Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs in Alabama
All 13 Elementary Education master's-level programs in Alabama, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.
A master's in elementary education can lead to initial Alabama licensure or advance a licensed teacher's career, and Alabama has 13 accredited elementary education master's programs to compare. This ranking scores every one on the outcomes that actually affect your return: graduation rate, in-state affordability, and selectivity, all pulled from the public federal IPEDS database. University of North Alabama ranks first with a score of 85, on a 55 percent graduation rate.
Elementary school teachers in Alabama earn a median of $61,380 a year according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, against a national median of $63,970. Each section below covers a specific decision point, cost and real ROI, Alabama licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Alabama on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.
- 1
University of North Alabama
85score- $13,200Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 59Master's/yr
- $60,580Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Online
About the programThe University of North Alabama offers a Master of Arts in Education in Elementary Education for teachers who already hold Alabama Class B certification in K-6, giving them a focused route toward the Class A professional level. Spanning 33 semester hours and delivered fully online, the program lets educators advance without leaving their classrooms. Coursework moves beyond basics into action research, instructional technology, and assessment, and it reserves twelve advisor-approved hours for elementary education topics plus a state-approved diversity course, so the study stays both practical and specialized. The program sits within UNA's College of Education and Human Sciences, whose educator preparation holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation through spring 2028. With no out-of-state tuition differential, the online format stays affordable for practicing teachers well beyond Alabama. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 59 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,580, roughly $71,424 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 2
University of West Alabama
73score- $14,157Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 249Master's/yr
- $61,380State teacher pay
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education (K-6)
- CAEP-accredited
- Online
About the programThe University of West Alabama offers a fully online Master of Education in Elementary Education for grades K-6, a CAEP accredited program built for candidates who already hold a bachelor's level Professional Educator Certificate in the field. Coursework leads toward Alabama teaching certification for grades K-6 and can typically be completed in about a year through accelerated terms. The program serves practicing educators looking to deepen their expertise in elementary teaching from Livingston, Alabama. It awards more master's-level elementary education degrees than any of Alabama's 13 ranked master's-level programs, 249 in the most recent year. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Alabama.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 249 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Alabama statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,380, roughly $69,104 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 3
Jacksonville State University
70score- $14,619In-state tuition
- $23,760Out-of-state tuition
- 36Master's/yr
- $61,200Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education (MSE) in Elementary Education K-6
- CAEP-accredited
- Online
About the programJacksonville State University designed its Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education for teachers who want to keep teaching while they advance, delivering the entire K-6 program online. The intended student already holds certification, so the coursework skips the basics and concentrates on sharpening instructional knowledge for the elementary classroom. That focus points toward a concrete goal, Class A Professional Teaching Certification in elementary education, which the degree is structured to support. Because everything runs online, practicing educators can fold graduate study into their working weeks without stepping away from their own students. The program comes out of the College of Education and Professional Studies, whose educator preparation holds CAEP accreditation. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Alabama's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 36 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Anniston-Oxford, AL, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,200, roughly $71,205 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 4
The University of Alabama
60score- $14,700Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 29Master's/yr
- $60,220Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts (MA) in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Online
About the programThe University of Alabama shaped its Master of Arts in Elementary Education for teachers who already hold a bachelor's-level certificate and want to move their credentials forward. Delivered fully online from the Tuscaloosa campus, the 30 to 36 credit hour program leads to Alabama Class A teacher certification in elementary education for grades K-6. What gives it a personal edge is the specialty area, a 12-hour block that students steer toward a subject such as literacy, mathematics, or science. Rather than staying purely theoretical, the coursework folds in practicum experiences that tie graduate study back to real classrooms. Its educator preparation holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and most students finish in under two years. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Alabama.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 29 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Tuscaloosa, AL, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,220, roughly $68,649 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 5
Troy University
60score- $17,100In-state tuition
- $34,200Out-of-state tuition
- 28Master's/yr
- $61,380State teacher pay
- Master of Science in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programTroy University's Master of Science in Elementary Education prepares candidates for teacher certification in grades K-6, and it does so with a strong emphasis on real classroom time. The CAEP-accredited program runs largely online from its base in Troy, with some courses offered on campus for students who prefer a more traditional setting. Its centerpiece is a semester-long teaching internship alongside a cooperating teacher, giving candidates hands-on experience that runs parallel to their coursework in elementary curriculum and instruction. Because the degree comes in Traditional and Alternative-A options, it opens doors for both practicing teachers and career changers stepping into education. Full-time and part-time pacing let students move toward K-6 licensure at a speed that suits their circumstances. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 28 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Alabama statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,380, roughly $69,104 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 6
University of South Alabama
56score- $14,400In-state tuition
- $28,800Out-of-state tuition
- 14Master's/yr
- $60,970Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Online
About the programThe University of South Alabama built its fully online Master of Education in Elementary Education for teachers who are already in K-6 classrooms and ready to advance. Students who hold Class B Professional Elementary Education certification can move up to Class A certification in Alabama, completing the 30 semester hour program in roughly one to two years. The online format and streamlined credit load make it a realistic path for educators who want to keep working while they study. Because it targets certification advancement rather than initial licensure, the coursework assumes real teaching experience and builds from there. The degree comes through the College of Education and Professional Studies, whose educator preparation carries CAEP accreditation. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Alabama.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 14 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Mobile, AL, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,970, roughly $69,207 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 7
University of Alabama at Birmingham
48score- $15,240In-state tuition
- $37,410Out-of-state tuition
- 9Master's/yr
- $62,630Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Online
About the programThe University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a fully online Master of Arts in Education in Elementary Education for working educators pursuing K-6 teacher certification. Because it runs entirely online, current teachers can advance their careers without relocating or stepping away from their classrooms. The coursework covers the essentials of elementary teaching, from reading education and curriculum development to student assessment and pedagogy, while electives and internships let students shape the degree to their own goals. That flexibility makes it a natural fit for teachers who want graduate study tailored to where they already work. UAB's School of Education holds full CAEP accreditation, grounding the program in national educator preparation standards. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Alabama.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 9 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Birmingham, AL, where elementary teachers earn a median $62,630, roughly $68,341 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. And the institution carries weight: its research standing and program accreditation, the factor we weigh most, are a clear strength.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 8
University of Mobile
46score- $17,985Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 7Master's/yr
- $60,970Metro teacher pay
- Elementary Education, M.A.
