Elementary teacher laughing with students

Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education Online

Prepare for a rewarding career and help meet the need for qualified elementary school teachers while working toward your K-6 Arkansas teaching certificate.

Next Apply Date: 6/16/25
Next Class Start Date: 6/30/25
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 6/16/25
Next Class Start Date: 6/30/25

Program Overview

Consider the scope of a 100% online B.S.E. – Elementary Education

Gain a strong foundation to teach children in kindergarten through sixth grade with the online Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education program from A-State. Develop essential tools to help shape students’ emotional, social and academic growth.

Apply the major theories of child development and learn to positively impact the lives of children during their formative years. Learn to teach the fundamentals of reading, writing, STEM math and science, social studies, art, music and physical education. Discover evidence-based pedagogical methods for teaching a diverse group of learners, including exceptional students, and creating an inclusive classroom. Acquire valuable classroom management skills.

You must be a resident of Arkansas willing to work in Arkansas to apply to this program. This CAEP-accredited elementary education degree program is 100% online, and you can earn your degree faster by transferring up to 90 credit hours.

This program requires Live Text.

Residency Internship

To apply for this program, you must be a resident of Arkansas and willing to work in the state. This CAEP-accredited elementary education degree program includes 100% online coursework for all four years, except for Residency 1 and 2, which are required in the senior year. The residency component takes place in an Arkansas school district, allowing you to apply what you've learned in a school classroom setting. Additionally, you can accelerate your degree by transferring up to 90 credit hours.

Please note students are advised to avoid full-time work during their residency (internship), as balancing both can be challenging. For students who are currently working, you will likely need to adjust your work schedules to accommodate the internship commitments.

The Governor’s Executive Order EO 23-08 to prioritize L.E.A.R.N.S. (Literacy, Empowerment, Accountability, Readiness, Networking, and School Safety) states, “Ensuring that all graduates receiving a degree or alternate teacher training certificate from a state-approved educator preparation program in Spring 2027 and beyond have completed a one-year supervised residency alongside an experienced mentor teacher in a school setting.”  The LEARNS Executive Order stipulates that the Arkansas Department of Education must develop a plan to ensure that all teacher candidates completing an Arkansas-approved teacher preparation program must participate in a one-year residency by 2027. Currently, the A-State Educator Preparation Programs are updating their coursework and clinical experiences in order to meet this expectation.

If you currently work for an Arkansas public school, consider contacting the school district about participating in the Arkansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship program. This program has benefits for both students pursuing their teaching degree and the school district. For more information about Apprenticeship, including the link to the Handbook, please visit the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education website. If you are a paraprofessional in a school, this may be a viable option depending on the classroom and available Experienced Mentor Teacher. Contact the program coordinators (Dr. Denise Baldwin, dbaldwin@astate.edu, or Dr. Hollie Goodson, hgoodson@astate.edu) for information about completing the program as a paraprofessional.

Educators completing this program gain expertise in the following areas:

  • Teaching students in an urban, suburban or rural elementary education (K-6) environment
  • Understanding the development of an elementary child and the influences of their environment on that development
  • Using effective instructional strategies for K-6 learners
  • Understanding characteristics of diverse and exceptional learners
  • Teaching experience in the K-6 classroom
Educators completing this program gain expertise in the following areas:+
  • Teaching students in an urban, suburban or rural elementary education (K-6) environment
  • Understanding the development of an elementary child and the influences of their environment on that development
  • Using effective instructional strategies for K-6 learners
  • Understanding characteristics of diverse and exceptional learners
  • Teaching experience in the K-6 classroom

Prepare for a broad range of professional roles, including:

  • Elementary Education Teacher
  • Kindergarten Teacher
  • K-6 Teacher (Specific Grade Teacher)
Prepare for a broad range of professional roles, including:+
  • Elementary Education Teacher
  • Kindergarten Teacher
  • K-6 Teacher (Specific Grade Teacher)

In-demand skills:

  • Special education
  • Individualized education programs
  • Lesson planning
  • Curriculum development
  • Classroom management
In-demand skills:+
  • Special education
  • Individualized education programs
  • Lesson planning
  • Curriculum development
  • Classroom management

Also available:

A-State offers a variety of undergraduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online undergraduate programs.

