Are you a current or aspiring teacher planning or seeking to broaden your skill sets, pursue more opportunities, and increase your salary overall?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then a Master’s in Elementary Education program may be worthwhile.
An Elementary Education Master’s degree will set you apart from other job candidates and expand your job search in and outside of the classroom, and it may even be required by your state. Plus, your salary will rise—with the median teacher salary for elementary school teachers being $61,690 and the highest ten percent earning more than $101,310, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports.
Yet, what do students learn in these elementary education courses that help them achieve all those benefits? Let’s take a closer look at what students can expect to learn in an Elementary Education program.
What is a Master’s in Elementary Education (M.S.)?
A Master’s in Elementary Education is a graduate degree that focuses on teaching subjects such as Social Studies, Math, Science, and Reading to prepare candidates for careers as elementary school teachers. This degree also ensures graduates can successfully manage elementary classrooms (first through sixth grade).
Students gain extensive knowledge about teaching these elementary subjects, and some programs even offer tuition-paid internships, giving students the hands-on, practical experience they need to become effective teachers.
Additionally, students prepare to take and pass the required Praxis II exam as the culmination of their elementary education classes. Students should research to understand what exams and certifications will be required on a national and state level.
What Courses Do Students Take in Elementary Education Master’s Programs?
The coursework and curriculum in Elementary Education Master’s programs will depend on the school, program, and state candidates wish to teach in.
However, all aspiring elementary school teachers need to take courses that will give them a wide range of knowledge and skills in various subject areas, including child and early adolescent development, teaching methodologies, curriculum design, assessment, and practical applications.
More specifically, students can expect to take:
- A minimum of thirty-nine semester hours in general academic courses, including natural sciences, social studies, fine arts, English, mathematics, and foreign language
- At least fifteen hours in Typical and Atypical Development, Psychology of Learning, and Family Studies
- Coursework in the Foundations of Education, such as Philosophy of Education, Comparative Education, or History of Education
- Classes in curriculum building, strategizing, and developing appropriate practices for teaching subject areas to primary-grade students.
- Special education courses
Plus, students should look for a program that offers a resident teaching experience under a supervising teacher’s direction so they can be fully prepared upon graduation.
Students can typically earn their Master’s in Elementary Education in two years, though many schools, like University of Bridgeport, offer fast-track options where students can complete their degrees in twelve months.
What Will Graduates Learn in Master’s in Elementary Education Programs?
Master’s in Elementary Education programs are dedicated to giving students the courses and classroom experience they need to be successful in an elementary school classroom.
By taking and completing the classes mentioned above and coursework, students will be ready to:
- Plan lessons, units, and activities according to state and national standards and guidelines
- Exhibit appropriate content knowledge of mathematics, language arts, social studies, and science commiserate with Praxis II exam for elementary school teachers.
- Pass the Praxis II exam for elementary school teachers
- Demonstrate a thorough background in reading concepts, their ability to teach reading, and evaluate student performance in reading
- Pass Connecticut (CT) reading assessment exam
- Pass the edTPA performance assessment
- Display high-leverage teaching practices
- Create and implement curriculum for various special needs students
A Master’s in Elementary Education benefits teachers in countless ways, from advancing their knowledge and skills to increasing their salary ensuring they meet all the expected certification requirements.
Yet, students should not just enroll in any program. Instead, they should research and find a flexible, affordable program that fits their needs and goals.
At University of Bridgeport, our graduate Elementary Education degree is designed with educators in mind. Download our free “How to Become a Teacher in CT” guide to see how beneficial Master’s in Elementary Education courses can be in paving the way for you to further your education and career. Or, if you have more questions, contact us today to learn more.
Additionally, our free TEACH Connecticut accounts provide applicants with interactive application checklists, $100 fee reimbursements towards application and testing expenses, one-on-one expert advice, and plenty of other how-to guides for eligibility, applications, testing, and finances.
Everyone from our admissions team to our faculty and staff can’t wait to help you take the next steps in your teaching career!