Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education Degrees 2024
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Editor & Writer
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Elementary educators are teachers, staff, and administrators who instruct young children. From 2022 to 2032, the number of kindergarten and elementary teacher roles is projected to grow by 1%, about as fast as average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The number of principal jobs available will also increase by 1% over that period.
If you want to advance your career in this sector, a master's degree in elementary education might be right for you. Depending on your interest, you can pursue online programs with a teaching or an administrative focus.
This article discusses the benefits, cost, and timeline of an online master's in elementary education degree.
Why Should You Get Your Master's in Elementary Education Online?
- It's flexible: An online degree can happen on your schedule, no matter how packed it is.
- It's cost-effective: Save money on campus fees, tuition, commuting costs, and lost wages.
- It's easier than ever: Online programs have gotten better since the pandemic — the best schools provide excellent support and guidance to help you get to the finish line.
"Teachers pour all their energy into their students. My master's degree was a way to have some of that teaching energy poured back into me," said Lindsay Henderson, now the principal at Alice Moore Alexander Elementary in Denton, Texas.
What Do You Learn in an Online Master's in Elementary School Program?
Core coursework for an online master's in elementary education typically includes the following:
- Teaching reading at the elementary level
- Research in elementary education
- Classroom management
- Differentiation in elementary education
- School, family, and community partnerships
Additionally, many colleges and universities offer concentrations that align with specific career tracks, such as:
- Curriculum and instruction
- Special education
- Educational leadership
- Educational technology
- Gifted and talented
"I focused on educational leadership because I wanted to translate my passion for teaching into developing and growing other educators," said Henderson.
Featured Online Master's in Elementary Education Programs
What Can You Do With a Master's in Elementary Education?
Careers You Can Pursue With a Master's in Elementary Education
- Elementary school teacher
- Special education teacher
- Instructional coordinator
- Elementary school principal
- Assistant principal
- School operations manager
In addition to giving you more refined tools to be successful inside the classroom, a master's in elementary education can help you access career opportunities outside the classroom, including roles in:
- School and district administration
- Curriculum development
- Nonprofit youth development
- Educational publishing
- Government education agencies
"If you think you might want to get a master's degree and go into administration, I would urge you to first spend some time shadowing an administrator in your district. It's very different from the classroom," said Henderson.
What Are the Best Master's in Elementary Education Online Programs of 2023?
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT - 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Six-Month Term:
In-State | $4,175
Out-of-State | $4,175
Courses to Graduate: 24
Western Governors University's MA in teaching, elementary education degree holds recognition from the Association for Childhood Education International and can prepare you to get your teaching certification in any U.S. state. The primarily online program lets you complete one course at a time, working at your own pace. As soon as you can pass a course's assessment, you can move on to the next one.
The curriculum requires classes like elementary disciplinary literacy, language arts instruction and interventions, children's literature, and elementary mathematics methods.
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $536
Out-of-State | $536
Credits to Graduate: 31
Kansas State University's MA in teaching (elementary education) can prepare you for K-6 teacher certification in as little as 12 months. The flexible online program lets you choose a schedule that works with your other commitments and offers personalized mentorship from a veteran teacher.
All students receive in-state tuition, no matter where they live, and the total estimated cost of the degree is $16,620. You might qualify for a TEACH grant, Kansas Service Scholarships, or the teacher loan forgiveness program.
University of St. Thomas
Houston, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $598
Out-of-State | $598
Credits to Graduate: 30
UST's online master of education degree from the School of Education and Human Services can prepare you to become a master classroom teacher and a leader in education. The program offers various specialties, including a curriculum and instruction option that can help you focus on elementary education techniques.
The program provides part-time options and a flexible schedule that lets you advance your career while keeping your teaching job. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, a Texas education agency identification number, and an essay.
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $264
Out-of-State | $994
Credits to Graduate: 33
ECU's online master of arts in education, elementary education program from the College of Education offers five concentrations, including in areas like teacher leadership, content pedagogy, and teaching children in poverty. The degree can help you advance your career and better understand educational theory.
You can complete the program completely online and at your own pace while keeping your teaching job, or choose the 14-month cohort option. You must hold (or be eligible to hold) an elementary teaching license to qualify for the program.
Worcester State University
Worcester, MA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: N/A
Cost per Degree:
In-State | $365
Out-of-State | $365
Credits to Graduate: 34
Worcester State University's master's in elementary education degree takes as little as 14 months to complete. Designed for working professionals, the fully online program focuses on teaching children in first through sixth grade and lets you take and pay for one class at a time.
The curriculum explores action research, effective teaching methods, professional ethics, and community partnerships. You don't need teaching experience or a teaching degree to enroll in the program if you don't plan to pursue licensure. The total cost of tuition for the degree is $12,410, no matter where you live.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $248
Out-of-State | $1,058 (non NC resident) or $496 (out of NC non-resident)
Credits to Graduate: 33
UNC Charlotte's elementary education master of education program prepares experienced teachers to advance in their careers and make a difference in urban elementary classrooms. You can develop leadership skills and gain new content knowledge that can help you take on roles in instructional design and school administration.
The program's fully online synchronous and asynchronous courses explore concentration areas like anti-racism in urban education, special education, elementary mathematics, and teaching English as a second language. Depending on which courses you take, you may qualify for additional certifications.
