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Education

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

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100% Online

Learn From Anywhere
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120-125 Credit Hours

to Graduate
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Up To 90 Hours

Transfer Credit
Cost per Hour

$421

Per Credit Hour
EKU Online > Online Education Degrees & Certificates > Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Start a Rewarding Career and Make a Difference in the Lives of Children

Dire teacher shortages across the country are causing a surge in demand for quality educators. EKU’s online bachelor of science in elementary education provides the critical skills and experience needed to assume a K-5 teacher role and begin a rewarding teaching career. Coursework is 100% online. The program can be completed in 3.5 years and requires 200 hours of clinical field experiences in the schools prior to student teaching. The clinical office will work with you to arrange the required clinical experiences. Students graduate with kindergarten through fifth grade teacher certification in Kentucky. Reciprocity is available with many other states.

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics and the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), the field of elementary education is poised for growth over the next eight years. A strong driver for the selection of elementary education as a degree is the knowledge that the field positively impacts the lives of individuals and communities. State licensing and regulation require a bachelor’s degree in education to teach in a public school in Kentucky. EKU’s convenient and flexible online degree provides access for those needing a virtual classroom to obtain teacher certification and achieve advancement in the field.

MORE ELEMENTARY EDUCATION CAREER INFORMATION

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Benefits
Admission Conditions & Clinical Experience
Scholarships

Benefits of EKU Online

Choosing a career in elementary education positions you to shape the lives of children and their families. Providing a platform to cultivate high-quality educators, EKU blends academic and professional preparation through relevant and evolving content. Course topics include culturally responsive perspectives, differentiation in inclusive classrooms, engineering in classroom context, and emerging instructional technologies.

  • EPSB accredited
  • CAEP accredited
  • Free textbooks and course materials
  • Free to apply
  • Generous credit transfer policy
  • Multiple scholarship opportunities
  • Accelerated 8-week terms
  • Courses begin 6 times per year
  • Complete your degree in as little as 3.5 years
  • Reduced tuition for active duty service members and their spouses
  • No campus visits required
  • Study any time, from anywhere
  • Free online tutoring and career services assistance
  • Personalized graduation plan
  • Personal and accessible advisors stay with you from application to graduation
  • Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best universities offering online degrees
  • Clinical experiences that support hands-on learning in your own community
  • Quality courses delivered by respected full-time faculty with many years of diverse teaching experience in public schools as well as strong research that informs our course content

Admission Conditions and Clinical Experience

Admission Conditions
Admission to EKU’s online bachelor of science in elementary education is currently available only to students residing in Kentucky and it’s border states (Ohio, Missouri, West Virginia, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia) in order to accommodate clinical placements. There are no campus requirements for this program.

Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB) Mandated Clinical Experience
Bachelor of science in elementary education coursework is 100% online. Clinical experience, the state-mandated 200 observation hours, must be completed in a school placement made by the clinical office. School placements for observation hours are made with consideration of the student’s geographical location and pre-established MOUs with schools.

Scholarships

The following scholarships are available to all EKU students majoring in elementary education:

  • Byrne Memorial Education Scholarship
  • Chastity Ross Helping Hand Scholarship
  • Cross and Short Endowed Scholarship
  • Equity and Inclusion Excellence Scholarship
  • Faye Allen Hale Non-Endowed Scholarship
  • Francis Scholarship Fund
  • Gifford Endowed Scholarship
  • Dorland and Thomas Jackson Coates Scholarship
  • Jennings & Stratemeyer Scholarship
  • Keen Scholarship
  • Marie Celine Braun Kuhl Non-Endowed Scholarship
  • McKinney Scholarship for Elementary Teachers
  • Ramsey Endowed Scholarship Fund
  • Skepple Family Endowed Scholarship
  • Stubbs Boord Endowed Scholarship
  • Thompson Lutes Memorial Scholarship
  • Wilburn & Wilburn Endowed Scholarship
  • William and Juanita Dick Endowed Scholarship
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Curriculum

EKU’s online elementary education curriculum prepares students with the essential skills needed for entry into Kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms. Students gain content expertise, while honing their professional dispositions and ensuring ethical practices.

Program Faculty

Degree Requirements

A total of 120-125 credits are required to graduate. Complete degree requirement information about the BS in Elementary Education program is available in the University undergraduate catalog.

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Transfer Credits

Students may transfer up to 90 hours of credit from accredited institutions.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to EKU for appropriate articulation. Learn more about transferring to EKU.

 

Sample Courses

For a full list of course descriptions please see section 7 of the University undergraduate catalog.

EDC 106 Culturally Responsive Perspectives
Students will reflect on concepts of culture, cultural competency and responsiveness, inclusion and equity.

ELE 103 Creative Thinking through Performance and Visual Arts
Age-appropriate art and music instruction for K-5 classrooms.

EDF 203 Educational Foundations
An introduction to social and cultural influences on schools, the purposes of schooling, the governance, financing, and administration of schools, and the role of the individual as an educator.

EDF 204 Emerging Instructional Technologies
Students examine, develop, and/or evaluate emerging instructional technologies. For individuals interested in exploring technological applications in teaching and learning.

EDC 314 Engineering in Classroom Context
Introduction to engineering and technology to promote problem solving skills, tool use, materials processing, design capabilities, and product completion for K-8 classrooms

LIB 301 Children’s Literature and Related Materials
Survey course designed to acquaint K-5 teachers with print and non-print media for the school curriculum and with techniques to encourage lifelong readers.

Enrollment

Steve Emmel

Steve Emmel

Enrollment Advisor

Call or email Enrollment Advisor Steven Emmel for information about the EKU Online Elementary Education Degree program.

Contact Info:
859-622-7428
Steven.Emmel@eku.edu

Schedule An Appointment

Application Deadlines

Term Application Deadline Classes Begin
Fall A July 5 August
Fall B August 31 October
Spring A November 30 January
Spring B January 31 March
Summer A April 5 May
Summer B  May 31 June

Admission Requirements

Additional Contact Information

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Success

“

My advising team has been so helpful to me in figuring out what classes I need to take and how to most efficiently earn my degree. They are always quick to respond when I have questions and are always supportive of my academic goals.

Kristen AndersonEKU Online Education Graduate
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Online Military Students

EKU Online offers veterans and active duty military students an unparalleled online learning experience that provides accessibility, convenience and flexibility.

Special Tuition for Active Duty* Military
Eastern Kentucky University offers reduced tuition expenses to $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and $325 per credit hour for graduate courses to all service members currently serving on active duty.

*Active duty is defined as on federal orders for 180 days or more.

“I’d like to thank the EKU College of Justice & Safety for the opportunity to complete my degree online. It’s very user-friendly, and everyone has bent over backwards to make this happen.”

– 1LT Heath Bergmann, EKU Online Graduate

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Heath Bergmann
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  • “After the birth of our first child, I knew I needed to go back and finish what I started,” said McKenzie. “I was happy that I could pick up where I left off at EKU even though I lived in a different state.” – EKU Online student and mom
  • “I chose EKU because I am a unique student with unique needs, and EKU provides an avenue for students like me to succeed.” – EKU Online Psychology student Jason Tate
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