- CAEP-accredited
About the programAimed at teachers who are already in the classroom and want to strengthen their credentials, the University of Mobile offers its Master of Arts in Elementary Education entirely online. Rather than serving as a first step into teaching, the degree builds on the experience candidates already bring and leads to Alabama Class A certification in elementary education. Much of its appeal lies in scale, since students move through a small School of Education where faculty know them by name and offer close guidance across every course. That personal attention is paired with the assurance of accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, a mark of national standards for educator training. Together, the flexible online format and the intimate setting make it a practical way for working teachers to advance. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Alabama.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Mobile, AL, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,970, roughly $69,207 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 9
University of Montevallo
45score- $12,231In-state tuition
- $29,268Out-of-state tuition
- 17Master's/yr
- $62,630Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education, Professional Educators program
- Online
About the programThe University of Montevallo in Montevallo, AL offers a Master of Education in Elementary Education through its Professional Educators program, designed for teachers who already hold a Class B certificate in elementary education. Delivered fully online, the program builds on classroom experience with coursework aligned to National Board Standards, preparing graduates for teacher licensure at the advanced, Class A level in Alabama. Candidates employed by eligible school systems can also receive tuition scholarships toward the degree. The program emphasizes practical teaching skills alongside current research and trends in elementary education. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 17 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Birmingham, AL, where elementary teachers earn a median $62,630, roughly $68,341 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 10
University of Alabama in Huntsville
40score- $23,595In-state tuition
- $55,440Out-of-state tuition
- 3Master's/yr
- $62,250Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education, Differentiated Instruction in Elementary Education (K-6)
- CAEP-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programThe University of Alabama in Huntsville centers its Master of Education on Differentiated Instruction in Elementary Education, a focus that signals its interest in teaching diverse K-6 learners well. The 33-credit degree leads to K-6 certification in Alabama and is built for completion in about five semesters, with cohorts beginning in summer and fall. Most of the study happens online, complemented by hybrid courses that call for only brief in-person meetings, so the format stays friendly to working schedules. Coursework leans into research-based, culturally responsive strategies, including approaches for reaching students with disabilities, giving candidates practical tools for real classrooms. The College of Education holds CAEP accreditation for its educator preparation, anchoring the program in recognized national standards. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Huntsville, AL, where elementary teachers earn a median $62,250, roughly $66,884 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. And the institution carries weight: its research standing and program accreditation, the factor we weigh most, are a clear strength.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 11
Auburn University at Montgomery
37score- $14,490In-state tuition
- $15,930Out-of-state tuition
- 19Master's/yr
- $59,610Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Online
About the programAuburn University at Montgomery offers a Master of Education in Elementary Education entirely online for teachers who already hold an Alabama teaching certificate. The program leads to Class A professional certification in grades K-6 and includes an early childhood P-3 concentration option. Currently certified teachers build on their classroom experience through graduate coursework in elementary education while continuing to work. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, CAEP. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Alabama.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 19 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Montgomery, AL, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,610, roughly $66,468 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 12
Faulkner University
30score- $15,520Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 15Master's/yr
- $59,610Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Online
About the programFaulkner University in Montgomery, AL offers a Master of Education in Elementary Education designed for Class B licensed K-6 teachers seeking Class A certification. The fully online, 32 credit hour program combines 12 hours of core coursework with 18 hours of content-specific study and a two hour capstone, all delivered by experienced educators without campus attendance. Candidates complete community based, service oriented field experiences with P-12 students to apply coursework in real elementary classrooms. Graduates meet Alabama State Department of Education requirements for advanced teacher licensure in elementary education. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Alabama.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 15 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Montgomery, AL, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,610, roughly $66,468 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 13
Alabama A & M University
29score- $12,660In-state tuition
- $25,200Out-of-state tuition
- 5Master's/yr
- $62,250Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
About the programAlabama A&M University in Normal, AL offers a Master of Education in Elementary Education designed for educators seeking advanced preparation in the field. The program leads to Class A teaching certification for grades K-6 and combines graduate coursework with field experiences in elementary classrooms. Alabama A&M's educator preparation programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, or CAEP, reflecting national standards for teacher licensure programs. Prospective students work with the Teacher Education and Leadership department and program coordinator Dr. Johanna Massey to complete admission and certification requirements. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Alabama's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Huntsville, AL, where elementary teachers earn a median $62,250, roughly $66,884 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
Key facts about a master's in Elementary Education in Alabama
- Alabama has 13 accredited master's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
- University of North Alabama ranks first among elementary education master's programs in Alabama with a score of 85, on a 55 percent graduation rate.
