The 25 Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education Degree Programs

Recently, we have seen a push for fair pay in the field of education, and more so than 10 years ago teachers are making a livable wage that includes solid benefits and vacation allowances. The profession tends to attract passionate individuals who understand that fundamentally, quality educational practices are essential for shaping the characters of young minds across the United States. More so than ever, we need to help mold a happy and healthy generation of young thinkers.

A career as an elementary educator isn’t just a good job, it’s an important act of social justice. Early childhood development and developmental psychology indicates that a positive learning environment that promotes critical thinking skills, literacy, and fun has a huge impact on the learners’ futures. Are you ready to take the plunge into one of the most important jobs out there? If so, you are probably looking to obtain an advanced degree in elementary education.

During these degrees you will learn how to involve students from diverse cultural backgrounds, grasp school culture law and ethics, and infuse your lessons with fun. Not only that, but a number of these online courses include teaching art and music to these young formative learners- subject areas that bring out the positive spirit and energy that all children have within them. We looked at all of the schools offering master’s degrees in elementary education and selected the ones that provided the best programs. Here’s how we came up with our ranking.

When devising this ranking we considered everything that matters most in an online program: cost, academic quality, and online formatting. For our cost metric, we simply examined the estimated cost-per-credit hour. Our academic metric considers the percentage of student admitted to the program, the percentage of student who remain full-time, the student-to-faculty ratio and the graduation rate. We looked at the 45 institution providing an online master’s in elementary education and tallied up those numbers to come up with our academic score. The online metric examined the institutions themselves and include the percentage of total students not enrolled in an online course, and flexibility-enhancing qualities. We totaled those numbers and took an average to calculate the schools’ online scores. Here’s what we came up with for the Top Online Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education.

Related:

• Most Affordable Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education Degrees
• Top Online Early Childhood Education Master’s Programs
• Best Online Child Development Degree Programs
• Top Online Master’s in Teaching Degrees
• Best Online Master’s in Autism Spectrum Disorder Education

1.) Mississippi College

Mississippi College is a private Southern Baptist institution located in Clinton, Mississippi. There are 5,048 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. The Southern Association of College and Schools accredits Mississippi College (MC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. Their student support services include remedial support, academic and career counseling, and even employment for their students. The majority of their academic programs are in high demand fields like business, education, and health. The university also has a large visual and performing arts department, and offers courses in graphic design, music, visual arts, opera, and more. Currently, there are 25 fully online degrees and certifications including their online MBA, online bachelor’s in nursing, and online master’s in elementary education and teaching.

Mississippi College offers a online Master of Education in Elementary Education. We selected this online degree for the low tuition cost, the quality of the online academics, and overall academic prestige of the institution. The program is divided into the following components: core courses, advanced content methods, and elementary electives. The core courses focus on:

• Research Methods
• Curriculum Development
• and Current Methodology in Elementary Education

The Advanced Content Methods/ Materials course material focuses on teaching the various core subjects to elementary age students and includes courses in teaching mathematics, reading comprehension, language arts, social studies, and science. If you are looking for an affordable route towards a master’s degree in elementary education, Mississippi College is a great option.

• Homepage
• Total Tuition: $11,970
• Academic Score: 10
• Online Quality Score:10.5

2.) Merrimack College

Merrimack College is a private Roman Catholic university located in North Andover, Massachusetts. There are 4,014 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredits Merrimack College to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as professional certifications. Merrimack College offers remedial care, academic and career counseling, and employment for students. Though a small private school, Merrimack offers a wide selection of academic programming for student interested in the arts, health, business, education and more. All of their online programs are currently in the field of education including their online master’s degree in teaching ESL, online master’s in education, and online master’s degree in elementary education.

