Online EdS in Elementary Education
Take Your Teaching Skills to the Next Level with an Online EdS
100% Online
1.5 Years
30 Credit Hours
$465 per Credit (In-State)
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Build on Your Foundation as an Elementary Educator
Study with expert faculty and become a leader in your school with an Education Specialist in Elementary Education degree from Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). In this program, you’ll strengthen your knowledge of content, curriculum, and student needs, while preparing for Class AA certification.
This program also offers concentrations that will help you tailor your degree to your own interests. Get started now to move toward your future in education.
Teacher Certification Options
Earn your Education Specialist in Elementary Education degree at AUM and advance from Class A to Class AA certification in Alabama. Upon completion of this online program, you’ll be prepared to submit your application to the Alabama State Department of Education.
Certification requirements vary by state. Be sure to review the requirements for the location where you plan to teach after completing your program.
Certification DetailsProgram Details
- Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Military Friendly® Gold Status for 2023-20241
- No GRE testing requirements for qualifying students
Tailor Your Elementary Education Specialist Degree
AUM’s online Education Specialist in Elementary Education program offers a variety of concentrations to help you specialize your degree to your career needs. The courses in these concentrations are designed to build on your existing knowledge of education and help you grow in your teaching career.
Strengthen Your Knowledge of Education Principles
9 Online Courses
Class AA Preparation
Study in small class sizes with faculty who have practical classroom experience in AUM’s online EdS in Elementary Education program. Topics of study include teaching basic math and reading skills, cultural issues of families in distress, multicultural education, advanced motor development, and more. In addition to the core program courses, you’ll also take courses in your chosen concentration. This fully online program will help prepare you to advance to Class AA certification.
Online Course Highlights
- Advanced Sociology of Sports & Physical Activity
- Counseling Diverse Populations
- Psychology of Coaching
- Quantitative Research in Language Arts/Math/Social Studies/Science
Apply for Your Online Education Specialist Degree
Application Deadline 01/05/25 Spring 2025 Semester
Start Date 01/13/25 Spring 2025 Semester
Starting your online application to the Education Specialist in Elementary Education program at AUM is simple. You can apply online at any time, and our enrollment team will be there to help you along the way. Check out the chart below to see more admissions information.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
| Application Fee | $25 |
| Degree and Minimum GPA | Applicants to the EdS in Elementary Education program must hold a master’s in their teaching field and have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts of all completed coursework from your previous college experience. |
| Additional Requirements |
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| Transfer Credits | Transfer up to 12 credit hours. Request information for details. |
AUM offers rolling admissions, so it’s always a great time to apply. If you have questions, request information to connect with our admissions team.
Admissions DetailsAn Affordable Way to Take the Next Steps in Elementary Education
Continuing your education is a big decision. That’s why at AUM, we aim to deliver the most value possible with our online programs and are proud to be ranked as a best value school by U.S. News & World Report.2 Our Education Specialist in Elementary Education program is an affordable way for you to take your career to the next level. You can find more information on various program costs in the chart below.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $465 for Alabama residents and $511 for non-residents |
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 30 |
| Total Estimated Cost, Minus Fees | $13,950 – $15,330 |
| Additional Fees |
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| Other Costs to Budget For | You may have costs in addition to tuition, such as textbooks, supplies and fees. Take these into consideration as you budget for your degree |
Military Benefits
Auburn University at Montgomery is proud to support the educational goals of military veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, guardsmen, and their families. We participate in the Yellow Ribbon program, and Military Friendly® ranked us among the Top 10 schools for 2023-2024. Moreover, our Veteran and Military Resource Center offers an array of resources for fostering a smooth admissions process and online student experience.
Financial Aid Opportunities
At AUM, we strive to make your online degree program as affordable as possible, with cost-effective tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. We encourage you to complete your FAFSA® form to determine your financial aid eligibility — the school code for Auburn University at Montgomery is 008310.
Tuition DetailsObtain Class AA Certification in Alabama
During your course of study in AUM’s online Education Specialist in Elementary Education program, you’ll prepare yourself to advance from a Class A certification to a Class AA certification, increasing your earning potential and level of expertise.
Certification requirements vary from state to state, but Alabama standards comprise of three different certification levels. Below, you can see what minimum education is required for each level in Alabama.
