How Many Credits Is an Elementary Education Degree Program? | Learn.org
A bachelor's in elementary education must have at least 120 credit hours. Credits are broken down into general education courses, core courses, and electives.
If you're preparing to begin coursework for an elementary education degree, you may have some questions about it. In particular, you'd like to know how many credit hours are required to complete your degree.
For a bachelor's degree in elementary education, you'll need to complete at least 120 credit hours. Some schools may require additional credits, but this varies on a program-to-program basis.
Keep reading to find out more about these degrees.
Typical Credit Requirements for an Elementary Education Degree
Aspiring elementary education teachers must obtain at least a bachelor's degree, and majoring in elementary education is an excellent choice. Let's look at the credit hour requirements you'll need to meet to graduate from the college of education of your choice.
Total Credit Hours for a Bachelor's Degree
Any bachelor's degree completed at an accredited American college or university contains at least 120 credit hours. The same holds true of educator preparation degrees.
Individual programs may require additional credit hours to complete your specific degree. Here are the credit hour requirements for the elementary education degrees at some top universities:
- University of Kansas: 120 credit hours
- University of North Dakota: 125 credit hours
- Purdue Global: 128 credit hours
Credit hours are typically the same for both traditional and online programs, though the cost may be lower for some affordable online degrees in elementary education.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Enrollment
In any program of study, students must complete the same number of credit hours regardless of whether they are enrolled full-time or part-time. Those studying full-time will graduate sooner than those who study part-time because they complete more courses in a shorter amount of time.
Both full-time and part-time students must meet the same program requirements since all teacher candidates need to meet the same licensure requirements in any given state.
Credit Requirement Breakdown
Perhaps you're wondering about the types of courses you'll have to take as part of your teacher preparation program. Let's look at how typical education courses are broken down in a typical bachelor's degree program.
Core Education Course Credits
Some of the most important classes you'll take are your core courses. These cover topics specifically relevant to teaching in an elementary school. Common topics include classroom management, child development, student learning techniques, teaching diverse learners, and specific content areas like children's literature. Some programs may also cover special education or early childhood education topics.
Core courses will make up the bulk of your education degree, but the number of credit hours you'll need to obtain will vary by program. Common core course requirements range from 50 to 90 credit hours.
General Education Requirements
General education requirements are basic introductory courses that all college students must take. These include basic subjects like English, social studies, sciences, and mathematics.
You may have to take multiple English language or language arts courses, math courses, and classes in physical science, natural science, and social science. Most students take these classes during their first year or two.
As with core courses, the required number of general education courses will vary depending on your program. General education requirements commonly range from 30 to 50 credit hours.
Elective Credits in an Elementary Education Program
Electives are courses you can take on any subject of your choosing. They may be courses you take as part of a concentration, minor, or certificate. While they are often related to your major, they don't have to be.
Elective courses are generally used to fulfill any remaining credit hours to graduate after general education and core course requirements have been met. Many students take 10 to 20 elective credit hours.
Student Teaching and Practicum Credits
All education major programs that lead to teacher certification include hands-on field experiences like student teaching opportunities, practicums, and internships. These clinical experiences provide opportunities to learn what it's like working in elementary classrooms.
As with other types of credit, field experience credit varies from program to program. Most students earn about 12 to 18 credits for these experiences.
FAQs About Degree Requirements for Elementary Education
Do you still have questions about credit requirements for becoming an elementary school teacher? Keep reading as we provide some answers.
How Many Credits Can Transfer Students Typically Apply?
Each school of education will have different transfer credit policies. That said, if you previously studied at a community college, or other accredited school, and earned credits through other means, you'll likely be able to transfer many of those credits. Most schools accept at least 60 transfer credit hours, and many accept up to 90.
Some schools allow you to transfer an unlimited number of credits as long as you meet residency requirements, which commonly stipulate that you complete at least 30 credit hours from the school where you finish your degree.
Should I Complete General Education Courses at a Community College and Transfer?
Many teacher education programs are degree completion programs, meaning they are designed for students who already hold an associate degree or transfer credits from a community college. Many students start their education journey by completing prerequisite general education courses at a community college.
If you choose to do this, make sure you take classes that will transfer to your bachelor's degree and maintain a GPA that will fulfill transfer admission requirements.
Is There a Difference Between Online and In-Person Degree Credit Structures?
In most cases, online degree programs have the same learning outcomes as in-person programs, so they will also have the same basic credit structure. Students will be expected to demonstrate competency in core courses, electives, and general education courses. However, students may have a greater degree of flexibility in online programs when it comes to scheduling courses and deciding how many to take at a time.
Earn Your Elementary Education Degree Today
If you're ready to start your elementary education journey, explore the schools listed here on Learn.org. Reach out to the admissions department at any of the colleges or universities to learn more about what they have to offer and to find a program that's right for you.