Best Bachelor's in Elementary Education Programs in Georgia

Spelman College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education on its Atlanta, Georgia campus, a CAEP accredited program approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Students study curriculum design, reading diagnosis, and urban education, then complete a student teaching capstone supported by seminar courses. The program prepares graduates for teacher certification in grades PreK-5 and emphasizes preparing teachers as change agents in urban Atlanta schools. Among Georgia's 32 ranked bachelor's-level programs, this one posts the highest graduation rate at 78%. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

The University of West Georgia's Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach the youngest learners, from Pre-K through Grade 5. Based in the Department of Early Childhood through Secondary Education, most coursework unfolds face-to-face on the Carrollton campus, though the Newnan site and a handful of online courses give students some added flexibility. Candidates grow into the role gradually, moving through a sequence of practicums before a culminating teaching internship, and the program folds in a concentration in mathematics and reading. That progression means students spend real time in classrooms rather than only reading about them. Completing the degree leads to Georgia T-4 certification, the standard credential for a new elementary teacher. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Kennesaw State University's Bagwell College of Education offers a Bachelor of Science (BSEd) in Elementary Education leading to P-5 licensure. The program builds a foundation in mathematics, reading, child development, and inclusive teaching strategies, with an emphasis on developmentally appropriate practices and diverse learning needs. Candidates complete a yearlong clinical placement for hands-on classroom experience. Credit load, endorsements, and program accreditation were not published on the reviewed pages. It awards more bachelor's-level elementary education degrees than any of Georgia's 32 ranked bachelor's-level programs, 192 in the most recent year. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Clark Atlanta University's Elementary Education, B.A. is a licensure pathway that prepares candidates to teach in grades P-5. Offered through the School of Education, it carries students through roughly 122 credit hours, with about half devoted to the major, and asks a lot of its classroom preparation: a 16-week full-time pre-service placement paired with a weekly seminar that helps candidates reflect on what they are learning in the field. The program is CAEP accredited, and its educator certification offerings are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission at both initial and advanced levels. Taken together, the coursework and extended placement give future teachers a steady bridge from theory into a real elementary classroom. It suits candidates who want a clear, well-supported route into Georgia public school teaching. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Georgia College and State University's Elementary Education, B.S. prepares candidates for a Pre-K through 5th grade teaching certificate and folds a Reading Endorsement directly into the degree. What sets it apart is its close-knit, field-based cohort model, in which the Department of Teacher Education keeps groups small and professors work alongside students as advisors, field supervisors, and mentors while candidates rotate through integrated classroom experiences. Students also have a well-equipped makerspace at hand, with tools such as drones, 3D printers, a Glowforge, and assistive technologies for designing lessons. The program earned CAEP accreditation in May 2022. With so much time spent in real classrooms, many candidates receive teaching offers before they even graduate. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Wesleyan College offers an Elementary Education major in Macon, Georgia, awarded as a BA or BS and leading to state teacher certification. The program is taught on campus. Students in the major automatically earn a minor in reading through the required coursework, building preparation in literacy instruction alongside general elementary teaching. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Mercer University designs its Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary/Special Education for future teachers who want to serve a wide range of learners from the start, blending two fields into one degree. Offered through the Tift College of Education, the program prepares candidates for initial certification in grades P-5 and leads to Level 4 induction certification through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission once required assessments are passed. Its hybrid format mixes synchronous and asynchronous online instruction with three to four field experiences in local Georgia schools, so candidates gain real classroom practice while keeping a flexible schedule. Students who want added literacy expertise can pursue an embedded reading endorsement. Together these pieces make for a practical, dual-focused route into elementary teaching. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Georgia's elementary school teachers.

Georgia Southern University's Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education prepares students to teach the P-5 grades, a span that runs from the earliest learners through the upper elementary years. Across 124 credit hours, candidates move from classroom practicums into a capstone student teaching internship, then sit for the GACE Elementary Education exam on the way to Georgia certification. The program is flexible in place, offered on the Statesboro, Armstrong, and Liberty campuses through a College of Education that holds CAEP accreditation. A distinctive extra is the Eagle E.D.G.E. program, which opens the door to paid residencies and professional development. Together these pieces make for a well-supported, experience-rich route into elementary teaching. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Georgia.

