Master's in Elementary Education

Every state issues its own elementary teaching certificate, and no master's degree replaces it. Check whether a program leads to an initial license or assumes you already hold one.

A licensed teacher chasing a salary-lane step and a career changer who has never run a classroom need different coursework, different student-teaching hours (often a full semester in a school), and different admission rules. The programs below sort on that question first.

Accreditation is the part that does not move. A program that cannot recommend you for a state certificate will not become one after graduation, and no salary lane opens for a degree a district does not recognize.

Career Changer or Licensed Teacher? Pick Your Track First

A degree that gets you into a classroom and a degree that moves you up a salary lane can both carry the name "master's in elementary education." They are not the same product, so decide which one you need before you compare schools.

Track One: Career Changers

If you hold a bachelor's degree in another field and want to teach, you need an initial-licensure program. Public school teachers need a license for the grade they teach, and career changers generally need a bachelor's plus a state-approved teacher-preparation program. Many master's programs bundle that preparation into the degree, though a master's is not required for licensure everywhere.

Track Two: Certified Teachers

If you are already certified, you are shopping for an advanced degree: deeper expertise, a leadership path, or a step up your district's pay scale. A non-licensure program fits you well. Check your district's salary schedule first so you know what the degree is worth to you.

Can You Enter Without a Teaching Degree?

Yes, but only through a licensure-track program. Non-licensure master's programs will not make you a classroom teacher, however strong the curriculum looks.

What Licensure Programs Ask Beyond Coursework

Requirements vary by state and grade band, so confirm details with your state's education department. Expect these three pieces:

• Exams: Content-knowledge tests, and often pedagogy tests. Kansas uses Praxis Elementary Education CKT 7001-7005, Colorado's K-6 endorsement points to Praxis 5903 and 5205, and Massachusetts uses the MTEL.
• Background check: Typically required before licensure.
• Student teaching: Supervised classroom practice, commonly 8 to 16 weeks. K-State's Kansas PreK-6 MAT, for example, includes 12 weeks of full-time student teaching, and candidates cannot keep full-time employment during that placement.

Before you apply anywhere, check each program's licensure outcome: does it lead to a license in your state, or only to a degree? The ranked list below includes a licensure column for exactly this reason. Use it to cross off programs that do not match your track.

10 Standout Elementary Education Master's Programs, Compared Side by Side

These ten programs cover both entry routes: licensure-focused master's degrees for career changers and advanced degrees for teachers already certified. Formats run from fully online to campus-based with local field placements. Graduate tuition in state ranges from about $5,800 to nearly $12,800, so the most affordable option is not automatically the best fit for your schedule or your state's licensure rules.

