Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education Degrees

Situated along the banks of the Monongahela River in Morgantown VA, West Virginia University is a nationally ranked, research-intensive, public university. The school is home to a highly regarded College of Education and Human Services, and their online graduate education program ranks among the best in the U.S. (US News and World Report).

The College of Education and Human Services offers an online, NCATE-accredited Advanced Master of Arts in Elementary Education. This degree program is for those who already hold a valid teaching license and want to advance their knowledge of content, curriculum, and classroom management.

• 30 credits of coursework total
• Students may complete this degree in 2 years.
• 100% online delivery

Coursework in this degree program covers a broad spectrum of education topics relevant to elementary teachers – from Science Research and Teaching Ethics, to Reading and Writing Instruction, and Problem Solving in Mathematics. The program also includes a capstone experience which focuses on technology integration. Non-residents of Virginia pay the same program tuition as Virginia residents.

The first public university established west of the Mississippi, and the largest in the state, the University of Missouri (colloquially known as Mizzou) is a public research university situated in Columbia, MO. The university’s College of Education ranks among the best in the country, with their online graduate education programs garnering particular national acclaim (US News and World Report).

The College of Education offers an online, TEAC-accredited Master of Education in Elementary Education (with emphasis in Early Childhood Education) which focuses on cultural intelligence, reflective practice-in-action, and child advocacy. Students in the program take five core courses plus six courses in Early Childhood Education – there are also opportunities to explore areas of interest within program guidelines.

• Course content is available 100% online.
• Total credits required: 33
• Flexible scheduling for full or part time study
• Accredited by Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

There are five main focus areas of this degree program, including meeting the needs of diverse learners and social justice and community contexts. Program faculty are committed to fostering teachers who care deeply about students and seek to nurture the greatest human potential in each learner.

Located in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private, for-profit, Christian university that is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Arizona Southern Baptists founded the school in 1949 with the goal of integrating Christian faith and practice into all aspects of campus life. No statement of faith or religious affiliation is necessary for prospective students.

The College of Education at Grand Canyon University offers an online Master Of Education In Elementary Education which leads to initial teacher licensure in the state of Arizona. This program is for those with a bachelor’s degree but no background in education – candidates will gain the skills and knowledge to to teach first through eighth grade. All courses are directly aligned with the specialized professional teaching standards and associated national content standards.

• Total credits required: 47
• Program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Education
• Coursework available online.

This is a rigorous education program which focuses on understanding and creating solutions to current issues in education, such as student literacy and teaching English language learners. Please note that observational practicums and student teaching are an important part of this licensure program. All courses are in alignment with the specialized professional teaching standards and associated national content standards.

Western Governors University is a private, non-profit, regionally accredited (NWCCU), online university which is located in Salt Lake City, UT. The school aims to make education as accessible as possible, and the National Council on Teacher Quality recently ranked the school’s Teacher’s College as one of the best values in teacher education in the nation.

The College of Education at Western Governors University offers an NCATE-accredited online Master Of Education In Elementary Education which leads to initial teacher licensure. Unlike many master’s programs, this one is for individuals with a bachelor’s degree outside of education. The program is approved by the Arizona state board to prepare individuals to teach content relevant to learners in grades 1-8.

• Total credits required: 47
• Courses are six weeks in length.
• Students may transfer up to 12 credits into the program.

Please note that observational practicums and student teaching are a mandatory part of the program. And a word on tuition: At WGU, tuition is charged at a flat rate each term and covers all coursework completed in that time – the more courses you complete each term, the more affordable your degree becomes. The above tuition rate is based on 8 graduate credits / term.

Founded on the edge of the American frontier in the late eighteenth century, the University of Pittsburgh is a historic public research university, and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. US News and World Report ranks their School of Education in the top 30 nationally, and their online graduate education programs have also ranked among the best in the U.S.

The School of Education offers an online Master of Education in Elementary Education degree which is intended for those who have already completed a teacher certificate program. The degree advances knowledge in content areas, educational research and theories, and strategies for meeting the needs of diverse learners.

• Program total of 36 credits (students who received their teaching certificate from the University of Pittsburgh will only need to complete 18 credits).
• Students may transfer up to 12 credits from other graduate programs.

Online students will experience peer discussion sessions, engaging instructional technologies, instructor feedback and interaction, and assignments and projects that promote critical thinking.

