Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs in California
All 13 Elementary Education master's-level programs in California, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.
A master's in elementary education can lead to initial California licensure or advance a licensed teacher's career, and California 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. Azusa Pacific University ranks first with a score of 65, on a 62 percent graduation rate.
Elementary school teachers in California earn a median of $99,650 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, California licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in California on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.
- 1
Azusa Pacific University
65score- $30,475Est. total cost
- 93Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in Teaching with embedded Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
- Hybrid
About the programAzusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA offers a Master of Arts in Education in Teaching with an embedded Multiple Subject Teaching Credential for elementary education and teacher licensure. The 45-unit hybrid program combines live online classes with in-person Saturday sessions and a 16-week supervised student teaching placement in K-8 classrooms. APU's School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the program leads to a California Multiple Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential. Students typically finish the two-year program with a capstone research project and professional ePortfolio. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in California.
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 93 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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.
- 2
University of Massachusetts Global
61score- 101Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Elementary Education with 2042 Multiple Subject Credential and English Learner Authorization
- AAQEP-accredited
- Online
About the programThis 42-credit Master of Arts in Teaching leads to a California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization, qualifying graduates to teach in self-contained elementary classrooms. It is an initial-credential pathway, not an advanced degree for already-credentialed teachers, though candidates who already hold a matching credential can apply 30 credits toward the degree. Delivery is fully online through instructor-led eight-week sessions. Candidates complete Clinical Practice I and II at 4.5 credits each, either as student teaching or an intern placement, and may begin teaching after four introductory courses. The program is accredited by AAQEP and approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of California'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 101 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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
University of La Verne
59score- $37,575Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 64Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching, Multiple Subject
- CAEP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programThe University of La Verne in La Verne, CA offers a Master of Arts in Teaching, Multiple Subject, an elementary education program that prepares candidates for a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential covering K-6 classrooms. The 45-unit program combines credential coursework with advanced graduate study and can be completed in two to three and a half years. Candidates complete supervised fieldwork and 15 weeks of student teaching through partnerships with more than 200 school districts, with an Enhanced Intern Credential option for paid classroom experience. The program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and the LaFetra College of Education holds CAEP accreditation. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.
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 64 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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
California State University-Fullerton
56score- 48Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction
- Online
About the programCalifornia State University-Fullerton offers a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction through its Elementary and Bilingual Education Department, aimed at elementary education professionals who want to deepen their craft. Rather than a single track, the degree lets students concentrate in an area that matches their interests, with emphases such as Early Childhood Education, Bilingual and Bicultural Education, and Math and Science Education. The program runs entirely online and asynchronously across five semesters with no summer coursework, a rhythm that suits working teachers. It is important to understand what the degree is and is not, since as a standalone graduate program it does not include a teaching credential or licensure. Students seeking initial certification apply separately to CSUF's multiple subject credential program, using this master's to strengthen expertise rather than to enter the profession. 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 48 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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
Santa Clara University
54score- $46,315Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 1Master's/yr
- $102,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching and Teaching Credential (MATTC), Multiple Subject
- Hybrid
About the programSanta Clara University's Master of Arts in Teaching and Teaching Credential follows a Multiple Subject pathway built for elementary educators, and it packs both a graduate degree and a preliminary credential into one program. Spanning 59 quarter units, it leads to a California preliminary multiple subject teaching credential covering grades TK-8 and pairs coursework in reading, math, and science instruction with clinical practice and a full student teaching placement. Candidates can shape the experience to their needs, choosing a one-year full-time or two-year part-time track, on-campus or online formats, and multiple start dates. Those who want to broaden their qualifications may add an optional Bilingual Authorization in Spanish. The blend of academic study and sustained classroom practice makes it a comprehensive route into elementary teaching. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.
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 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $102,860, roughly $93,151 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 the People
54score- $5,650Est. total cost
- 270Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Advanced Teaching (M.Ed.)