Merrimack College offers a online Master’s of Education (Ed.M) in Elementary Education. This online degree requires 36 credit hours for completion and costs just $600 per credit hour. We selected this online course for the flexible self paced model, and for the affordable tuition rate. Students have the option to become licensed in the state of Massachusetts and if so are required to complete their practicum experience in Massachusetts schools. The program features field experiences, 8 online academic courses, and immersion events that help students gain experience with the Massachusetts schools system. The curriculum includes:

• Teaching and Learning in the Inclusive Classroom
• Foundations of Language and Reading
• Reading Strategies and Interventions
• Core Math
• Math Methods for the Elementary School
• Curriculum and Instruction in Science, Health, and Physical Education
• Curriculum and Instruction and Assessment in Social Studies and World Geography
• Sheltered English Instruction, with Field Experience
• Practicum in Elementary Education

This master’s degree is a particularly great fit for individuals seeking to become educators in Massachusetts but also works well for anyone who is looking to complete a master’s degree in elementary education.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $600
• Academic Score: 13
• Online Quality Score: 1

3.) Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg State University is a public four year institution located in Fitchburg Massachusetts. There are 6,763 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredits Fitchburg State University to award bachelor’s, and master’s degrees as well as professional certifications. The university offers the full gamut of student support services including remedial service, academic counseling, career counseling, and even credit for life experience. This small university offers a wide selection of degrees including some more niche programs in game design, technical theater, and creative writing. There’s also a robust education school. Currently, Fitchburg State offers 11 online degrees and professional certifications including their online bachelor’s in business management and online master’s in elementary education.

Fitchburg State offers a Master of Education (Ed.M.) in Elementary Education with an initial teacher licensure. We selected this online course for the affordable tuition rate and quality of academics. This online master’s degree does lead to teacher licensure and may be completed in as little as 2.5 years. Though, students have up to 6 years to complete this course. As this program includes teacher licensure, there are a greater number of academic requirements. Students must fulfill 42 credit hours for completion. The program includes: core courses, immersion, and elementary licensure course material. The course courses examine: Creative Teaching, Education Foundations, Inclusion for Students with Disabilities, Sheltered English Immersion, Creating an Effective Learning Environment, Educational Research, and culminates with a capstone experience. If you are looking to change careers to education, this online master’s degree in elementary education may be just what you need to get started.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $347
• Academic Score: 17
• Online Quality Score:11

4.) Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University is a public 4-years institution located in Kennesaw, Georgia. There are 35,018 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Kennesaw State University to award comprehensive degree programming and professional certifications. According to U.S. News Kennesaw State University (KSU) ranks among the top 300 universities in the nation, 19th for best online MBA programs, 210th for best online bachelor’s programs, and 219th for best online graduate education programs. Their student support services include academic and career counseling, employment for students, and credit for life experiences. This large public university offers a vast array of degree programs in fields like the social sciences, performing arts, health, education, and engineering among others. KSU currently offers nearly 40 online degrees and professional certifications.

KSU offers an online Master of Education (Ed.M) in Elementary & Early Childhood Education. We selected this online degree for the flexible convenient online format and for the affordable tuition cost. This program may be completed in as few as 4 semesters and costs just $383 per credit hour. We recommend this program for certified teachers or individuals who are on a track to get certified. The core material covers the following:

• Trends and Issues in Educational Inquiry in Elementary and Early Childhood Education
• Curriculum and Pedagogy for Early Childhood and Elementary Classes
• Educational Equity
• Reflective Inquiry
• Professional Applications
• Integrated Models of Instruction for Language Arts and Social Studies
• Capstone Experience and Portfolio

If you are looking for a fast and affordable route towards a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, this is a great option.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $733
• Academic Score: 23
• Online Quality Score:4

5.) University of Alabama

The University of Alabama (UA) is a public flagship university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. There are 37,663 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 23:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits UA to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. The university offers the full gamut of student support services including remedial support, academic counseling, career counseling, employment services for students, placement for graduates, and even credit for life experience. This massive university offers a ton of academic opportunity in fields like business, education, health, engineering, and visual and performing arts. There are currently over 35 online degrees and certifications available.

