Best Master's Degrees in Elementary Education

Master's programs in elementary education usually do not require applicants to have a bachelor's degree in any particular field. However, it is fairly common for students who already have an interest in the subject to have a degree in elementary education or another education-related area. Some applicants to these programs may already be working as teachers after earning their initial certification through a bachelor's degree program with student teaching. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) specifically in elementary education, and many of these programs are available in an online format with additional concentration areas.

Master's programs in elementary education vary greatly in their admissions requirements. Most programs require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree and meet a minimum GPA requirement of around a 2.5 or greater. Some programs require students to take the GRE, while others require additional test scores, such as the Elementary Multiple Subjects Praxis II and the Core Academic Skills for Educators test. Depending on the program, students may need to meet additional requirements for working with children, including passing a background check and fingerprint clearance. These programs commonly require an interview process. Common application materials for a master's in elementary education include transcripts, references, a statement of purpose, and a copy of a student's teaching license if applicable. There are some programs that also require disposition assessments from direct supervisors.

Choosing a master's degree program in elementary education can involve comparing several different factors. Students first need to determine what type of master's degree program they should pursue, such as a program for initial teaching licensure. Then, students can begin comparing formats and unique features of programs. For instance, some students may prefer to attend class on campus, while others want to study online. The time to degree completion can be a factor for students, as some programs take about 1 year and others take closer to 2 years. Students should also explore the hands-on learning components of these programs to see how they align with career goals. Finally, the location, financial aid options, and learning resources can also play a role in a student's decision.

Students should always look for accredited programs to enroll in. Many schools that offer master's programs in elementary education are regionally accredited, which means that their programs have met general standards set for academic quality. Accredited programs are often preferred by employers, but also qualify students for financial aid and may make transferring credit from one institution to another easier. Some programs in specific subject areas hold additional program-level accreditation that pertains to the field. In the case of elementary education programs, some master's degree programs have accreditation from groups such as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). These programs can be preferred by employers, as they indicate the fulfillment of additional academic standards specific to education, which better prepares students for careers in the field.

Master's degree programs in elementary education programs require between 31 and 47 credits of coursework. Although on-campus school administration courses and online education administration courses are available, these master's programs focus more on further developing students' teaching skills. Some programs can be completed in as little as 13 months, while others take closer to 2 years to complete. Most, if not all, of these programs conclude with a hands-on learning experience to help prepare students for careers in education. Read on to learn more about the curriculum.

Elementary Education Foundational Courses

The curriculum for elementary education master's programs is commonly broken up into sections, such as foundations courses, methods courses, and even some pre-internship courses. Foundations courses tend to focus more on educational theories, teaching models, and other big-picture concepts. Methods and pre-internship courses begin to get more detailed as students explore best practices in different subject areas. Students are usually trained in several core subject areas, including mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts. Programs typically conclude with an internship experience, and some programs also include a final capstone project of some kind. Possible course topics for these degree programs include:

• Teaching of reading
• Teaching mathematics
• Instructional planning and assessment
• Best practices in elementary science
• Special education
• Strategies for student engagement
• Technology for the classroom
• Creating engaging learning environments
• Teaching/learning models
• Classroom management

Elementary Education Specialist & Elective Courses

Master's programs in elementary education usually do not include elective courses. Students who are wishing to focus their studies or explore specific areas of interest within elementary education may want to consider a program's core course list and ensure that the desired courses are included when selecting a program. Since elementary school teachers usually do not teach only one subject area, specialty courses cover topics in teaching mathematics, science, reading/literacy, language arts, and social studies.

Licensure & Certification in Elementary Education

Elementary school teachers in any state are required to hold a state license or certification for teaching if they work at a public school. Although these requirements vary slightly by state, in general, teachers have to hold at least a bachelor's degree, complete a student teaching experience, complete a background check, and pass a teaching certification exam. Other career options for graduates in elementary education could have additional licensure or certification requirements. For example, instructional coordinators are often required to hold a teaching license or certification or an education administrator license. Education administrator license requirements also vary by state but usually require a master's degree, background check, and an exam.

