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online elementary education degree

Bachelor of Science in Education/Elementary Education

Pursue your passion for teaching with an elementary education degree

Developing the skills to elevate children to their highest learning potential is at the core of our Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Degree. The program provides you with a field-based experience at the appropriate grade and content level for K-8 teaching. As a student teacher you will work with a cooperating teacher from a school site and with a University of Phoenix faculty advisor... 

The full time student teaching experience is designed to emphasize the achievement of state standards leading to certification and to present you with growth opportunities that best prepare you to assume the duties of a state certified elementary school teacher.

Teaching licensure and placement

You won’t be in this alone. Your program support specialist helps you navigate teacher licensure and credentialing requirements, and will help you with school placements for your clinical experience and clinical practice through our affiliations with school sites nationwide. 

BSED program highlights

  • Every course has a connection to the elementary school classroom with field experience in an actual school setting.
  • One-on-one support navigating teacher licensure and student teaching placement.
  • You experience interaction with actual elementary school students throughout the program.

Transfer credits

Earn your bachelor's degree faster and for less with eligible transfer credits.

Ways to save

Your work, life, and school experiences may give you a head start on your degree.

Apply free

No application fee
No SAT/ACT
No essay required

Ignite Your Passion

Start when you're ready

Courses

Browse courses for your elementary education degree 

The program blends core courses for your foundational knowledge as an elementary school teacher with general education courses that enhance the soft skills that you’ll need for working in a classroom.  

Skills-aligned program icon

Look for this icon to see which skills you’ll learn in a course.

Requirements: 120 credits

You’ll need 120 credits to complete this Bachelor of Science in Education-Elementary Education program. Your course schedule may vary based on eligible transferable credits.

19 Core Courses

Your core courses prepare you with the most current reading instruction methods as well as lesson planning, classroom management, structured English immersion, and a full-time capstone (12-week) elementary classroom teaching experience.

19 Core Courses

18 Gen Ed Courses

The 18 general education courses develop essential communication and critical thinking skills while also preparing you for required content knowledge exams.

18 Gen Ed Courses

1 Elective Course

The single required elective prepares you for money matters that can help with classroom budgets and financing. 

1 Elective Course

1-2 Clinical Practice/Student Teaching Courses

During your clinical practice experience — one of the final steps to complete your degree — you’ll complete a student teaching experience where you will apply your instruction and classroom management skills full time. Working under the supervision of a teacher and a University of Phoenix faculty supervisor, you’ll develop lesson plans, teach, work with diverse student populations, and incorporate technology into the classroom. Students are given the opportunity to complete their clinical hours and their student teaching in a local school district of their choice.

1-2 Clinical Practice/Student Teaching Courses

Schedule

Your academic counselor will help you schedule your classes.

Teacher Licensure

Why is teacher licensure important?

Before becoming a teacher, you must demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed for effective classroom practice. Licensure provides professional and public assurance that educators have met state teaching standards and have demonstrated their readiness to teach and improve student learning.

Steps to teacher licensure

The University’s teacher education programs are reviewed and approved by the State of Arizona Department of Education. 

There are two pathways to achieve certification, based on the state where you are located: 

1) Direct Apply – states that accept our Arizona-approved program and permit candidates to apply directly for certification 

2) Reciprocity – states that require candidates of our Arizona-approved program to obtain Arizona certification first before applying for certification in their home state.

Review your state licensure requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Education-Elementary Education meets requirements in many states. Learn more about state licensure requirements.

Help with your program requirements

Education program specialists 

Our dedicated education program specialists who work with you 1:1 during your required hours of clinical experience (as required by your state) and a minimum of 12 weeks of clinical practice (or more if required by your state). Our education program specialists also help you navigate your state licensure requirements for teacher certification and can help with questions along the way.

College of Education Central

Find helpful resources on COE Central. Program handbooks provide a wealth of information on topics such as professional expectations, clinical experiences, clinical practice, internships, edTPA and much more. Milestone roadmaps, technology and multimedia resources, and various toolkits are also available.

Skills-aligned program icon

Earn career-relevant skills in weeks – not years.

Learning shouldn’t take years to put into practice. That’s why we’re empowering you to build career-relevant skills with every five- to six-week course.

We’ve worked with the labor market researcher Lightcast to identify in-demand skills for occupations and mapped those to our related associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

Tuition

Transfer credits

Your prior eligible college credits can save you time and money, helping you graduate faster. That’s why we’ve accepted credits from 5,000+ institutions. Check to see if you can apply eligible transfer credits from an institutionally accredited university or college toward a degree of your choice.

Save time and money when you transfer in eligible credits toward your degree.

Affordable, fixed tuition

Lock in the peace of mind that comes with fixed, affordable tuition. You’ll enjoy one flat rate from the moment you enroll until the day you graduate from your program. That’s your Tuition Guarantee.

