Open a world of possibilities for children by teaching them how to learn and grow.
If your passion is to help children build the fundamental skills needed for lifelong learning success, this bachelor's degree in elementary education (P-5) is for you! ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’ college major in elementary education was designed with you in mind — the aspiring elementary school teacher who has a calling to encourage and excite learning growth in young children.
Plus, you can earn your elementary education degree online as you build the skills you need to enter the education field – where and when it works best for you. An online elementary education degree can give you the freedom to pursue your teaching aspirations alongside your other commitments.
By the Numbers
Programs & Requirements
* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.
To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog.
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (P-5)
The elementary education degree program is designed for students wishing to be certified in grades P-5. Individual programs should be planned with an advisor from the faculty of the School of Education. In addition to the General Education and required Professional Education courses, students pursuing this option must also complete one academic emphasis.
Course Requirements
The following may not be taken prior to admission to Teacher Education:
- OR
Available to on-campus students, Bachelor of Arts degree requires completing the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of completing one foreign language sequence through the intermediate level.
- FREN 131 Elementary French I
- FREN 132 Elementary French II
- FREN 231 Intermediate French I
- FREN 232 Intermediate French II
or
- SPAN 131 Elementary Spanish I
- SPAN 132 Elementary Spanish II
- SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
- SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
Academic Emphasis Areas
Elementary Education (P-5) - The Elementary Education Program (P-5) is designed for those students wishing to be certified in grades P-5. Individual programs should be planned with an advisor from the faculty of the School of Education. In addition to the General Education and required , students pursuing this this option must also complete one
Course Requirements
Required Courses:
- Choose from the undergraduate biology course offerings.
- Choose from undergraduate physics or chemistry course offerings.
- Choose from the undergraduate history course offerings.
The courses chosen as electives cannot have been taken for General Education credit. Some of the courses are taught in a rotation of semesters. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for the semester’s courses are to be offered. A minimum of nine (9) semester hours may be chosen from the following courses, NO TWO WITH THE SAME PREFIX. Candidates may need to choose an additional elective from the following options in order to meet graduation requirements.
- ENGL 330-335 Literary Studies
Required Course
Four credit hours selected from the following:
- AND
- AND
Four credit hours selected from the following:
- *This course provides no credit toward a chemistry major or minor. AND
Three science courses (at least 9 semester hours) with at least 2 courses (6 semester hours) at or above the 200 level.
Required courses:
- OR
- OR
The remaining 6 hours may be chosen from:
- OR
- OR
Required courses:
Remaining nine (9) hours may be chosen from:
Required Courses:
Remaining six (6) hours must include three semester hours each from two of the following:
Successful completion of this program and the passing scores on required state tests provides eligibility for certification in Learning and Behavior Disorders, Special Education P-12. In order to obtain certification in Special Education LBD the student must successfully complete one-half of the student teaching in special education and pass the required PRAXIS Tests in Special Education LBD. LBD certification is taken concurrently with P-5 Elementary or with another 5-9 Middle School specialization area. A required application for certification in LBD must be submitted upon successful completion of the above.
Minor in Elementary Education
If you are considering teaching children someday - or you aspire toward a career that you know would benefit from having strong teaching and communication skills - then this minor is for you. Though it doesn't prepare you for full certification as an educator, it lays the groundwork for success in related work by offering a curriculum that covers all the basics of Elementary education.
Course Requirements
Pathways for KCTCS Students
Under this pathway, students who have completed an Associate’s degree in Educator Preparation at KCTCS can transfer up to 80 hours of course credit to ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.
ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ and Somerset KCTCS have entered into an agreement for Elementary Education students. This agreement provides for a seamless pathway for students completing the Associate of Applied Science degree in Educator Preparation at Somerset KCTCS to move towards completion of the Bachelor of Science degree in Education through the School of Education at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.
The general requirement for graduation from ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ with the Bachelor of Science in Education is the completion of at least 120Ìýsemester hours including:
- General education – 37 hours
- Education major – 72 hours + emphasis area(s) Some of these hours are completed at the Community College level.
