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Enhance and refresh your knowledge in leading in the elementary and middle school classroom with the Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education program. This elementary education program, offered by Grand Canyon University’s College of Education, is designed to teach licensed teaching professionals how to refine instructional methods and expand their understanding of advanced content. The master’s in elementary education curriculum aims to cultivate educators who are well-informed and prepared to meet the diverse needs of both traditional and nontraditional school settings.
In the Master of Education in Elementary Education program, you review prescribed lesson strategies and assess classroom and individual plans to improve student outcomes. Through advanced research, you can propose solutions to current issues in education, such as student literacy and teaching English language learners. Observational practicums integrated into your program enhance your ability to teach and lead culturally and intellectually diverse kindergarten through eighth-grade classrooms.
By earning your degree from the College of Education at GCU, you are taking courses from a curriculum structured with a Christian worldview. This means that your lessons are thoughtful, intentional and engaging. This also allows you to instill principles of your faith through your work in the classroom, such as in your practicum/field experiences and student teaching.
Earn Your Master's Degree Online
As a busy professional, you can pursue your master’s in elementary education online at GCU to earn your degree without sacrificing other responsibilities. You will also have access to GCU’s online learning resources and supportive online learning community of faculty and peers.
The MEd in Elementary Education degree intertwines evidence-based theory with advanced teaching methods to improve learning. You will also be taught to evaluate instructional strategies for multiple content areas to develop a heightened understanding of a comprehensive education.
These areas include:
Structured English Emersion
English Language Arts
Social studies
Math and science
Throughout this MEd in Elementary Education degree program, you review the following topics:
You can also look forward to completing observational and practice-based experiences.
As a graduate of this master’s in elementary education degree program, you will have been taught the skills and the knowledge to position yourself to serve as an effective educator. Graduates may go on to pursue elementary education teaching positions within public, private and alternative educational settings.
Read through some of the most frequently asked questions to learn more about earning your elementary education master’s degree.
You may find a career in elementary education to be rewarding and fulfilling. However, if a candidate already holds a certification in the same degree area, the non-initial licensure versions of initial licensure programs are not appropriate for practicing teachers looking to further their career, knowledge or skills as they already hold a certification in the area covered by the program.
For those seeking a career in the field of kindergarten and elementary school teaching, this evolving and potentially rewarding career path may be worth your time and investment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates around 109,000 jobs for kindergarten and elementary school teachers to open each year from 2022 to 2032.1
Further, as parents and educators advocate for reduced class sizes, maintaining a consistent number of classes may necessitate an increased need for teachers in these schools.1
Master’s-level programs are designed to challenge you to deepen your previous knowledge of your field by teaching you more advanced concepts and useful skills that can be applied to your career. This program builds on your previous knowledge and allows you to apply your studies while working in the classroom. If you identify the areas that you find challenging, you can focus your energy on improving your weaknesses and prepare to excel in the program.
You must have a previous bachelor’s degree to be eligible for the MEd in Elementary Education program. To determine your eligibility and view more information on other GCU admissions requirements, visit our graduate admission requirements page.
To learn more about this program and start the enrollment process, fill out the form on this page to get in contact with a university counselor.
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 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 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, retrieved on Oct. 17, 2023.
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).