Tuition Guarantee Emblem

University of Phoenix elementary education degree vs other universities

Phoenix ASU Online (BAB) Capella DeVry GCU Purdue Global SNHU Strayer
Cost per credit
Cost per credit
Cost per credit
$398
Cost per credit
$563
Cost per credit
$365/415[1]
Cost per credit
$514
Cost per credit
$485
Cost per credit
$371
Cost per credit
$330
Cost per credit
$328.89
Credits per course
Credits per course
Credits per course
3
Credits per course
3
Credits per course
3-6
Credits per course
2-4
Credits per course
4
Credits per course
5-6
Credits per course
3
Credits per course
4.5
Tuition per course
Tuition per course
Tuition per course
$1,194
Tuition per course
$1,698
Tuition per course
$1,095-
$2,490
Tuition per course
$1,028-
$2,056
Tuition per course
$1,940
Tuition per course
$1,855-
$2,226
Tuition per course
$990
Tuition per course
$1,480
Total program length in credits
Total program length in credits
Total program length in credits
120
Total program length in credits
120
Total program length in credits
180
Total program length in credits
124
Total program length in credits
120
Total program length in credits
180
Total program length in credits
120
Total program length in credits
180
Length of course in weeks
Length of course in weeks
Length of course in weeks
5
Length of course in weeks
7.5
Length of course in weeks
10
Length of course in weeks
8
Length of course in weeks
7-8
Length of course in weeks
10
Length of course in weeks
8
Length of course in weeks
11
Fees
Fees
Fees
One fee per course
Fees
Multiple fees
Fees
Multiple fees
Fees
Multiple fees
Fees
Multiple fees
Fees
Multiple fees
Fees
Multiple fees
Fees
Multiple fees
Tuition guarantee
Tuition guarantee
Tuition guarantee
YES
Tuition guarantee
NO
Tuition guarantee
NO
Tuition guarantee
NO
Tuition guarantee
NO
Tuition guarantee
NO
Tuition guarantee
NO
Tuition guarantee
NO

Data pulled on December 26, 2023

[1] $365 per 1000-2000 level credit; $415 per 3000-4000 level credit

Source of data: For each institution, the data are publicly available in multiple locations, including Academic Catalogs, Program pages, Tuition and fees pages, and syllabi. All data are publicly available on the websites. 

Certain licensure programs and coursework in other degree programs may have additional fees. Please check with your advisor or course catalog for additional info.

The Savings Explorer tool can help you find ways to save on your education

Try our Savings Explorer™ tool

Eligible students saved:

$11,000 & 1 year

Students with eligible credits and relevant experience on average saved $11k and 1 year off their undergraduate degree with University of Phoenix.

Try our Savings Explorer™ tool

Eligible students saved:

$11,000 & 1 year

Students with eligible credits and relevant experience on average saved $11k and 1 year off their undergraduate degree with University of Phoenix.

Financial aid

You may have options when it comes to paying for college tuition and expenses, such as federal grants and loans. Our finance advisors can answer your questions about financial aid and can help guide you through the process.

Federal Student Loan Basics

Careers & Outcomes

What can you do with a Bachelor of Science in Education/Elementary Education?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 109,000 job openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Be prepared with the skills and knowledge you need for a career in education.

This BS in Education can prepare you to be an:

  • Elementary education teacher

Top skills learned in this program:

  • Teaching

  • Professionalism

  • Learning Strategies

  • Leadership

  • Innovation

Ready to get started?

Start your application for free or request additional information.

What you’ll learn

When you earn your Bachelor of Science in Education-Elementary Education degree you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply on the job. You’ll learn how to:

  • Design and implement effective instruction in the elementary classroom to produce a positive impact on student learning.
  • Evaluate effective professional practice in elementary education.
  • Apply professional ethics to their instructional practices in elementary education.
  • Evaluate learning principles to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse elementary student populations.
  • Create innovative strategies to incorporate technology in an elementary classroom setting.

1% Growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to be about the same between 2022 and 2032.

The BLS Projected Growth for 2022-2032 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Admissions

Apply for free – no application fee, no obligation.

Starting your degree is a big decision — and we want you to feel great about it. That’s why we remove obstacles from your application.

  • No SAT/ACT required 
  • No essay required 
  • No cost, risk-free trial for eligible students
  • We’ll request transcripts at no cost to you, when possible, and we accept eligible credits from over 5,000 accredited institutions.

Receive 1-on-1 support

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 90% of our surveyed students.[1] Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

[1] Transactional Survey, August 2021-22 (18,645 respondents)

Gabriel G., Enrollment Representative

Call or chat with us 7 days a week.

G. Galindo - Enrollment Representative

Gabriel G., Enrollment Rep

Receive 1-on-1 support

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 85% of our surveyed students.[1]

[1] Transactional Survey, September 2022-August 2023 (23,739 respondents)

Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

Call us at 844-937-8679 or chat with us 7 days a week.

Student Experience

An education that fits your busy life

Balancing family, work and school

Work toward your BSED without giving up what matters most. Start your degree year-round and take one class at a time.