UA offers a Master of Arts in Elementary Education. We selected this online program for multiple reasons. The tuition is affordable. The online format is convenient, and the academic programming is excellent. The cost for this 30-36 credit hour program is just $394 per credit hour, and the course material works for both new teachers and teachers returning for an advanced degree. The curriculum is divided into three main component parts: required courses, teaching field options, and electives. The required courses include:

• Introduction to Educational Research
• Evaluation of Classroom Learning
• Elementary School Curriculum
• Guiding Pupil Learning
• one additional course to be approved by your adviser

No matter where you are in your career in education, this online Master’s degree from UA can get you to the next level.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $480
• Academic Score: 14.5
• Online Quality Score: 9.5

6.) Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University (WIU) is a public 4-year university located in Macomb, Illinois. There are 10,373 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits WIU to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. The university offers a high number of student support services including remedial services, academic counseling, career counseling, and credit for life experiences. When it comes to academics, WIU offers everything from accounting to visual and performing arts. Currently, there are 10 online degrees available including their online MBA and online Master’s in Elementary Education.

WIU offers a Master of Science in Elementary Education with two areas of specialization: elementary and literacy. We selected this online degree for the affordable tuition rate and for the quality of the academic programming. For those looking to focus on the elementary curriculum you will take: core courses, elementary specialization courses, and electives. The elementary specialization examines: language arts for diverse, reading in early childhood, teaching reading in elementary school, teaching math, inquiry into science assessment, and a social studies curriculum course. The literacy focus includes two additional courses in reading and offers the same wide range of electives. If you are looking to teach elementary education and are looking for a wide range of options, certainly try WIU.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $394
• Academic Score: 19
• Online Quality Score: 11.5

7.) Liberty University

Liberty University is a private Evangelical Christian 4-year institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. There are 75,756 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Liberty University to award comprehensive degree programs and professional certificates. U.S. News ranks Liberty University among the top 300 universities in the country and among the best for a number of online degree offerings including their online master’s in education programming. The university offers the full gamut of student support services including remedial support, academic counsel, and even credit for life experiences. As you may imagine from an Evangelical Christian university, Liberty does offer a number of theology courses, but you will be surprised at what else this institution has to offer- everything from accounting to zoology! When it comes to online course options, there are 106 fully online degrees available. No wonder there are over 75,000 students enrolled- most are actually distance learners.

Liberty University offers an online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) which is a great option for any individual who is not certified to teach. We selected this online course for the affordable tuition rate, and flexible online format. In fact, when taken full time this degree may be completed in 1.5 years. The schedule for that timeline is four courses per semester. Your studies include: learning theory, historical and philosophical foundations, foundations of exceptionality, tests and measurements, teaching math, teaching the natural and social sciences, reading and language acquisition, and language acquisition and instruction, curriculum fundamentals, principles of behavior management, and teaching content area reading. This class includes a student teaching experience. If you are looking for a clear fast route towards a career as a teacher, this may be the way to go.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $415
• Academic Score: 15.5
• Online Quality Score: 22

8.) Ball State University

Ball State University (BSU) is a public research university located in Muncie, Indiana. There are 21,998 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratios is 14:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits BSU to award comprehensive degrees and professional certifications. According to U.S. News Ball State is nationally ranked. Ball State is certainly gaining a great reputation for quality online programming. Their student support programs include academic counseling, career counseling, and employment for students. Like with many large research institution, Ball State offers a ton of academic programming in fields like architecture, speech and language pathology, music management, and more. Currently, BSU offers 65 online degrees and certifications including their online master’s in commerce, online master’s in elementary education, and online master’s in family and consumer sciences.

BSU offers a Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Elementary Education. We selected this online degree for the high quality of its academic programming, and online flexibility. Initially a teacher’s college, BSU excels in programming for future educators. Students are welcome to pursue the elementary education route, early childhood education route, or the literacy focus. If you want, you can add 15 credit hours to this 30 credit hour degree and add a specialization. There are a number of options like middle school, computer education, but Ball State’s most popular program is for individuals with autism. The MAE offers courses in Basic Concepts in Elementary Education, Education in a Diverse Society, Development, Implementation and Evaluation of Education, Child Development, Classroom Management, and much more. If you are looking for an in-depth challenging master’s in elementary education, this program may be fore you.

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• Estimated Cost Per Semester: $3,034
• Academic Score: 11.25
• Online Quality Score: 12

9.) University of Mobile

University of Mobile is a private Southern Baptist university located in Mobile, Alabama. There are just 1,480 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits University of Mobile to award associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. The university supports their students along their education path with remedial help, academic counseling, career counseling, and even employment. It wouldn’t be a Southern Baptist institution if it didn’t offer theology and divinity. However, this small private school offers so much more including academic degrees in voice and opera, accounting, early childhood education, environmental science, and Art. The university currently offers 7 online degrees.

