Elementary education

B.A. or B.S.
Online You can complete all or nearly all requirements of this program online.*
delivery
$384 Based on current tuition rates. No additional charge for nonresident students. Does not include course materials and associated fees and expenses.†
per credit
4
start terms/year

Great teaching can transform lives, shaping not just what students learn but also how they see themselves and their potential. Few professions enable you to have such an immediate and lasting impact. When you earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education online from Oregon State University, you’ll be eligible to become a licensed teacher while developing the skills to create inclusive, supportive classrooms where every child can engage and succeed.

With a focus on trauma-informed care, social justice advocacy and inclusion, and multiple-subject pedagogy, this program emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world applications — giving you the confidence to be teacher-ready in a classroom setting. You’ll work closely with dedicated advisors in OSU’s College of Education to customize your degree plan as you receive a personal educational experience.

Skills you’ll gain in OSU’s online elementary education degree program

As a student in Oregon State’s bachelor’s in elementary education online program, you’ll gain the in-demand skills you need to stand out as a licensed teacher in the job market and level up your career. You’ll learn from expert Oregon State faculty who have real-world experience as educators. 

  • Classroom management
  • Trauma informed care
  • Inclusive teaching
  • Learning assessment
  • Social justice advocacy
  • Multiple-subject pedagogy
Elementary education teacher guiding young children on an outdoor nature activity, with kids wearing red hats and using binoculars
Best Online Bachelor's Programs 2025 - U.S. News & World Report

Program details

The online coursework in Oregon State’s B.S. in Elementary Education online program uses a student-centered approach that will prepare you to meet the diverse needs of learners as an elementary school teacher. Powered by small class sizes and high-touch advising, OSU is one of the few universities in the U.S. that integrates trauma-informed care into its education curriculum.

The online elementary education bachelor’s program is offered by Oregon State’s College of Education.

Degree requirements

A minimum of 180 quarter credits — at least 60 of which must be upper-division credits — are required to graduate with your elementary education teaching degree, including:

Elementary education teacher guiding students in a classroom STEM activity with wind turbine models and notebooks on the table

Additional program features

In your last two years of the program, you will enter into the Professional Level, which includes a yearlong classroom practicum in Year 3 and a yearlong, in-person student teaching internship in Year 4. Your licensure and placement coordinators will work closely with you and, when possible, help place you in an internship in your local area.

When you pursue an elementary education bachelor's degree online, you’ll work with your academic advisor to create a customized education plan, based on one of the following focus areas.

  • English to speakers of other languages (ESOL)
  • Dual language specialization (DL)
  • STEAM education 
  • Connecting families and communities
  • Special education
  • Extended internship (additional application required)

When you graduate with your bachelor’s in elementary education online from OSU, you’ll be eligible for an Elementary Education Multiple-Subject License in Oregon. OSU’s College of Education also has extensive experience in providing personalized support to program graduates who want to seek licensure in other states.

Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions. Please note that a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits in this degree program must be completed at Oregon State (online or on campus) to meet the academic residency requirement.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to OSU for appropriate articulation. Additional information about transferring credits is available through OSU’s Transfer Credit Central.

Oregon’s teaching transfer guides help students and advisors plan classes at an Oregon community college that will apply to OSU’s B.A./B.S. in Elementary Education program. Explore the transfer guides for specific details about each community college and speak with an advisor for more information.

To help you cover the cost of tuition for this program, you can apply for Oregon State’s College of Education education-specific scholarships including the Grow Your Own Pathway Scholarships. Applications are reviewed annually in the spring. 

As an undergraduate degree-seeking student, you can apply to earn an honors degree online in your academic major. Earning this prestigious degree gives you the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research, complete a comprehensive thesis experience and engage in co-curricular activities.

You can gain highly specialized skills that are in demand by employers — and do it with less of a time and financial commitment — when you earn a certificate or microcredential online with Oregon State. Choose from a large collection of short-form offerings that can help you upskill quickly.

Elementary education teaching careers

The knowledge you acquire in Oregon State’s bachelor’s in elementary education online program will help you fill a growing demand for licensed, qualified teachers. After you graduate, you will be eligible to apply for an Elementary Education Multiple-Subject endorsement in the state of Oregon, and you'll be able to explore licensure in other states if you’re interested.

Job market outlook

Use the interactive tool on this page to discover employment trends, top occupations and salary details for elementary education teachers. Please be aware that completing a program related to the job market information shown here does not guarantee employment or a specific salary.