LaGrange College's B.A. in Elementary Education, offered through the Education Department, prepares candidates for Georgia K-5 initial teacher certification. The program is cohort-based: students declare intent to become teacher education candidates by spring of freshman year, begin the major in spring of sophomore year, and must pass the Program Admissions Test before fall of junior year to receive Georgia's pre-service certificate. Candidates complete at least 725 hours of supervised field experiences in diverse school settings, culminating in a year-long senior student teaching placement using a co-teaching model with a clinical faculty mentor. Programs are accredited by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Reinhardt University offers an Elementary Education B.S. through the Price School of Education, leading to Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Five (P-5) certification. The on-campus program uses a staged admission model, requiring at least 30 field-experience hours before Stage I, an additional 30 before Stage II, and documentation of at least 100 total hours by Stage III for clinical residency. Candidates must complete mandatory coursework including ENG 101, ENG 102, COM 108, PSY 101, EDU 225, and EDU 230. The program applies the Differentiated Approaches to Teaching Assessment (DATA) Instructional Model, and Reading and Dyslexia Endorsements are available. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Toccoa Falls College's on-campus Elementary Education degree, offered as a B.A. or B.S., prepares candidates to teach preschool through fifth grade and leads to Georgia certification. The 128-hour program blends a broad general education foundation, including 15 hours of Bible and Theology, with 55 hours of education coursework, reflecting the college's faith-centered approach to teacher training. Its standout feature is a full-year, paid student teaching internship with Stephens County School District in which candidates serve as teacher of record for their own class, a level of responsibility that goes well beyond typical placements. The curriculum is built on Georgia's TAPS performance framework and adds ESOL and Reading endorsements, broadening what graduates are prepared to teach. The program holds Georgia Professional Standards Commission approval, and the institution now operates as University of Toccoa Falls. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Covenant College's Elementary Education (P-5) program leads to Georgia teacher certification through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and, distinctively, also qualifies graduates for ACSI certification used in Christian school settings. Field experience is woven in early, as students begin observing and working in classrooms as freshmen through an Introduction to Teaching course carrying 30 hours, and the sequence builds toward a senior field experience and supervised clinical placement, each following a required background check. Housed in the Education Department, the program lets elementary majors add a special education endorsement to broaden the ages and needs they are ready to serve. A dedicated teacher placement service supports graduates by maintaining credentials files, hosting recruitment events, and sharing graduate directories with schools. It is a hands-on, classroom-first path into P-5 teaching. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Georgia's elementary school teachers.

Fort Valley State University takes an integrated approach with its Early Childhood/Special Education major, preparing undergraduates to teach in elementary classrooms while also learning to support students with disabilities. That dual focus reflects the reality that today's teachers rarely work with a single kind of learner. Housed in the Teacher Education Department, the program sends candidates into area classrooms to plan, implement, and assess lessons alongside practicing teachers, so theory is tested against everyday practice. The on-campus path leads toward Georgia teacher certification. By blending general and special education preparation from the outset, it aims to graduate teachers ready for the full mix of students an elementary room can hold. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Clayton State University in Morrow, GA offers a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education that leads to P-5 teacher certification, covering Pre-K through grade 5 classrooms. The program builds toward a capstone Early Childhood Practicum and Early Childhood Internship, giving students structured classroom experience in partnership with area county school systems before graduation. Coursework and certification requirements align with Georgia Professional Standards Commission standards. Students in Clayton State's elementary education program work with a Teacher Education Advisory Council that helps connect coursework to real P-5 classroom practice. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Valdosta State University's Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach the early and middle grades. Delivered on campus through the Dewar College of Education and Human Services, the program combines coursework in general and inclusive education with senior-year field experiences, including an apprenticeship and a semester of student teaching in P-5 classrooms. Completion leads to Georgia T-4 certification in Elementary Education for grades P-5. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Young Harris College's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education prepares candidates for initial teacher certification in Georgia and builds toward the classroom across 120 hours of study. Offered through the Department of Education, the degree balances general education and electives, including two PALS courses, with 56 hours of program coursework focused on the work of teaching. Its capstone is a full-time student teaching internship that places candidates in nearby public school systems, where they work under both an experienced certified teacher and a clinical practice supervisor for close mentorship. Certification is granted through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission once the teacher preparation is complete. For those who want to keep going, the college also offers a Master of Arts in Teaching that reaches professional certification at the master's level in under twelve months. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Point University's Elementary Education degree, available as either a B.A. or B.S., prepares educators to teach prekindergarten through fifth grade and leads to Georgia certification. Delivered through the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, it gets candidates into classrooms early, opening the junior year with three semesters of teacher education coursework tied to field experiences before a dedicated student teaching semester. That capstone placement is completed predominantly in Troup County Schools, giving candidates sustained time in a local public elementary setting. The teacher preparation is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, a state program approval rather than CAEP accreditation. Throughout, the program integrates a Christian, biblical worldview into how future teachers are formed, shaping both the coursework and the approach to the classroom. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, GA offers a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education built for paraprofessionals and career changers, with coursework delivered fully online and asynchronously. The program leads to Georgia P-5 teacher certification and meets Georgia Professional Standards Commission requirements, with concentrations in reading and mathematics. Students complete field experiences each semester, culminating in a full-time classroom placement for student teaching. Paraprofessionals already working in schools can often use their current position to satisfy field placement requirements. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Georgia.