The academic advisor assigned to the student at the time of their admission to the Education Online Program will work with the student to develop a planned program that lists the courses completed/transferred and a list of courses to be completed.ÌýÌý As a part of this process, the academic advisor will also develop the planned program to ensure that a minimum of 30Ìýsemester hours numbered 300 or above are identified.Ìý An approved copy of the planned program is forwarded to the student.Ìý
All of the courses needed to complete the Bachelor of Science degree in Education are offered in an online format to accommodate the needs of today’s working adult.
KCTCS students interested in additional information regarding transferring coursework to ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ should contact the Office of Admissions. Please emailÌýucoadm [at] ucumberlands.edu (ucoadm[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu)Ìý
Option 9 Education Certification Pathways
The influence of a teacher on a child’s life leaves an immeasurable impact. Now is your time.
ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ offers an EPSB-approved Option 9 program. This alternative route is available to both in-seat and online ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ students. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ offers programs in early interdisciplinary education, elementary education, and middle school education.
While education students at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ are completing coursework, they will have the opportunity to immediately put their learning into practice as an instructional assistant in a classroom, receive mentorship from experienced teachers in the district, and complete their bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate, in as little as three years.
We offer Option 9 pathways for candidates pursuing certification in early childhood education, elementary education, and middle school education.
To learn more information or to find out if your school district has an Option 9 partnership in place with ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, visit our Option 9 page.
Take the Next Step
Mission & Goals
The purpose of the School of Education is to develop entry level education students into highly qualified, knowledgeable and caring teachers. We provide training and experiences using best practices for teacher education candidates.
Elementary Education Careers & Outcomes
All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Elementary Teacher: $61,350
Elementary Teacher: $61,350
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects in order to prepare them for future schooling.
Childcare Worker: $27,490
Childcare Worker: $27,490
Childcare workers attend to children's needs while helping to foster early development.
Childcare Center Director: $47,310
Childcare Center Director: $47,310
Preschool and childcare center directors supervise and lead their staffs, design program plans, oversee daily activities, and prepare budgets.
Special Education Teacher: $61,820
Special Education Teacher: $61,820
Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.
Education Administrator: $49,690
Education Administrator: $49,690
Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.
Recreation worker: $29,680
Recreation worker: $29,680
Recreation workers design and lead activities to help people stay active, improve fitness, and have fun.
Common Questions
An elementary education degree is a program that prepares students to become licensed teachers for kindergarten through 5th grade. The degree covers educational theories, teaching methods, classroom management, and subject-specific content to equip future educators with the skills to teach young children.
An elementary education degree typically takes four years to complete if pursued full-time. This includes general education courses and teaching-specific coursework, along with student teaching or fieldwork experiences.
Yes, many schools, including ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, offer an elementary education degree online. These programs provide flexibility for students who need to balance other commitments while earning their degree.
Yes, an elementary education degree is worth it for those passionate about teaching young children and shaping their foundational learning. The demand for qualified elementary school teachers is steady, and the degree opens doors to various educational careers.
With an elementary education degree, you can become a licensed elementary school teacher, childcare worker, special education teacher, or educational administrator. Additional opportunities include roles in curriculum development, school leadership, and recreational program management.
To earn an elementary education degree, you need to enroll in a bachelor's program, complete the required coursework, and gain hands-on experience through student teaching. Most programs also require passing relevant teaching certification exams for licensure.
An elementary education degree can be either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS), depending on the school and the specific focus of the program. BA programs may include more liberal arts courses, while BS programs might emphasize math and science education.
No, an elementary education degree typically prepares you to teach grades K-5. To teach high school, you would need a secondary education degree or a subject-specific degree with appropriate certification for grades 9-12.
Faculty Experts in Education
Learn more about your future education professors!

Serena Anderson

Dr. Andrew Alexson

Ashton Leach
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