Most master's programs in elementary education conclude with some kind of hands-on training in education. This often takes place in the form of an internship, student teaching, or a practicum experience. Online students can complete these hands-on requirements at a location nearby. Students typically gain practical experience working with young children in both academic and informal settings by observing and teaching at local elementary schools and community-based programs. Usually, students are paired with a mentor teacher who helps guide them through the experience and can expose them to interactions with staff, administrators, and parents. Students could be required to meet additional specifications prior to these experiences, such as getting fingerprint clearance and meeting all prerequisite coursework requirements.

Graduates with their master's degree in elementary education who want to continue their education can commonly pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Elementary Education. However, there are other related doctoral degrees available, such as a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in elementary education. Some of these programs can be completed in as few as 3 years and take place mostly online. PhD programs can also be accredited by the CAEP and usually still require some hands-on learning experiences.

Most careers in elementary education lead to working with and teaching students in a classroom setting. However, there are many different ways for elementary school teachers to specialize and work with different populations of students or in different areas of the field. These different areas may have special requirements. For example, the requirements to become an elementary math teacher are slightly different than the requirements to become an elementary school music teacher. In general, graduates with a master's in elementary education work towards the best interests of young students and try to help them grow and learn to the best of their abilities. Some specific job titles for graduates can include:

• Kindergarten teacher
• Elementary teacher
• Instructional coordinator
• Special education teacher
• Department chair
• Curriculum specialist

Job Outlook for a Master's in Elementary Education

Although careers in elementary education typically depend on state funding, the field of education is growing as more students enroll in public education. With the advanced knowledge of a master's degree, job prospects for graduates are usually favorable. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for elementary school teachers, except special education, is 4% from 2019 to 2029. This job outlook is as fast as the national average. Other related positions also have positive job outlooks, such as the job outlook for instructional coordinators. Per the BLS, these professionals have a job outlook of 6% from 2019 to 2029, which is faster than the national average.

How to Become an Elementary School Teacher

Students wishing to become a kindergarten or elementary school teacher need to have at least a bachelor's degree, usually specifically in elementary education with a student teaching component. All public school teachers also need to hold a state-issued teaching license or certification. Requirements for this certification varies by state, but usually includes completing a teaching program and passing a background check and teaching exam. Depending on the state, once students have obtained a teaching position, they may be required to earn a master's degree.

Due to the nature of the field working with young children, elementary school teachers need to be patient, resourceful, and have great communication skills. These educators are responsible for teaching children in multiple subjects, which requires instructional planning. Elementary teachers must assess the strengths and weaknesses of their students and plan their instruction accordingly to help students grow. They must also grade assignments, keep parents and administrators updated on students' progress, enforce rules, and help students overcome challenges. As of 2020, the BLS reported that elementary school teachers, excluding special education, made a median annual salary of $60,940.

How to Become an Instructional Coordinator

Instructional coordinators typically need to have at least a master's degree. This degree can be in areas such as curriculum and instruction or education. These coordinators are also usually required to have some prior work experience, but this experience can be in school administration or teaching. Depending on the state and position, some instructional coordinators need to have a teaching license or an education administrator license.

Instructional coordinators need to have strong communication, leadership, and decision-making skills to manage a school's curriculum. They are responsible for creating educational material and helping teachers and administration implement it. This requires them to evaluate curriculum standards, assess students' needs, develop teacher training, and mentor teachers as needed. Instructional coordinators must also evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum and make changes as needed. They may need to suggest new teaching techniques, find a different textbook, or change the procedures for teaching the material to make it more effective. Per the BLS, as of 2020, the median annual salary for instructional coordinators was $66,970.

The federal and state governments, colleges and universities, and professional organizations are all great sources of financial aid. This aid can help students pay for the cost of tuition, fees, books, living expenses, and more. Undergraduate and graduate students need to begin the process by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to check their eligibility for federal and state loans and grants. Then, students can begin researching and applying for scholarships from professional organizations related to their major, college and university scholarships, and awards from other outside groups. A couple of schools that provide scholarship opportunities for master's in elementary education students include:

• Vanderbilt University- Students in Vanderbilt's MEd in Elementary Education program are automatically considered for merit scholarships upon admission. Students can also apply for assistantships in Peabody College, which houses the education programs, as well as scholarships from the Dean's Endowed and Special Award Funds.
• University of Montevallo- Students in the University of Montevallo's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), including the master's program in elementary education, can apply for several different scholarships offered by the college. There are some general awards for any graduate student in the CEHD, such as the Helen Perkins Scholarship Endowment, as well as those more specific to education, including the Professional Educator Scholarship.