Skip to content

Elementary Education Schools and Programs in The United States, viewing 101-129 of 129 total results

Elementary Education Studies in The United States

Elementary education is the university subject that trains teachers for the first years of school. In the United States, elementary school typically goes from first through fifth or sixth grades, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and in some schools it continues through eighth grade. Elementary teachers usually teach one class in all the basic subjects, such as reading, science and math.

The schools listed on this page are of three kinds: universities with a teacher education programme, community colleges that offer the first two years, and private day schools that teach the elementary grades themselves. This text is about the first two.

How the degree is organised

The standard route is a bachelor's degree, which EducationUSA says is usually completed in four years of full-time study. The BLS states that public kindergarten and elementary school teachers typically need a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Programmes combine teaching methods courses with long periods in classrooms:

  • At Purdue University, the BA in Elementary Education is a 120-credit programme over eight semesters, with a field placement every semester and student teaching across two semesters in partner K-6 classrooms.
  • Butler University in Indianapolis requires 126 credit hours and a full year of student teaching in the final year; the university states that students complete over 1,500 hours in classrooms during the four years.
  • Illinois State University prepares students for a professional educator's licence to teach grades 1-6, with over 300 hours of field experience before student teaching.

Community colleges offer a two-year associate degree that leads into these programmes. At Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, the Elementary Education Associate of Arts takes two years (60-65 credits), and students then transfer their credits to a four-year college that offers the bachelor's degree in teacher education. EducationUSA calls this the "2+2" route.

Graduates in another subject can also qualify through a graduate programme. The University of Florida, for example, offers a one-year Master of Arts in Education in Elementary Education with classroom experience in K-6 settings.

Admission and language

EducationUSA states that undergraduate applicants in general must have completed high school and be at least 17 years old, and that US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. The search for a programme should begin 12 to 18 months before the academic year. Teaching is in English, including student teaching in local schools.

To study on an F student visa, students must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Where to study elementary education in the United States

The schools on this page are spread over many states. Public universities on the list include Purdue University in West Lafayette, Illinois State University in Normal, the University of Florida in Gainesville and The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) in University Park. Private universities include Butler University in Indianapolis, Vanderbilt University in Nashville and DeSales University in Center Valley. Community colleges include Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Tacoma Community College and Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs.

The list also contains private schools for children, such as Tower Hill School in Wilmington, Delaware, and Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC. They teach pupils in the elementary grades and do not train teachers.

Licensing and recognition

A degree alone does not allow a graduate to teach in a public school. According to the BLS, all states require teachers in public schools to be licensed or certified in the specific grade level that they will teach; those who teach in private schools typically do not need a licence. Requirements vary by state but generally involve a bachelor's degree with a minimum grade point average, a student teaching programme, a background check and certification tests.

A licence is issued by one state. Purdue, for example, states that its graduates are eligible for licensure in Indiana and that Indiana has reciprocity agreements with the other 49 states. Teacher education programmes are approved by the state and many are also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); Purdue, Butler and the University of Florida state this for their programmes. Students who plan to teach in their home country should ask its education authority how a US degree and state licence are recognised there.

Careers

Most graduates work as classroom teachers. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers held 1,530,500 jobs in 2025, according to the BLS, and local public schools employed 84 percent of elementary teachers. Employment is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035, but about 99,400 openings are projected each year. With additional education or certification, teachers may become school counselors, school librarians or instructional coordinators.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become an elementary teacher in the United States?

The usual route is a four-year bachelor's degree in elementary education that includes student teaching, followed by the state's licensing tests. A two-year associate degree at a community college can cover the first half.

Which grades can an elementary education graduate teach?

It depends on the state licence. Purdue and Butler prepare for kindergarten through 6th grade in Indiana, and Illinois State University for grades 1-6 in Illinois.

Is a teaching licence from one state valid in another?

Not automatically. Licences are issued by each state, and moving to another state depends on the agreements between them; Purdue states that Indiana has reciprocity agreements with the other 49 states.