The University of Mobile offers a Master of Arts in Education in multiple tracks including elementary education and early childhood education. In fact, students may elect to follow a dual tract and do both. We selected this program for the affordable tuition rate and for the flexible options. Students are required to fulfill 36 credit hours- 24 of which are major courses and the other 12 are part of your track. For those who decide to follow the dual track, students are required to take an additional 6 credit hours. The elementary education track includes classes in reading, literature for young readers, reading in selected areas of education, and practicum in elementary education. The major classes focus on curriculum development, inclusive classroom strategies, the law in schools, evaluation and more. For a thorough and straight-forward route towards a master’s in elementary education, U Mobile is a solid choice.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $655
• Academic Score: 19
• Online Quality Score: 18.5

10.) Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University is a private 4-year institution located in Boone, North Carolina. There are 18,295 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Appalachian State to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. Their online graduate education programs currently rank 36th. The university offers the full gamut of student support services including remedial support, academic counseling, career counseling, employment for students, and even credit for life experience. When it comes to academics, Appalachian State offers degrees in programs like business, visual and performing arts, health, foreign languages and more. Perhaps the most impressive offerings are their offerings in education. No matter what your area of interest as an educator, there’s a degree for it at Appalachian State.

Appalachian State offers a Master of Arts in Elementary Education. We selected this program for the convenient online format and for the high quality of academics. The total credit requirements are 39 credit hours where 27 of those are credit hours are academic and 12 are field hours. The required courses include: Advanced Topics in Diversity, Recent Trends in Education, Teacher Leadership and School Improvement, Advanced Curriculum Design in Elementary Education, and Instructional Technology. The research courses gives students an opportunity to explore their areas of interest and add flexibility to the program. This program is a good fit for individuals seeking their initial teacher’s licensure or advanced licensure in your field of study.

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• Estimated Tuition: $4,165
• Academic Score: 11.5
• Online Quality Score: 6

11.) University of Nebraska at Kearney

The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) is a public 4-year institution. There are 6,788 students enrolled, and the student to faculty ratio is 14:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits UNK to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as professional certifications. Their student support services include academic and career counseling. Education is by far the most popular field of study at UNK. That being said, students have a wide range of degrees from which to choose including in the fields of business, health, foreign language, and homeland security. Currently, there are 24 online degrees available including their online bachelor’s in geography, and online master’s in curriculum and instruction.

UNK offers a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Elementary Education. We selected this degree for the affordable tuition rate and for the high quality of the academic programming. This 36 credit hour degree is divided into 4 main components: core courses, concentration courses, and a final examination. The elementary concentration includes classes like contemporary theory and practice in reading, improvement of instruction in elementary school language arts, practicum, Math, and Formative Assessment and Successful Academic Interventions for Elementary School Math. The electives are where you can truly design your degree to fit with your areas of interest and include courses like STEM in K-8, Design and Development of Instruction, Reading in the Content Areas, Enhancing Classroom Instruction, and more. This is a great well-rounded degree and an excellent choice for any individual seeking to advance their practice as an elementary school educator.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $476
• Academic Score: 15
• Online Quality Score: 23

12.) University of Southern California

The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research institution located in Los Angeles, California. There are 43,871 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits USC to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees. This well-rounded R:1 institution is a great option for both military and civilian students alike. USC is known for a number of fantastic academic schools including their business school, and education school. Academically speaking, students have the option almost anything from astronomy to playwriting to zoology. Their online programs continue to expand and there are currently over 50 fully online degrees and professional certifications available like their online master’s in library and information science, online master’s in computer science, and online PhD in educational leadership.

