2023 Best Online Master's in Elementary Education Degrees

The Pennsylvania State University (PennState), a large, public institution, offers an online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction totaling 30 credit hours. The program has six concentrations for students to choose from. The Elementary Education concentration exposes students to modern teaching methods. The program's core courses include Colloquium, Teaching as Inquiry, and Theories of Childhood.

PennState uses Canvas to deliver online coursework, which can be completed asynchronously. In addition, students can access online academic support through the institution. PennState’s admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, an equivalent tertiary degree, and a submitted application.

City University of Seattle (CityU) is a small, private nonprofit offering two online master's degrees in Education: (1) Master in Teaching and (2) Master of Education in Leadership. The Master in Teaching is between 54 to 75 credit hours, while the Master of Education in Leadership has 45 credit hours. The Master in Teaching requires students to meet in person for some coursework and the internship. Both programs prepare students for careers in primary and secondary education. Coursework for the programs covers a range of topics, such as conflict management, leadership, and special education.

At CityU, students complete coursework synchronously on Brightspace. CityU’s student support includes career services and an online library. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university is required for admission.

American University (AU) is a medium, private nonprofit institution offering an online Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education program. The program, which totals 33 credit hours, can be completed in two years at a full-time pace. It requires students to undertake 600 classroom hours at a local site near the student’s residence. Sample coursework includes Foundations of Education, Teaching Science in the Elementary School, and Student Teaching Seminar in Professional Practice.

Canvas is AU’s online learning platform for students, with courses delivered both asynchronously and synchronously. In addition, online students can access academic advising, tutoring, writing, counseling, and health education. AU’s admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree and online application submission.

California State University - Fullerton (CSUF), a large, public institution, offers an online Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction with seven concentrations for students to choose from. The Elementary Curriculum and Instruction concentration totals 30 credit hours and provides students with the knowledge needed to exceed in the classroom. Sample coursework includes Survey of Educational Research, Curriculum Theory and Development, and Graduate Studies: Learning Theory for Classroom Use.

CSUF uses Canvas, a digital learning platform, to deliver online coursework. Online students receive support through resource centers and academic services. CSUF’s admission requirements include teaching experience, 24 approved major credits, an approved study plan, and a minimum 3.0 GPA in the prior 60 units.

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a medium, private nonprofit institution offering an online Master of Science in Elementary Education. Students must complete 40 credit hours in order to graduate. In this program, students gain the skills they need to deliver lessons to children at the K-6 levels. Assessment in Reading, Applied Professional Experience in Elementary Education, and Teaching Visual Arts and Music in the Elementary School are a few core courses in the curriculum.

At NSU, online students complete work asynchronously via Canvas, meaning that they work at their own pace. Student support at NSU includes career counseling, technology services, and more. Admission requirements involve completing an admission application packet and submitting official transcripts that indicate the completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.

McDaniel College (McDaniel) is a small, private nonprofit institution offering an online Master of Science in Elementary Education that requires the completion of 33 credit hours. The program is designed for licensed teachers seeking to expand their field knowledge. In addition, students have the option to add the following endorsements to their degree: (1) Administrator I Certification, (2) Elementary Math Instructional Leader, (3) Gifted and Talented Education Specialist (GATES), and (4) STEM Instructional Leadership.

At McDaniel, students can complete online coursework asynchronously on Blackboard. Online student support includes academic advising, writing, career services, and more. Admission requirements include official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, 33 credit hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and the completion of a project or thesis.

Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH), a small, private nonprofit institution, offers an online Master of Arts in Teaching. Totaling 39 credit hours, the program can be completed in just 18 months. The program has five concentrations, including Elementary Education (K-6). Some example courses from this concentration include History and the Profession of Education, Diverse Learners, and Elementary Math Methods.

CUH uses Canvas to deliver online coursework to students in a synchronous format. The institution’s online resources include IT help, counseling, and academic support. CUH’s admission requirements are a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited university, English proficiency, official transcripts, and an application.

At the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), a small, public institution, students can pursue an online Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education. The program, which takes 36 to 39 credit hours, requires students to complete weekly practicum assignments and a semester of student teaching in a K-6 school. Sample coursework includes Health in the K-8 Curriculum, The Learner and the Learning Process, and Curriculum Development.

At UAS, online students complete coursework synchronously on the online learning platform Blackboard. Online student support services include academic advising, career services, and counseling. UAS’s admission requirements are a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, application, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and more.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) is a medium, public institution offering an online Master of Arts in Education. The program requires students to complete 36 credit hours, and it provides eleven concentration areas to choose from. The elementary-focused concentrations are Elementary Education and Montessori - Early Elementary, which each provide students with the expertise to excel in K-6 classrooms.

UNK utilizes Canvas to deliver online coursework to students, which can be completed in a synchronous or asynchronous format. The institution’s online resources include IT, an online library, and disability services. UNK’s admission requirements are meeting the minimum GPA, submitting GRE scores, and having a professional biography.

The College of Saint Scholastica (CSS) is a medium, private nonprofit institution offering an online Master of Education program. The program, which totals 33 credit hours, can be completed within two years. The program provides seven concentration options students can choose from. The curriculum covers technology integration, action research, and promoting student learning.

At CSS, online students complete coursework synchronously on the Blackboard platform. In addition, CSS’s online student support includes academic advising, counseling, and career services. The program’s minimum admission requirements are a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and a minimum 2.8 GPA.