Online Elementary Education Programs
Prepare for Your Teaching Career or Licensure
Our online elementary education programs are designed to help you prepare for a variety of careers within kindergarten and elementary school, including preparing you to earn your initial teacher licensure. Most education programs offer field experiences; however, those leading to licensure involve more hours of in-depth hands-on learning. We’re here to support you every step of the way as you work toward your teaching career and strive to make a lasting impact on the lives of young students.
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I got to engage in deeper level thinking and critical thinking with my peers, and I developed a really awesome relationship with my tutor and with my directors.
GCU’s Online Degrees for Elementary Education
Our online degrees in elementary education offer a flexible path to certification, equipping you with the skills to pursue roles in the classroom. Online programs reflect the same educational standards as on-campus offerings, with opportunities to learn from experienced instructors and engage with diverse peers.
Bachelor’s
An online bachelor’s degree in elementary education offers a solid foundation for starting your career in education. We provide a variety of online pathways, allowing you to choose the one that best aligns with your goals.
Online elementary education degrees for bachelor’s students include:
Master’s
Earning an online master’s degree in elementary education can help you build skills that may expand your career possibilities and deepen your impact as an educator. You’ll be taught advanced, innovative teaching methods that can support your efforts to influence the next generation of learners.
Online master’s degrees for elementary education include:
Doctoral
GCU offers online doctoral degrees for experienced educators ready to lead and innovate in the field. These advanced online programs emphasize research, transformative practices and strategic leadership, providing flexibility.
Online doctoral education programs include:
- Organizational Leadership EdD: K-12 Leadership Emphasis (Qualitative)
- Organizational Leadership EdD: K-12 Leadership Emphasis (Quantitative)
- Organizational Leadership EdD: Special Education Emphasis (Qualitative)
- Organizational Leadership EdD: Special Education Emphasis (Quantitative)
- EdS in K-12 Leadership
- EdS in Teaching & Learning
At GCU, the quality of education extends beyond the convenience of online classes; it’s about surrounding yourself with people who support you.
Career Possibilities After Graduation
Online elementary education courses can help you prepare for a career teaching young learners in public and private elementary and secondary schools. They help you identify students' strengths and needs, enabling you to tailor content and instruction to diverse interests while fostering an inclusive, engaging learning environment that supports all students' growth.
Elementary education graduates may be prepared to pursue careers such as:
Elementary school teacher
Special education teacher
Teaching assistant
Online Learning Benefits for Aspiring and Working Teachers
Online students can still experience the sense of community found in a traditional campus setting. Our Learning Management System is built to keep you connected, offering interactive discussion forums and collaborative projects. Whether you're engaging with classmates, sharing ideas or reaching out to your professor for extra support, you'll have plenty of opportunities to stay engaged and build meaningful connections. Whether you're balancing work, family or both, our online programs offer the support, instruction and community to help you move forward — on your schedule.
Admission Requirements
The College of Education offers a straightforward admission process tailored to each program, with requirements varying based on your chosen path and whether you study online or on campus. Whether you are a new college student or transferring from another school, we will guide you through the admission process and answer your questions about life as a Lope. Our admission team is here to support you every step of the way.
University Accreditation
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968 and is proud to prioritize quality education and comprehensive instruction. The College of Education shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies. These standards help guide our commitment to developing skilled and knowledgeable educators through our online teaching and education degrees.
Innovative Courses
As an online student, you’ll take interactive courses that build the skills needed for a career in teaching and educational leadership. Through virtual classrooms, multimedia content and collaborative discussions, you’ll engage with coursework that balances theory and practical application. With flexible course options, online learning resources and dedicated support, GCU can help you stay connected with instructors and peers.
Online Learning Resources
Through our Learning Management System, you can engage with peers and professors in forums and group projects, while also using tools like eBooks, calendar reminders and technical support. Dedicated student services counselors are here to guide you throughout your academic journey.
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).
Visit the "State Disclosures" section on the page of the program you’re interested in at gcu.edu for details on state restrictions.
1 Alumni from 1961 to Mar. 21, 2024. Includes students who have graduated or completed their program. This does not include students in Bridge Programs, High School Dual Enrollment, NonDegree Studies or Continuing Education. Alumni count is based on count of unique graduates. If a student completed more than one program within the timeframe stated, they are only counted as one graduate.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers as of May 2023, retrieved April 7, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as kindergarten and elementary school teachers, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or 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. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
3 Sun, K.L. (2025, April 4). Do Employers Care About College Accreditation? Yes — Here’s Why. Accredited Schools Online. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
Our online education degrees are designed to provide the skills and tools needed to help make a lasting impact on the next generation of young learners.