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How Online Elementary Education Degrees Work
Online elementary education degrees are hybrid by necessity: coursework is delivered online, but the student teaching requirement – the core practical training for the degree – is completed in person at a local school. Understanding how the two pieces fit together helps you plan a realistic timeline.
Advantages
- Flexible scheduling for working students and career changers
- Same coursework and degree requirements as campus programs
- No commute for lecture and discussion coursework
- 82.5% of bachelor's-level education programs available online (College Scorecard)
Disadvantages
- Student teaching still requires in-person attendance at a local school
- Coordinating a local placement takes advance planning
- Requires strong self-discipline for asynchronous coursework
- Some states have residency or in-person requirements for licensure testing
Quick Answers
Is the entire elementary education degree online?
No. Coursework is typically delivered online, but the supervised student teaching component is an in-person requirement completed at a local K-6 school.
How does student teaching work in an online program?
Most online programs help place you with a cooperating school and supervising teacher near where you live. You attend and teach in person for the duration of the placement, usually a full semester.
Is online coursework live or self-paced?
It depends on the school. Some programs use live (synchronous) class sessions, while others are asynchronous with weekly deadlines. Many combine both.
Do online programs meet the same state approval requirements as campus programs?
Yes, when the program is properly state-approved. Verify that the specific online track – not just the institution overall – has state approval for teacher licensure in the state where you plan to teach.
How much time should I plan for each week?
Plan for roughly the same time commitment as a campus program: several hours per course per week for coursework, plus full school-day hours during the student teaching semester.
At a Glance
- Coursework delivery: Online, synchronous or asynchronous depending on the school
- Student teaching: In-person, typically a full semester
- Placement support: Most schools help arrange a local cooperating school
- Licensing exams: Taken in person or via proctored online testing, depending on the state and exam
- Time commitment: Similar to campus programs for coursework; full school-day hours during student teaching
For a full overview of program options, start with the Elementary Education Program Guide.
Online coursework: what to expect
Online elementary education coursework typically includes recorded or live lectures, discussion boards, lesson-plan assignments, and group projects. Some programs run on a set weekly schedule with live sessions; others are asynchronous, letting you complete work within a broader deadline window.
Student teaching: the in-person requirement
Student teaching is the practical core of an elementary education degree, and it cannot be completed online. Key things to understand:
- You are placed with a cooperating classroom teacher at a local K-6 school
- Placements are typically arranged by the program, often requiring you to identify a general location in advance
- The placement usually runs a full semester and requires full school-day attendance
- A university or program supervisor observes and evaluates your teaching during the placement
Licensing exams and in-person requirements
Most states require passing scores on standardized licensing exams, such as Praxis, before issuing a teaching license. These exams are typically taken at an in-person or proctored testing center, separate from your coursework platform. Some states also require fingerprinting or an in-person background check appointment as part of licensure.
Time management for a hybrid program
Because the degree combines flexible online coursework with a fixed-schedule, in-person student teaching semester, time management looks different across the two phases:
- During coursework terms: Build a consistent weekly study schedule around lecture viewing, discussion posts, and lesson-plan assignments.
- During student teaching: Plan for full school-day hours, similar to a full-time job, which can make it difficult to also work another job during that semester.
- Across the whole program: Map out when general education and core coursework need to be finished before you are eligible to begin student teaching.
If you want to compress the coursework portion of your timeline, see: Accelerated Elementary Education Programs
Format comparison
| Component | Delivery | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|
| Core coursework | Online (synchronous or asynchronous) | High |
| Licensing exam prep | Online or self-study | High |
| Licensing exam itself | In-person or proctored | Low |
| Student teaching | In-person at a local school | Low |
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Data verified: July 30, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
Back to Online Elementary Education Degrees Guide: Levels and Licensure