The Basics
Education is a popular major for college students, and with good reason. With a degree in this field, you can get a good-paying job that offers long-term benefits like retirement and paid vacation.
Working as an elementary teacher is also a highly rewarding career. Your position as a classroom teacher gives you the opportunity to help children develop the skills they will need to be successful in school and in life.
But working as an elementary classroom teacher is just one of many options you can pursue with a degree in elementary education.
Best Elementary Education Colleges in Texas
To find out how we rank colleges and universities, please click here.
Rank No. 1 – Texas Christian University
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Medium
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 9,689
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 13 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 97%
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 12
- Average Annual Cost: $39,942
- Median Earnings: $61,325
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 91%
- Average Debt: $21,150
- Default Rate: 4%
Rank No. 2 – Baylor University
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Medium
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 14,329
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 15 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 98%
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 16
- Average Annual Cost: $37,309
- Median Earnings: $60,512
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 89%
- Average Debt: $23,550
- Default Rate: 3%
Rank No. 3 – Abilene Christian University
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Medium
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 3,480
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 13 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 95%
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 28
- Average Annual Cost: $28,051
- Median Earnings: $49,294
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 78%
- Average Debt: $24,000
- Default Rate: 5%
Rank No. 4 – Texas Lutheran University
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Small
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 1,430
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 14 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 99%
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 42
- Average Annual Cost: $19,078
- Median Earnings: $51,215
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 71%
- Average Debt: $26,000
- Default Rate: 6%
Rank No. 5 – LeTourneau University
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Small
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 1,699
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 15 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 78%
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 30
- Average Annual Cost: $23,665
- Median Earnings: $52,123
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 79%
- Average Debt: $26,000
- Default Rate: 6%
Rank No. 6 – Texas A&M International University
- Institute Type: Public
- Institute Size: Medium
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 6,552
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 24 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 83%
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 76
- Average Annual Cost: $3,908
- Median Earnings: $46,823
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 76%
- Average Debt: $15,000
- Default Rate: 8%
Rank No. 7 – Dallas Baptist University
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Medium
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 2,736
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 14 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 83%
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 29
- Average Annual Cost: $25,301
- Median Earnings: $50,033
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 74%
- Average Debt: $20,500
- Default Rate: 7%
Rank No. 8 – Concordia University Texas
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Small
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 1,733
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 12 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 83%
- Acceptance Rate: 39%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 43
- Average Annual Cost: $25,079
- Median Earnings: $49,898
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 66%
- Average Debt: $22,560
- Default Rate: 7%
Rank No. 9 – McMurry University
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Small
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 1,049
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 11 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 91%
- Acceptance Rate: 46%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 56
- Average Annual Cost: $21,473
- Median Earnings: $45,756
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 67%
- Average Debt: $27,000
- Default Rate: 12%
Rank No. 10 – Howard Payne University
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Small
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 779
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 10 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 90%
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 37
- Average Annual Cost: $23,404
- Median Earnings: $43,756
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 47%
- Average Debt: $25,000
- Default Rate: 9%
Rank No. 11 – University of the Incarnate Word
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Medium
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 4,856
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 12 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 81%
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 48
- Average Annual Cost: $23,126
- Median Earnings: $48,532
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 74%
- Average Debt: $27,000
- Default Rate: 6%
Rank No. 12 – Hardin-Simmons University
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Small
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 1,588
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 15 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 96%
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 43
- Average Annual Cost: $20,041
- Median Earnings: $46,447
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 66%
- Average Debt: $24,644
- Default Rate: 6%
Rank No. 13 – University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Medium
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 3,310
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 17 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 93%
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 42
- Average Annual Cost: $26,856
- Median Earnings: $47,440
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 68%
- Average Debt: $26,000
- Default Rate: 7%
Rank No. 14 – East Texas Baptist University
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Small
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 1,373
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 14 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 92%
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 42
- Average Annual Cost: $21,789
- Median Earnings: $45,717
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 61%
- Average Debt: $23,250
- Default Rate: 8%
Rank No. 15 – Lubbock Christian University
- Institute Type: Private – Nonprofit
- Institute Size: Small
- No. of Undergraduate Students: 1,250
- Student-To-Faculty Ratio: 14 to 1
- Full-Time Students: 92%
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Socio-Economic Diversity: 34
- Average Annual Cost: $25,823
- Median Earnings: $43,733
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Retention Rate After 1st Year: 70%
- Average Debt: $20,836
- Default Rate: 6%
To find out how we rank colleges and universities, please click here.
What are the Benefits of an Elementary Education Degree?