Per Credit Tuition: $282
Transfer Credits: Up to 90 hours
Credit Hours 125

Accreditation

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition

Get the details on our pay-as-you-go tuition

A-State's online programs are affordable and convenient. You may also qualify for financial aid. Learn more.

The B.S.E. – Elementary Education online program offers the same low, pay-by-the-course tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included in the total tuition. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $282
Per Course: $846

Transfer your credits for lower tuition

Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.

0
90
Transfer Credits: 0
Your Estimated Tuition: $Your Estimated Tuition:
Apply Now

Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.

You may be closer to Graduation than you think!

A-State-approved credit for prior learning recognizes your previous accomplishments, reducing your tuition costs and time to graduation.

Calendar

Check the timeline for this bachelor’s in elementary education program here

Our B.S.E. – Elementary Education online program is flexible and convenient—featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates per year.

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Summer 15/27/255/12/255/16/255/22/255/23/256/26/25
Summer 26/30/256/16/256/20/256/26/256/27/257/31/25
Fall 18/20/258/6/258/8/258/14/258/15/2510/3/25
Fall 210/13/259/29/2510/3/2510/9/2510/10/2512/4/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 6/16/25
Start Class 6/30/25

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

Apply Now

Admissions

Review the requirements for your online B.S.E. – Elementary Education program

Arkansas State University has a streamlined admission process that makes it easy for you to enroll in the B.S.E. – Elementary Education online program. Enrollment specialists are available to walk you through the admission process, so you will be able to complete your application quickly.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • 2.0 GPA with no associate's
View all admission requirements +

Admission into the B.S.E. program requires admission to Arkansas State University and into the Teacher Education program. There are several paths to be admitted to the B.S.E. in Elementary Education degree:

  • If you have successfully completed an associate's degree, you would be admitted if you have a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.7 on previous college coursework. Once you are admitted to the university, you will work with an academic advisor to complete the teacher education application and corresponding documentation, along with scheduling a departmental interview.

    Note: You will need to have completed the following courses with a grade of ‘C' or better:
    • ENG 1003 Composition I;
    • ENG 1013 Composition II;
    • MATH 1023 College Algebra; (or MATH 1043 Quantitative Reasoning as allowed by degree program);
    • COMS 1203 Oral Communication or Speech Proficiency (as specified by the department) and;
    • TE 2003 Introduction to Education.
  • If you have 13 or more transferrable college credit hours but do not have an associate degree, you would be admitted if you have a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0 on previous college coursework. By the time you have completed at least 30 hours, you need to have a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.7 on all college coursework to gain admission into the Teacher Education program. An academic advisor will work with you to complete the application for the Teacher Education program and any corresponding documentation.

    Note: You will need to have completed the following courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better:
    • ENG 1003 Composition I;
    • ENG 1013 Composition II;
    • MATH 1023 College Algebra; (or MATH 1043 Quantitative Reasoning as allowed by degree program);
    • COMS 1203 Oral Communication or Speech Proficiency (as specified by the department) and;
    • TE 2003 Introduction to Education.
  • If you have 0-12 transferrable college credit hours and have been out of high school for five years or more, you would be admitted if you:
    • Have a high school diploma or state-approved equivalent
    • Have completed 12 or fewer earned college hours
    • Have never enrolled as a student at A-State
    Note: Once you have completed at least 30 hours, you will be eligible to apply to the teacher education program, provided you have a 2.7 cumulative GPA.
  • If you have 0-12 transferrable college credit hours and have been in high school within the last 5 years, you would be admitted if you have one of the following:
    • 3.0 cumulative high school grad point average (or GED test score equivalent), OR
    • 19 minimum ACT super score or minimum 990 combined SAT super score, OR
    • Class rank in the top 20% of your graduating class
    Note: Once you have completed at least 30 hours, you will be eligible to apply to the teacher education program, provided you have a 2.7 cumulative GPA.
    Students may take required prerequisite courses (e.g. General Education) during any term; however, Teacher Education admitted students may only begin the Teacher Education specific coursework in the Spring 2 (March) term annually.

