Best Bachelor's in Elementary Education Programs in Kansas

Kansas State University's Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education prepares students to teach PK-6 self-contained classrooms. The program moves from a core of general education into teacher preparation and a professional sequence, with field experiences that progress from observation and assisting to a full-semester teaching internship. Completers qualify for the initial Kansas teaching license for PK-6. The program is offered on campus in Manhattan. Among Kansas's 26 ranked bachelor's-level programs, this one posts the highest graduation rate at 71%. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Pittsburg State University's Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach the PreK-6 grades and earn Kansas licensure, with an unusually early and heavy emphasis on time in real classrooms. Offered through the Department of Teaching and Leadership, the program has candidates shadowing teachers by their second year and logging more than 1,000 hours of field and clinical work across kindergarten through fifth grade before a senior-year professional semester in an off-campus placement. Students who want to broaden their reach can look into added preparation in areas such as special education, ESL, and international teaching. A Para 2 Teach option opens the same path online to working paraeducators. An annual Teacher Interview Day also brings roughly 100 regional districts to campus. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Kansas.

The University of Kansas offers a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a long history, established in 1909 and preparing candidates for initial Kansas licensure to teach PreK through grade 6. The program leans hard into real classroom time, embedding multiple field experiences in diverse communities and drawing on its Professional Development Schools Alliance to place students in strong partner schools. Candidates who want to extend their reach can test out for middle level certification in grades 5-8, adding flexibility to where they eventually teach. By its own reporting, the program sees a 95 percent licensure exam pass rate and 90 percent of graduates working in the field. Delivered on campus through the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, it holds CAEP accreditation. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Washburn University's Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach the PreK-6 grades and leads to Kansas teacher licensure, with fieldwork spread deliberately across different kinds of communities. Based in the Department of Education, the program places candidates in urban, suburban, and rural schools, so they see how teaching shifts with setting before they run their own classroom. Students can shape the degree to their interests, choosing a STEM option or adding an endorsement or second license in areas such as middle school English, history, or mathematics for grades 5-8, high-incidence special education, or ESOL. That flexibility lets candidates leave with credentials matched to the grade levels and classrooms they hope to teach. Instruction takes place on campus. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Kansas.

Emporia State University's Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education prepares candidates for a Kansas certificate to teach the youngest grades, PK through 6. The heart of the experience is a full year of student teaching in the senior year, a longer immersion than many programs ask for. Students can follow a general PK-6 classroom track or choose the Special Education Unified concentration, which readies them for both general and special education roles in K-6 rooms. For those entering the field by different routes, The Teachers College also opens Paraeducator, Four-Week, and Registered Teacher Apprenticeship options. Housed in the department that brings together elementary, early childhood, and special education, the program keeps these related paths under one roof. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Kansas.

Delivered on campus in Salina, Kansas Wesleyan University's Bachelor's in Elementary Education leads candidates toward Kansas teacher licensure through the Department of Teacher Education. A practical strength is how special education folds in, since students can add a Special Education endorsement at the P-6, 6-12, or P-12 level to any education major and finish all of that coursework within the usual four-year timeline. That means a future teacher can broaden their reach without extending their studies. For those who already hold a bachelor's degree and want to move into teaching, the university runs a separate licensure program built for career changers. Together the two paths make the department a flexible home for students at different stages. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Kansas.

Newman University's Elementary Education B.S. leads to Kansas K-6 teaching licensure and is built around close, sustained ties between coursework and classrooms. Each semester, students complete practicum placements tied directly to their methods courses before a culminating student teaching experience, so theory and practice reinforce each other from the start. The program is unusually flexible about how students get there, offering a traditional multi-semester route or an accelerated 16-month option, with day, evening, and hybrid formats plus interactive-television outreach that reaches learners across western and central Kansas. Students can round out the degree with add-on endorsements in areas such as special education co-teaching or reading, or a STEM specialization. Cohort-based and mentorship-driven, and accredited by CAEP, it is well suited to students who want personal support along the way. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Sterling College's Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education is built to be studied where a candidate already lives, offered on campus and fully online through STEP Online. Field hours are woven through the core courses rather than deferred, and clinical teaching happens in the student's own community, with a Registered Teacher Apprenticeship option for those already working in schools. Students who want to broaden their reach can add a special education minor through Kansas Independent College Association coursework. Approved by the Kansas State Department of Education, the program leads to eligibility for the state's initial K-5 teaching license once required exams are passed. Sterling notes that it has not determined whether the degree meets licensure requirements in other states. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Kansas.

MidAmerica Nazarene University's Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education is an on-campus program in Olathe, Kansas, that prepares candidates to teach at the elementary level. Coursework in general education, professional education, and elementary content leads into clinical placements coordinated by the university, with bridge courses available in special education, technology, and English language learning. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and graduates meet Kansas requirements for teacher certification. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Friends University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach kindergarten through grade six, delivered in person on the university's Wichita campus. Students progress through the Teacher Education program by way of field placements and practicum courses that gradually raise the stakes, leading up to a full semester of student teaching. Those who want to serve a wider range of learners can add a special education endorsement to the degree. The program carries accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and approval from the Kansas State Department of Education, and it leads to state licensure. That combination gives graduates a clear, recognized path into their own elementary classroom. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Kansas.