- Online
About the programUniversity of the People's Master of Education in Advanced Teaching is a fully online, 39-credit degree paced in 13 three-credit courses, each running nine weeks and spanning nine core courses, specialization work, and a capstone project. Candidates choose between an Elementary and Middle School (K-8) specialization and a Secondary one, and the curriculum was developed in cooperation with the International Baccalaureate, giving it an international orientation. Rather than a licensure track, it is framed as an advanced degree preparing practicing teachers for independent and international schools, so it does not lead to state licensure or certification. Cost is a defining feature: the university is tuition-free, asking only a $60 application fee and a $430 per-course assessment fee. That structure makes it an accessible option for teachers looking to grow outside the public-school certification system. It awards more master's-level elementary education degrees than any of California's 13 ranked master's-level programs, 270 in the most recent year. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.
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 270 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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
Alder Graduate School of Education
50score- $23,970Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 194Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Teaching (Teacher Residency)
- Hybrid
About the programAlder's one-year Master's and Credential Teacher Residency leads to an initial California Multiple Subject (K-8) credential, an elementary initial-licensure pathway. Residents teach four days a week in a mentor teacher's classroom for a full school year, with one day weekly in cohort seminars and two full-week solo teaching takeovers in November and spring. The degree is a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Teaching. Delivery is hybrid, combining classroom apprenticeship with online coursework and in-person course intensives, with more than half of coursework in person. All residents also earn English Learner Authorization. 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 194 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $88,104 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.
- 8
Chapman University
48score- $50,635Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 21Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
- CAEP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programChapman University pairs a Master of Arts in Teaching with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, creating an elementary education pathway in Orange for aspiring PreK through grade 6 teachers. The design is hands-on from the start, blending graduate coursework with community-based field placements and student teaching that lead toward California teacher certification. Scheduling reflects who the program is for, since evening classes meeting once a week make room for working professionals to earn the degree without stepping away from their jobs. All of this runs through the Attallah College of Educational Studies at the Orange campus. Its educator preparation holds national CAEP accreditation alongside approval from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, tying the credential to recognized state and national standards. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.
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 21 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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.
- 9
Concordia University-Irvine
35score- 13Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Combined Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master of Education (M.Ed.)
About the programConcordia University-Irvine offers a combined pathway that bundles a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a Master of Education, giving candidates both a license to teach and a graduate degree from one course of study. The credential authorizes teaching every subject in a self-contained K-6 classroom and includes the required student teaching that puts candidates in front of real learners. The design is efficient, since 30 of the credential units count toward the 46-unit M.Ed., so graduate study and classroom preparation reinforce each other rather than run separately. Coursework stays practical throughout, pairing hands-on teaching skills with graduate-level reflection. The credential program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and the university is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.
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 13 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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
Loyola Marymount University
33score- 5Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Transformative Education with a Preliminary Multiple Subjects Credential
- On-campus
About the programLoyola Marymount University's School of Education in Los Angeles, CA offers a Master of Arts in Transformative Education with a Preliminary Multiple Subjects Credential, preparing graduates to teach in self-contained elementary classrooms and pursue California teacher certification. The two-year pathway lets students earn a teaching credential in year one and complete the master's degree in year two, with student teaching placements in partner schools and evening coursework designed for working professionals. The credential is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and small class sizes support personalized mentoring. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in California.
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 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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.
- 11
University of Phoenix-California
33score- 1Master's/yr
- $98,520Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Education - Elementary Teacher Education
- Online
About the programThis is an initial teacher licensure master's for candidates without prior teaching experience who hold a bachelor's in another field and want to teach elementary school. Coursework is delivered through online classes and totals 44-45 credits. It includes in-person clinical experiences in the student's home state plus a required 12 weeks of full-time clinical practice teaching in a local classroom. The grade band and licensure requirements vary by state. Program support specialists help with the state licensure application and clinical placement. It leads toward, but does not by itself grant, a state elementary teaching credential. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of California'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 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,520, roughly $92,557 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
California State University-Northridge
27score- 7Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
About the programCalifornia State University-Northridge built its Master of Arts in Elementary Education for teachers who are already credentialed and working full time, so the degree deepens practice rather than opening the door to it. Over two years, a cohort moves through the program together and can specialize in an area such as curriculum and instruction, language and literacy, or multilingual and multicultural education. Coursework stays connected to real learners, with hands-on experience gained through the Michael D. Eisner College of Education's Literacy Center and in classrooms, extending the certification work candidates completed in their prior credential. A justice-oriented curriculum and small cohorts give the program its character, and its CAEP-accredited standing reflects a serious grounding in educator preparation. For practicing teachers seeking both community and depth, it offers a focused route forward. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.
