Most of us have had that special teacher. Perhaps it was the one who helped bridge the difficult journey from the familiar safety of home to the unknown world of the classroom. Or maybe that memorable teacher was the one who sparked a passion for pedagogy. If you aspire to teach young children, you are already aware that elementary school teachers are responsible for teaching a broad array of subjects. In a typical school day, you would take your class through all the core subjects, such as language, math, science, social studies, reading, and writing. Your undergraduate degree will prepare you for such a curriculum, along with courses on classroom management, the fundamentals of education, and other relevant topics. Your education will culminate in a semester of practice teaching in a real classroom under the guidance of a certified teacher.
This important career can be yours even if you find yourself unable to attend a traditional, brick-and-mortar institution for four years. To address this prevalent problem, many academic colleges and universities have partnered with community colleges through programs that allow students to transfer after graduation to one that offers online courses for the remainder of the bachelor’s degree. Several of the schools in this list operate within these guidelines. The diploma you would receive at the end of your coursework will be exactly like the one awarded to students who sit in regular classrooms, usually under the tutelage of the same professors who teach your online courses.
All 50 states require public education teachers to have licenses that show graduation from an approved teacher education program, and the following online colleges and universities more than meet those standards. These institutions have been researched and evaluated in regard to the programs they offer according to the rubrics in the charts shown. When a tie occurs, points are given based on lower tuition rates.
Student to Faculty Ratio:
- 10 and under – 5 points
- 15 and under – 4 points
- 20 and under – 3 points
- 35 and under – 2 points
- 50 and under – 1 point
- $200 and Under – 5 points
- $300 and Under – 4 points
- $400 and Under – 3 points
- $500 and Under – 2 points
- $600 and Under – 1 point
- Top 200 – 5 points
- Top 600 – 4 points
- Top 1,000 – 3 points
- Top 1,400 – 2 points
- Top 1800 – 1 point
Hourly Tuition:
Payscale.com College ROI Ranking
Regional Accreditation:5 points
#10 – Saint Mary of the Woods College
Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana
BS in Education – K-6/Mild Intervention Online
Faculty to Student Ratio: 8 to 1
US News Ranking: 233rd (tie)
Hourly Tuition:$500
Payscale ROI Ranking: Not ranked
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 12
Website
Saint Mary of the Woods College has a 120 credit hour, online bachelor of science in education – K-6/mild intervention degree. The dual licensure program ensures that you are prepared to teach K-6 or K-6 Special Education (Mild Intervention) classes. The curriculum consists of three parts: educational core, 15 hours; developmental level and content courses, 51 hours; and clinical experiences, 19 hours. Courses from the developmental and content area include understanding mild disabilities, science of reading, and real world application in the social studies. Admission to Saint Mary of the Woods College’s bachelor of science in education online requires no application fee.
#9 – East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
BS in Education Online
Faculty to Student Ratio: 19 to 1
US News Ranking: 150th (tie)
Hourly Tuition:$185
Payscale ROI Ranking: Not ranked
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 13
Website
Through Partnership East, a collaboration with North Carolina community colleges, East Carolina University has a bachelor of science in education degree. After earning a degree at a community college, students will transition to ECU and enroll in online classes. The program has three available concentrations: elementary education; middle grades education; and special education, which may be either General Curriculum or Adapted Curriculum. The application fee for East Carolina University’s BS in education is $75, and students must have access to the technology required as described in the Technology Requirement. Practice teaching will be done in public school classrooms.
#8 – University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa
BA in Elementary Education Online
Faculty to Student Ratio: 18 to 1
US News Ranking: not ranked
Hourly Tuition:$320
Payscale ROI Ranking:845th
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 14
Website
The University of Northern Iowa aptly terms their online BA in elementary education degree as the “2 Plus 2” program. Students will take two years of coursework at a Des Moines Area community college in Ankeny or Carroll and then two years of online courses, with some face-to-face instruction at UNI’s Cedar Rapids campus. All coursework should be taken in order as part of Cohort Group experiences. The University of Northern Iowa charges no application fee. Coursework for the BA in elementary education degree includes methods of early childhood literacy, mathematical reasoning for elementary teachers, and schools and American society.
#7 – Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah
BA in Elementary Education Online
Faculty to Student Ratio: 41 to 1
US News Ranking: not ranked
Hourly Tuition:$294
Payscale ROI Ranking: 595th
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 14
Western Governors University has a forty-course, online BA in elementary education degree. The curriculum requires 75 hours of in-classroom observation and 12-20 weeks of demonstration teaching. You’ll be expected to complete at least 12 competency units (CU’s) per six-month term. Western Governors University provides on their school website an explanation of CU’s as well as the state-specific licensure requirements for all 50 states. The admissions office asks for the usual transcripts and a $65 application fee. On average, students transfer 28 credits into WGU’s BA in elementary education online program.
#6 – University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina
Online BA in Elementary Education
Faculty to Student Ratio: 18 to 1
US News Ranking: 8th (tie)
Hourly Tuition:$234
Payscale ROI Ranking: 1115th
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 14
Website
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) offers a BA in elementary education degree with concentrations that include ESL, early childhood, fine arts, and social studies. A full-time advisor is on staff to assist with course selection, transition to UNCW, and BA degree completion. The 124 credit hour program is 100% online and is a partnership with Coastal Carolina Community College. Students receive their associate degree from CCCC and then transfer to UNCW. Application for the BA in elementary education must be made to the University of North Carolina Wilmington and also to the Watson College of Education, and the fee is $80.
#5 – Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Online BS in Education
Faculty to Student Ratio: 11 to 1
US News Ranking: 84th (tie)
Hourly Tuition:$513
Payscale ROI Ranking:134th
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 15
Website
The 180 quarter credit hour, online BS in education degree program offered by Drexel University has two specializations: PK – 4 elementary education certification; and special education certification. The PK-4 curriculum includes child development, language development, and early literacy and math foundations. The special education coursework covers understanding complexities of the disabled learner’s needs, modifying a curriculum, and using technology to address the learner’s needs. Twelve consecutive weeks of full-day student teaching are required. To apply for the online BS in education degree program, submit copy of high school diploma. Drexel University charges a $50 application fee.
#4 – University of Nebraska Kearney
Kearney, Nebraska
BA in Education, Early Childhood Inclusive Online
Faculty to Student Ratio: 14 to 1
US News Ranking:
Hourly Tuition:$255
Payscale ROI Ranking: 1282nd
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 15
Website
The University of Nebraska Kearney offers an online, 120 credit hour BA in education, early childhood inclusive. The term “inclusive” specifies birth to age 5 in special education settings and birth to age 8 in regular education settings. Professional sequence courses include inclusive practices for students with exceptionalities in Pre-K – 8 classrooms. Fifty credit hours of program specific courses must be taken, and two such courses are literacy methods for pre-school teachers and supporting young children through family and community involvement. The University of Nebraska Kearney online BA in education, early childhood inclusive degree asks for ACT/SAT scores, transcripts, and a $45 application fee.
#3 – Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
Online BS in Elementary Education
Faculty to Student Ratio: 18 to 1
US News Ranking: 42nd (tie)
Hourly Tuition:$218.67
Payscale ROI Ranking: 975th
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 15
Website
Fort Hays State University offers a 127 credit hour, online BS in elementary education degree that qualifies candidates to seek licensure in teaching kindergarten through 6th grade. The curriculum is divided into three areas: major courses, 14 credit hours; internship and methods courses, 21 credit hours; and student teaching, 12 credit hours. Coursework includes education of exceptional students, classroom management, children’s literature, instructional technology for elementary teachers, and mathematics methods. Fort Hays State University requires a 2.75 overall GPA, a national background check, and a $30 application fee for admission to the school’s BS in elementary education program.
#2 – University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts
Online BA, Early Childhood Education Concentrations
Faculty to Student Ratio: 18 to 1
US News Ranking: 2oth (tie)
Hourly Tuition:$390
Payscale ROI Ranking:200th
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 16
The University of Massachusetts – Amherst offers a 120 credit hour BA early childhood education concentrations degree that is 100% online. The program is for students who determine to complete their bachelor degree and who have already accumulated a minimum of 12 college credits (up to 105) with a 2.0 GPA, but who must NOT have already earned a bachelor’s degree from a US college/university. Courses include multicultural education, early childhood curriculum, and math and science methods. To apply to the University of Massachusetts – Amherst for their online BA early childhood education concentrations, submit required documents and a $47 application fee.
#1 – Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
Online BS Elementary Education
Faculty to Student Ratio: 16 to 1
US News Ranking: 93rd (tie)
Hourly Tuition:$163
Payscale ROI Ranking: 995th
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Points: 17
Website
The 128 credit hour BS elementary education degree offered by Appalachian State University is an online and hybrid program. All undergraduate online degrees are transfer programs, offering junior and senior level coursework, and at least 67 hours must be taken at the Boone campus, with a minimum of 30 credit hours needed to transfer in. The slogan for App State Online is “Keep your life . . . change your future.” Appalachian State University’s online BS elementary education degree mandates 44 credit hours for general education courses, 24 hours for professional education, and 49 hours for the major. Admission requires 2.70 GPA.
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