Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs in Louisiana
All 12 Elementary Education master's-level programs in Louisiana, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.
A master's in elementary education can lead to initial Louisiana licensure or advance a licensed teacher's career, and Louisiana has 12 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. Centenary College of Louisiana ranks first with a score of 50, on a 56 percent graduation rate.
Elementary school teachers in Louisiana earn a median of $58,770 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, Louisiana licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Louisiana on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.
- 1
Centenary College of Louisiana
50score- 1Master's/yr
- $61,850Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Elementary Education
About the programCentenary College of Louisiana offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education, one of its graduate routes to initial teacher certification. Built for applicants who hold a bachelor's degree in a field outside education, it leads to Louisiana certification to teach grades 1 through 5. Coursework includes elementary methods, literacy, and dyslexia instruction, followed by two elementary residency placements that combine student teaching and internship experience in schools. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Louisiana'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 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Shreveport-Bossier City, LA, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,850, roughly $72,966 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
Nicholls State University
48score- 1Master's/yr
- $58,780Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education concentration
About the programThe Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with the Elementary Education concentration is a 36-semester-hour advanced degree for teachers who already hold a valid permanent-type Louisiana teaching certificate. Admission requires that existing certificate plus 18 to 24 hours in professional education appropriate to the level, so the program does not lead to initial certification and does not by itself qualify a candidate to teach. It is designed to deepen content and pedagogical knowledge for practicing elementary teachers. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Louisiana's 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 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA, where elementary teachers earn a median $58,780, roughly $69,069 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
Southern University and A & M College
46score- 6Master's/yr
- $59,310Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Grades 1-5 (Elementary)
- CAEP-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programThis 36-credit Master of Arts in Teaching (Grades 1-5) is an alternative-certification pathway for candidates who hold a bachelor's degree but no teaching license and seek initial elementary certification. It runs as a one-year cohort beginning in summer, blending graduate coursework with two supervised internship semesters (CRIN 450 and CRIN 451) during which candidates teach on a Louisiana Practitioner License under a mentor, with an urban education and mentor-leader focus. Delivery is hybrid. It leads to a first elementary teaching certificate and a master's degree, not an advanced degree for already-licensed teachers. 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 6 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Baton Rouge, LA, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,310, roughly $65,334 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
Louisiana Tech University
46score- 4Master's/yr
- $58,770State teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Elementary Education (Grades 1-5)
About the programLouisiana Tech University's Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education, covering grades 1-5, opens the profession to people who already hold a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field and now want Louisiana initial licensure. The coursework spans elementary mathematics, science, and social studies methods along with literacy and reading and the practical work of special education and classroom management. What sets the experience apart is the university's TEAM residency model, which replaces a single term of student teaching with a full-year clinical internship in local schools. That extended time in the classroom lets candidates grow into the role gradually rather than in one concentrated stretch. This is an initial-licensure degree, distinct from in-service programs meant for teachers who are already certified. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Louisiana.
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 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Louisiana statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $58,770, roughly $66,627 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
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
43score- 3Master's/yr
- $59,310Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Elementary Education, Grades 1-5
About the programLSU's Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education is a streamlined, roughly one-year non-thesis program of at least 33 graduate credit hours, with at least 24 hours at the 7000 level or above. It is a Louisiana state-approved teacher preparation program that meets certification eligibility for Elementary Grades 1-5, qualifying graduates for a Level 1 Professional Certificate plus an English as a Second Language endorsement, so it leads to initial teacher licensure. Students complete practica and seminars and defend a written special project as a final exam. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Louisiana'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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Baton Rouge, LA, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,310, roughly $65,334 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
Grambling State University
43score- 6Master's/yr
- $58,770State teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Elementary Education Integrated to Merge, Grades 1-5
About the programGrambling State University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education for grades 1 through 5 that merges elementary certification with Special Education Mild/Moderate. It is an initial-certification program for candidates who already hold a bachelor's degree and follows a practitioner-teacher model, leading to Louisiana licensure rather than serving teachers who are already certified. For those educators, Grambling offers a separate Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Louisiana.
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 6 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Louisiana statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $58,770, roughly $66,627 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 New Orleans
38score- 8Master's/yr
- $60,350Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), Elementary Education & Special Education Mild/Moderate, Grades 1-5
About the programThis Master of Arts in Teaching is a graduate alternate-certification program for people who hold a non-education bachelor's degree and want an initial teaching certificate. It is a minimum of 33 credit hours and leads to Grades 1-5 certification combining elementary education with mild/moderate special education. Candidates complete two semesters of residency plus at least 40 clock hours of field work in earlier coursework, and typically finish in two to two and a half years. Courses meet after school, during summer days, and some are offered online. Applicants who already hold certification are directed to the M.Ed instead. It awards more master's-level elementary education degrees than any of Louisiana's 12 ranked master's-level programs, 8 in the most recent year. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Louisiana.