- Class B: Bachelor’s degree
- Class A: Traditional or alternative master’s degree
- Class AA: Education Specialist degree
How to Obtain Class AA Certification
Upon completion of your Education Specialist in Elementary Education degree from AUM, you’ll be eligible to apply for a Class AA certification in Alabama. This process is done through our College of Educator’s Teacher Certification Office.
You’ll need to meet these requirements to earn Class AA certification through AUM’s traditional EdS in Elementary Education program:
- A valid Class A Professional Educator Certificate in the same teaching field(s) used as a basis for admission to the Class AA program.
- A survey of special education course is required unless that course was taken for prior level certification. An individual who completed a survey of special education course must take a diversity course that focuses on methods of accommodating instruction to meet the needs of students with disabilities in inclusive settings, multicultural education, teaching English language learners, rural education, or urban education. A course used to meet this requirement for one level of certification may not be used to meet the requirement for a higher level of certification.
- Satisfactory completion of a state-approved program with a minimum GPA of 3.50 on all courses on the approved program plan will be required.
- Successful completion of a practicum shall be required for initial certification in a special education teaching field.
At the present time, there is no testing requirement for Class AA certification for teachers except for teachers who earn initial Class AA certification as a collaborative special education teacher (K-6) or (6-12). Such teachers must meet the Alabama State Department’s Praxis II requirements.
Go New Places in Your Education Career with an Online Degree
AUM is proud to offer our students support through the Career Development Center, which exists to educate, empower, and create opportunities for your career success. By earning your EdS in Elementary Education degree, you’ll be opening the door to new opportunities, higher pay, and a Class AA certification. Regardless of what stage you’re at in your career, this degree will help you become a stronger leader and unlock your full potential.
Careers for Education Specialists in Elementary Education
Instructional Coordinator $66,490 per year3
School Principal $101,320 per year4
Program Outcomes
The EdS in Elementary Education program is designed to teach you valuable skills for the classroom and beyond. You’ll learn to train other teachers, become a stronger leader and communicator, and deal with complicated topics like how to handle diversity in the classroom. By obtaining this degree, you will be prepared to advance your career, become a higher earner, and seek Class AA certification in Alabama.
What You’ll Learn
- Obtain a deep knowledge of students
- Demonstrate a respect for diversity
- Establish an environment for learning
- Demonstrate knowledge of content and curriculum
- Explore instructional decision-making
- Demonstrate skills in partnership and outreach
- Show professionalism, leadership, and advocacy skills
- Demonstrate a responsiveness to change
- Obtain an understanding of reflective practice
Meet Our Faculty
At AUM, you’ll feel supported by expert faculty members who bring valuable teaching and professional backgrounds to each online class. Our online instructors have completed extensive training in designing and teaching online courses, further elevating your experience as an online student.
Dr. Shelly Hudson Bowden
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Shelley Hudson Bowden
Shelly Hudson Bowden has a total of 41 years in education. She has been a valued member of AUM for 27 years and joined our faculty after teaching kindergarten for 14 years. These years of experience have provided Dr. Bowden with opportunities to share real classroom knowledge with her students.
Dr. Bowden has presented and published in international, national, state, and regional settings, qualifying her work as a mentor for others. She uses these experiences in teaching her AUM classes as she supports authentic teaching and learning.
A Quality Experience for Online Learners
Earn your degree online from Auburn University at Montgomery to experience a quality education with the flexibility to succeed in class and your career. You can complete your coursework using your laptop or mobile device with opportunities to study when and where it’s convenient.
- Academic support: Access online advising and tutoring
- Career services: Prepare to succeed after graduation
- Help desk: Get technical assistance for your program
Related Education Programs
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Special Education, EdS
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Complete online courses and a practicum as you prepare to craft supportive experiences in classrooms that emphasize collaborative teaching.
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Sources
- Military Friendly®. “Auburn University at Montgomery.” Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://www.militaryfriendly.com/auburn-university-at-montgomery-is-military-friendly/.
- U.S. News & World Report. “Auburn University at Montgomery Rankings.” Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/auburn-university-at-montgomery-8310/overall-rankings.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Instructional Coordinators.” Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Elementary, Middle, and High School Principles.” Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm.