Online elementary education certificate and degree programs provide students with the training and knowledge to work as educators or administrators for young children. These programs may also lead to certification or licensure opportunities for students, equipping them with the necessary requirements to be able to practice in academia. Individuals who are patient and creative and who hold strong instructional and communication skills may be interested in these programs. Elementary education degree programs are offered at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels, and some schools may also offer a certificate option.

Students who graduate with a certificate or degree in elementary education may be properly equipped to seek elementary-level teaching positions in private, public or charter schools, early education centers, or private religious and secular schools. Programs may provide students with the proper training to work as school administrators, elementary teachers, reading specialists, reading teachers, or guidance counselors.

Available Degree Levels

• Certificate: One to two years to complete
• Associate Degree: Two years to complete
• Bachelor’s Degree: Four years to complete
• Master’s Degree: One to two years to complete
• Doctoral Degree: Three to five years to complete

Online certificate programs in elementary education typically provide students with the training and qualifications to become licensed to work as educators in elementary school settings. These programs are designed for individuals who already hold teaching certification and are interested in working with younger children (grades K-9), or for those who have no previous teaching experience and would like to obtain licensure in elementary education.

Associate-level programs in elementary education are designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the field of education, preparing them to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. These programs are customarily rooted in liberal arts and integrate general education coursework with major-specific classes. Typical coursework may cover topics such as child growth and development, understanding special education, language and literacy in education, introduction to teaching, and reading.

Bachelor’s degree programs in elementary education offered in the online format may prepare students to work as educators through the integration of theory-based classes and courses designed to train students in classroom management techniques, reading and literacy, the utilization of technology, and specific subject areas. These programs are designed to further develop an individuals’ teaching skills, enabling them to work in a variety of educational settings with a diverse student population. Coursework may cover topics such as literacy, language arts, children’s literature, health and physical education, and classes may also include social foundations of education, classroom management, curriculum and instruction, and student development.

Master’s-level programs in elementary education are geared towards individuals who would like to gain more in-depth training in teaching methods, learning theory, instructional design, and assessment. These programs may allow students to individualize their experience by focusing on an area of interest, such as early childhood education, applied classroom practices, autism, educational technology, math education, or response to intervention.

Elementary education doctoral programs are designed to further develop an individuals’ knowledge and proficiencies for teaching or researching in an academic or non-school environment. Coursework for these programs are typically research-heavy and provide students with training in curriculum design and implementation, school reform, equity and equality, and pedagogy as they relate to many aspects in elementary education.

Career Options

Online elementary education programs may prepare students to work in kindergarten or elementary school environments as educators and knowledge facilitators. Individuals may have gained the skills to provide students with training in a particular subject area, assist students with the application of essential concepts, or help develop students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Elementary education certificate and degree program may prepare students to gain licensure and work in a number of academic settings, either as educators, assistants, supervisors, or researchers. Graduates may seek employment as kindergarten or elementary school teachers in public and private schools, private religious and secular schools, or other early childhood education programs.

Possible career fields include:

• Elementary Teacher
• Reading Specialist
• Resource Teacher
• Guidance Counselor
• School Administrator