Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs by Degrees Awarded

1. 1

   Western Governors University

   Salt Lake City, UTPrivate nonprofitOnline available

   • 1,305Master's/yr
   • $77,920Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education
   • Online
   About the program

   This fully online Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education is a competency-based program for candidates who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field and want an initial teaching license. WGU states it prepares students for teaching certification in all 50 states, generally covering a K-6 grade band that varies by state. The program includes 28 courses, a minimum of 75 hours of in-classroom observation, and 12 to 16 weeks of full-time supervised student teaching. State testing requirements and a criminal background check apply. Tuition is charged per six-month term rather than per credit. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Utah.

   Why it ranks here

   For 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 1,305 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Salt Lake City-Murray, UT, where elementary teachers earn a median $77,920, roughly $77,249 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.

   Program page
2. 2

   Grand Canyon University

   Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitOnline available

   • $29,375Est. tuition (excl. fees)
   • 568Master's/yr
   • $59,180Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education (Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure)
   • AAQEP-accredited
   • Hybrid
   About the program

   Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ offers a Master of Education in Elementary Education designed for career changers pursuing initial teacher licensure. The 47 credit hour program combines online coursework with required in person clinical field experience, including a dedicated student teaching practicum for elementary teacher candidates and roughly 92 hours of embedded practicum work. Graduates are prepared for teacher certification in grades 1-8, and the program carries accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. GCU's institutional accreditation comes from the Higher Learning Commission. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Arizona.

   A large volume of graduates from this online-friendly MEd points to GCU running one of the more established pipelines for career changers seeking initial elementary licensure, with enough scale to support cohorts year-round. That demand is typical of programs built for working adults, who can complete coursework remotely while still arranging the required in-person clinical experience and student teaching. The AAQEP accreditation likely reassures career switchers that the volume hasn't come at the expense of licensure-track credibility.

   Why it ranks here

   A 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 568 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,180, roughly $57,281 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.

   Program page
3. 3

   Liberty University

   Lynchburg, VAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

   • $16,200Est. tuition (excl. fees)
   • 308Master's/yr
   • $50,470Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education
   • Online
   About the program

   This 36-credit online MAT prepares candidates for initial teaching licensure with an elementary education focus. Courses run mostly in 8-week online terms, and candidates complete a semester of supervised student teaching. Unlike Liberty's non-licensure M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction elementary track, this MAT is a licensure pathway leading to an initial teaching credential. Liberty states its School of Education meets the standards of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The degree suits candidates entering the teaching profession rather than already-licensed teachers seeking an advanced in-service degree. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

   Why it ranks here

   Master'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 308 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Lynchburg, VA, where elementary teachers earn a median $50,470, roughly $56,478 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.

   Program page
4. 4

   University of the Cumberlands

   Williamsburg, KYPrivate nonprofitOnline available

   • $13,230Est. total cost
   • 303Master's/yr
   • $60,610State teacher pay
   • Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education (P-5) concentration
   • Online
   About the program

   University of the Cumberlands' online Master of Arts in Teaching includes an Elementary Education (P-5) concentration, a 42 credit-hour initial-licensure route leading to Kentucky elementary teacher certification. It is one of seven MAT concentrations and requires a clinical practicum and student teaching (EDOL 698/699 Clinical III). Delivery is fully online at a flat $315 per credit hour under the university's One Price Promise, which bundles textbooks and academic support with no separate fees. This differs from UC's Master of Arts in Education, an advanced degree for already-licensed teachers that has no elementary track. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Kentucky.

   Why it ranks here

   A 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 303 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kentucky statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,610, roughly $67,226 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.

   Program page
5. 5

   University of the People

   Pasadena, CAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

   • $5,650Est. total cost
   • 270Master's/yr
   • $101,860Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education in Advanced Teaching (M.Ed.)
   • Online
   About the program

   University 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. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.

   Why it ranks here

   A 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 270 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.

   Program page
6. 6

   University of West Alabama

   Livingston, ALPublic

   • $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 program

   The 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. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Alabama.

   A fully online format paired with 8 week terms makes this K-6 M.Ed. easy for licensed teachers across Alabama and beyond to fit around a full time job, which helps explain steady enrollment. Finishing in about a year, rather than the two or more common elsewhere, adds to its draw for working educators looking to advance quickly.