Online learning

Your elementary education degree gives you flexibility. Enroll in online classes and attend class whenever it fits your life, day or night.

Around-the-clock support and resources

You have a support team available up to 14 hours a day, 5 days a week. 

Phoenix provides support and resources for busy students

Industry Spotlight

Elementary education today

Underperforming student scores in math and reading have led to innovative methods for teaching basic skills. Depending on the school district, many experienced teachers may be expected to return to school to develop competency in these new teaching developments and methods. 

What is changing in elementary education

The switch to new approaches to teaching basic skills such as reading and math is already underway. Many school districts across the United States have already adopted approaches such as the Science of Reading to improve reading scores among elementary school students.

Your BSED degree 

A Bachelor of Science in Education-Elementary Education already includes innovative teaching methods such as structured English Immersion as part of the program. The BSED prepares you with this credential and other contemporary methods for teaching as you enter the modern elementary education classroom as a professional teacher.  

An aspiring elementary teacher gains experience in the classroom

Skills for real world teaching

Learning in actual classroom settings

Theory only goes so far. That’s why The College of Education takes steps to ensure that you are embedded in elementary school classrooms throughout the program, so you can apply theories from class to the real life classroom. You get first-hand experience in diverse classroom settings, diverse student populations, and diverse teaching techniques using technology that bring these experiences directly to you throughout the curriculum.

Faculty Spotlight

Education professionals dedicated to you 

Our faculty are currently teaching or leading in K-12 schools. They are required to stay up to date in the field of education by keeping their teacher licensure current according to state requirements.

Donna Lange

From the very beginning, I always try to make students feel comfortable and connect with them.

Donna Lange
Faculty of the Year 2020, College of Education

From the very beginning, I always try to make students feel comfortable and connect with them.

Accreditation

Count on the quality of your education

institutional accreditation

University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org. Since 1978, University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Elementary education articles

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Frequently asked questions about the Bachelor of Science in Education-Elementary Education

Yes, the University of Phoenix Bachelor of Science in Education-Elementary Education is available online with in-person components. Flexible online schedules to fit the lives of busy adults. You can also receive your BSED in Early Childhood Education.

A Bachelor of Science in elementary education requirements are the same as other requirements for bachelor’s degrees at University of Phoenix. They include:

  • An acceptable high school diploma, GED® equivalent[1], California High School Proficiency Examination certificate or foreign secondary school equivalent. If you currently don't meet this requirement, you can arrange to take the GED through your state's GED administrator's office or search for the nearest GED testing center.
  • Be at least 16 years of age at the time of application if applying to a bachelor’s degree program.
  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or hold an approved, valid visa if residing in the United States.
  • Complete all required forms for admission as well as submit official test scores and official transcripts from all colleges and universities you've attended.

[1] GED is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 109,000 job openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average. 

Curriculum counselor, elementary school counselor and literary couch are other potential careers for someone with a bachelor’s degree in education, even though University of Phoenix does not offer aligned degrees that guarantee these specific career outcomes. Learn more about jobs you can pursue with an elementary education degree.

Overcrowded classrooms in school districts with limited budgets are some of the biggest challenges for elementary school teachers. It is these very challenges, however, that often drive the passion of teachers who want to make a difference in the lives of young children. Learn more about the qualities of a good teacher

For teachers the rewards are in the classroom. The measurable improvements in a child’s learning or the excitement of a child who has just achieved a new skill inspires and motivates those who pursue this profession. Knowing they are laying the foundation for next level education for a generation of students becomes the highest achievement for any elementary school teacher. 

If you qualify, you have options when it comes to paying for your elementary education degree, such as federal grants and loans. Our finance advisors can answer your questions about financial aid and can help guide you through the process. Learn about financial aid.

Every state requires that public school teachers have a bachelor’s degree. The traditional pathway to becoming an elementary school teacher include these requirements:

1.    Earn a bachelor’s degree.

2.    Successfully complete a teacher education program, some of which are state-approved.

3.    Successfully complete a certification or licensure exam for your state.

Beyond these requirements, students may pursue an educational fellowship, which involves teaching for one year, first as a co-teacher and then as an independent teacher. Depending on the state you live in, graduates may be required to take certain tests to earn their teaching license.

Educator/Principal licensure requirements vary by state. Candidates located in a state that does not provide a direct path to licensure will be required to obtain Arizona certification first, prior to seeking licensure in their home state as an out-of-state prepared teacher/principal candidate. Arizona certification requires candidates to pass all Arizona-specific licensure requirements, including any Arizona-specific exams (or home state equivalents if recognized by Arizona Department of Education.) After obtaining an Arizona teacher/principal certificate, candidates can then apply for licensure in their home state and may be required to complete additional testing and/or requirements at additional cost. Program requirements may change based upon your home state’s agency licensure requirements. Please visit the teacher licensure page or the principal licensure page for state specific requirements prior to reaching out to your state agency.

While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.