And in addition to department aid, the School of Education has numerous scholarships and fellowships available by way of gifts or grants

Located in the city of Florence, Alabama, The University of North Alabama is the oldest four-year public university in the state and ranks among the top public schools in the South (US News and World Report). The university’s College of Education and Human Sciences offers a wide range of courses and programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and education specialist levels.

The College of Education and Human Sciences offers an online, NCATE-accredited Master of Arts in Education in Elementary Education (K-6) which leads to an Alabama Professional Educator Class A Certification in elementary education. This program is open to those who already hold a valid bachelors-level professional educator certificate.

• Total credits required: 33-36 hours.
• Coursework is available 100% online.
• At least 12 credits of the program are teaching field courses.

In addition to the traditional M.Ed. program, the University of North Alabama also offers an Education Specialist degree program that leads to certification in elementary education. This program is only open to those who already hold a master’s level degree or higher.

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, non-profit university which has been a leader in adult education nationally. The school, which was founded in 1932, provides students with three different ways to access their programs: at their traditional campus in Hookset, NH, at one of their five regional centers, or through one of their accredited online programs.

Southern New Hampshire University’s Department of Education offers an online Master of Education in Elementary Education degree which leads to New Hampshire state licensure in elementary education, teaching grades K-6. The program combines theory with hands-on, practical experience in a real classroom and is intended for those either seeking initial teaching licensure or additional endorsement for careers in elementary education.

• It is possible to complete the degree in 15 months (two courses per 10-week term).
• No GMAT or GRE is necessary for admission.
• Program is approved by the New Hampshire State Department of
• Education for Teacher Certification as leading to an endorsement in New Hampshire.

Interested candidates can apply to this program at any time – the university makes acceptance decisions throughout the year for the five graduate terms.

Situated in Terre Haute, IN, Indiana State University is a public research institution with a commitment to making higher education accessible to all learners. The school has consistently been named among the top universities in the Midwest and is home to the highly regarded Bayh School of Education and an online graduate education program that ranks among the best nationally.

The Bayh College of Education offers an online, NCATE-accredited Master of Education in Elementary Education degree which prepares students for licensure or certification in the State of Indiana. This program offers possible concentrations in early childhood, literacy, and primary/intermediate. The literacy concentration may lead to Reading Teacher Certification, depending on individual state requirements.

• Total credits required: 36 credit hours.
• Coursework is available 100% online.
• Possible to complete the entire program in 18 months of full-time study.

For those wishing to take the degree on a part-time basis, the University allows students to take up to seven years to earn the degree (although students generally finish in far less time).

Founded in 1887 as a teacher’s college, Troy University is a public university located in Troy, Alabama. The Troy State University System has been offering online programs since 1998 and prides itself on their flexible, quality education for online learners. In 2017, the university’s online graduate education programs ranked among the best in the country.

The College of Education at Troy University offers a CAEP-accredited, online Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education. This online degree program is approved by the Alabama State Department of Education to lead to teaching licensure in grades K-6. Candidates who complete the program are eligible to apply for the Alabama Class A Professional certificate.

• College of Education coursework available online through Troy Online.
• Program is approved by the Alabama State Department of Education
• Students may transfer up to 12 credits from other accredited graduate programs.

Degree programs at the Troy’s College of Education provide a rich environment of professional and clinical expertise to their diverse student body. The purpose of all College of Education graduate programs is to develop innovative, informed, reflective decision makers.

Situated in Charlotte, NC, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, research university and part of the 16- institution University of North Carolina system. The school ranks among the top public schools in the U.S. and is home to the nationally ranked Cato College of Education and a robust online program.

The Cato College of Education at UNC Charlotte offers an online, NCATE-accredited Master of Education in Elementary Education. The purpose of all College of Education graduate programs is to develop innovative, informed, reflective decision makers. The educational philosophy of this program focuses on the value of globalization, cultural knowledge, and multiple worldviews.

• Program delivery is 100% online.
• Total credits required: 33 credit hours.
• Program is designed for students to complete at a part-time pace.

Students taking online courses at UNC Charlotte will make use of online teaching and learning tools such as Moodle (an online course management platform) and Saba Meeting (the University’s synchronous classroom meeting software).The purpose of all College of Education graduate programs is to develop innovative, informed, reflective decision makers. Please note that for residents of North Carolina, tuition is considerably lower: $237.90 per credit hour.