Earlier, we discussed that being an elementary teacher can be highly rewarding. This is just one of many benefits of working in this field, though:
- Low education threshold – You only need a bachelor’s degree to become an elementary school teacher. In fact, many of the potential jobs outlined earlier can be had with just a four-year degree. However, the more experience you get in the classroom, the easier it will be for you to get higher-paying jobs.
- Good pay and benefits – Most elementary teachers have a nine or ten-month contract. They have weekends off, don’t have to work nights (usually, anyway), and typically get excellent benefits. While other jobs pay better, considering that teachers get summers off – plus holidays – the pay for this position is quite good. It’s difficult to beat the vacation time that teaching positions offer! You’ll have time off each weekend and throughout the year for holidays, spring break, fall break, and so forth.
- Many job opportunities – Teaching positions are often plentiful, and with the many different avenues you can take with this degree, you should have many options for a career. You can work in public or private schools, elementary or middle schools, or for private education companies. Some government agencies (like the Department of Education) also hire workers with a degree in this field.
- Opportunity to make a positive impact – One of the greatest benefits of being an elementary teacher is that it gives you opportunities day in and day out to have a positive impact on your students’ lives. Teachers not only help kids develop academically, but socially and emotionally as well. Each day you teach is a chance to make a difference in the lives of others, which is why this job can be so rewarding.
- Good job security – Teaching offers excellent job security. After all, teachers are an integral component of society, and as long as kids are born, there will be a need for teachers to teach them! Likewise, teachers earn tenure after a period of time, usually three or so years. After tenure is achieved, you’re guaranteed due process before being fired. If you demonstrate competence in the classroom and fulfill your job duties, you can expect to have a job for your entire working life.
- Automatic pay raises – Most school districts provide teachers with automatic pay raises with each year they work and for earning additional education. For example, many pay scales provide a bump in pay for earning 15 graduate school credits, 30 credits, 45 credits, and a master’s degree. Likewise, you’ll see an increase in pay after each year you teach. There are caps, though, so after 25 years on the job, you might not get a yearly bump in pay for an additional year of service.
- There’s a lot of autonomy – Classroom teachers aren’t their own bosses, but you still get a high level of autonomy. For example, you’ll get to develop assignments and activities for your students. You’ll likely have a say in the development of new curricular activities as well. The manner in which you structure your classroom is often left up to you as well.
What Can You Do With a Major in Elementary Degree?
Elementary Classroom Teacher
As noted above, a degree in elementary education is an ideal stepping stone to becoming an elementary classroom teacher.
Elementary teachers are responsible for a wide range of tasks. You’ll develop lesson plans, build assessments, and grade students’ assignments. You’re also responsible for creating a curriculum that meets state education standards.
Of course, classroom teachers must also praise and discipline students, organize their classroom for assignments and activities, and consult with other education professionals to ensure the classroom environment is rich and supportive.
Elementary classroom teachers also work closely with the parents and guardians of their students. By having a good working relationship with students’ families, classroom teachers are better able to give each child the support they need to be successful in and out of the classroom.
Middle School Classroom Teacher
In most states, an elementary education endorsement qualifies you to teach kindergarten through the sixth, seventh, or eighth grades. So, with an elementary education degree, you can be a middle school classroom teacher if you prefer to work with older children.
Like elementary classroom teachers, your primary duties as a middle school teacher revolve around instructional design, classroom management, and other typical classroom teacher tasks, like grading papers and tests.
Since middle school involves older children, you might have additional responsibilities. For example, many middle schools have sports teams and extracurricular clubs, so you might be required to oversee an after-school activity as part of your teaching assignment.
Teaching Assistant
If you’re not quite ready to have a classroom of your own, or if you want part-time work, your degree in elementary education qualifies you to be a teaching assistant.
Teaching assistants provide support to classroom teachers in many different forms. In elementary classes, teaching assistants can help supervise children, oversee classroom activities, and assist with assignments and assessments.
Additionally, teaching assistants often work one-on-one with students that need extra help. For example, a teaching assistant might read assignment instructions aloud to a student that has dyslexia.
Teaching assistants also often monitor lunch periods and recess, complete office-related tasks like making copies of assignments for teachers, and might even fill in as a substitute teacher when the classroom teacher is gone.
Instructional Support Specialist
Another option for you if you have an elementary education degree is to focus on instructional support for classroom teachers.
Many schools hire instructional support specialists to design and implement curriculum activities. So, for example, you might build a fifth-grade social studies curriculum that each fifth-grade teacher in the school implements in their classroom.
As part of your duties, you would devise a complete curriculum that includes individual lessons, activities and assignments, and formative and summative assessments, to name a few. Then, you would be available to classroom teachers to support the implementation of the curriculum and answer any questions they have.
Instructional Designer
An instructional designer is much like an instructional support specialist in that they also develop curriculum materials for classroom teachers.