The University of North Georgia's Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education takes an unusually integrated approach, combining elementary and special education into a single dual major that leads to joint certification for grades P-5. Housed in the College of Education, the 127-hour program admits one cohort each fall and immerses candidates in schools early, with placements beginning in the junior year and building to a full-time spring internship. Along the way, students spend at least three full days a week in partner classrooms before gradually assuming a teacher's complete responsibilities. The degree also folds in a Reading Endorsement and invites candidates into undergraduate research and grant work, adding depth beyond the standard curriculum. Coursework runs on the Cumming, Dahlonega, and Gainesville campuses, with online options for added flexibility. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Andrew College, located in Cuthbert, GA, offers a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BSEE) that leads to initial teacher certification in Georgia. The program prepares candidates to teach pre-kindergarten through grade five (P-5) and builds in a P-12 Reading Endorsement, giving graduates added credentials in literacy instruction. Candidates must pass or exempt the GACE Program Admission Assessment to enter teacher education, then pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) to earn licensure. This elementary education degree combines coursework in pedagogy and diverse learning needs with a path to classroom certification. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Thomas University in Thomasville, GA offers a B.S. in Elementary Education that prepares candidates for PK-5 teacher certification. Students gain early and frequent field experience, co-teaching alongside a master teacher in local schools before completing a student teaching capstone. The elementary education program is authorized by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and reports a three-year 100% pass rate on the edTPA and GACE certification exams. A traditional 127-credit campus track is available, along with a Saturday format for transfer students with two years of college credit. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Piedmont University's Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, offered through the College of Education, leads to Georgia certification for grades PK-5 and is unusually generous with classroom time. Candidates take 76 credit hours of major coursework inside a 121-hour, four-year degree, and a three-internship model carries them past 1,000 clinical hours in Georgia schools. That fieldwork ramps up deliberately, from one day a week of observation to three days of co-teaching to five days of independent teaching, spread across urban, rural, and suburban settings. Every candidate also completes a four-course reading endorsement focused on literacy development, interventions, and assessment, and the curriculum keeps a steady eye on English Language Learners, gifted students, and other diverse groups of learners. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Albany State University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach kindergarten and the primary grades, K-5, and lets them lean into a strength by choosing a Reading or Mathematics concentration alongside the core methods coursework. The 123-credit-hour degree, based on the university's East Campus, builds toward the classroom through a sequence of clinical experiences. Candidates finish with a choice of capstones, either a 12-semester-hour student teaching placement or a two-course internship option, each meeting Professional Standards Commission requirements for Georgia certification. Delivered on campus rather than online, the program keeps students close to faculty and to the schools where they will practice. It is a focused, hands-on route into elementary teaching in southwest Georgia. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Georgia's elementary school teachers.

