Best Online Elementary Education Degree Programs in 2023

The duration of time to earn an online elementary education degree primarily depends on the degree level you choose. An associate degree typically takes two years of full-time study, whereas a bachelor’s degree can take up to four years. Some certificate programs can be completed within one year, while a master’s degree can take anywhere from one to three years after completing a bachelor’s degree, depending on the program and school.

It also depends on whether you choose part-time or full-time. In that case, an associate degree could take up to four years instead of two, and the bachelor’s degree could take a few years beyond the typical four. To make matters even more interesting, consider that some programs – especially those at the master’s level – offer the accelerated option, during which you dive into schoolwork with the purpose of overloading a class schedule and finishing early.

Some states deem “certification” to mean a graduate has attained all the necessary elements to become a teacher, such as earning a bachelor’s degree and completing supervised classroom work. Other states use “certification” and “licensure” interchangeably. The bottom line is that certification or licensure is only possible with completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher. Therefore, an associate degree program will not lead to certification. When choosing a program online, make sure your program helps prepare you to earn a teaching license in your state; this fact may vary from one college to another, so double-checking before enrollment will save a lot of frustration down the road.

Each state sets its own rules for licensure or certification. As mentioned earlier, sometimes licensure and certification are interchangeable. In some states, those who earn certification are allowed to teach students on a limited basis; this provisional teaching certificate lets them begin work while completing the requirements to earn their license. Each state varies, but the general rule of thumb is that certification is the first step – or an additional step – to the gold standard of obtaining professional licensure.

The grade level an individual can teach in elementary school depends on their degree level and whether they work full-time or part-time. Typically, elementary schools cater to students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. Full-time teachers may find themselves teaching students in any of those grades, while part-time teachers may assist full-time teachers by moving between classrooms. Individuals with an associate degree or certificate may work as teacher aides or support personnel and may be assigned to various grade levels each day.

The salary elementary school teachers can expect depends on a variety of factors, such as the degree level they hold, whether they work full-time or part-time, and even the particular area of the country in which they work. With those caveats in mind, the chart below provides an idea of what elementary school teachers might make, from the lowest income to the highest in the profession.

As with any other higher education program, figuring out the cost of tuition can help you plan for handling the financial bottom line. Each school will vary based on numerous internal factors, so it’s very difficult to provide a ballpark figure on tuition cost. However, the following chart will give you an idea of the different options out there and how they might affect your finances.

Bachelor’s degree:

Master’s degree: