Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education
Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education
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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.
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:
Grand Canyon University is ranked No. 12 among the best master’s in elementary education online degrees in the United States.3
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
Estimated increase of jobs for kindergarten and elementary school teachers from 2021 to 20314
Median annual wage of kindergarten and elementary school teachers in May 20215
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.
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.
Yes, you can become a teacher with a master’s in elementary education. While many states do not necessarily require a master’s degree, earning your master’s like this MEd in Elementary Education can put you on a stronger path toward becoming a teacher.
After earning your degree, you will need to obtain a teaching license or certification in the state in which you plan on teaching. This typically involves passing an exam and completing a certain number of hours of student teaching or field experience. Once you are licensed, you can begin applying for teaching positions at elementary schools in your area. A master’s of education degree that leads to licensure like this elementary education master’s degree qualifies you for teaching in any state that requires it. A non-licensure degree is for any educator who plans on pursuing a career outside of the education system.
Generally speaking, a master's degree in elementary education is a challenging program that requires a significant amount of time and effort to complete. However, the level of difficulty of a master of education in elementary education degree program can vary depending on a variety of factors such as your background and experience in education, the program you choose and the rigor of the coursework.
In this program, you will be expected to engage with complex concepts and theories related to teaching, child development and educational research. You will also be required to complete assignments, exams and projects that require critical thinking, analysis and reflection, as well as complete a clinical field experience and in-person student-teaching work, which can be time-consuming and demanding. By showing commitment and putting in the necessary effort, you can create a positive influence on the lives of the children you will teach.
The best master of education in elementary education degree for you depends on your interests, career goals and the type of educational institution you wish to work in. If you are passionate about teaching and committed to helping others learn, be sure to research various programs and speak with professionals in the field to determine which degree will best suit your needs. In addition to this MEd in Elementary Education degree, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership is another great option if you are looking for a leadership position in schools or educational organizations. It focuses on developing skills in areas such as strategic planning, policy development and personnel management.
Yes. If you aspire to become a postsecondary or elementary school teacher, a tutor, an instructional assistant, an educator in a non-school setting or plan on pursuing leadership roles in the field of elementary education, this degree may support your career goals. Getting an MEd in Elementary Education usually involves some real teaching experience by working in actual classrooms alongside experienced teachers. This experience is valuable in helping you develop effective teaching skills and figure out what works best in practical teaching situations. Overall, this master’s in elementary education has the potential to support your career goals by providing advanced knowledge, specialized skills and the practical experience necessary for effective teaching and leadership roles.
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.
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.
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:
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
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
