions.
Digital learning toolsEmerging digital technologies offer educators cutting-edge options for engaging students. This type of course explores both established and new examples, highlighting their use cases and educational effectiveness.
Teaching diverse and exceptional students: In modern classrooms, teachers make targeted efforts to address each student's unique needs. In this type of course, you'll learn about methods for engaging and including all sorts of students.

Get started on edX

Take the first step toward becoming an elementary educator: Browse bachelor's in education programs offered through edX and start your teaching journey today.

Explore online elementary education programs

Frequently asked questions

What degree is best for elementary education?

A targeted bachelor's in elementary education degree provides aspiring K–6 teachers with the career-critical skills they need to flourish in the field. Once you earn yours, you may want to consider upgrading to a . K–12 teachers with graduate degrees tend to earn higher salaries.

How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in elementary education?

If you enter as a first-time, full-time student, you can earn your degree in roughly four academic years. You can save time by overloading a full-time course schedule or studying year-round instead of taking summers off. If you have existing college credits, you can transfer them and potentially reduce your graduation timeline.

Is elementary education worth it?

Even though many observers consider elementary teachers to be underpaid, Pew Research Center data from 2023 shows high levels of job satisfaction among teachers. Among the teachers polled by Pew, 81% said they were somewhat, very, or extremely satisfied with their job.

How do I become a licensed teacher?

The exact process to become a licensed teacher varies by state, but you'll need at least a licensure-track bachelor's degree in education that includes practice teaching experiences. These components should satisfy the criteria you must meet to qualify for your teaching license (which you apply for through your state's board of education).