Keeping your paycheck while earning this degree is possible, but the online elementary education degree workload changes sharply once field requirements begin. Online courses may fit around work; field work and full-time student teaching may not. The safest plan is a lighter course load, early employer talks, and savings for the final placement.
Key Takeaways
- Short online terms can move quickly, especially when you combine reading, lesson plans, and discussion work.
- field work and student teaching may require daytime attendance at an approved school.
- Compare grade ranges, field placement rules, term length, and state licensure fit before applying.
The word online describes course delivery, not the entire teacher preparation process. A licensure program must also prepare you to teach, assess learning, and complete supervised field work. Before committing, map the academic terms and school placements against your job calendar.
What the Online Elementary Education Degree Workload Really Includes
Expect more than recorded lectures and quizzes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that public elementary school teachers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and state-issued certification or licensure. That means the curriculum must serve both graduation and state teaching requirements.
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, known as CAEP, organizes its K-6 elementary teacher preparation standards into five areas: learner development, content knowledge, assessment and planning, instruction, and professional development. Those areas help explain why the workload can include lesson design, written reflection, teaching demonstrations, group work, and analysis of student learning.
Plan for three kinds of work:
- Course work: readings, discussions, quizzes, papers, and lesson plans.
- Practice work: classroom observations, field work tasks, and teaching demonstrations.
- Licensure work: state forms, background checks, exams, and placement records when required.
Start with elementary education degree options at every level if you are still deciding between a licensure bachelor’s degree and another education route. Read each program description carefully. A general education degree may not lead to initial teacher licensure.
Build Your Week Around the Academic Calendar
Course length changes the pace. According to an official Student Experience page, one online university uses 7.5-week courses, while some courses last 15 weeks, with up to six start dates annually. Another official elementary education program page describes primarily eight-week courses. Short terms can help you finish courses in sequence, but they compress reading and assignment deadlines.
A sample week might place module review on Monday, reading on Tuesday, an initial discussion response on Wednesday, lesson-plan work on Thursday, and peer replies on Friday. Reserve the weekend for larger projects and preparation for the next module. This is a planning model, not a promise of how any school will schedule its classes.
Course combinations matter as much as course count. A methods course with classroom observation can be harder to manage than an online-only course because another school controls part of your calendar. Before registration, check:
- Whether courses have live meetings or fixed discussion deadlines
- Whether field work begins during the term
- How much reading and writing appears in the syllabus
- Whether major assignments fall in the same week
If you want another example of how education courses can fit around employment, compare this plan with GetEducated’s early childhood education workload guide. The age group differs, but the same calendar questions can expose an unrealistic course load before classes begin.
GetEducated's Picks
- Grand Canyon University Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
- Campbellsville University Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (P-5)
- University of West Alabama Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood / Elementary Education (P-3/K-6)
Protect Time for Field Work and Student Teaching
Field work is the point where many job schedules stop fitting. According to one official elementary education program page, the degree includes in-person internships and a full-time student-teaching experience. Another official program page requires 90 field work hours plus at least one full semester of student teaching. These duties happen in schools, not just through an online learning system.
Ask the placement office when field work starts, whether you may use your workplace, and who finds the host school. Do not assume that employment in a school will replace student teaching. Your state and program may require a specific setting, grade range, supervisor, or formal placement agreement.
Build a field-work plan before enrolling:
- Identify the term when daytime attendance begins.
- Ask your employer about leave, reduced hours, or a temporary schedule change.
- Check travel time to possible placement schools.
- Plan for background checks, required exams, and state forms.
Licensure requirements are state-specific. The federal Title II database reports each state’s teacher preparation admission rules and alternative credential routes. Use that resource with the school’s licensure office, especially if the school is based outside your state. You can also compare broader online bachelor's degrees in education if a licensure program’s daytime placement cannot work with your job.
Compare Program Structures Before You Commit
Program titles reveal meaningful differences in grade span and emphasis, though they do not settle licensure eligibility. The examples below come from schools offering programs in this degree area. Confirm delivery format, field placement rules, and authorization in your state before applying.
| School and Program | Focus Named in the Title | Workload Question to Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Campbellsville University — Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (P-5) | Elementary grades P-5 | When do classroom placements enter the course sequence? |
| University of West Alabama — Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood / Elementary Education (P-3/K-6) | Early childhood and elementary grade ranges | Do both grade ranges add separate field experiences? |
| Grand Canyon University — Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education / English as a Second Language | Elementary education with an English as a Second Language emphasis | Does the added emphasis change field work or student-teaching duties? |
| Southwest Minnesota State University — Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education | Elementary teacher preparation | Are any courses or placements tied to fixed daytime schedules? |
Cost also affects how much you can reduce work. Its K-12 education bachelor’s report lists a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a $27,880 total program cost including all mandatory fees. Use the elementary education bachelor's cost comparison to examine more programs.
Career figures add context, but they should not drive your schedule decision by themselves. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that elementary school teachers, except special education, earned a median annual wage of $62,340 in May 2024. It projects employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers to decline 2% from 2024 to 2034.
Find Your Online Education Degree
Narrow 58 accredited online Education degree programs to find the perfect fit.
Southwest Minnesota State University
Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies / Elementary Education
Mississippi State University
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education / Early Childhood or Middle School (PreK-6)
Vermont State University
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with Special Education / Liberal Arts & Sciences
Accreditation language also needs close reading. CAEP states that using its 2018 K-6 standards does not by itself result in national recognition because CAEP does not have Specialized Professional Association status for those standards. Check institutional accreditation, state approval, and the exact licensure outcome rather than relying on a standards reference alone. Broader online education degree listings can help you compare alternate routes when the teaching placement is not workable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get an elementary education degree online while working full time?
You may be able to keep full-time employment during online course work. Field work and student teaching are harder to combine with a fixed job because they may require daytime attendance in a school.
How much time should I set aside each week?
The answer depends on course length, assignment type, and field work. Request a sample syllabus and academic calendar, then list every fixed deadline before registering.
Are online elementary education classes self-paced?
Some are, but online delivery does not guarantee flexible deadlines. Ask about live classes, group meetings, timed exams, discussion due dates, and required teaching demonstrations.
Can student teaching be completed online?
Usually, online course delivery does not remove supervised classroom requirements. Confirm the approved setting, required attendance, and placement process with the program and your state.
Can I keep my job during student teaching?
That depends on your work hours and the placement schedule. Discuss leave or reduced hours early. Do not assume your current school job will count as the required placement.
Should I enroll part time or full time?
Part-time study may be safer if your job has fixed hours or busy seasons. Full-time study may fit better when you have dependable time and few daytime obligations.
Why are accelerated online courses harder to schedule?
They cover course material in shorter terms, so readings, discussions, and major assignments arrive closer together. A missed week can be difficult to recover.
When should I check state licensure requirements?
Check before applying and again before field placement. State rules can affect approved programs, exams, background checks, grade ranges, and where student teaching may occur.
Is an online elementary education degree worth it while working?
It may be if the program leads to the license you need and its field schedule fits your job plan. Weigh the cost and career data above against the income you may lose during student teaching.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Kindergarten and elementary school teachers
- Official Elementary Education Online catalog requirements
- Official online student experience and course schedule information
- Official elementary education internship and student-teaching requirements
- Official field work and student-teaching requirements
- CAEP K-6 Elementary Teacher Preparation Standards
- CAEP elementary teacher preparation standards information
- Federal Title II teacher preparation and licensure database