Best Bachelor's in Elementary Education Programs in Vermont

Middlebury College approaches teacher preparation through Education Studies, structured as a joint major so students pair it with another discipline while its licensure track leads to initial Vermont certification for grades K-6. The coursework blends methods in literacy, social studies, science, math, and the arts with grounding in educational psychology and inclusive education, giving future elementary teachers both subject breadth and an understanding of how children learn. Everything builds toward a full-time Professional Semester of student teaching in a nearby Vermont school, where candidates work closely with a mentor teacher and a college supervisor. That capstone turns theory into daily practice in a real classroom before graduation. The resulting Vermont license is recognized by fellow NASDTEC member states, so mobility is built in. Taught entirely on campus, the program suits students who want a liberal arts foundation woven together with a clear path into the classroom. Among Vermont's 5 ranked bachelor's-level programs, this one posts the highest graduation rate at 91%. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Vermont.

The University of Vermont's Elementary Education B.S.Ed. prepares teachers for a Vermont endorsement in grades K-6. Content coursework spans four disciplines: English and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students combine field-based experiences with pedagogy courses and finish with a full-semester student teaching internship. The program leads to Vermont teacher licensure and is accredited by CAEP for initial licensure. Classes are held on campus in Burlington. It awards more bachelor's-level elementary education degrees than any of Vermont's 5 ranked bachelor's-level programs, 44 in the most recent year. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Vermont.

Vermont State University's Education: Elementary with Special Education B.A. prepares candidates for dual endorsement in elementary education (grades K-6) and special education (grades K-8). The program runs in three modes: in-person at the Castleton and Johnson campuses, in-person plus hybrid, and fully online, with online students able to join an Elementary Education Apprenticeship Pathway while working as support staff in Vermont public schools. Field experience includes a 15-week full-time student teaching placement plus two additional practicums. The program is approved through the Vermont Agency of Education ROPA process overseen by the Vermont Standards Board. Note: it is not offered in 2026-27. It carries the lowest in-state tuition among Vermont's 5 ranked bachelor's-level programs, at $10,344. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Vermont.

At Saint Michael's College, the Elementary Education major prepares students to teach grades K-6, and finishing the degree automatically satisfies the coursework required for Vermont teacher licensure. Delivered on campus through the Education Program, it puts candidates in schools from their very first education class and steadily increases their responsibility until they reach a required semester of full-time student teaching. That capstone is paired with a Student Teaching Seminar that tackles the practical realities of the job, from diversity and classroom management to standards-based planning, instruction, and assessment. Students can tailor the degree with concentrations in the arts, literacy, or special education, and some add ESL or PK-12 Art licensure to widen their reach. For those hoping to go further, a 4+1 pathway leads into a Master of Arts in Teaching. The overall design rewards students who want a clear, licensure-ready route with room to specialize. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

Champlain College takes an unusual approach to preparing elementary teachers, folding everything into a single Education, B.S. through its School of Social Innovation where students choose a licensure endorsement focus rather than declaring a separately named major. What sets the experience apart is how early the classroom becomes part of it, with candidates observing and assisting in real schools during their very first semester and staying in the field throughout the program. That momentum builds toward a senior capstone, EDU 425 Reflective Practices in Education, which adds a full day per week in schools plus a service-learning project that ties coursework to community need. Graduates leave with a Vermont teaching license, a credential that travels well because it carries reciprocity with many states through NASDTEC's Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. The result is a program built for students who learn best by doing rather than waiting until the end to step into a classroom. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Vermont's elementary school teachers.