USC’s Rossier School of Education offers an online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). While this online degree is our most expensive choice, this program ranked for the high quality of academics which is number one. The online format is flexible and convenient- an essential for any non traditional learner. In addition, this program is a great option for any individual looking to switch to becoming a teacher as this program does lead toward a recommendation for a teaching credential. Academically, this is the same rigorous program as their on-campus option and may be taken with a focus on elementary or secondary education. The program is broken into three main components: theory, application, and master. Mastery is where you learn to truly shine as a teacher in a classroom. If you are looking for a top-notch degree with a track towards certification, the online program with USC is one of the best.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $2,267
• Academic Score: 1
• Online Quality Score: 6.5

13.) Samford University

Samford University is a private Baptist institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. There are 5,471 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Samford University to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. Their student support services include academic and career counseling, and employment for their students. Academically, Samford University offers a wide range of programs including in fields like education, the performing Arts, health, foreign languages, and biology. Currently, there are 8 online degrees available including their online master’s in public health, and online masters in elementary education and teaching.

Samford University offers a Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education. We selected this online degree for the high quality of their academic programming and accelerated format. This is a cohort-based program and takes just 16 months to complete. The program is designed for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and are looking to advance in the field of education. The course material aligns with the curriculum for grades K-6. You will learn how to assess students, adapt the learning environment to include a diverse group of learners, ways to infuse your lessons with technology, as well as how to apply research. If you are looking for a fast track to an advanced degree in elementary education, this program at Samford University is a great choice.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $976
• Academic Score: 12.25
• Online Quality Score: 9.5

14.) Henderson State University

Henderson State University is a public 4-year institution located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. There are 3,551 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Henderson State University to award associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees as well as professional certifications. The university offers student support services that include remedial support, academic counseling, and career counseling. Their academic offerings including programming in biology, education, criminal justice, social work, aviation, and drama. Henderson State currently offers 8 online degrees.

Henderson State offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education. This program was selected for its incredibly affordable tuition rate. The estimated cost-per-credit-hour is just $336 per credit hour. The program requires 36 credit hours for completion. The online degree prepares individuals looking to teach kindergarten through grade 6. The elementary education program includes course in child development, emergent and developing literacy, family and community relationships, public school Art, and public school music. For a well-rounded and affordable degree in elementary education, Henderson State is a great option.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $340
• Academic Score: 30.25
• Online Quality Score: 21

15.) Delta State University

Delta State University is a public 4-year institution located in Cleveland, Mississippi. There are 3,584 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Delta State to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. To offer students support, the university provides remedial help, academic counseling, and career counseling. Though a small university, Delta State offers a wide range of academic programs from accounting to visual arts. Their online degree offerings include an online master’s in elementary education and teaching, online master’s in criminal justice, and an online doctorate in nursing practice.

Delta State University offers a Master of Education (Ed.M) in Elementary Education. We selected this program for the affordable tuition rate and accelerated pace. The cost per credit hour is just $393 per credit hour and students may complete this program in just one year. This online master’s program is divided into three main components: core courses, major field courses, and electives. The core courses include: Psychology of Learning, Methods of Educational Research and Statistics, Historical Foundations of Education Thought and Curriculum Methodology. The major field focuses on elementary school and specifically how to execute effective instruction, manage classrooms, develop curriculum, and more. This program does include a practicum experience.

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• Estimated Cost Per Semester: $4,218
• Academic Score: 30.75
• Online Quality Score: 19.5

16.) University of West Alabama

University of West Alabama (UWA) is a public university located in Livingston, Alabama. There are 3,986 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits UWA to award associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees as well as post-master’s certifications. The university offers remedial help, academic counseling, career counseling, and even credit for life experience as ways to support their students. The academic experience is diverse including programming in biology, accounting, chemistry, and more. Currently UWA offers 28 fully online degrees and professional certifications like their online bachelor’s in finance, online master’s in adult and continuing education, and online bachelor’s in psychology.

UWA also offers an online Master of Education (Ed.M.) in Elementary Education for grades K-6. We selected this program for the affordable tuition rate. This 34 credit hour course is a good fit for individuals who already work as educators and divides into two main component parts: professional courses and teaching field experience. The professional courses focus on foundations, educational planning, research and statistics, technology in education, teaching reading, life-span development and special education. Within those, students have several options and are able to tailor this degree to meet their professional needs. For your field experience you may either focus on early childhood or elementary education. UWA may accept up to 9 credit hours for transfer.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $429
• Academic Score: 22.75
• Online Quality Score: 24.5

17.) University of Louisiana at Monroe

The University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) is a public institution located in Monroe, Louisiana. There are 9,038 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 21:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits ULM to award comprehensive degree programs and professional certifications. The university offers remedial support as well as academic and career counseling. Parents are offered on-campus day car for their children. The academic programming focuses primarily on career ready fields like business, health, and education as well as liberal arts programming. Currently, there are 36 online degrees and professional certifications available including the online bachelor’s in marketing and online master’s in counselor education.