Columbus State University's Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education prepares teachers for grades P-5 through the Department of Teacher Education, Leadership, and Counseling. Its 120 credits are carefully apportioned, combining 42 core hours and 18 field-of-study hours with 60 hours in the major. Classroom readiness is a throughline, with extensive field experiences in a range of school settings leading to a 10-credit student teaching course. Every educator preparation program at Columbus State carries approval from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. For students who want a lighter footprint in the subject, a 19-credit Elementary Education minor is also offered, and coursework is delivered on campus. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Dalton State College's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education leads to Georgia teacher certification for grades pre-kindergarten through fifth, preparing candidates for the self-contained classrooms typical of those years. The path is deliberately structured, since students must first gain admission to the Elementary Teacher Education program before advancing into a blocked sequence of professional education courses that move as a group. Along the way, candidates can broaden their reach with an ESOL endorsement for English-language learners or an Autism Endorsement, tailoring the degree to the students they hope to serve. Coursework is delivered on campus through the School of Education. For those who already hold a bachelor's degree, Post-Baccalaureate Initial Certification pathways offer an alternate way in. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Georgia's elementary school teachers.

Truett McConnell University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education prepares teachers to serve students in preschool through fifth grade through academic coursework, extensive field experience, and a Christ-centered worldview integrated into the curriculum. The degree is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, a state program approval that supports licensure eligibility. It is delivered on campus and is not offered online. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Georgia's elementary school teachers.

Gordon State College's Bachelor of Science in Education combines elementary and special education into a single dual-focus degree, leading to Georgia teacher certification for grades P-5. Students enter as a cohort for their junior and senior years, progressing together through coursework in reading, mathematics, and special education while gaining ongoing field experience in real classrooms. That cohort model builds a steady community of future teachers who learn the craft side by side. A culminating teaching internship in the final semester lets candidates put it all together before graduation. Approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, the program also offers a parapro-to-teacher track, giving current school paraprofessionals a route to the same licensure outcome in Barnesville. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Shorter University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education leads to initial Georgia certification for grades Pre-K through 5. Students who want to reach learners with additional needs can instead follow a companion Early Elementary Education and Special Education track at the same P-5 level, giving the program two clear paths. Shorter backs the degree with the kind of outcome data prospective teachers tend to ask about, reporting a 100 percent GACE pass rate and an 88 percent retention rate among its education majors. First-year graduates rate their own preparation at 3.55 out of 4.0, and employers rate their readiness at 3.13 out of 4.0. The School of Education keeps the focus squarely on getting candidates classroom-ready and certified in Georgia. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Georgia Gwinnett College's Bachelor of Science in Education with an Elementary Education concentration prepares candidates to teach the preschool through grade five span, and it builds in an English for Speakers of Other Languages endorsement so graduates can reach multilingual classrooms. The 123-hour program, offered through the School of Education, moves students into P-12 field and clinical placements across local districts once they are admitted to the Educator Preparation Program, though they arrange their own transportation to those sites. Small classes, cited at around 18 students on average, keep the experience personal, while district partnerships and study-abroad options extend it beyond campus. Holding CAEP accreditation and approval from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, the program leads to teacher licensure. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Georgia's elementary school teachers.

Middle Georgia State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Special Education, a dual-certification degree preparing candidates to teach grades P-5, including students whose Individualized Education Program indicates instruction using the general education curriculum. The 120-credit program sits in the Department of Teacher Education and Social Work and includes four field-experience courses totaling 16 credit hours: Practicum I and II and Clinical I and II. Classes run in person on the Macon and Cochran campuses, with a special pathway for working paraprofessionals. The state reports a median graduate salary of $55,000. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Brenau University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, delivered through the College of Education, is a 120-credit degree that pairs the flexibility of online study with the realities of the classroom. All coursework, 75 credit hours of it at the core, is completed fully online, while required field experiences, student teaching, and internships take place in person at a local school. Brenau describes it as the only elementary education program in Georgia with fully online classes, a distinction that suits working students. Candidates who pass the GACE exam earn Georgia Professional Standards Commission certification for grades PreK-5. Full-time online enrollment sits at 12 credits, and an on-ground version is available for those who prefer it. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

Brewton-Parker College's Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education prepares graduates to teach children from Pre-K through fifth grade, and it does so on a schedule built for online learners. Delivered through the Division of Education and Behavioral Sciences in eight-week sessions of roughly two courses each, the program lets students move steadily without carrying a heavy load all at once. It sits within a broader online education lineup that also includes middle grades, special education, and secondary English, so students share a well-worn online format. Approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, the teacher preparation program leads to licensure, with student-teaching requirements laid out in the Teacher Education Handbook. As of July 1, 2024, enrollment is limited to Georgia residents unless the program is confirmed to meet a student's home-state requirements. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Georgia.