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $845
Out-of-State | $845
Credits to Graduate: 36
SJU's online MS in early childhood/elementary education degree through the School of Education and Human Development can help you become a teacher at the pre-K through fourth grade level. The program takes one-and-a-half to two years to complete, and you can take all of your classes online or choose a combination of online and in-person.
You'll get practical experience through a full-time, 14-week student-teaching placement and field experiences or labs that let you see various teaching approaches and classrooms.
Drake University
Des Moines, IA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: N/A
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $520
Out-of-State | $520
Credits to Graduate: 32
Drake's MS in education degree can prepare you to thrive as a successful elementary school teacher and leader in education in two to three years. Designed for working educators, the fully online program features six-week courses and doesn't require an application fee.
You can get one of the following Iowa teaching endorsements: reading specialist or talented and gifted. The curriculum includes courses like culturally responsive teaching, academic research and writing, meeting the needs of all students, and balanced assessment for learning.
Missouri State University-Springfield
Springfield, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: N/A
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $279-348
Out-of-State | $279-348
Credits to Graduate: 33
Missouri State's online MS in education, elementary education program lets you choose half of your classes to customize your degree. Designed for students who already have a teaching certificate, the degree can help you improve your classroom teaching or take on a new role like school leader, instructional leader, or curriculum writer.
Available classes include current issues and applications in elementary education, the reflective practitioner, and integrated arts in elementary education curriculum. The program offers rolling admissions and three start dates each year.
Is an Online Master's in Elementary Education Worth It?
Yes, if you want to:
1. Earn a higher salary
According to the National Council on Teacher Quality, 88% of large districts offer additional pay to teachers with master's degrees.
Master's degree-holders earn an average of $2,760 more in their first year of teaching than teachers with bachelor's degrees. This education pay gap expands over time, with teachers at the top of the pay scale earning an average of $7,360 more annually.
2. Boost your credentials
By pursuing a master's degree, you can hone your teaching skills and stay up to date with the latest in pedagogy and classroom management. A graduate degree can also help you stand out in an increasingly competitive pool of job candidates.
"As a principal, if I'm considering two teaching candidates with the same experience, but only one has a master's degree, I'll go with that added education value every time," said Henderson.
3. Pursue leadership positions
Administrative positions at both the campus and district levels — including assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent — typically go to candidates with advanced degrees.
"There is a lot of opportunity for good leaders in the public school system right now. During the pandemic, it became clear how important relational leaders really are. Administrators who supported their people well saw way less turnover and burnout. Their districts performed so much better it was shocking," said Henderson.
How Much Money Can You Make With a Master's in Elementary Education?
(BLS, May 2023)
Let's cut to the chase: Most teachers are woefully underpaid in this country, especially for such a highly-degreed group of workers.
"None of us get in this line of work to get rich," said Henderson. "But a master's degree is a good way to push your salary into a more comfortable place."
Several factors can affect how much you earn, including your job title, employer, years of experience, and location. Because most schools use pay scales, teachers with more experience or more education often earn substantially more.
How Much Does an Online Master's in Elementary Education Degree Cost?
Average Annual Tuition Cost of a Master's Degree
Average Total Cost per Year of a Master's in Education
$19,749
Online courses vary in price depending on the institution offering them
Yes, graduate school is expensive. And no, paying off student loans on a teacher's salary isn't much fun.
But if you play your cards right, you won't be paying off those loans. Under the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, eligible teachers can qualify for federal loan forgiveness of up to $17,500.
"If you're a Title 1 teacher, there is no reason not to get a master's degree," said Henderson. "Financially, it's a win-win: The government pays the bill, and you get a salary bump."
Even if you don't qualify for public service loan forgiveness, many districts provide tuition reimbursement or tuition benefits. Make sure to research the resources available to you.
How Long Is an Online Master's in Elementary Education Program?
Required Course Credits
30-40*
Field Study Requirements (Y/N)
Yes
*Credits vary depending on the specific program
Most master's in elementary education online programs take 1-2 years to complete, and also require a practicum or teaching internship (especially if you don't already have teaching experience).
Featured Online Master's in Elementary Education Programs
Still Looking for the Right Fit? Find Similar Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master's in Elementary Education Programs
What is the difference between a master's in teaching (MAT) and a master of education (M.Ed.) in elementary education?
Both degrees qualify you for classroom teaching. An MAT focuses specifically on pedagogy and classroom management, while an M.Ed. is a broader degree that can prepare you for leadership roles outside of the classroom as well.
What are the admission requirements for an online master's in elementary education program?
Most master's in elementary education online programs require that applicants hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 or 3.0. However, GPA requirements can vary by school or program.
Sometimes, graduate schools only consider the GPA from your last two years of college. If your GPA is lower than these minimums, you may still be granted probationary admission.
What are the highest-paying jobs in elementary education?
Administrators — like principals and superintendents — have the highest-paying jobs in elementary education. Annual salaries for primary and secondary school principals hit a median of $103,460 in 2023, according to the BLS. The top 10% of earners took home median yearly salaries of over $163,010. The average school superintendent earned $144,940 per year as of February 2024, according to Payscale.
Do I need a teaching license to work at an elementary school?
Teachers at public elementary schools need a teaching license to teach, whereas private school teachers do not need a teaching license. Though principals do typically need teaching experience, they may not have teaching licenses, especially if they work at private schools. Most public school principals must pursue school administrator licensure.