Fort Hays State University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education offers real flexibility, running as a 120-hour program that students can complete on campus or entirely online, which opens the door to future teachers wherever they live. The coursework is broad by design, threading methods and internships through literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts, with STEM practices woven in and multiple field placements in varied settings. That fieldwork builds toward twelve credit hours of student teaching, giving candidates an extended stretch of leading their own classroom. Graduates qualify for Kansas licensure spanning PreK through grade 6. The degree is housed in the Department of Teacher Education and meets reciprocity requirements in nearly every state, with only a handful asking for an added attestation. It carries the lowest in-state tuition among Kansas's 26 ranked bachelor's-level programs, at $4,704. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Kansas.

Ottawa University's Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, offered through its School of Education, leads to licensure and centers on the practical competencies that make a new teacher effective, from instructional methods and communication to the sensitivity classrooms with young learners require. Candidates build those skills through a steady progression of hands-on work, moving from introductory and advanced teaching practicums into clinical lab experiences and field observations. Delivered in a hybrid format at the Overland Park location in the Kansas City area, the program blends online flexibility with real time in schools. It is state approved in Kansas, and its description cites accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education along with university-level accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The combination of applied coursework and a flexible schedule suits students who want to prepare for the elementary classroom while balancing other commitments. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Kansas's elementary school teachers.

Baker University's Bachelor of Arts in Education readies elementary candidates for PreK-12 licensure through its School of Education, with an emphasis on sustained time in real classrooms. The capstone student teaching course carries 6 to 12 credit hours and immerses candidates in the full teaching day for 15 weeks, with placements arranged through local and Kansas City area districts. Students can also add a special education field of concentration, extending the range of learners they are prepared to serve. Licensure hinges on completing the Kansas Performance Teaching Portfolio, a demonstration of readiness rather than a single exam. For those looking further ahead, a 4+1 option lets graduates add an online Master of Arts in Education in a single additional year. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Kansas.

Wichita State University's Bachelor of Arts in Education in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach across the K-6 span through a four-year path that eases students into the profession. Two years of general education come first, followed by two years of teacher education that students enter through a separate application. The curriculum reaches across five core subjects, including reading, math, science, social studies, and art, and was shaped in partnership with several university colleges and practicing P-12 teachers. Because the university sits within Kansas' largest school district, candidates gain their classroom experience in a busy, diverse setting. Students looking for more can choose the Elementary Education Unified concentration or the Teacher Apprentice Program, both offered through the School of Teaching and Learning. It awards more bachelor's-level elementary education degrees than any of Kansas's 26 ranked bachelor's-level programs, 222 in the most recent year. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Benedictine College's Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach grades K-6 and leads to Kansas licensure. What gives the program its character is a guiding idea it calls 'Educators as Builders of Community,' a framework rooted in the college's Benedictine, liberal arts tradition that asks future teachers to see themselves as people who knit classrooms and neighborhoods together. Students who want to widen their reach will find related paths nearby, including Secondary Education, a combined Elementary and Special Education major, and an Education minor. The elementary licensure program is fully approved through the Kansas Department of Education through 2028. Taught on campus in Atchison through the School of Education, it offers a values-driven route into elementary teaching. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Designed for students who want to move quickly and study from anywhere, Ottawa University's online Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education takes an accelerated approach through its School of Education. The curriculum is built around state, regional, and national licensure criteria and testing competencies, and once core courses are behind them, students step into clinical practice that includes 12 weeks of student teaching and research. Candidates in Arizona round out the program with coursework on the Arizona and United States Constitutions and a methods course for English Language Learners, reflecting that state's specific requirements. Because Ottawa's teacher education is state approved in Arizona and Kansas, learners there can pursue licensure with confidence. The CAEP-accredited degree is also available on campus at Kansas and Arizona locations for those who prefer a classroom setting. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Kansas.

Bethany College's Bachelor's in Elementary Education prepares P-6 teachers through an Education Department with deep roots, having become the first private college in Kansas accredited by NCATE back in 1954. Methods courses are built around collaboration with local school districts, giving candidates working relationships in real classrooms before they reach student teaching. To earn Kansas licensure, students not only complete that clinical placement but also pass the Bethany College Teacher Work Sample with a score of 110. The program lets candidates broaden their reach with added endorsements, including Special Education High-Incidence, English Language Learners, and Middle Level 5-8 in subjects such as math, English, science, or social studies. Now CAEP accredited, the degree pairs a long accreditation history with a hands-on, district-connected approach to teacher preparation. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Kansas.

