What Courses Do You Take When Earning a BS in Elementary Education?

Are you hoping to become a teacher in an elementary school? If so, you probably know that all 50 states require at least a bachelor’s degree for teacher licensure. While some states are flexible on what type of bachelor’s degree you need, many require you to have completed a course of study focused on education. That’s why, if you want to be a kindergarten teacher or an elementary school teacher, you should seriously consider earning a BS in Elementary Education.

What Is a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education?

You can major in elementary education by enrolling in a BS in Elementary Education program. A BS in Elementary Education is a bachelor’s-level education degree focused on the knowledge and teaching strategies needed to succeed as a teacher. Some BS in Elementary Education programs, like the one offered at Walden University, even feature a curriculum designed to prepare you for teacher certification.

But what does that curriculum look like? Here’s an overview of what you can expect.

General Education Courses

As with nearly all bachelor’s degree programs, a BS in Elementary Education program will require you to take general education courses in a range of subjects. These courses are intended to provide you with foundational knowledge and elevate your critical thinking abilities. Generally, you’ll complete several courses in each of the following subjects:

• Written and oral communication
• Arts/humanities (including classes in literature and fine or performing arts)
• Mathematics/natural sciences (including higher-level math, like statistics, and at least one science lab)
• Social sciences (including classes in world history and multicultural, ethnic, linguistic, global, or religious studies)

Lower-Level Courses

As you work to complete all of your general education requirements, you’ll also be taking courses specifically for elementary education students. In most programs, you’ll be expected to complete a series of lower-level courses before you can proceed to higher-level ones. These lower-level courses focus on subjects that future kindergarten and elementary school teachers need to learn in order to succeed in their field. They typically include:

• Child Development: An examination of the prevailing philosophies and theories of child development.
• Concepts of Health Promotion: An exploration of the factors that influence health and the evidence-based methodologies for promoting better health.
• American Government and Politics: An examination of the American government and the roles of government branches and the American citizenry.

Higher-Level Courses

You will move on to these after you complete your lower-level courses. These are your “teaching degree” courses that prepare you for the tasks and challenges of an elementary school classroom. Some of the higher-level courses you are likely to take include:

• Child Development, Motivation, and Learning: An exploration of the social, physical, emotional, and intellectual growth of children as related to learning and the motivation to learn.
• Effective Practices: Planning, Instruction, and Assessment: An examination of the effective practices for elementary education and the challenges of the modern classroom.
• Community-Building for Effective Classroom Management: An exploration of the strategies for fostering a sense of community in the classroom and developing positive relationships with and among students.
• Exploring Dimensions of Literacy K–6: An in-depth study of early literacy development and the strategies for helping students learn to read and develop vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, writing skills, content-area literacy, and media literacy.
• Social Studies and the Arts K–6: Instruction and Assessment: An in-depth study of teaching strategies designed to educate students on social studies and the arts, and help them become effective citizens of a democratic and culturally diverse society.
• Mathematics K–6: Instruction and Assessment: An in-depth study of the conceptual understanding, procedural skills, and application of knowledge needed to help students acquire mathematical skills.
• Science K–6: Instruction and Assessment: An in-depth study of the ways to use developmentally appropriate strategies to promote modes of inquiry and analytical skills in science education.

Demonstration Teaching

The final step in earning a BS in Elementary Education—and an important step in qualifying for teacher certification in most states—is to spend time in an actual classroom. Typically, your program will place you in a local elementary school classroom, where you will gradually assume complete teaching responsibility and take full control of the classroom for four weeks during a 12-week placement.

How Can You Earn Your BS in Elementary Education?

Earning an education degree takes time and commitment—a reality that can make completing a bachelor’s in elementary education challenging if you work full time or have family responsibilities. But, thanks to online learning, earning a bachelor’s degree is possible for busy adults like you.

When you choose to earn a BS in Elementary Education online, you’ll be able to complete the majority of your coursework from home or anywhere else you have internet access. Plus, online bachelor’s programs give you the flexibility to attend class at whatever time of day works best for your life.

For your demonstration teaching experience, online education institutions like Walden University can help you find placement at an elementary school in your community. Such conveniences are why so many working adults are turning to online teaching degree programs. They’re a great way to gain the knowledge you need to become a certified teacher.

Admission Requirements for a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education

If you choose to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher, you’ll need to apply to a college or university. Each school has different admission requirements. Walden offers a simple, streamlined process, and considers admission for all adult students who have a high school diploma or its equivalent. You can apply to Walden if you are 21 years old or older, or if you are under 21 and have completed at least 12 college-level quarter credits. Active-duty military members and veterans with documentation of service are also encouraged to apply. Additionally, Walden welcomes international students. You can review the general admission requirements for international students.

There is no fee to apply to Walden. To get started, simply create an account and provide some basic information. An Enrollment Specialist will review your application, ensure that it’s ready to be submitted to the admission team, and answer any questions you may have.

Walden accepts transfer credits from other institutions. Additionally, it recognizes that adult learners bring valuable experiences to the classroom, from on-the-job training and work experience to volunteer work and military service. Because of that, you may be able to translate your college-level knowledge into credits. Speak to an Enrollment Specialist about a free transfer-of-credit evaluation and to discuss credit for college-level knowledge. Simply call 1-866-492-5336 in the United States, or one of Walden’s international toll-free phone numbers.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering a BS in Elementary Education (Teacher Licensure) degree program online. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.

Accreditation
Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards through June 2026. This accreditation covers specific Walden initial teacher and advanced educator preparation programs, including the BS in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Special Education specialization, MS in Education – Educational Leadership and Administration specialization, and EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration. The MAT-SPED, MSED-ELA, and EdS-ELA programs were reviewed by Specialized Professional Associations (SPAs), which define content-area standards for programs, and achieved national recognition.

CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement. Walden’s College of Education and Leadership has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement. CAEP is a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) – recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.

Licensure
Walden is approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) to offer a program leading to a Minnesota Tier 3 license in Elementary Education. Candidates seeking licensure in Minnesota are responsible for completing all Minnesota requirements beyond Walden’s state-approved program, including passing the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams. The Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) is solely responsible for reviewing applications and issuing licenses.

Individuals interested in licensure in states other than Minnesota may qualify by virtue of completing a state-approved educator preparation program; however, individuals must review their state’s regulations to ensure the program meets all requirements, paying particular attention to any requirements specific to out-of-state program completers. Individuals who reside in certain states may be ineligible to enroll in this program. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide guidance on licensure questions; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representation or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure.

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.