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Earn An Elementary Education Degree with the GI Bill

Earn An Elementary Education Degree with the GI Bill

Servicemembers pursuing a degree in Elementary Education use the skills they learned in the military—like discipline, leadership, and adaptability—to succeed in academic environments.

If you're a current military member or veteran seeking a rewarding career with competitive pay and benefits, teaching offers an ideal opportunity for service members to succeed and make a lasting impact.

Programs like Troops to Teachers and benefits from the GI Bill or tuition assistance reduce financial barriers to an Elementary Education Degree. Additionally, military members may receive credit for prior training or experience, accelerating their degree path.

Is an Elementary Education Degree hard?

Although the coursework is manageable, becoming an elementary school teacher is demanding. For example, every state has a different path to licensure. Servicemembers with leadership and discipline skills can be valuable assets in student teaching and classroom management settings.

Earn an Elementary Education Degree

Elementary education programs offer students the chance to work with gifted or advanced children, teach English language learners, or focus on curriculum design. Through their degree program, they'll learn essential classroom skills, such as improving writing and communication abilities, creating lesson plans, and evaluating student behavior. They may also take courses in areas like:
  • Classroom management
  • Multicultural education
  • Subject-specific specialization (e.g., math)
  • Educational psychology
  • Language and child development
  • Disability awareness in the classroom
  • Family and community involvement
  • Measurement and assessment
  • Technology integration in education

GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program Options to Earn an Elementary Education Degree

Our list of GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon participating schools is below. Don't forget to explore your other military financial aid and veteran student financial aid opportunities. There is also help for military spouses who need scholarships and other financial aid.

Elementary Education Degree Bachelor's Degree

Coursework for Elementary Education BS Degrees typically emphasizes science, math, and technology, while BA Degrees prioritize the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

Jobs with an Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree

Elementary Education Master's Degree

According to CSUN, a Master's Degree in Elementary Education "will put you on the path to becoming a master teacher, supervising teacher, subject matter teaching specialist, or department chairperson. You'll build on the work from your credential program and choose an area of further specialization that matches your interests."

Jobs with an Elementary Education Master's Degree

Is an Elementary Education Degree worth it?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an elementary education degree can be a lucrative investment. In May 2023, the median annual wage for elementary school teachers, excluding special education, was $63,680, while kindergarten teachers earned an average of $62,690 annually. The BLS has seen a projected decline in these positions of 1% from 2023 to 2033. However, about 106,500 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are expected annually over the next decade.

Active duty service members, veterans, and their families can use educational entitlements to seek low- to no-cost degree-seeking opportunities. Programs such as MyCAA (for eligible spouses), the GI Bill, and the Yellow Ribbon program are opportunities to pursue to maximize your learning and earning potential.

GI Bill-approved Schools and Yellow Ribbon Schools with an Elementary Education Degree

Ready to start your Elementary Education Degree? Check out these programs available at our partner schools:

Quinnipiac University

Offers a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and Teaching and is approved for tuition assistance and the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Xavier University

Offers a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and Teaching and is approved for tuition assistance and the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Whitworth University

Offers a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Elementary Education and Teaching and is approved for tuition assistance and the Yellow Ribbon Program.