ULM offers a Master of Arts in Teaching for both Elementary Education and Special Education Mild to Moderate Grades 1 to 5. We selected this program for the affordable tuition rate and quality of academic programing. The course requires 42 credit hours for completion and costs $500 per credit hour. You will learn how to assess your students, manage a classroom, teach to diverse learners, research, prepare exciting lesson plans in all subjects, understand early childhood development, apply child psychology principles, and complete an internship in elementary education. We like this course as well-rounded and accessible program for any individual who is looking to make the switch into a career as an elementary school teacher.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $500
• Academic Score: 30
• Online Quality Score: 12

18.) University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) is a public research university located in Charlotte, NC. There are 28,721 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits UNCC to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. The university offers a wide array of student support services like remedial help, employment for students, and academic counselling. UNCC offers a huge number of degree programs appropriate for both traditional and nontraditional students. Chances are, the university has a degree in your area of interest. Not only that, but UNCC currently offers 14 online degree programs including their online bachelor’s in electrical engineering, online master’s in nursing administration, and online master’s in teaching the gifted and talented.

The school of education also offers an online Master of Education (Ed.M.) in Elementary Education. We selected this program for the convenient format and for the high quality of the academic programming. Students will study: Current Issues in Global and Urban Elementary Schools, Theories of Human Development and Learning in Cultural Contexts, Classroom Management and Leadership for Diverse Learners, and more. Students will engage with research and are required to take 3 elective hours. There are also several concentrations from which to pick. This online course is appropriate for seasons elementary school teachers living in North Carolina.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $289
• Academic Score: 30
• Online Quality Score:12

19.) Northwest Nazarene University

Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) is a private Church of the Nazarene institution located in Nampa, Idaho. There are just 2,157 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits NNU to award comprehensive degree programs and professional certifications. U.S. News ranks NNU as the 47th best college in the region, 24th best college for veterans, and 12th best value school. The university offers the full gamut of student support services including remedial help, academic counseling, career counseling, and even credit for life experiences. Their academic offerings include a wide range of disciplines like biology, music theory, physics, accounting, and more. Currently, there are 22 online degrees available.

NNU offers a Master of Education (Ed.M.) in Curriculum, Instruction, and Innovation. This program is designed to work with the schedules of seasoned elementary school teachers and is a good for for any individual who is ready to enhance their experience and practice with curriculum design. We selected this program for the affordable tuition rate with is $475 per credit hour and the accelerated format. Students may complete this course in 11-12 months. The program requires 33 credit hours for completion. All students will student the following classes: teachers as leaders, the learning process, instructional models, instructional coaching, curriculum assessment and collaboration, innovative instruction, mixed methods research, multicultural education, data driven decision making, and innovative instruction 2. This is a great program for the individual who is looking to make a greater impact in the field of education.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $555
• Academic Score: 24.75
• Online Quality Score: 21

20.) East Carolina University

East Carolina University is a public research university located in Greenville, North Carolina. There are 28,962 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits ECU to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. When it comes to student support, the university offers remedial care, academic counseling, and employment for students. Their academic offerings are varied and include programing in Art Teacher Education, Marketing, Drafting and Design Technology, Dentistry, and Jazz Studies. Currently, there are 55 online degrees available including the online MBA, online bachelor’s in elementary education, and online master’s in computer software engineering.

ECU also offers an online Master of Arts in Education in Elementary Education (MAEd. ELEM) for individuals who currently hold an initial teacher’s license in elementary education. We selected this course for the high quality of academics and flexible format. Students may take this program either part time or full time. For a flexible online degree to work with your professional schedule, this is a great option.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $205
• Academic Score: 7
• Online Quality Score: 15.5

21.) Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University is a public 4-year institution located in Richmond, Kentucky. There are 16,881 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits EKU to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees. The university provides remedial support, academic counseling, career counseling and more to help student succeed. Their academic offerings are vocational in nature and cover a wide-range of careers including in fields like music, aviation, school psychology, earth science and so much more. Today, EKU offers over 40 online programs for graduates and undergraduate alike.