Rank	School	Location	Net price	Best for
#1	Milligan University	Milligan, TN	~$8,000/yr (est.)	Tennessee career changers needing initial licensure
A private Tennessee university whose CAEP-accredited M.Ed. in Initial Licensure runs 45 to 47 semester hours over four semesters, with a two-semester internship split across at least two grade levels. Elementary candidates complete a liberal arts distribution first, and no entrance exam is required. Campus-based; graduate tuition is $7,408, and the university graduates 63% of its students. Master of Education: Initial Licensure, Elementary (K-5) — On-Campus No entrance examEmployer tuition reimbursement 45 to 47 semester hours over four semesters 14-month summer-to-summer sequence Two-semester internship across at least two grade levels CAEP accredited No entrance exam required Three start dates per year Field experience starting in the first education course Prepares for Tennessee teaching licensure Visit Website
#2	Sam Houston State University	Huntsville, TX	~$9,000/yr (est.)	Working teachers adding a specialization minor
A Texas public university whose M.Ed. in Elementary Education is built for practicing teachers: 36 credits, a required minor field of study and a comprehensive exam, with elementary certification normally already in hand. Campus-based; graduate tuition is $5,765 in state and $13,145 out of state, and the university graduates 55% of its students. Master of Education in Elementary Education — On-Campus 36 total credit hours Required minor field of study Comprehensive exam required Prior elementary certification expected Prepared for Texas professional teacher certification Campus classes with experienced faculty and peers Visit Website
#3	University of North Texas	Denton, TX	$9,000 – $16,000/yr (est.)	Bilingual and ESL teachers going online
North Texas offers an online M.Ed. in Teaching with ESL Supplemental and Bilingual Generalist concentrations, 36 credit hours and 12 courses, plus student teaching or an internship in accredited public schools. Twenty-four credits overlap with the EC-6 certification pathway. Graduate tuition is $7,160 in state and $14,540 out of state. Master of Education in Teaching, ESL Supplemental — Online 36 credit hours across 12 courses Online coursework with an on-site practicum $16,800 total program tuition in the program's published estimate Student teaching or internship required 24 hours overlap with the EC-6 certification program Prepares for EC-6 teaching certification Visit Website Master of Education in Teaching, Bilingual Generalist — Online Bilingual Generalist concentration for EC-6 classrooms Student teaching or internship in accredited public schools Preclinical experience before full-time student teaching Prepares for EC-6, 4-8 or secondary certification Visit Website
#4	San Francisco State University	San Francisco, CA	$5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.)
San Francisco State's Elementary Education MA is a completion degree for its own Multiple Subjects credential graduates, who must have finished that credential within three years; 12 credential credits carry over and 18 new units follow, ending in a field study. Late afternoon and evening campus classes suit working teachers. Graduate tuition is $7,608 in state and $17,688 out of state. Elementary Education MA — On-Campus Open only to SFSU Multiple Subjects credential graduates Credential completed within the prior three years 12 credential credits apply to the MA, plus 18 new units Late afternoon and evening courses Capstone field study required Part-time over three semesters or full-time over two 6 elective units with advisor approval Visit Website
#5	Colorado Mesa University	Grand Junction, CO	~$11,000/yr (est.)
Colorado Mesa's M.A. in Education leads to a Colorado teaching license for bachelor's degree holders or adds endorsement depth for current teachers, with cognates in educational leadership, teaching and leadership, special education and initial licensure. The initial licensure route includes elementary, secondary and K-12 physical education tracks. Campus-based; graduate tuition is $10,180 in state and $15,639 out of state. M.A. in Education, Initial Teacher Licensure - Elementary, Master's — On-Campus Leads to a Colorado teaching license 12 core hours in research, curriculum, culture and technology Elementary, secondary and K-12 PE licensure tracks Capstone experience required Cognate areas also offered as graduate certificates Builds endorsement expertise for current teachers Visit Website
#6	The University of Tennessee-Martin	Martin, TN	~$12,000/yr (est.)
UT Martin's M.S.Ed. in Teaching, Initial Licensure Elementary was built for people whose bachelor's degree sits outside education and who want Tennessee licensure. Admission starts at a 2.5 GPA, classes are small, and the university advertises one of the lowest costs of attendance in the state. Campus-based; graduate tuition is $10,908 in state and $11,970 out of state. M.S.Ed. in Teaching, Initial Licensure Elementary, Master's — On-Campus For holders of a non-teaching bachelor's degree Prepares for Tennessee teaching licensure 2.5 GPA minimum and a $40 application fee Small class sizes and low student-faculty ratios Scholarships and financial aid available Close-knit campus setting Visit Website
#7	Millersville University of Pennsylvania	Millersville, PA	$12,000 – $17,000/yr (est.)
Millersville's M.Ed. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education spans birth through age 8 and prepares graduates for teaching, administrative and early-intervention special education roles. Electives can be filled with endorsements or certificates in ESL, STEM or online learning, and courses draw on faculty across early, middle and exceptional education. Campus-based; graduate tuition is $9,288 in state and $13,932 out of state. M.Ed. in Early Childhood & Elementary Education, Master's — On-Campus Covers children from birth through age 8 Prepares for teaching and administrative positions Electives across art, history, technology and social work Endorsement or certificate options in ESL, STEM and online learning Includes an early-intervention special education focus Visit Website
#8	West Chester University of Pennsylvania	West Chester, PA	$10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.)
West Chester runs a 45-credit M.Ed. in Elementary Education with Teacher Certification as a cohort for graduates whose degrees are outside education, combining online coursework with in-person field placements and a 15-week student teaching semester in PK-4 classrooms. Passing the PECT PK-4 opens Pennsylvania certification, and Praxis exams can add grades 5-6 and 7-8. Hybrid; graduate tuition is $9,288 in state and $13,932 out of state. Master of Education in Elementary Education with Teacher Certification — Hybrid Employer tuition reimbursement 45 total credit hours Cohort structure focused on grades PK-4 Hybrid: online courses plus in-person field placements 15-week full-time student teaching in the final spring PECT PK-4 required for Pennsylvania certification Praxis exams can add grades 5-6 and 7-8 Locked tuition rate and employer reimbursement Graduate assistantships and payment plans Visit Website
#9	Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania	Slippery Rock, PA	~$13,000/yr (est.)
Slippery Rock's M.Ed. in Elementary Education, K-8 Math and Science targets certified teachers who want to lead STEM instruction, with coursework in standards-aligned curriculum design, technology integration and classroom-based research. The cohort-based program is 30 credit hours and can finish in about a year, with a 24 to 48 month standard track. Fully online; graduate tuition is $9,288 in state and $13,942 out of state. Elementary Education: K-8 Math and Science, M.Ed., Master's — Online 30 total credit hours Fully online, cohort-based format Completable in as little as one year 24 to 48 month standard completion track Designed for certified teachers 3.0 GPA minimum and work experience required Summer and winter start dates STEM leadership focus on standards and technology Visit Website
#10	University of California-Irvine	Irvine, CA	~$15,000/yr (est.)
UC Irvine's 14-month MAT Multiple Subject program awards a master's degree and a California teaching credential, running from late June to the following July with methods work in reading, language arts, math, science and social studies. A three-quarter sequence pairs student teaching with a field-site inquiry project, and a Bilingual Authorization Program is available. Campus-based; graduate tuition is $12,762 in state and $27,864 out of state, and the university graduates 87% of its students. MAT Multiple Subject Program, Master's — On-Campus 14 months, late June to the following July Earns a master's degree and a California teaching credential Three-quarter student teaching and field-site inquiry sequence Bilingual Authorization Program available Methods courses in reading, language arts, math, science and social studies One start date per year, in summer Visit Website

Where Student Teaching Fits Inside a 'Fully Online' Degree

The label "fully online" now covers nearly everything in a teacher preparation program except the weeks spent standing in front of children. Coursework, discussion boards, and exams can happen at a kitchen table. A supervised classroom placement usually cannot, and licensure tracks keep it because state boards expect documented student teaching before recommending you for a certificate.

How Long Placement Runs, and Who Finds It

Length varies, and state rules can push a program's baseline higher. Drexel runs 14 to 16 weeks, with at least six of those weeks in a Pennsylvania public or charter school. American College of Education lists 15 weeks and 400 to 600 clinical hours. Campbellsville requires 16 weeks². The University of Phoenix states at least 12 weeks and warns that some states require longer¹. Staged models exist, too: Avila splits fieldwork into a 40-hour initial experience and a 45-hour advanced practicum³, and Florida Gulf Coast lists 7 weeks. Not every online master's includes student teaching at all; Liberty's non-licensure M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction does not require it.

You seldom choose the school yourself. Drexel's Field Placement Office arranges it, Phoenix assigns program specialists, and Campbellsville relies on faculty advisors.

Paid Residencies and Intern Licenses

Paid routes exist but are the exception. Campbellsville will waive student teaching for students who take a classroom teaching job, provided a full year of mentoring². Ask whether your state issues an intern or residency license that lets you teach while enrolled.

The Full-Time Conflict

Student teaching is consistently full time. Vanderbilt places students in schools five days a week following a two-day-a-week fall practicum⁴. That schedule rarely survives a second full-time job, so plan for a semester of reduced income, tapped savings, or formal leave.

Four Questions for Admissions

• Who arranges my placement, and what happens if no nearby school will accept me?
• Does my state require more weeks or clinical hours than your stated baseline?
• Can I substitute a paid teaching position or intern license, and what mentoring does that require?
• Are there required live sessions, and in which time zone are they scheduled?

From Career Changer to Licensed Teacher: What Does the Typical Path Look Like?

If you hold a bachelor's degree in another field, a licensure-track master's is one of the most direct routes into an elementary classroom. The steps below show the general order most candidates follow. Your state sets the final rules, so sequencing and exam timing can shift.

M.A.T., M.Ed., or M.S.: Which Degree Matches Your Goal

The letters on the diploma matter less than what the program does about licensure. In the program pages reviewed, the M.A.T. is built around getting you into a classroom, while M.Ed. and M.S. programs vary by school and by track. Check the licensure line first, then compare credits and pace.

Quick Answers Before You Shortlist

These answers cover the three questions readers raise most often once they have a shortlist. Requirements vary by state, district, and school, so confirm details with your state licensing agency and each program before you apply.

1. Can I get into a master's in elementary education without an education degree?

   Often yes. Many programs accept a bachelor's degree in any field from a regionally accredited school, though you may need prerequisites or extra teacher-prep coursework. Admission is separate from licensure. Your state licensing agency sets certification rules¹, so ask each program whether the degree includes student teaching and leads to an initial license.

2. Is the degree worth the money for a classroom teacher?

   It depends on what changes afterward. The degree can pay off if it leads to a state-recognized license, a higher salary lane, eligibility for a new role, or employer-paid tuition. It may not if your pay and job eligibility stay the same. Check your district's salary schedule before enrolling.

3. Can I use the degree to become a reading specialist or instructional coach?

   Not automatically. Reading specialist roles usually require a teaching license, classroom experience, a master's in reading or literacy, and a state exam. The University of Maryland's reading specialist program, for example, requires three years of teaching experience. Instructional coach postings often prefer a reading-specialist credential or literacy master's, so a literacy-focused program may fit better.

Related Articles

Median Pay for Elementary School Teachers

Half of U.S. elementary school teachers earn more than this figure and half earn less. The middle 50 percent earn between $57,710 and $81,450.

Additional Schools to Add to Your Shortlist

The schools below sit just outside the top of this year's ranking, and the right fit among them usually comes down to two things: the license you need and the schedule you can hold. Each entry lists the delivery format and the campus location so you can screen options quickly. Before you apply, check whether the track leads to initial certification in your state or is designed for teachers who are already licensed, since some of these programs are non-licensure by design.