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 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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
Saint Mary's College of California
22score- $35,400Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 4Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- CAEP-accredited
- Online
About the programSaint Mary's College of California offers its Master of Arts in Teaching for elementary educators who already hold certification and want to sharpen their teaching craft rather than start from scratch. The 30-unit degree is project-based and delivered entirely online, and its most striking feature is pace, since motivated candidates can finish in as few as seven months. Students who arrive with prior graduate coursework may bring transfer credit, shortening the road further. Housed in the Kalmanovitz School of Education, the program carries CAEP accreditation through 2032, the national benchmark for educator preparation. For practicing teachers who value flexibility and momentum, it offers a focused way to deepen expertise without stepping away from the classroom. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.
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 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $88,104 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.
Key facts about a master's in Elementary Education in California
- California has 13 accredited master's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
- Azusa Pacific University ranks first among elementary education master's programs in California with a score of 65, on a 62 percent graduation rate.
- University of the People is the most affordable master's in elementary education in California, at $5,650 a year in-state tuition.
- Santa Clara University posts the highest graduation rate among elementary education programs in California, at 88 percent.
- Elementary school teachers in California earn a median of $99,650 a year (BLS), ranking California 2 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
- 3 of the master's in elementary education programs in California offer an online or hybrid option.
- California requires the CBEST/CSET licensure exam, administered through California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, to earn a teaching license.
What a master's in elementary education costs in California (2026)
Published in-state tuition for a master's in elementary education in California runs from $5,650 to $50,635 a year across the 13 programs we rank, with a median of $35,400. The most affordable is University of the People at $5,650 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 61 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 California
Elementary school teachers in California earn a median of $99,650 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks California 2 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 California is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.
How to get a California teaching license
To teach in California you need a master's in elementary education (or a bachelor's plus an approved preparation program), a supervised student-teaching placement, and a California teaching license issued by California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. California calls the initial credential the Preliminary Teaching Credential, and earning it means passing CBEST/CSET (California Basic Educational Skills Test and California Subject Examinations for Teachers) plus a background check.
Basic skills are shown via CBEST and subject-matter competence via CSET, both administered by Pearson. Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.
Choosing an accredited elementary education program in California
Pick a master's in elementary education in California that is regionally accredited and whose educator-preparation program is approved by the California Department of Education, ideally with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation. State approval is what lets the degree count toward a California teaching license, and CAEP is the national standard for program quality, so confirm both before enrolling in any elementary education program in California.
Sources: CAEP accreditation
Online and hybrid elementary education programs in California
3 of the master's in elementary education programs in California 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 California 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 California
How many master's in elementary education programs are in California?
There are 13 accredited master's in elementary education programs in California in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.
What is the most affordable master's in elementary education in California?
University of the People is the most affordable master's in elementary education in California, at $5,650 a year in in-state tuition.
How much do elementary school teachers make in California?
Elementary school teachers in California earn a median of $99,650 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 California?
California requires the CBEST/CSET (California Basic Educational Skills Test and California Subject Examinations for Teachers) licensure exam, administered for California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. See the <a href="https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">official exam page</a> for current test requirements.
Is a master's in elementary education worth it in California?
For most future teachers, yes. A master's in elementary education in California is the standard credential for a California teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $99,650 a year in California. 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 California for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 13 master's in elementary education in California 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 California.