Learn about K-12 education with online courses and programs
In many countries, children are required to attend school from kindergarten through high school. This is often referred to as K-12 education. Explore teaching methods and techniques with courses on edX.
Learning K-12 education builds knowledge in content areas and develops soft skills like self-awareness, critical thinking, and reading comprehension. K-12 education courses and programs can prepare educators, administrators, and curriculum and instruction specialists to share their expertise. Explore online K-12 education courses and career options below.
What is K-12 education?
K-12 is a term that encompasses a broad range of educational milestones, beginning with kindergarten (K) and ending with high school graduation (12th grade). Many education systems around the world operate on a K-12 model, which is typically broken down into four components:
Kindergarten
In this first year of formal schooling, kindergarten bridges the gap between preschool and elementary education. Kindergarten students begin building academic and social skills through play-based learning.
Elementary school
Elementary schools typically encompass kindergarten through grade five, serving children ages 5-11. Some elementary schools also include pre-K programs. Elementary students matriculate to middle school.
Middle school/junior high school
Middle schools (also called junior high schools) foster social skills, prepare students for the rigor of more advanced high school academics, and build independence through offerings like elective courses.
High school
High school offers the widest range of academic, elective, and extracurricular opportunities designed to prepare students to transition to higher education or choose a career path after graduation.
As students advance through the education system, they can expect their coursework to increase in complexity and depth. Once they have successfully completed high school, they may decide to pursue further education or enter the workforce. The K-12 education they receive can provide them with the foundational skills and knowledge they need to pursue their goals.
Why take courses in K-12 education?
- Make a difference: The world will always need exceptional teachers and role models.
- Understand how kids learn: There is no “one-size-fits-all” learning method for kids.
- Become a mentor: K-12 teachers' inspiration often extends beyond the classroom.
- Explore children's special needs: Teachers, parents, and child advocates can benefit from understanding the unique developmental needs of K-12 students.
Browse online K-12 education courses
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What skills do K-12 education courses teach?
Beyond mastering traditional K-12 subject content areas, educators need skills including:
- Communication: K-12 courses teach educators to articulate clearly and develop a full range of age-appropriate active listening, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
- Reading and Writing: Learning K-12-level reading and writing skills means understanding literacy, phonics, vocabulary, and reading comprehension for a variety of student ages and grade levels.
- Patience: Patience is critical for K-12 educators to foster a supportive learning environment. Online K-12 courses can help develop patience through mindfulness, self-reflection, and stress-management training.
- Lesson Planning: Lesson planning is key for educators to develop effective, age-appropriate learning strategies. Educators can take K-12 curriculum and instruction courses online.
- Adaptability: Adaptability is a critical skill for educators. Teachers must develop resilience and resourcefulness for themselves and also help their students adapt to challenges at school and in life.
How do you get started in K-12 education?
1. Try a sample course
While launching a career in K-12 education might sound intriguing, you might underestimate the level of commitment and dedication that is required until you test drive a course in this subject. Online K-12 courses offer a range of subjects and skill sets for a wide variety of aspiring K-12 professionals, whether you are seeking an introductory course or plan to eventually enroll in an in-depth degree program.
2. Pursue a degree
Pursuing a bachelor's in education is a must for K-12 teachers in every state. While public schools require elementary teachers to earn an accredited bachelor's degree, including a teacher-preparation program, some private and alternative schools accept teachers who have completed an alternate path to certification, though individual requirements for non-traditional schools may vary. Once you complete your undergraduate program, your state and/or specialization may require you to go on to earn a master's degree.
3. Get certified in your state
Elementary teachers in every state must be certified; however, the specific requirements vary by state. Certification typically requires aspiring educators to earn a bachelor's degree, complete a teacher-preparation program, and pass certification exams (administered by your state's teacher credentialing agency) for their subject content area and grade level. Some specialized certifications require a master's degree.
4. Earn experience in your area of expertise
Once you become certified and secure a teaching position, most states require a probationary period or internship requirement before leading your own elementary school classroom. Many states award provisional certification to new teachers for a term of at least one year, with optional extensions of up to five years while you complete a supervised teaching experience.
5. Maintain professional development requirements
Continuous learning is mandatory for K-12 educators. State credentialing agencies typically require teachers to maintain a minimum number of continuing education credits per year. Online K-12 courses can offer convenient continuing learning and enrichment opportunities.
How long does it take to learn K-12 education?
Depending on your career goals, learning K-12 education can take anywhere from a few weeks to five years. Whether K-12 education can be fully "mastered" is debatable; the field is constantly evolving and offers a variety of paths to completion through online coursework. The following are estimated timeframes for K-12 courses and programs.
- Courses: K-12 courses on edX may take as few as several weeks or as many as 12 months to complete, depending on factors such as the subject and pace of the course.
- Certificates: Depending on the subject and the frequency of the coursework, edX certificates may take 3-12 months to complete.
- Executive Education: Executive Education courses on edX may offer a relatively quick and affordable refresher in a high-level K-12 subject or skill in just 2-10 weeks.
- Degree programs: While edX does not offer full K-12 education degree programs, edX coursework can help students prepare for a bachelor's degree in education, which typically takes 4-6 years to complete, depending on factors like your content area, whether you study in person or online, and your enrollment schedule.
Jobs that use K-12 education
Learners who study K-12 education can enter a variety of lucrative and fulfilling careers. While job growth for teachers may be slow, job openings in this field tend to remain high, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS cites slower-than-average job growth for educational instruction and library occupations from 2023-33; however, about 868,000 openings are projected in these occupations each year, on average, to replace workers leaving the field.
The following represent some of the most popular jobs in K-12 education:
Teacher
K-12 educators must master the content subject areas appropriate to their grade level and earn state certification to teach in public elementary schools. Beyond academic knowledge, K-12 teachers must possess a variety of soft skills and field experience.
Median annual salary (May 2024): $62,310-$64,580
Special Education Teacher
K-12 special education teachers must possess specialized skills to instruct special education students, including those with physical and learning disabilities. Special education teachers typically need specialized certification, and some states require them to have a master's degree.
Median annual salary (May 2024): $64,270
Principal
Principals are trained in education administration, but they also need teaching experience to work in public elementary schools. K-12 principals typically must have a master's degree and specialized certification from their state education board.
Median annual salary (May 2024): $104,070
Instructional Coordinator
Instructional coordinators are uniquely trained to develop and deliver curricula appropriate for specific grade levels and a variety of learning styles. K-12 instructional coordinators specialize in incorporating age-appropriate concepts and skills into lesson plans. These professionals typically must have a master's degree.
Median annual salary (May 2024): $74,720
Your next steps on edX
Whether you are an aspiring or experienced K-12 educator, edX has you covered. Sign up today!
- Take a K-12 education course.
- Find your K-12 teaching degree.
- Level up your K-12 education expertise with an Executive Education program on edX.
Last updated August 12, 2025
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