Founded in 1924 in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Delta State University is an affordable regional university located in Cleveland, Mississippi. In line with its history as a teacher’s college, the university prides itself on providing excellent teacher education programs that fully prepare graduates for their chosen professions.

The College of Education and Human Sciences at Delta state offers an online, NCATE- accredited Master of Education degree in Elementary Education. This program is open to individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree as well as a Class A teaching licensure or its equivalent. The program balances course content and practical learning experiences to provide a graduate level perspective of elementary education.

• Total credits required: 30 credit hours.
• Program delivery is 100% online.
• Completion leads to Class AA license in elementary classroom teaching.

The online program is intended to offer students the flexibility needed for advancing their career without interrupting their current work duties. Students enrolled in the program will engage in an online learning community that is rich in diverse teaching experiences.

Located in Oxford, Mississippi, the University of Mississippi is the state’s flagship institution and the largest in the state. A national public, research institution, many of its programs rank among the best in the country, including the School of Education which sits among the top 100 nationally, and is home to a top-ranked online graduate education program (US News and World Report).

The School of Education at the University of Mississippi offers an online, NCATE-accredited Master of Education in Elementary Education which builds on basic level teacher preparation to provide an advanced understanding of educational research and theory as well as content areas.

• Total credits required: 30 credit hours.
• Program is intended to be completed in 5 semesters.
• Graduates of the program will earn a master’s degree in Elementary K-6.

The deadline for submitting an application for the M.Ed. Elementary Online program is March 1st each year. Classes begin the first summer term and end the following year after the first summer term. Applicants to this program must hold or be eligible to hold an A educator licensure in elementary education.

The American Public University System, comprised of American Public University and American Military University, is a regionally accredited (HLC), for-profit system catering particularly to (but not affiliated with ) the American Military. Headquartered in Charles Town, WV, the university is home to a robust online program that has earned national acclaim (US News and World Report).

The School of Education at American Public University offers an online Master of Education in Elementary Education. This degree program does not lead to teaching licensure but is for those who wish to study the theory and practical applications of teaching K-6 students, while earning a master’s degree.

• Students complete 125 hours of on-site observations in a local elementary school.
• All courses other than student teaching are available online.
• Courses in Elementary Science, Social Studies, Reading and Writing,
• Literature, Art, Math, and Physical Education.

Though the program does not lead to licensure, it is a West Virginia state-approved master’s program and aligns with West Virginia Professional Teaching Standards (WVPTS), national content standards for elementary education, and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

Located in the heart of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, Western Carolina University (WCU) is a small public university that has earned national acclaim in several categories. They rank in the top 50 regional schools in the South, their The College of Education and Allied Professions sits among the best programs in the nation, and their online programs have also earned national attention (US News and World Report).

The School of Teaching and Learning at Western Carolina University offers an online, NCATE-accredited Master of Education in Comprehensive Elementary Education. This versatile program allows candidates to choose between concentrations in Academically and Intellectually Gifted Instruction (AIG), and Literacy. Core coursework focuses on Assessment, Diversity, Leadership, and Research.

• 100% online programming
• Total Credits Required: 30
• Program can be completed in as little as two years.

This program is aligned to the National Board Teaching Standards and the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards. Applicants must hold a North Carolina Class A teaching license, or a comparable license from another state.

Located in Norfolk, Virginia, Norfolk State University public four-year, liberal arts university that ranks among the top Historically Black Universities nationally. The school has a mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education for its ethnically and culturally diverse student population, and is home to eight academic colleges, and 49 degree programs.

The School of Education at Norfolk State University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education (Pre K-6) certification endorsement degree which results in a Virginia teaching license. This program is open to students who have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and provides instruction, field experiences, and clinical practices that develop excellence in teaching skills. The program is nationally accredited.

• Total Credits Required: 39
• Student teaching internship included in program
• Norfolk State teacher education programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education (DOE)

In addition to the MA in Teaching, Norfolk State University also offers an online Master of Arts (MA) degree in Pre-Elementary which has a birth through age nine concentration. Also, please note that residents of Virginia pay the much lower tuition rate of $622 / credit hour (half as much as out-of-state residents).