Elementary Education Degrees

Overview

Being trained in elementary school education is of vital importance to children. The way in which a child perceives a school is often determined by the kind of education they receive in elementary school. A good education can only be imparted by teachers who are trained in elementary teaching methods. Elementary education degrees aim to equip teachers with the skills and techniques required to teach children at the elementary level. The responsibilities of an elementary teacher will include teaching basic mathematics, English, science, music, and physical education. Additional duties include planning lessons and projects, grading homework and tests, and disciplining.

Benefits

Many different employers seek people with an elementary education foundation. It is a degree that shows people that you can deal with and have success in working with children. Adoption agencies, social service agencies, day care centers, educational publishers, private schools, mental health clinics, and all different levels of state and municipal government often hire people who have pursued elementary education degrees. With the No Child Left Behind legislation, the importance of people who have earned elementary education degrees cannot be underestimated. The average salary for an elementary teacher is approximately $33,000. With experience and the improvement of skills, the salary might increase.

Costs

The cost for pursuing an elementary education degree varies with the type of course you choose. There are full-time campus programs and online courses. For a full-time course, the cost is approximately $24,000; however, this can vary from school to school. Online courses range from $360 to $660, per semester.

Schools

Many different teaching institutions around the United States offer different types of elementary education degrees. These vary from the tradition in class settings to classes that are held online. Regardless of the type of degree, you need to make sure that the program of study that you seek is certified and accredited with the local regional college certification board. There are six or seven regional boards that certify universities and colleges in America, depending on the geographical region. Some schools that offer full-time courses are the University of Houston and University of Maryland. Online, or distance learning courses, are offered at East Carolina University and Oregon State University.

Testing & Preparation

There are no tests that are required to take up the elementary education degree. For a master's program, it is necessary to have completed the corresponding bachelor's program in elementary education. The candidacy of the student is assessed by the interviews conducted by schools. To enter a bachelor's or associate's degree program, the majority of schools require a GED or high school diploma.

Financial Aid

Though some schools offer financial aid in the form of scholarships and assistantships, it is not available for online courses. Information about other scholarships is listed in College Scholarships and Teaching Tips. Students can take advantage of federal loans, private institutional loans, and the federal student aid. Some of the institutions that offer financial aid for their students include Syracuse University and University of Phoenix.