The primary difference between the two is that instructional designers might not work within a school district. Instead, you might work in the online education or corporate education niches to build materials for out-of-the-box educational programs. You might also be asked to revise older curricula, create training manuals for existing education programs, or provide other support for customers.
Education Consultant
Many school districts hire education consultants to help with an array of school issues. Consultants might be brought in to:
- Evaluate curricula
- Assess teaching practices
- Teach new techniques to teachers
- Implement new teaching methods
- Implement student-centered programs, like behavior intervention programs
This isn’t a complete list of what education consultants might do, but it gives you a good idea of what working as a consultant might entail.
Often, consultants are brought in to work with teachers and administrators on inservice days. However, in some cases, you might be in the classroom working directly with teachers and students.
Usually, this is a job for experienced teachers. Be aware that if you want to be an education consultant, you’ll likely need at least five years of classroom teaching experience.
Education Writer
With a degree in elementary education and some experience in the classroom, you will build enough expertise to work as an education writer.
Many education writers work for large companies or organizations, like the National Education Association, to provide education-related content for students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders.
Like the consultant job described in the previous section, this is not a job typically available for new graduates. Instead, you’ll need to get some classroom teaching experience to develop your skill set enough that you can competently write about education topics for others.
What Courses Do You Learn in an Elementary Education Degree?
Over the course of your elementary education degree program, you’ll take dozens of classes that prepare you for the jobs outlined above. And while every program is a little different, there are some core education courses that are common to most, if not all, elementary education degrees.
Below is a list of eight of these common courses. Bear in mind that this is just a partial list:
- Child development – This course guides you in learning about human development, including the major milestones that elementary-aged students achieve in their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. You’ll learn about education-related topics as well, including principles of learning, motivation, and communication. These courses examine specific theories of development, too. This often includes discussions of Freud’s psychosexual theory of development, Erickson’s psychosocial theory, and Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory, to name a few.
- Classroom management – All elementary education degree programs include at least one course in classroom management. These classes focus on the methods and techniques you can use to maintain an orderly, organized, and inclusive classroom environment. Some of the topics you’ll explore include discipline procedures, community building exercises, and effective communication techniques.
- Educational psychology – This course explores theories of child development as well as educational psychology theories and practices. You’ll learn how to engage with students, design effective learning activities, and explore basic psychological theories of learning. You’ll also learn how to build a classroom environment that’s supportive, equitable, and effective. There is often a practicum component to this course, which places you in a real-world classroom setting to observe an experienced teacher.
- Family engagement – These courses help you develop the skills necessary to work closely with students’ families. You’ll learn methods for building positive relationships with parents and guardians. You’ll also discuss possible barriers to parental involvement, and learn strategies you can implement to overcome those barriers. These courses often include a community engagement component as well. By including community members in the educational process, you can develop an even richer learning environment for your students.
- Elementary mathematics and science – As an elementary teacher, you need essential math and science skills. While you likely won’t need to take trigonometry, calculus, physics, and other upper-level math and science courses, your elementary math and science courses will cover these and many other topics.
- Elementary English/language arts/literacy – You’ll be responsible for helping children develop the ability to speak, read, and write at grade level. This requires that you have a strong understanding of the English language and can demonstrate effective strategies of communication with children. You’ll learn strategies for building literacy while working with students individually, in small groups, and in a whole-class setting.
- Elementary social studies – This course gives you the background you need to teach elementary-aged students about critical social topics. You’ll explore history, government, and economics. You’ll also learn about social justice, educational equity, and multiculturalism.
- Student teaching – All elementary education degree programs include a student teaching requirement. Typically, you’ll spend at least one semester in a classroom working with students. You’ll be supervised by at least one experienced teacher, who will share their expertise with you and provide guidance that will help you master the art of teaching elementary-aged children.
What is an Online Elementary Education Degree?
Online elementary education degrees have become more and more popular in recent years. Since you can complete your courses online, these programs offer a greater level of flexibility than traditional on-campus elementary degrees.
Despite this difference, online degrees are extremely similar to on-campus elementary education programs. For example, most colleges and universities offer the same classes taught by the same professors both online and in person.
Additionally, the credits and timeframe for an online degree are the same as an on-campus program. Most elementary education degrees require about 120-semester credits, which takes about four years to complete, provided you attend school full-time.
Moreover, online elementary education degree programs still require that you complete a student teaching assignment. As noted earlier, student teaching usually takes place over the course of at least one semester. In some instances, student teachers get to choose which school or schools they work at. In other instances, student teachers are assigned to specific schools that have an existing working relationship with the college or university.
Either way, you’ll develop the same knowledge and skills in an online education program as you would if you studied on campus. This, in turn, prepares you for a long and fruitful career in education.