Barclay College's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education is a residential, on-campus program that frames PreK-6 teacher preparation within a strong faith identity, threading 31 hours of Bible, Theology, and Ministry through its 130-hour degree. Fieldwork starts right away in the first semester, drawing students into Reading and Math Camp, STEM Camp, and reading tutoring with community children before they reach the 12-credit Supervised Student Teaching placement. That early, repeated classroom contact gives future teachers a practical feel for the work long before graduation. The degree leads to Kansas State Department of Education public school licensure, and Barclay stands out as one of only two Kansas colleges offering both KSDE and ACSI Christian school licensure. Students focused on the classroom will also note that college algebra is not required. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

The University of Saint Mary offers a BS in Elementary Education through its Education department, leading to PK-6 licensure in Kansas. The degree requires 120 credits, with up to 90 transfer credits and as many as 30 credits awarded for prior life experience via portfolio. Candidates complete embedded clinical field experiences of 30 hours each, plus a 12-credit, 15-week elementary student teaching placement. An optional Special Education Unified Program adds 15 credits, splitting the student teaching semester to prepare candidates for both elementary and special education licensure. Classes run as accelerated evening sessions at USM-Johnson County. The program is accredited by CAEP and KSDE. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Kansas.

Central Christian College of Kansas offers a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education through its Division of Education, a residential four-year program leading to Kansas PreK-6 licensure. Students complete supervised fieldwork before a student teaching capstone. The Teacher Education Program, which also offers a Physical Education (K-12) track, is approved by the Kansas Department of Education, currently on probationary accreditation status through the end of 2026. Institutional accreditation is held by the Higher Learning Commission. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Kansas.

Southwestern College offers a fully online Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education that prepares candidates to teach kindergarten through grade six and leads to Kansas teaching licensure. Students study literacy, diversity, and classroom instruction, building field experience across several courses before a supervised placement in an elementary school. Preparation for teaching English learners is available, and a Kansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship option lets paraprofessionals earn the degree while working. The teacher education programs hold CAEP accreditation and Kansas State Department of Education approval. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Grounded in a Christ-centered foundation and biblical worldview, Tabor College's Elementary Education program is built for students who want their teaching preparation and their faith to grow together. From the pre-education stage, majors are placed in classrooms during their very first year, and field experiences continue across all grade levels so that time with real students is a constant thread rather than a final step. The program is approved by the Kansas Department of Education, and Tabor belongs to the Kansas Association of Private Colleges of Teacher Education. It also opens a second door, offering initial teacher licensure through the Association of Christian Schools International alongside standard Kansas licensure. Coursework unfolds in the Shari Flaming Education Commons, and in 2025-26 some twenty-one students completed their student-teaching requirements. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Kansas.

McPherson College's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education prepares candidates for Kansas PK-6 licensure with a strong emphasis on real classroom time. Practica and a full-semester student teaching capstone anchor the experience, taking place in classrooms throughout the McPherson area, and field placements can also begin farther afield in Wichita or Chicago for students who want a different setting. Those looking to widen their reach can pair PK-6 licensure with ESOL or High Incidence Special Education endorsements, adding to whom they are prepared to serve. The Department of Curriculum and Instruction runs the Teacher Education Program, which is accredited by both the Kansas State Department of Education and CAEP. Because reciprocity with other states is not guaranteed, out-of-state candidates are encouraged to check in with the college's Licensure Officer early. Altogether it is a practice-heavy, endorsement-friendly route into 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 Kansas.

Rooted on the residential campus in Ottawa, Kansas, Ottawa University's Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education keeps future teachers close to real classrooms through its School of Education. The heart of the program is a 12-week student teaching and research placement, giving candidates an extended stretch of supervised practice before they graduate. What distinguishes the coursework is its steady attention to cultural diversity and to the social and political contexts that shape schools, encouraging teachers who think about the whole environment a child learns in. State approved in Arizona and Kansas and accredited by CAEP, the degree supports Kansas licensure. Students who need a more flexible path can pursue the same degree through an accelerated online and evening version offered separately. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Kansas.

Bethel College's Elementary Education major, offered as either a BA or BS through the Education department, leads to KSDE-approved licensure for Pre-K to grade 6. The program asks candidates to build real depth in a second subject, pairing about 33 hours in the education major and a substantial block of professional coursework with a required content major in an area such as English, math, biology, or music. Classroom preparation is hands-on, moving from earlier fieldwork into a full semester of student teaching. For students drawn to inclusive classrooms, an optional adaptive special education endorsement adds 21 hours and can be earned across several grade bands. The combination gives graduates both a strong grounding in elementary teaching and a genuine second area of expertise to bring into their future schools. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Kansas.

Haskell Indian Nations University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach grades PK-6 and leads to Kansas teacher licensure, delivered on campus through its School of Education. The path is intentionally sequenced, with students first completing an Associate of Arts in Para-Professional Education and then applying as a cohort to the bachelor's program, so they advance alongside a steady group of peers. The senior year is where the program becomes especially distinctive, taking the form of a yearlong clinical residency set in the student's home community and guided by a veteran teacher mentor. Throughout, the emphasis is on developing Native leaders as critical thinkers and reflective practitioners. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and approved by the Kansas State Department of Education. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Kansas's elementary school teachers.