Taught by leading faculty, this program explores current research and best practices in elementary education. You’ll gain expertise in teaching reading, writing, math, science and social studies while supporting children’s personal development. The curriculum emphasizes:
- Designing lesson plans that engage whole-group, small-group and intervention learners.
- Effectively managing an elementary classroom.
- Implementing student-centered teaching methods and structured literacy approaches.
- Understanding how children learn and develop.
While you’ll focus on delivering elementary instruction, your impact will extend beyond the classroom. This career path allows you to foster curiosity, build confidence and lay the foundation for lifelong learning. You’ll also help students develop life skills in communication, teamwork, self-directed learning and responsibility.
Become a certified teacher as part of this program
Coursework will focus on the knowledge needed for teacher certification. You’ll also complete a series of in-person internships to apply your skills in real learning environments. Your final semester includes a full-time student teaching experience under the guidance of a certified mentor teacher.
You’ll graduate with an institutional recommendation for K–8 teaching certification in the state of Arizona, bringing you one step closer to becoming licensed. Teaching in public schools also requires passing state educator exams, such as the National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments for Arizona certification.
Note: Licensure eligibility varies by state. This program is designed to meet Arizona’s requirements. Please check ASU’s professional licensure webpage for details on your state’s requirements.
State authorization:
We strongly recommend you visit our state authorization webpage to learn how ASU is authorized to operate in your state, policies for out-of-state students and program exceptions.
Choose the right education degree for your career goals
This program is an excellent choice for those committed to shaping the next generation of learners by embracing technology and integrating research-based strategies. It’s also ideal if you’re a reflective practitioner who values feedback and is dedicated to creating student-centered learning environments. Additionally, while not required, having connections at an educational institution can be helpful for securing placement in clinically embedded experiences.
You can also elevate your studies by earning a graduate degree. Pair this bachelor’s degree with an Accelerated Master’s and finish in as little as one additional year. Eligible programs include:
If you’re interested in educational roles outside of the classroom and don’t plan to pursue teacher certification, consider ASU’s online Bachelor of Arts in Education with an educational studies concentration or early childhood studies concentration.

Turn your passion for educating elementary-aged children into a meaningful career with Arizona State University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in elementary education. Educators in this field help children develop foundational academic, critical thinking and decision-making skills. You’ll graduate prepared to pursue teacher certification and begin your career as a role model who shapes the future of your students.
In this program, you’ll explore instructional design, the science of reading, teaching elementary mathematics and more. Hands-on clinical experiences consist of 20 observation hours in TEL 203 and three internships: 45 hours in TEL 310, 45 hours in RDG 413 and 60 hours in EED 412. In your final semester, you’ll complete a full-time student teaching position during teacher-contracted hours under the guidance of a mentor teacher.
The Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation draws from a range of academic disciplines including cognitive science, psychology and economics. They seek to answer questions about the process of learning, teaching practices and effects of education policy. Our faculty is also committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments. They ensure teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.
Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation brings people and ideas together to increase the capabilities of educators and the performance of education systems. Our university has been recognized with peer-reviewed honors from U.S. News & World Report.
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ASU's academic programs that prepare you for professional licensure or certification are designed to meet Arizona's requirements. Completing an ASU program may not fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states. For additional information, visit the professional licensure webpage.
Contact [email protected] if you have questions about licensure or certification.

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”