Elementary education degrees may be beneficial for those who wish to become elementary school teachers. These professionals maintain the order of the classroom and teach students about various topics. They also prepare curriculum plans and evaluate the performance of the students to enable them to progress. The jobs of elementary teachers are usually stable and offer career benefits such as insurance, paid vacations, and retirement benefits.
A variety of elementary education degrees are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They are offered through traditional on-campus or online programs. Online programs may be less expensive as compared to traditional campus based programs. They also offer additional benefits. Flexible and self-paced online schedules suit professionals with busy work and family schedules. Also, they provide the opportunity to avoid time and costs related to travel to campuses. The types of degrees offered in elementary education may include:
Teaching Degrees
These programs provide teaching certification to professionals. They prepare graduates to be classroom teachers from kindergarten to sixth grade in both public and private schools. After bachelor's degree in elementary education, graduates may choose to earn a master's degree in elementary education as well.
Administrative degrees
Many institutes offer graduate level programs in educational administration and leadership. These programs provide administrative classes which enable students to pursue management roles in the education sector.
Specialist degrees
Several specialist degrees are offered which qualify teachers for teaching certification.
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
The bachelors program in elementary education provides teaching skills to students in the program. The objectives of the program may include the following:
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Provide in-depth knowledge of general education and major content courses for elementary education. The coursework may include natural sciences, English, mathematics, and social studies
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Provide information about teaching methods and how to apply them to a class
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Provide exposure of diverse skills that allow graduates to demonstrate their ability to work with children
The course work may cover the following areas:
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English Composition
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Oral Communication
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Social Sciences
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Analytical and Quantitative Thought
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Cultural Dimensions
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Arts and Humanities
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Natural Sciences
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Language Arts
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Visual Arts
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Classroom Management and Design
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Literacy Assessment
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Children's Literature
The above mentioned curriculum is for one program, so the exact course titles at others schools may be different. For details about the program you wish to enroll in, please consult with your college advisor.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from elementary education programs may pursue employment as elementary school teachers. They may also be able to apply for positions in counseling young students. Also, graduates may pursue various administration positions in educational settings. Other options include jobs such as instructional coordinators, librarians, reading specialists, curriculum developers, and mentors.
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers prepare young students for further schooling by teaching them fundamental subjects such as mathematics and arts. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary of kindergarten and elementary school teachers was $50,120 in May 2012. Also, the employment of these teachers is expected to grow by 12% from 2012 to 2022, according to BLS.