Online Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree
Overview
Elementary school teachers may not rake in the dough—the median salary for educators at this level hovers around $51,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics—but those that work in the field readily admit they don’t do it for the money.
In fact, elementary education ranks among the top 10 majors that change the world, according to a survey by PayScale, an online salary database, and 75 percent of graduates with a bachelor’s in elementary education say their job makes the world a better place.
Coursework
| Available certifications | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special education | |||||||||
| English as a second language | |||||||||
| Gifted and talented education | |||||||||
Students pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in elementary education will learn how to engage and motivate students, assess student achievement, and solve problems in the classroom. The core curriculum for this program often includes courses such as instructional strategies, educational psychology, and elementary-level math, reading, and science.
An online elementary education degree can’t be earned entirely via the Web. Students are required to complete a student teaching component, where they spend several weeks working in an actual classroom under the supervision of an experienced teacher. Graduates must also earn their teaching license, with requirements for certification varying by state.
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Job Outlook
Despite budget cuts and school closures in some districts, the career outlook for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education is strong. The elementary school sector is expected to add nearly 250,000 new teaching positions by 2020, according to BLS data, with the greatest demand in urban and rural school districts. Teachers with expertise in special education and English as a second language are in short supply, so students can boost their job prospects by earning a certificate in one of those specialties, the BLS notes.
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