- University of Montevallo is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Alabama, at $12,231 a year in-state tuition.
- The University of Alabama posts the highest graduation rate among elementary education programs in Alabama, at 73 percent.
- Elementary school teachers in Alabama earn a median of $61,380 a year (BLS), ranking Alabama 31 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
- 8 of the master's in elementary education programs in Alabama offer an online or hybrid option.
- Alabama requires the Praxis licensure exam, administered through Alabama State Department of Education, Office of Teaching and Leading, to earn a teaching license.
What a master's in elementary education costs in Alabama (2026)
Published in-state tuition for a master's in elementary education in Alabama runs from $12,231 to $23,595 a year across the 13 programs we rank, with a median of $14,619. The most affordable is University of Montevallo at $12,231 a year. These are published sticker rates from IPEDS; most future teachers bring the net figure down with the Pell Grant, the federal TEACH Grant, and state teacher-preparation aid, so weigh net price, not the sticker.
Cost only means something next to completion. The elementary education programs ranked here average a 50 percent graduation rate, and a lower-priced program where fewer students finish is not necessarily the cheaper path to a degree. Compare tuition and graduation rate together above.
Sources: IPEDS tuition data
What elementary school teachers earn in Alabama
Elementary school teachers in Alabama earn a median of $61,380 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks Alabama 31 of 51 states and territories for elementary school teachers pay. Nationally, pay for this occupation spans roughly $47,960 at the 10th percentile to $104,340 at the 90th, with a master's degree, years in the classroom, and the local district salary schedule driving the climb.
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects 2 percent decline in elementary school teachers employment nationally from 2024 to 2034, with about 103,800 openings a year as teachers retire or change careers. A master's in elementary education in Alabama is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.
How to get an Alabama teaching license
To teach in Alabama you need a master's in elementary education (or a bachelor's plus an approved preparation program), a supervised student-teaching placement, and an Alabama teaching license issued by Alabama State Department of Education, Office of Teaching and Leading. Alabama calls the initial credential the Professional Educator Certificate (Class B), and earning it means passing Praxis (The Praxis Series) plus a background check.
Alabama administers Praxis tests through its Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP). Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.
Sources: Alabama educator certification, Praxis exam
Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Alabama
Pick a master's in elementary education in Alabama that is regionally accredited and whose educator-preparation program is approved by the Alabama Department of Education, ideally with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation. State approval is what lets the degree count toward an Alabama teaching license, and CAEP is the national standard for program quality, so confirm both before enrolling in any elementary education program in Alabama.
Sources: CAEP accreditation
Online and hybrid elementary education programs in Alabama
8 of the master's in elementary education programs in Alabama offer an online or hybrid option. Online teacher-preparation still requires in-person student teaching, so these formats suit working adults and career changers who can complete supervised classroom hours locally while taking coursework online. An online master's in elementary education from a state-approved, CAEP-accredited program leads to the same Alabama teaching license as an on-campus degree; the diploma does not distinguish the format.
Frequently asked questions about a master's in Elementary Education in Alabama
How many master's in elementary education programs are in Alabama?
There are 13 accredited master's in elementary education programs in Alabama in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.
What is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Alabama?
University of Montevallo is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Alabama, at $12,231 a year in in-state tuition.
How much do elementary school teachers make in Alabama?
Elementary school teachers in Alabama earn a median of $61,380 a year, according to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252021.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics</a>, versus $63,970 nationally.
What exam do you need to teach in Alabama?
Alabama requires the Praxis (The Praxis Series) licensure exam, administered for Alabama State Department of Education, Office of Teaching and Leading. See the <a href="https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/alabama-overview.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">official exam page</a> for current test requirements.
Is a master's in elementary education worth it in Alabama?
For most future teachers, yes. A master's in elementary education in Alabama is the standard credential for an Alabama teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $61,380 a year in Alabama. Compare graduation rate and net price above to find the best value in 2026.
These are the best master's in elementary education programs in Alabama for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 13 master's in elementary education in Alabama above by graduation rate, tuition, and selectivity, then open each program page to take the next step toward teaching in an elementary school classroom in Alabama.