Online Master of Education in Elementary Education
Discover a Nationally Ranked Master’s in Elementary Education
100% Online
1.5 Years
30 Credit Hours
$465 per Credit (In-State)
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Our Cost-Effective MEd Program Puts You on Track for Higher Earnings
Acquire qualifications that position you for success in elementary education at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). Our online MEd in Elementary Education program prepares you to become a master teacher with credentials that can boost your earning potential in Alabama.
Ranked among the Top Online Elementary Education Master’s Degrees,1 this program offers quality education and affordable tuition. Plus, choose from two concentrations to tailor your MEd degree to your career goals.
Teacher Certification Options
Earning a master’s degree is an important step in each educator’s journey. In our online Master of Education in Elementary Education program, you’ll expand your expertise and meet requirements for attaining Class A certification in Alabama. This certification does more than verify your teaching proficiency — it helps you qualify for a higher salary.
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 (CAEP)
- Named one of the Best Online Master’s in Education Programs by U.S. News & World Report2
- Ranked a Top 10 School by Military Friendly® for 2023-20243
- No GRE testing requirements
Select the Concentration for Your Teaching Goals
AUM’s master’s program includes concentrations for educators interested in pursuing an early childhood education or elementary teaching degree.
From AUM Student to Expert Educator
10 Online Courses
No Fieldwork Required
Our online master’s program supports the goals of educators ready to earn an advanced elementary teaching degree. The curriculum imparts expertise in child development and enhances your abilities when teaching mathematics, reading, science, and social studies. As you pursue your MEd degree online, you’ll engage in research and professional development that empowers you to thrive as a classroom teacher.
Online Course Highlights
- Advanced Curriculum and Teaching Reading
- Curriculum and Teaching Elementary Science
- Developmental Processes
- Research in Education
Get Support for Starting Your Online MEd Program
Application Deadline 01/05/25 Spring 2025 Semester
Start Date 01/13/25 Spring 2025 Semester
AUM is here to support you from the moment you apply to the online Master of Education in Elementary Education program. Our admissions team provides guidance for every step of the enrollment process, and we accept applications throughout the year. We also make it easier to get started with no GRE testing requirements for admission.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $25 |
| Degree and Minimum GPA | Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in an education field with at least a 2.5 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 | Graduate students can transfer up to 12 credit hours to the online master’s degree in elementary education program. Request information to learn more. |
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 DetailsA Quality MEd Degree That Fits Your Budget
With the online Master of Education in Elementary Education program, AUM strives to provide affordable tuition without sacrificing quality. And we’re known for doing just that, as U.S. News & World Report ranked us among the Best Value Schools in 2023.4 Do you have questions about your tuition costs or financial aid options? Request information to connect with our admissions team.
| 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 items 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 DetailsCertification Resources for Alabama Teachers
The Alabama Department of Education sets certification standards to affirm educators are qualified to teach at the P-12 level. As a regionally accredited institution, Auburn University at Montgomery helps you rise in the certification ranks, pursue a wider range of job opportunities, and qualify for a higher salary.
Keep in mind that the education and certification requirements for teachers vary by state. Alabama has three unconditional teacher certification classifications — here are examples of the minimum education that elementary school teachers must complete to reach each level:
- Class B: Bachelor’s degree in elementary education
- Class A: Traditional or alternative master’s degree in elementary education
- Class AA: Education Specialist degree in elementary education
How to Obtain Class A Certification
Earn your MEd in Elementary Education degree online at AUM to gain qualifications for Class A certification. To receive this certificate, you must apply through our College of Education’s Teacher Certification Office after acquiring your master’s degree. Completing this process requires an application to the Alabama State Department of Education ($30 application fee) with an official transcript from AUM, documenting that you earned a Class A degree.
You’ll need to meet these requirements to earn Class A teacher certification through AUM’s traditional master’s in elementary education program:
- Valid Class B Professional Educator Certificate in the same teaching field in which a Class A Professional Educator Certificate is sought, such as a bachelor’s in elementary teaching degree.
- Official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution, documenting you have earned a master’s degree.
- Completion of a survey of special education course. If you completed that course prior to your AUM master’s program, you must take a diversity course focusing on methods of accommodating instruction for students with disabilities in inclusive settings, multicultural education, teaching English language learners, rural education, or urban education.
- Satisfactory completion of a state-approved program with a minimum GPA of 3.25 on all courses used to meet the requirements of the approved program checklist for the Alabama State Board of Education educator preparation program.
- Applicants with an Interim Employment Certificate (IEC) must adhere to the requirements and restrictions provided in the Educator Certification Chapter of the Alabama Administrative Code.
Boost Your Performance and Earning Power in Elementary Education
From enhancing your teaching abilities to preparing for district-level positions, there are ample reasons to pursue your master’s degree in elementary education online at AUM. Of course, you can do more than develop the expertise needed to improve student outcomes, as attaining your MEd also boosts your earning potential. For instance, first-year classroom teachers in Alabama earn about 15% more than their colleagues with bachelor’s degrees.5
Salaries for Classroom Teachers with MEd Degrees in Alabama
5 Years of Experience $55,939 per year5
10 Years of Experience $60,755 per year5
Program Outcomes
AUM designed the master’s degree in elementary education to advance your skills and abilities in the K-6 classroom. While completing the online program, you’ll learn to conduct action research, lead professional development sessions, and apply appropriate strategies to multiple learning situations. Our faculty members personalize their instruction in a supportive online community, encouraging you to share your voice while engaging in experiences that affirm that greatness is achieved collaboratively.
What You’ll Learn
- Demonstrate deep content and pedagogical knowledge in your field of study
- Demonstrate the ability to use knowledge of students to construct positive learning environments
- Demonstrate the ability to include all students, treat them equitably, and effectively communicate with various stakeholders of diverse backgrounds in a positive manner
- Create an inclusive learning environment to address all students’ needs
- Demonstrate the ability to strategically plan for and implement engaging instruction relevant to the learning environment
- Demonstrate the ability to purposefully plan assessment opportunities to measure learning outcomes with the ability to interpret and use data collected to provide feedback and data-based opportunities for growth
- Incorporate appropriate field-based use of technology to enhance the learning environment
- Demonstrate that “educators are lifelong learners”
- Partner with families and community organizations to create true partnerships for effective learning environments
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.
Shelly Hudson Bowden
Faculty Spotlight: Shelly Hudson Bowden, Professor
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
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AUM’s supportive instructors will empower you to grow as a teacher versed in issues and trends relevant to early childhood and elementary education.
View ProgramSources
- Online Master’s Degrees. “The Top Online Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education for 2024.” Retrieved February 20, 2024, from https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/best-programs/education/elementary-education/.
- U.S. News & World Report. “Auburn University–Montgomery.” Retrieved February 20, 2024, from https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/auburn-university-at-montgomery-100830.
- Military Friendly®. “Auburn University at Montgomery.” Retrieved February 20, 2024, from https://www.militaryfriendly.com/auburn-university-at-montgomery-is-military-friendly/.
- U.S. News & World Report. “Auburn University at Montgomery Rankings.” Retrieved February 20, 2024, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/auburn-university-at-montgomery-8310/overall-rankings.
- Alabama State Department of Education. “FY 2024 Foundation Program, State Minimum Salary Schedule, Classroom Teachers.” Retrieved February 20, 2024, from https://www.alabamaachieves.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/LEAACCT_2023630_FY-2024-Salary-Schedule-for-Teachers_V1.0.pdf.