   Why it ranks here

   For 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, 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.

   Program page
7. 7

   Niagara University

   Niagara University, NYPrivate nonprofitOnline available

   • $34,710Est. tuition (excl. fees)
   • 245Master's/yr
   • $76,490Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.), Elementary Education
   • Online
   About the program

   This 39-credit online Master of Science in Education leads to New York initial certification, with an elementary track certifying early childhood and childhood (Birth-Grade 6) and a secondary track certifying grades 5-12. Delivery is 100% online with synchronous and asynchronous options. Candidates complete about 150 field hours plus full-time student teaching across two 7-week placements (or one 14-week placement) and meet edTPA requirements, and must pass a comprehensive evaluation before graduating. The program is described as CAEP accredited on the university page. Designed for candidates who are not yet certified teachers, it can be finished in three semesters. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.

   Why it ranks here

   Master'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 245 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,490, roughly $79,807 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.

   Program page
8. 8

   Alder Graduate School of Education

   Redwood City, CAPrivate nonprofit

   • $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 program

   Alder'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 here

   A 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 194 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.

   Program page
9. 9

   University of West Georgia

   Carrollton, GAPublicOnline available

   • $9,900Est. tuition (excl. fees)
   • 140Master's/yr
   • $76,570Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a Major in Elementary Education
   • Online
   About the program

   The University of West Georgia designed its Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a Major in Elementary Education for teachers who are already in the field, specifically those who hold or are eligible for certification covering grades P-5. Delivered fully online across a minimum of 30 credit hours, the program typically unfolds over six to eight semesters, summers included, so working educators can keep teaching while they study. The emphasis leans toward leadership and depth rather than the basics of getting into the classroom, with coursework in instructional leadership, curriculum theory, and family and community involvement. Students round out the degree with a capstone field project set in a real PK-5 classroom, tying their graduate learning back to daily practice. Because it builds on existing licensure, this elementary education degree deepens expertise rather than leading to initial teacher certification. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

   A 100% online delivery format lets UWG serve certified P-5 teachers well beyond Carrollton, supporting larger cohorts than a campus-only program could sustain. The degree's focus on instructional leadership and a PK-5 capstone project appeals broadly to working teachers looking to deepen their expertise without pausing their careers.

   Why it ranks here

   For 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 140 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,570, roughly $76,526 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.

   Program page
10. 10

    University of Phoenix-Arizona

    Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitOnline available

    • 135Master's/yr
    • $59,180Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Education - Elementary Teacher Education
    • Online
    About the program

    The Master of Arts in Education - Elementary Teacher Education is a 44 to 45 credit online program intended for students with no prior teaching experience who seek initial teacher licensure to teach elementary-age children. It requires 12 weeks of full-time in-person clinical practice in a classroom, and some states require longer. Tuition is $540 per credit plus a $195 resource fee per course, with additional third-party charges for background clearance, fingerprinting, TB testing, and competency exams. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Arizona's elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 135 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,180, roughly $57,281 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.

    Program page
11. 11

    Kansas State University

    Manhattan, KSPublic

    • 108Master's/yr
    • $49,520Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Kansas State University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education, a fully online program that leads to a Kansas initial teaching license for grades K-6. The degree culminates in a final-semester internship. Candidates who already teach serve as teacher of record in their own classrooms, while those seeking a first license complete the internship in K-12 schools. It is designed for candidates pursuing initial elementary certification rather than teachers who are already licensed. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Kansas.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 108 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Manhattan, KS, where elementary teachers earn a median $49,520, roughly $54,923 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.

    Program page
12. 12

    University of Massachusetts Global

    Aliso Viejo, CAPublicOnline available

    • 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 program

    This 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 here

    For 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, 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.

    Program page
13. 13

    SUNY College at Potsdam

    Potsdam, NYPublic

    • 100Master's/yr
    • $85,760State teacher pay
    • Master of Science for Teachers (M.S.T.) in Childhood Education
    • Online
    About the program

    This Master of Science for Teachers in Childhood Education is a 50 credit initial-certification program for candidates who do not already hold a teaching certificate, leading to New York State certification to teach Grades 1-6. It is delivered 100 percent online with no on-campus requirement and can be completed in as few as three full-time semesters. Candidates complete 100 hours of fieldwork before a full student-teaching semester consisting of two 8-week placements. Instructors can advise a pathway toward additional Birth-Grade 2 certification. This is a licensure-track degree, not an in-service degree for already-certified teachers. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    A 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 100 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $85,760, roughly $79,466 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.

    Program page
14. 14

    National Louis University

    Chicago, ILPrivate nonprofit

    • $30,100Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 100Master's/yr
    • $78,390Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Elementary Education
    • CAEP (National College of Education)-accredited
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    National Louis University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education through its National College of Education, and it is built to meet aspiring teachers where they are. Candidates complete 40 semester hours for licensure or 43 for the full master's degree, working toward an Illinois Professional Educator's License that covers grades 1 through 6. Field experience is central rather than an afterthought, with extended time in diverse urban and suburban schools that puts theory into practice. The program also recognizes that people arrive by different routes, offering a traditional track, a yearlong Teacher Residency Program, and an alternative licensure option. Classes run on campus and online, and the National College of Education carries CAEP accreditation for its educator preparation programs, a reassuring sign for those entering the profession. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Illinois.

    National Louis has long funneled Chicago-area teacher candidates through its National College of Education, and the MAT's multiple entry points, traditional, residency, or alternative pathways, help it draw a steady stream of career changers alongside recent grads. That breadth of routes into the same 43 hour, Illinois grades 1-6 license is exactly what tends to push degree counts higher at established urban private programs. Prospective students benefit from a program with enough scale to run cohorts and extended field placements consistently rather than as one off offerings.

    Why it ranks here

    For 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 100 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,390, roughly $75,670 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.

    Program page
15. 15

    Mercer University

    Macon, GAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • $22,050Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 98Master's/yr
    • $61,510Metro teacher pay
    • M.Ed. in Elementary Education: The Advanced Teacher
    • Online
    About the program

    Mercer University's Master of Education in Elementary Education, offered as an Advanced Teacher track through the Tift College of Education, speaks to educators who already hold a Georgia teaching certificate and want to grow without stepping away from the classroom. The program runs fully online in a mix of eight-week and 16-week terms, a pace that lets many finish in roughly twelve to sixteen months. Faculty remain within reach through optional face-to-face meetings, so the online format never feels entirely hands-off. What draws many teachers is the concrete outcome: upon completion, graduates become eligible to move their certification from a level 4 to a level 5 credential through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. In practice, it offers working elementary teachers a clear path to advanced licensure without relocating to campus. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

    As a fully online M.Ed. in Elementary Education built specifically for teachers who already hold a Georgia certificate, this Mercer program draws a steady stream of working educators looking to move from level 4 to level 5 status. The flexible 8 and 16 week terms and roughly 12 to 16 month timeline make it easy to fit around a full teaching schedule, which helps explain why so many Georgia teachers choose it to advance their credential. That kind of scale also means an established, well-tested course sequence for anyone considering it.

    Why it ranks here

    A 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 98 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Macon-Bibb County, GA, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,510, roughly $69,481 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.

    Program page
16. 16

    American University

    Washington, DCPrivate nonprofit

    • $47,289Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 95Master's/yr
    • $79,470Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a concentration in Elementary Education
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    American University in Washington, DC offers a Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in elementary education, a 33-credit program that leads to teacher licensure in grades 1-6. What distinguishes it is the sheer amount of classroom time built into the degree, more than 600 hours of field experience that runs from a first-semester practicum through a full semester of student teaching. That immersion, housed in the Antonio and Lyla Baker School of Education, means candidates spend far more time learning by doing than by lecture alone. Students can pursue the elementary education MAT in person or online, fitting the program around their circumstances. There is also real geographic reach at the end, since DC licensure earned here can transfer to 48 states once candidates pass the required certification exams. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Washington, D.C..

    American University's MAT with an elementary education concentration is offered both in person and online, a flexible setup that helps explain why so many candidates complete it and choose the format that fits their schedule. That reach, especially the online option, makes the program accessible to working teachers and career changers around the country who still need the same 600-plus hours of field experience and a full semester of student teaching to reach grades 1-6 licensure.

    Why it ranks here

    For 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 95 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,470, roughly $72,986 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.

    Program page
17. 17

    Azusa Pacific University

    Azusa, CAPrivate nonprofit

    • $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 program

    Azusa 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.

    Azusa Pacific's hybrid MA in Education with an embedded Multiple Subject Credential draws large numbers of working teachers who need a schedule built around live online classes and occasional Saturday sessions rather than weekday campus visits. That flexible, 45-unit structure lets the university enroll bigger cohorts than a fully in-person track could support, while the 16-week K-8 student teaching placement keeps the credential rigorous enough to stay CAEP accredited. The volume reflects a program that has scaled to serve California career changers and current classroom aides pursuing licensure alongside a graduate degree.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 93 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.

    Program page
18. 18

    University of Nevada-Las Vegas

    Las Vegas, NVPublic

    • 92Master's/yr
    • $65,040Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education
    About the program

    The University of Nevada, Las Vegas offers a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education, an initial-licensure pathway for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in a field outside education. Designed to take about two years, it opens with a block of coursework paired with field placement in local schools, after which candidates may qualify for a conditional Nevada teaching license. The program leads to full elementary teacher licensure rather than serving as an in-service degree. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Nevada.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 92 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV, where elementary teachers earn a median $65,040, roughly $64,900 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.

    Program page
19. 19

    Pittsburg State University

    Pittsburg, KSPublicOnline available

    • 82Master's/yr
    • $56,450State teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Teaching (Elementary Education K-6), Alternative Licensure
    • Online
    About the program

    This Master of Arts in Teaching, Teaching (Elementary Education K-6) alternative licensure emphasis, is an initial-licensure pathway for candidates who hold a non-teaching bachelor's degree and want a Kansas Elementary K-6 teaching license. It is delivered online. Coursework includes primary-grade literacy, curriculum development, and supervised practica in authentic school settings. Program materials describe a 33 credit-hour structure. Pittsburg State also offers a separate MS emphasis for already-licensed elementary teachers. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Kansas's elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 82 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kansas statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $56,450, roughly $62,675 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.

    Program page
20. 20

    University of Washington-Seattle Campus

    Seattle, WAPublic

    • $20,736In-state tuition
    • $37,464Out-of-state tuition
    • 78Master's/yr
    • $102,920Metro teacher pay
    • Master in Teaching (M.I.T.)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    The University of Washington's Elementary Teacher Education Program is an intensive, immersive route to the classroom, a one-year Master in Teaching that runs across four quarters beginning in summer. At 70 credits and deeply field-based, the hybrid program offers both daytime and evening cohorts and steadily raises the stakes of its placements, from 75 hours in summer and autumn to 215 in winter and a full 440 hours of student teaching in spring across Seattle-area partner schools. That escalating structure lets candidates grow into full-time teaching rather than being thrown into it. Graduates earn a Washington Residency Certificate for elementary teaching and can layer on endorsements in areas such as multilingual learners, bilingual education, and special education. Before beginning full-time student teaching, candidates must pass the NES elementary subtests. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    A 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 78 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, where elementary teachers earn a median $102,920, roughly $92,610 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.

    Program page
21. 21

    Northern Arizona University

    Flagstaff, AZPublic

    • 74Master's/yr
    • $53,900Metro teacher pay
    • Elementary Education, Master of Education
    • CAEP, K-6 Elementary Teacher Preparation Standards-accredited
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Northern Arizona University offers a Master of Education in Elementary Education in Flagstaff, delivered through online and blended coursework for educators who already hold a teaching certificate. Students choose one of four emphasis areas, including Elementary National Board Preparation, Multiage Education, and Positive Behavior Support, and complete work aligned with CAEP K-6 Elementary Teacher Preparation Standards. The program is built for practicing teachers advancing their credentials, not for candidates seeking initial teacher certification. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Arizona.

    A high count of degrees awarded fits NAU's design as an online and blended M.Ed. built for licensed teachers already in classrooms, since remote access lets the program draw candidates from across Arizona and beyond rather than a single campus cohort. The choice of emphases, including National Board Preparation, Multiage Education, and Positive Behavior Support, gives working teachers several practical reasons to enroll depending on their career goals. That scale benefits districts too, as a steady pipeline of CAEP-aligned graduates with advanced coursework strengthens the pool of experienced, credentialed elementary teachers available for hire.

