Bachelor’s Degrees in Education

Take the first step to becoming a teacher by pursuing your bachelor’s degree in education. The bachelor’s education online and campus programs include a broad liberal arts foundation, followed by education in more specialized subject areas. Bachelor’s degrees in education offered by the College of Education include course topics about education theories and practices, the use of technology in the 21st century classroom, the roles of cultural competence and diversity in education and the theories and principles of psychology.

Use Foundational Skills With Modern Concepts to Become an Effective Educator

Bachelor’s degrees in education also require you to spend between 100 and 200 hours in quality practicum or field experiences prior to student teaching. If you are in a bachelor’s program that leads to licensure, you will begin student teaching after completing the required field experience hours. When student teaching, you have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, practice your professional dispositions and build relationships with schools, staff and teachers.

Graduates from Grand Canyon University's bachelor's in education online and campus programs may be prepared to become teachers in public, private and charter schools.

Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in Education From GCU

GCU offers reputable, convenient bachelor’s in education programs for you to earn your degree, start your career and have the opportunity to make a difference as a teacher. A bachelor’s in education from GCU can provide you with more than your degree, but a community of supportive, passionate, qualified educators and a curriculum integrated with a Christian worldview.

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GCU’s College of Education can provide you with essential knowledge and skills required for the challenging, diverse classrooms and district initiatives of modern education. Whether you dream of pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education for early childhood education, elementary education or special education, you will be taught the skills needed to build confidence and work toward achieving excellence as a teacher.

What are the benefits of earning your bachelor’s in education online? Enjoy the flexibility that comes from an online learning environment, while engaging with faculty and connecting with peers.

New residence halls, classroom buildings and popular dining options are some of the many perks GCU offers, so you can enjoy a college experience you find exciting and enriching while completing your major in education on campus.

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Early Childhood Education Major

Early childhood education focuses on teaching fine and large motor skills to infants and young children, as well as early reading, phonics and language acquisition. As an early childhood education major, you have the opportunity to nurture and teach children from birth through third grade. Our curriculum includes instructional strategies, teaching methodologies, assessment techniques, theories of early childhood growth and development, classroom engagement techniques and the impact of family and cultural diversity on early childhood.

Major in Educational Studies

As an educational studies major, you can study the fundamental knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact in the educational arena. In this program, you will examine pedagogical theories, laws, practices and analyze learning environments through a Christian perspective. You will work toward becoming a well-rounded professional in the education industry, working to drive positive change in various educational settings.

 

Types of Elementary Education Bachelor’s Degrees

Graduates of an elementary education degree bachelor’s degrees are looking to innovate and build relationships with students in grades K-8. Elementary teachers work with children in developing their academic, social and motor skills. As an elementary teacher, you can develop lesson plans and teaching strategies, teach lessons, lead discussions and learning experiences and assess students.

For aspiring teachers seeking an elementary education bachelor’s degree, GCU offers degree options that can prepare you to teach students at an elementary level. Focus your own studies on a STEM or reading emphasis and better prepare for teaching licensure and your future as an educator.

Dual Degrees for Special Education Majors

Special education is a field that continues to need extraordinary individuals to positively impact and teach students with special needs. The College of Education offers dual degree options for special education majors in both early childhood education and elementary education that can help you prepare for a potential career in education. As a special education major, you will explore how to assist students by implementing individualized education plans.

Bachelor’s Degrees in Education FAQs

Read through our frequently asked questions to help answer questions you may have about choosing a career as an educator and earning your bachelor’s degree in education.

While many graduates of a bachelor’s degree in education program go on to teach, there are a variety of other fields you may be interested in pursuing. By earning a bachelor’s in education online or on campus, you can earn many transferrable skills and show employers that you are thoughtful and organized, with a strong work ethic and leadership skills.

Many graduates with a bachelor’s degree in education choose to go into the field of education, often teaching in their own classroom for a public, private or charter school. Other graduates may choose to advance their education by pursuing a master's in education to potentially qualify for leadership positions within their school or school district.

The elementary education major at GCU requires 120 total credits for completion. Depending on your chosen modality, classes may be 15 or seven weeks in length. It is important to keep in mind that the bachelor’s degrees that lead to licensure require practicum or field experiences, in addition to approximately 16 weeks of student teaching.

Course material for special education majors covers a variety of related topics. Here are some topics you can expect to cover as a special education major:

  • Ethical and legal aspects of special education
  • Child development
  • Developmentally appropriate instruction
  • Language, literacy and communication
  • Child guidance and classroom management
  • Research-based instruction

You will also cover additional course material directly related to the specific level of education you will be teaching, for example, early childhood education or elementary education.

A secondary education major can prepare you to teach students in secondary grades, which includes grades six through 12. These programs commonly cover topics directly related to teaching students within this grade range, such as adolescent development, psychology of education, classroom management and technology-based educational practices.

The main difference between an early childhood education major and elementary education major lies in the age range of the students you will be teaching and interacting with. An early childhood education major focuses on curriculum that can prepare you to teach children from birth through grade three. Meanwhile, elementary education majors focus on learning to teach children in a K-8 setting.

The major that is best for you is dependent on the grade level you wish to work with and the material you want to cover. Specific coursework and topics covered in each program will vary according to what is appropriate for the grade level you are seeking to teach.

Aerial view of bachelor's in education degree graduate smiling with young students in classroom
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