Submitting your application takes three easy steps: filling out the application, submitting your documents and paying the application fee.

  1. When completing the online application, select 100% online student and then complete all the steps on the online application.
  2. Pay $30.00 non-refundable application fee.
  3. Submit all official college transcripts.
  4. Submit official high school transcripts (if applicable).
  5. Submit official ACT/ SAT test scores (if applicable).

Note: If you have 0-12 transferrable college hours, test scores will still need to be submitted for reporting purposes to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE); however, they are not needed for an admission decision. Accuplacer test scores are an acceptable alternative to ACT/SAT scores. If you have any questions along the way, call us at 866-621-8096 and we’ll be happy to help answer questions.

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467

Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: astateonline@astate.edu

Courses

Get to know the online B.S.E. – Elementary Education curriculum

To earn your B.S.E. – Elementary Education, you need to complete 125 credit hours of coursework. The program includes 59 hours of professional education requirements, 38 credit hours of general education courses, 25 credit hours of additional requirements, 3 credit hours of licensure requirements. Students can finish faster by transferring previously earned credit hours. Freshman students are required to take a 3-hour Making Connections course. Transferred credit hours will be evaluated during the admission process.

Note: General Education Requirements, License Requirement and Major Requirements Group 3 may be taken during any term of the year. Students may only start the first of their courses in Major Requirements Group 1 and Group 2 in the Spring 2 (March) or Fall 2 (October) term annually.

It is advised that students avoid full-time work during their residency (internship), as balancing it with the program's in-classroom requirements can be challenging. Residency 1 in the fall lasts the full semester (August through December), and Residents (program candidates) will be required to be in the approved classroom in a school setting for 18 hours a week. Residency 2 in the spring lasts the full semester (January through May). Residents continue in the same approved setting as Residency 1 and will follow the full-time work schedule of the mentor teacher.

Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Development of the elementary grade child, including major theories of development and learning, with a focus on how these are influenced by the child’s sociocultural environment. Four clock hours of child study projects required.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Creation, analysis and evalua­tion of formative and summative assessments including teacher-made assessments, standard­ized tests, and performance assessments focused on K6 classrooms. Addresses professional behaviors related to assessment including communication, ethical considerations and educa­tional policy.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to trade books for elementary-age children and the role literature plays in their reading and writing development.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Exploration of research-based instructional models and teaching strategies; rehearsal and integration of effective pedagogical decision-making.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examination of characteristics of diverse learners, including English language learners. Focus on application of evidence-based pedagogical methods for diverse learners to increase viability of inclusive classrooms, such as response to intervention (RTI), family involvement, scaffold­ing, sheltered content instruction, etc.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Course designed to teach pre-service teachers in the elementary level program how to integrate educational technology into the classroom curriculum.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
The analysis of writing process, modes of writing, writing workshop, and writing across the curriculum for the development of strategic writers; concepts of writing mentorship through author’s craft and men­tor texts for fiction and nonfiction within a writing portfolio.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Performance-based field course designed to build upon prior knowledge and further develop pedagogical knowledge and skills, content, and application of content knowledge, and further pre-service teacher’s development.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Students learn to investigate, evaluate, and select content for the organization and teaching of social studies. This includes in-depth conceptual knowledge, critical thinking processes, social skill development and positive self-esteem.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Students learn to investigate, evaluate, and select content for the organization and teaching of social studies. This includes in-depth conceptual knowledge, critical thinking processes, social skill development and positive self-esteem.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Emphasizes theories and practices that promote learning science integrated with technology, engineering, and mathematics for elementary level students.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Emphasis on research-based methods and observational tools for classroom management. Students will grasp information necessary in observing, planning for, and implementing strategies in classroom management.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 6
Culmination of the Elementary Education program for primary grades. Provides 8 weeks of directed teaching under the supervision of a qualified clinical supervisor in a K - 3 setting. Required application of knowledge, skills and demonstration of appropriate dispositions for teaching.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 6
Fourth through Sixth Grade. Culmination of the Elementary Education program for upper grades. Provides 8 weeks of directed teaching under the supervi­sion of a qualified clinical supervisor in a 4-8 setting. Special course fees may apply. Required application of knowledge, skills and demonstration of appropriate dispositions for teaching.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to exceptional students, with the major focus on serving these individuals in regular education classroom environments. Must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Must have passed writing portion of PRAXIS 1.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introductory course focusing on the theories of reading and the reading process, with an introduction to the history of reading instruction and approaches and materials for teaching reading.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on instructional approaches to address the literacy demands in elementary content areas including supporting students’ learning, teaching reading and writing strategies, and serving the diverse needs of stu­dents in curricular areas.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Purposes and utilization of reading assessment tools to identify students’ literacy development patterns while implementing and modifying appropriate literacy instructions to support students at various reading levels.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to teaching in a pluralistic society and an understanding of the historical, multicultural, sociological, philosophical, legal, political, and curricular dimensions of American education. Students will be assigned a field placement that matches their licensure area.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Processes and methods for integrating art with the elemen­tary classroom experience, as designed for the non-art major; may not be used to satisfy any art degree.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Gives early childhood and middle school teachers an overall view of the role of science in the development of modern civilization, and enables teachers to use content knowledge to properly direct the learning activities of pupils in science classes. Fulfillment of the General Education Biological and Physical Science courses requirement.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Sets, logic, and numbers with emphasis on the axiomatic development of the real numbers. Prerequisite, with a C or better in MATH 1023 or MATH 1043.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Mathematical systems, continued development of real numbers, specifically rational numbers, geometry, and measurement with applications. Prerequisite, C or better in MATH 2113.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Mathematical systems of computation, geometry, algebra, probability and statistics with applications. This course may not be used to satisfy general education mathematics requirements. Prerequisites, C or better in both MATH 2113 and MATH 2123.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Development of procedures, skills, and approaches to the music program for the elementary classroom. For non music ma­jors only.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
The philosophy, aims, and objectives of physical education in the grades P through 6, includes laboratory experiences.

Select one of the following: BIO 2103/2101, BIO 2203/2201, or CHEM 1043/1041

AND

Select one of the following: ECON 2313 or ECON 2323

Duration: Varies weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Two hours per week. It is recommended this course be taken concurrently with BIO 2103. Special course fee: $10.00. Fall, Spring, Summer.
Duration: Varies weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, chlamydiae, molds, yeasts, and protozoans as they relate to human health. Lecture three hours per week. Special course fees may apply. Fall, Spring, Summer.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
The behavior of matter with respect to life processes, cells, tissues, functional anatomy of integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems, cat anatomy, nerve and muscle preparations and recordings. It is recommended this course be taken concurrently with BIO 2203.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the biology of atoms, molecules, organelles and cellular functions, tissues, functional anatomy of integumentary, skeletal, muscular and central nervous systems, interaction with external environment.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Special course fees apply. Prerequisite or co-requisite of CHEM 1043. Fall only.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to selected fundamental concepts including dimensional analysis, mole concept, atomic and molecular structure, nomenclature, chemical reactions, thermochemistry, intermolecular interactions, gases, mixtures, kinetics, equilibrium and acid base chemistry. Fall only.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines national income accounting, inflation and unemployment, competing theories of national income, fiscal policy, the Federal Reserve System and monetary policy, and international trade.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to give the student a basic understanding of our economic system. Basic economic concepts will be explored and contemporary economic problems and issues will be examined in light of the concepts learned.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An advanced survey of Arkansas history from prehistoric times to the present with an emphasis on political, economic, and social/cultural themes. Required of BSE Social Science majors.

Students must complete 38 credit hours of General Education courses from the following categories.