EKU offers an online Master of Arts in Education in Elementary Education. We selected this program because it’s affordable and fast. The course requires just 30 credit hours for completion and costs just $541 per credit hour. Each term is just 8 weeks long and you can study this degree at your own pace. The curriculum includes 12 hours in core courses, 9 hours in elementary education, electives, and two subject matter courses of your choosing. The program culminates with a capstone. This program is flexible and straight-forward. If you are practically-minded, this program is a no brainer.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $541
• Academic Score: 28
• Online Quality Score: 16.5

22.) Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University (ODU) is a public 4-year university located in Norfolk, Virginia. There are 24,322 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits ODU to award bachelor’s, master’s, doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. Students receive support through academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences. The university currently offers nearly 60 online degrees.

ODU offers a online Master of Science in Education for Pre K-6 Grade Teaching. This course is offered exclusively to individuals who reside in Virginia or Washington State and does lead to initial teacher licensure. The program costs $620 per credit hour and requires 41 credit hours for completion. You will learn to teach through courses and a practicum experience.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $620
• Academic Score: 24.75
• Online Quality Score: 16.5

23.) St. Thomas University

St. Thomas University is a private Roman Catholic institution located in Miami Gardens, Florida. There are 4,662 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits St. Thomas to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral’ degrees as well as professional certifications. The student support services include remedial service, employment services for students, placement for graduates and even credit for life experience. When it comes to academics, St. Thomas offers programs that are career ready in fields like business, education, health, and criminal justice. Today St. Thomas offers 13 online degrees including their online bachelor’s in theology, and online master’s in educational leadership.

St. Thomas offers a Master of Science in Elementary Education. We selected this program for the straight-forward accelerated and convenient format. You may complete this program in as little as 16 months, and each course is just 5 weeks in length. The program is divided into two main areas: core courses, and content area courses. The content area course are primarily completed in a field experience. Your core course focus on the history of elementary education, literature, curriculum and instruction, educational measurement, and effective classroom teaching. This program may prepare you for initial teacher licensure in the state of Florida.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $727
• Academic Score: 8
• Online Quality Score: 7

24.) Prescott College

Prescott College is a private institution located in Prescott, Arizona. There are 702 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Prescott College to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certification. Their student support services include academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experience. As a distance learning institution, all courses are taught online and include primarily vocational career-ready degrees in fields like education, health, counseling, and community organization and advocacy. Their most popular schools are their education school and their schools of health.

Prescott College offers a Master of Education in Elementary Education. We selected this program for the high quality of academics. Students must complete 45 credit hours of course material and pass the state exams to quality for initial teacher licensure. The course material includes Foundations of Education, Learning Theories, Curriculum Design, Introduction to Special Education, Reading Methods and Practice, Language Arts Methods and Practice, Social Studies Methods and Practice, Mathematics Methods and Practice, Creating and Managing Learning Communities, and Student Teaching. This program is great for individuals looking to become elementary school teachers or directors of curriculum and instruction.

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• Estimated Tuition: $14,352
• Academic Score: 22.75
• Online Quality Score: 19.5

25.) University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is a public 4-year institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. There are 11,905 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits UNI to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees. According to U.S. News UNI ranks as the 25th best college in the Midwest, 17th best college for veterans, 45th best value school, and 2nd top public school. The student support services includes remedial services, academic counseling, career counseling, and placement for graduates. UNI is an academic powerhouse offering a ton of degrees that range from accounting to women’s studies and everything in between. There are currently 16 online degrees available including their online master’s in Art and online bachelor’s in liberal arts.

UNI offers a Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Elementary Education. This is a great program for individuals who already teach grades K-6. You will engage in research and practicum that addresses curriculum and instruction, literacy, mathematics, social studies, and more. The cost per credit hour is $569.

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• Estimated Cost Per Credit Hour: $569
• Academic Score: 17
• Online Quality Score:7.5