Online Master of Education in Elementary Education – Teacher Certification

Ready to begin your career as a well-prepared certified teacher? With a master’s in elementary education, you’ll gain a foundation in teaching and content knowledge from experts in the field at Arizona State University. Our program prepares aspiring educators like you for success in today’s rapidly evolving educational environment.

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Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 05/16/2024


Total classes:

Total classes: 17

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 33

Degree questions, answered.

Have questions about the Elementary Education – Teacher Certification (MEd)? Fill out this form and we’ll get in touch!

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What is a master's in elementary education?

A master’s in elementary education is an academic program designed for aspiring educators who want to work with grades K–8. Plus, you’ll receive support from a top-ranked college of education to foster your growth as a teacher.

The Master of Education in elementary education – teacher certification program is for candidates who have a bachelor's degree in any field and want to teach grades K–8. Those employed as temporary or substitute teachers and non-education professionals looking to change careers may also benefit from this master’s in elementary education, which leads to formal teaching certification.

Aspiring educators in this program earn online teacher certification via two routes for added flexibility.

  • Traditional certification: This route allows you to take courses online while conducting internships and residencies on-site in local schools.
  • Alternative pathways certification: This route provides certification for individuals already working as a teacher of record on an Arizona Alternative Teaching Certificate (or equivalent in other states). If you’re interested in this route, you must secure a full-time teaching position before starting the program, allowing you to immediately put coursework into practice.

What skills will I learn in this master’s in elementary education?

 

In the master’s in elementary education – teacher certification program, you’ll gain extensive hands-on experience through professional placements and internships in varied school settings. Our curriculum connects theory and practice through quality instruction from university faculty who are actively engaged in the educational research community as well as school staff members.

The focus of the master’s in elementary education is action research, where you’ll apply what you explore in courses to your classroom instruction. Through this program, you’ll learn about communication, teacher leadership, classroom management, learning design, data literacy, inclusive teaching practices and more.

Does this degree certify me to teach grades K–8?

 

This degree qualifies you for an Arizona certification in elementary education K–8. However, you may still be required to pass exams required by the state. To learn more, visit the Arizona Department of Education. If you live outside of Arizona, you’ll need to check with your state’s teacher certification agency to ensure this degree meets the necessary requirements.

If you enroll in a program leading to initial teacher certification and commit to teaching in Arizona after graduation, you may be eligible for the Arizona Teachers Academy at ASU tuition scholarship.

Is teacher certification in elementary education worth it?

 

An elementary education master’s degree with certification equips aspiring educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a certified K–8 teacher.

A master’s in elementary education without certification is also meant for professionals looking to work with children aged K–8. However, students obtaining a degree without certification don’t want to become teachers. Rather, these students may want to fill other school-related positions, such as a teacher's aid or instructional assistant. Additionally, a master’s without certification doesn’t contain the same professional placements and hands-on opportunities offered through the certification program.

Professional licensure and certification

Professional licensure and certification: ASU offers programs that lead to professional licensure with the State of Arizona and may allow graduates to be eligible for licensure in other states. Please check our professional licensure page for Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College to determine if this program meets requirements in your state. Note that not all programs within the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College lead to professional licensure. Speak with an enrollment coach for more information.

Will my elementary education teacher certificate say 'online'?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.

Master’s degree courses in elementary education

This program’s curriculum combines core coursework with professional experiences in K–8 classroom settings, Educator Scholar Community courses and electives. Through this program, you’ll gain a foundation in teaching and become well versed in content knowledge. You’ll also complete a final applied research project in which you’ll have the opportunity to evaluate and identify an education challenge and design an intervention within your own classroom. Featured courses include:


Required

Creating Equitable Learning Environment: Decision-Making and Action


Required

Cultivating Networks of Culturally Responsive Relationships among Families, Communities and Cultures


Required

Exploration of Education: Child/Adolescent Development and Foundations of Special Education


Required

Instructional Design, Planning and Assessment


Required

Instructional Methods for Language and Literacy


Required

Integrated Humanities Methods and Assessment


Required

K–8 Mathematics Methods and Assessment


Required

Research and Evaluation in Education


What jobs can I get with a master’s in elementary education – teacher certification?

This master’s degree leading to teacher certification prepares students to start a career as a certified teacher in an elementary education setting. The successful completion of this program can lead to a variety of educational positions, such as:

Educator in non-school settings

Educator in public, charter or private schools

Elementary school teacher

Middle school teacher

Study with award-winning teaching professionals

The faculty of Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College draws from a range of academic disciplines – including cognitive science, psychology and economics – to gain insight into important questions about the process of learning, the practice of teaching and the effects of education policy. The faculty is committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments. Our teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.

Study with award-winning teaching professionals

The faculty of Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College draws from a range of academic disciplines – including cognitive science, psychology and economics – to gain insight into important questions about the process of learning, the practice of teaching and the effects of education policy. The faculty is committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments. Our teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.

Master’s in elementary education admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.

Please note: This program has an earlier application deadline than other online degrees offered by Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.

Application requirements

Additional application information

Join one of the best colleges of education in the nation

Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College brings people and ideas together to increase the capabilities of individual educators and the performance of education systems. According to U.S. News & World Report, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is the only U.S. college of education to rank in the top 15 in both on-campus and online graduate education degrees.

#2


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#3


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Top 5


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Top 10


best online master's in education programs.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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