First-year course (3 hours)
UC 1013

Communication Requirement (6 hours)
ENG 1003
ENG 1013

Mathematics Requirement (3 hours)
Students must complete one of MATH 1023 or MATH 1043.

Arts and Humanities Requirement (6 hours)
Students must complete one of MUS 2503, THEA 2503, or ART 2503. Students must complete one of ENG 2003 or ENG 2013.

Social Sciences Requirement (9 hours)
Students must complete one of HIST 1013 or HIST 1023. Students must complete one of HIST 2763 or HIST 2773. Students must complete POSC 2103.

Life Science Requirement (4 hours)
BIO 1001
BIO 1003

Physical Sciences Requirement (4 hours)
PHSC 1201
PHSC 1203

Departmental (3 hours)
COMS 1203

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to visual art for all students regardless of background or experience. Students learn how to develop cognitive and experiential responses to works of art. This course is for non-art majors and does not meet general education requirements for any degree in Art. Fall, Spring, Summer.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Laboratory, must be taken with BIO 1003. There will be a fee when purchasing the LabKit. Please visit the tuition and fees page for pricing.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The major characteristics and processes of life emphasizing the human organism. Promotes understanding of diversity and unity among living organisms with focus on ecological interactions and responsibilities of people within their social and natural environment. Lecture three hours per week. Special course fees may apply. Must be taken with BIO 1001.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The theory and practice of communication in interpersonal, small groups, and public speaking contexts, emphasizing proficiency in message organization, delivery, and critical thinking.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Study and practice of fundamentals of written communication, including principles of grammar, punctuation, spelling, organization, and careful analytical reading. Prerequisite, with grade of C or better, for ENG 1013.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Continues the practice of ENG 1003 to develop further the skills learned in that course. Based on reading and discussion of various types of writing, the students’ essays will provide practice in different kinds of rhetorical development, including research and documentation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the analysis and interpretation of literary works from several historical periods ranging from early civilizations through the Renaissance.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the analysis and interpretation of literary works from several historical periods ranging from the Renaissance to the present.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
WORLD HISTORY. The pre-modern world, with emphasis on the economic, political, and cultural processes that shaped societies before the rise of global interdependence.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
WORLD HISTORY. The modern world, with emphasis on the economic, political, and cultural processes that have increased global interdependence.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
United States history. Social, economic, and political developments from Columbus to the end of Reconstruction.
Duration: Varies Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The social, economic and political developments Social, economic, and political developments from Reconstruction to the present. Fall, Spring, Summer.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, and miscellaneous topics. No credit given if taken following MATH 1054.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Quantitative Reasoning Quantitative reasoning as the approach to understanding relationships using mathematical and algebraic methodologies. Contemporary topics will be used to identify, analyze, generalize, and communicate quantitative relationships.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to music for the listener who has had no formal training or experience. By exploring the history of Western Art music, learners will begin to connect the development of music with the changing of society and culture.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Two hours per week. Fall, Spring. Special course fees may apply. (ACTS#: PHSC 1004)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The relationship of man to his physical world, content of the course is centered on the development of our modern concepts about matter and energy and how this development is related to the social order of which man is a part. This course does not satisfy science certification for secondary school teachers. It is not accepted as a major requirement in any natural science field. Lecture three hours. Fall, Spring. Special course fees may ap­ply. (ACTS#: PHSC 1004)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
American politics. The constitution, government, and politics of the United States.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides students with an appreciation of how various artistic elements combine to produce theatrical productions. Fall, Spring, Summer.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Required course for all first semester freshmen. Course content is centered around the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful ASU student, including academic performance, problem solving, critical thinking, self-management and group building skills, university policies and other relevant issues.

Program Coursework Rotation Online (.PDF)

Request Information

Submit the form below, and an Enrollment Specialist will contact you to answer your questions.

  • *All fields required.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Or call 866-621-8096

By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Arkansas State University (A-State) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend A-State or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.

Ready to go?

Start your application today!

Apply Now
Apply Now
Or call 866-621-8096 866-621-8096
for help with any questions you have.

Related Articles