Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education

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Overview

Explore the Master of Education in Elementary Education Degree

A Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University is a graduate degree program designed to provide educators with the specialized knowledge and skills to develop effective teaching strategies and curriculum for elementary school students. If you want to become an elementary or middle school teacher and pursue licensure, this master’s in elementary education program may be right for you.

A Master of Education in Elementary Education focuses on all aspects of elementary education from teaching strategies and assessment methods to working with diverse learners. You will be equipped with an understanding of child development, instructional strategies and curriculum design, enabling you to create engaging and effective learning environments for your students.

Male elementary education teacher sitting on desk facing classroom teaching students
Why GCU

Benefits of Earning Your Elementary Education Master’s Degree

Students earning a master’s degree in elementary education are making an investment in their future. In addition, teachers with master's degrees may find many benefits to having an advanced degree. 

These include:

  • Receiving higher rates of pay than teachers with bachelor's degrees1
  • Being up-to-date on research and classroom practices
  • Having access to a university network of educators
  • Building an enhanced set of skills through professional development work
  • Finding an increase in job prospects2

#12

Grand Canyon University is ranked No. 12 among the best master’s in elementary education online degrees in the United States.3

MEd in Elementary Education Initial Teacher Licensure

This elementary education master’s degree is an option for educators seeking initial licensure through advanced, rigorous content. Graduates of this master’s in elementary education online degree will be taught to create engaging classroom environments that support elementary and middle grade students and are able to analyze and solve current problems through research and practice.

The MEd in Elementary Education degree provides the necessary coursework and training to prepare you for licensure exams and certification. This is a critical component of the master’s in elementary education degree, as most states require teachers to hold a valid teaching license to teach in public schools. In order to earn a teaching certificate, you will need to complete an in-person clinical field experience that includes student-teaching work and adhere to the license or certification requirement in the state in which you plan to teach. 

For those who do not desire to obtain a teacher license, visit our non-licensure Master of Education in Elementary Education (NITL) program page.

Non-Licensure Program

Pursue Your Master’s in Elementary Education Online at GCU

Female elementary education student studying on laptop on couch inside with dog beside her

The availability of online classes for this degree program provides you with the flexibility and convenience to earn your degree, accommodating the needs and schedules of all learners. In order to earn a teaching certificate, you will need to complete an in-person clinical field experience that includes student-teaching work and adhere to the license or certification requirement in the state in which you plan to teach.

The master’s in elementary education at GCU allows you to:

Continue working

Learn from experienced faculty

Participate in class activities from home

Use technology that supports teacher growth

Coursework

Skills You Will Learn in the MEd in Elementary Education Degree Program

The MEd in Elementary Education degree program is designed to equip aspiring educators with a diverse range of skills and knowledge necessary to effectively teach and nurture young learners in elementary schools. The advanced coursework and topics covered throughout the MEd in Elementary Education degree program prepares you to work with learners from intellectually and culturally diverse backgrounds.

The coursework and skills you can gain from this elementary education master’s degree includes:

  • Understanding child and adolescent development and psychology
  • Instruction and assessment strategies for supporting students with exceptionalities
  • Classroom management and engagement techniques for diverse learners
  • Design and implement instructional planning strategies
  • Evaluate and improve literacy following research-based strategies
  • Supporting English language learners
  • Teaching math, science, social studies and the arts to young learners
Careers

Master’s of Education in Elementary Education Careers and Pathways

The elementary education master’s degree can provide a variety of opportunities and potential pathways for educators seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in teaching young learners. With a focus on equipping students with the necessary tools to become effective educators, the program can prepare you for a career in the field of elementary education.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for kindergarten and elementary school teachers to increase by about 4% from 2021 to 2031, as fast as average, accounting for an estimated increase of 60,200 jobs in the field.4

Graduates with this degree might pursue these potential careers:

Elementary school teacher

Postsecondary education teacher

Tutor

Instructional assistant

Educator in a non-school setting

60,200

Estimated increase of jobs for kindergarten and elementary school teachers from 2021 to 20314

$61,350

Median annual wage of kindergarten and elementary school teachers in May 20215

FAQ

MEd in Elementary Education Degree FAQs

You may have quite a few questions if you're considering pursuing a master's degree in education with a focus on elementary education. We understand the decision to earn an MEd in Elementary Education is a big commitment, so we’ve gathered a few of the most frequently asked questions to allow you to make an informed decision about your education path.

Group of female elementary education teachers in classroom smiling at camera

Start Your Journey Today

GCU is passionate about helping develop dedicated, quality teachers. If making a career change to education is something you have been considering for a while or you wish to advance in your current career, now is the time. Join us for the MEd in Elementary Education degree at GCU today.

Apply Now

If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).

1 Nittler, K. (2018, July 26). How Do School Districts Compensate Teachers for Advanced Degrees? National Council on Teacher Quality. Retrieved on May 15, 2023.

2 Malone, M. (2021, May 24). What Is the Job Outlook for Teachers? Chron. Retrieved on May 15, 2023.

3 Intelligent. (2023, Feb. 12). Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education Programs of 2023. Retrieved on April 26, 2023.

4 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, retrieved on April 10, 2023.

5 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers as of May 2021, retrieved on May 15, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as kindergarten and elementary school teachers. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates.

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