    Why it ranks here

    For 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 74 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Flagstaff, AZ, where elementary teachers earn a median $53,900, roughly $53,725 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.

    Program page
22. 22

    Harding University

    Searcy, ARPrivate nonprofit

    • $16,205Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 73Master's/yr
    • $52,700State teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Elementary Education
    About the program

    Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, offers a Master of Education in Elementary Education, a graduate program requiring 35 semester hours of coursework. The curriculum combines core courses in educational foundations, such as Research Methods and School Law and Policy, with dedicated elementary education coursework and credit in Bible and religion. Candidates complete the degree by passing written comprehensive examinations, with all coursework finished within eight calendar years of starting the program. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Arkansas.

    A long-running M.Ed. at a private Christian university, Harding's elementary education program has built a steady track record that draws working teachers from across the region. Its blend of educational foundations, elementary coursework, and comprehensive exams offers a familiar, proven route to an advanced degree, which helps explain the program's strong output of graduates over time.

    Why it ranks here

    For 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 73 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Arkansas statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $52,700, roughly $60,619 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.

    Program page
23. 23

    Georgia Southwestern State University

    Americus, GAPublic

    • $8,943Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 72Master's/yr
    • $72,290State teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in Elementary Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Georgia Southwestern State University offers a Master of Education with an Elementary Education concentration through its College of Education, and the design clearly has practicing teachers in mind. The 33-credit-hour program is delivered entirely online and can be completed in as little as thirteen months, so educators can advance their credentials from home without pausing their careers. Admission is geared toward those already in the field, requiring applicants to hold a professional teaching certificate or be eligible for induction. Just as practically, the program asks for no GRE or GMAT scores, removing a common hurdle for teachers who have been out of testing for years. For Georgia educators pursuing advanced certification and professional growth, it offers a streamlined way to keep moving forward while continuing to teach. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Georgia.

    A streamlined, fully online 33 credit format tends to draw steady enrollment from working teachers across Georgia who want to add the Elementary Education concentration without pausing their careers. The accelerated 13 month timeline and no GRE requirement make it an easy repeat choice for certified educators, which helps explain a consistent flow of graduates each year.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 72 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Georgia statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $72,290, roughly $75,073 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.

    Program page
24. 24

    Arizona State University Digital Immersion

    Scottsdale, AZPublicOnline available

    • 70Master's/yr
    • $59,180Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education (Teacher Certification)
    • Online
    About the program

    This fully online MEd lets applicants with a bachelor's degree in any field earn a graduate degree from ASU's Mary Lou Fulton College and qualify for Arizona initial teacher certification to teach grades K to 8. The program totals 33 credit hours across 17 classes, each running about 15 weeks, and concludes with a required applied project course, EED 593. It is delivered through ASU Online with the same tuition for residents and nonresidents. Coursework builds elementary content pedagogy and classroom practice leading toward certification. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Arizona's elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    A 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 70 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,180, roughly $57,281 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.

    Program page
25. 25

    Walden University

    Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitOnline available

    • $23,800Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 66Master's/yr
    • $79,730Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Elementary Education
    • CAEP-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    Walden University's Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education is built for bachelor's degree holders who are ready to become licensed teachers, and it delivers that preparation entirely online. Coursework in K-6 content areas is paired with hands-on field experience, so candidates practice the full arc of teaching, planning lessons, delivering instruction, and assessing the diverse learners in an elementary classroom. That balance keeps the online format grounded in real classroom work rather than theory alone. The program's educator preparation is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, a mark of quality that carries weight in the field. Graduates leave positioned to pursue teacher licensure in 44 states and Washington, DC, giving the degree considerable flexibility across the country. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Minnesota.

    Walden's fully online format lets it draw career changers and bachelor's holders nationwide rather than a single local commuter base, which helps explain a large number of degrees awarded. That scale benefits working adults who need a flexible path to K-6 licensure, since a bigger cohort typically means more consistent course offerings and support for candidates completing field experience while employed. Licensure pathways in 44 states and DC further widen the pool of students the program can serve at volume.

    Why it ranks here

    A 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 66 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,730, roughly $76,062 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.

    Program page

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