Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education Degrees 2024

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation 

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $536
Out-of-State | $536

Credits to Graduate: 31

Consider K-State's online master of arts in teaching if you want to work as a licensed K-6 educator in Kansas or a state with licensure reciprocity. The program offers a specialized track for practicing educators with a provisional Kansas teaching license. Core classes include the social foundations of education, action research in education, and teaching science and math in elementary school. 

K-State offers three annual start dates. You can complete your education in just one year. Application requirements include a statement of objectives, a resume, and three professional references.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Cost per Term:
In-State | $3,975
Out-of-State | $3,975

Credits to Graduate: 49

WGU's online master's in elementary education requires core coursework in the foundations of education, schools as communities, and essential practices for supporting diverse learners. You also complete preclinical experiences before starting student teaching. Other graduation requirements include a professional portfolio you can use as part of a job application.

Applicants with a 2.0-2.5 undergraduate GPA may receive conditional admission if they pass a basic skills test. You can save money on your degree by learning at an accelerated pace, as WGU charges tuition by six-month term rather than per credit.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $290
Out-of-State | $1,020

Credits to Graduate: 33

Educators with an initial North Carolina teaching license can choose ECU's online master's in elementary education program. The degree offers concentrations in gifted learners, pedagogy, early childhood, teaching children in poverty, and teacher leadership. All concentrations require core coursework in educational research, advanced assessment, and leadership and communication.

Application requirements include three professional references, official transcripts, and a statement of purpose. ECU waives the teaching license requirements for current undergraduates in the university's Honors College. 

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $289
Out-of-State | $1,098

Credits to Graduate: 33

UNC Charlotte's online master's in elementary education appeals to licensed educators and lets you choose between asynchronous and synchronous learning. The program also offers concentrations, such as elementary mathematics, gifted education, and teaching English to English-language learners. All degree-seekers take classes in classroom management and theories of human development. 

UNC Charlotte requires GRE or MAT scores and an "A" level teaching license. You may apply if you live in a state with licensure reciprocity.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $379
Out-of-State | $379

Credits to Graduate: 33

Missouri State's online MS in elementary education helps practicing educators learn new skills and prepare for career advancement. The self-paced curriculum features core classes in contemporary issues, the emerging master teacher, and advanced theory or practice. You can customize your education in many ways, such as choosing between a thesis or research seminar project. 

You must submit GRE scores if you do not hold a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Other admission requirements include one recommendation letter and a resume.

Programmatic Accreditation: Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $548
Out-of-State | $548

Credits to Graduate: 33

Apply to McDaniel's hybrid master's in elementary education program for a fully customizable curriculum. Your academic advisor helps you select classes and choose between a capstone project or a master's thesis. Focus areas include equity and excellence in education, elementary math instruction, and writing for children and young adults. 

Admission requirements include a valid teaching license and a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Applicants with a 2.75-2.99 undergraduate GPA may receive conditional admission. McDaniel also offers a teacher-preparation master's degree leading to initial licensure.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $547
Out-of-State | $547

Credits to Graduate: 30

UND's online M.Ed. elementary education features three annual start dates and attracts practicing educators. Required classes include curriculum and methods, the foundations of reading instruction, and curriculum and pedagogy. You complete practica at your job site, and the program lets you write a thesis or develop a scholarly project. 

Application requirements include a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA, an active teaching license, three recommendation letters, and a statement of goals. All online learners pay the same tuition rate.

Programmatic Accreditation: Georgia Professional Standards Commission

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $683
Out-of-State | $683

Credits to Graduate: 30

Mercer's online M.Ed. in education lets you focus on elementary education. You take core classes in school philosophy, contemporary curriculum practices, and introduction to educational research. You then customize your education by choosing electives, such as problem-solving in mathematics and reading theory. 

The typical M.Ed. student graduates in 12-16 months and may qualify for up to two new endorsements to their license. Application requirements include a teaching license and a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $326
Out-of-State | $460

Credits to Graduate: 36

Aspiring curriculum developers, educational analysts, and reading specialists apply to UNK's online master's in curriculum and instruction. The elementary education concentration helps K-6 educators improve their skills with coursework in the philosophy of education, contemporary theory and practice in reading, and instruction design. You also complete a practicum at your job site. 

UNK uses a GPA cutoff and requires a professional biography. You may submit GRE scores. Out-of-state learners earning an education master's degree pay less than the standard out-of-state tuition rate.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $458
Out-of-State | $458

Credits to Graduate: 30

UAB's online master's in elementary education offers over a dozen electives, such as teaching mathematics, reading assessment and evaluation, and current issues in education. You also take coursework in curriculum development and critical pedagogy. The program does not require a thesis or a capstone project. 

You must hold a valid teaching license and a bachelor's in elementary education to apply. UAB also requires at least 31 credits of relevant undergraduate coursework. You remain in good academic standing by maintaining a minimum 3.25 graduate GPA.