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 8 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New Orleans-Metairie, LA, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,350, roughly $65,175 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
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
37score- 6Master's/yr
- $58,770State teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education, Grades 1-5
About the programNorthwestern State University of Louisiana offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education for grades 1 through 5 through its Gallaspy College of Education. As a MAT, it is an initial teacher-preparation pathway leading toward Louisiana certification to teach grades 1 through 5, aimed at candidates entering the profession rather than educators advancing beyond initial licensure. A related dual MAT combining Elementary and Special Education for grades 1 through 5 is available online. 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 6 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Louisiana statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $58,770, roughly $66,627 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 Louisiana at Monroe
32score- $10,800Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 3Master's/yr
- $50,300Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Concentration in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Online
About the programThis is an in-service Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an Elementary Education concentration, delivered 100% online in accelerated 8-week sessions and completable in as few as 15 months. It requires 36 credit hours across 12 three-credit courses covering curriculum theory, learning and development, educational research, and assessment. It does not lead to initial teacher licensure. Applicants must already hold a valid Louisiana teaching certificate or equivalent, so it is an advanced degree for practicing elementary teachers rather than a certification pathway. No student teaching is required. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Louisiana.
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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Monroe, LA, where elementary teachers earn a median $50,300, roughly $60,170 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 Louisiana at Lafayette
31score- 6Master's/yr
- $47,770Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Elementary Education, Grades 1-5
About the programThe University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education for grades 1 through 5, an initial-licensure program for candidates who do not already hold teaching certification. It runs as a 14-month cohort and combines core coursework with a teaching residency and a research capstone. Candidates can earn a Louisiana Practitioner License and begin working as the teacher of record partway through the program. An optional Elementary French Immersion concentration is available for students with French proficiency, and the program leads to Louisiana elementary certification. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Louisiana.
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 6 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Lafayette, LA, where elementary teachers earn a median $47,770, roughly $54,776 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
Xavier University of Louisiana
29score- 1Master's/yr
- $60,350Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education (Grades 1-5)
About the programXavier University of Louisiana offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education for grades 1 through 5, an alternative-certification degree for candidates who hold a bachelor's degree in a field outside education and are seeking initial Louisiana teaching licensure. An Elementary and Special Education dual-certification track for grades 1 through 5 is also available. The program is a route to initial certification rather than advanced study for teachers who are already licensed. 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 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New Orleans-Metairie, LA, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,350, roughly $65,175 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
McNeese State University
19score- 3Master's/yr
- $51,520Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education Grades 1-5
- Online
About the programMcNeese State University offers a fully online Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education for grades 1 through 5, leading to initial Louisiana teacher certification. The program is designed for candidates who hold a bachelor's degree and want to become elementary teachers. Coursework spans reading, mathematics, science, social studies, and classroom management, with field experience embedded across courses and a two-semester teaching residency completed in schools. 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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Lake Charles, LA, where elementary teachers earn a median $51,520, roughly $60,010 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 Louisiana
- Louisiana has 12 accredited master's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
- Centenary College of Louisiana ranks first among elementary education master's programs in Louisiana with a score of 50, on a 56 percent graduation rate.
- University of Louisiana at Monroe is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Louisiana, at $10,800 a year in-state tuition.
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College posts the highest graduation rate among elementary education programs in Louisiana, at 69 percent.
- Elementary school teachers in Louisiana earn a median of $58,770 a year (BLS), ranking Louisiana 41 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
- 3 of the master's in elementary education programs in Louisiana offer an online or hybrid option.
- Louisiana requires the Praxis licensure exam, administered through Louisiana Department of Education, to earn a teaching license.
What a master's in elementary education costs in Louisiana (2026)
Published in-state tuition for a master's in elementary education in Louisiana runs from $10,800 to $10,800 a year across the 12 programs we rank, with a median of $10,800. The most affordable is University of Louisiana at Monroe at $10,800 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 49 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 Louisiana
Elementary school teachers in Louisiana earn a median of $58,770 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks Louisiana 41 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 Louisiana is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.
How to get a Louisiana teaching license
To teach in Louisiana you need a master's in elementary education (or a bachelor's plus an approved preparation program), a supervised student-teaching placement, and a Louisiana teaching license issued by Louisiana Department of Education. Louisiana calls the initial credential the Level 1 Professional Certificate, and earning it means passing Praxis (The Praxis Series) plus a background check.
Louisiana requires Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying ACT/SAT), subject-area content exams, and the Principles of Learning and Teaching pedagogy test. Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.
Sources: Louisiana educator certification, Praxis exam
Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Louisiana
Pick a master's in elementary education in Louisiana that is regionally accredited and whose educator-preparation program is approved by the Louisiana Department of Education, ideally with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation. State approval is what lets the degree count toward a Louisiana teaching license, and CAEP is the national standard for program quality, so confirm both before enrolling in any elementary education program in Louisiana.
Sources: CAEP accreditation
Online and hybrid elementary education programs in Louisiana
3 of the master's in elementary education programs in Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana
How many master's in elementary education programs are in Louisiana?
There are 12 accredited master's in elementary education programs in Louisiana in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.
What is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Louisiana?
University of Louisiana at Monroe is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Louisiana, at $10,800 a year in in-state tuition.
How much do elementary school teachers make in Louisiana?
Elementary school teachers in Louisiana earn a median of $58,770 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 Louisiana?
Louisiana requires the Praxis (The Praxis Series) licensure exam, administered for Louisiana Department of Education. See the <a href="https://www.ets.org/praxis" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">official exam page</a> for current test requirements.
Is a master's in elementary education worth it in Louisiana?
For most future teachers, yes. A master's in elementary education in Louisiana is the standard credential for a Louisiana teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $58,770 a year in Louisiana. 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 Louisiana for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 12 master's in elementary education in Louisiana 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 Louisiana.