Through fully online coursework and in-person clinical experiences completed in an approved school near you, you will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to create engaging, inclusive learning environments. When you earn your elementary education degree at Illinois College, you will Graduate READY to lead your own classroom and help every student succeed.
Our Online Elementary Education Degree is Perfect For:
- Classroom professionals ready to become licensed elementary teachers
- Paraprofessionals and teaching assistants seeking career advancement
- Students who have completed at least 30 undergraduate credit hours
- Working adults who need a flexible pathway to complete their bachelor’s degree
- Aspiring educators with at least one year of classroom-related experience
Next Start Date :: September 1, 2026
*Estimated time for degree completion for first-time students. Students who transfer credits will typically require less time for completion.
**In addition to 45 credit hours of Education coursework, students must successfully complete 32 credits in content preparation courses. These courses count toward the 120 credit hours required for undergraduate degree completion.
Online Elementary Education Degree Highlights
Illinois College’s online elementary education program prepares future teachers to effectively serve students in grades 1 through 6. Grounded in the Illinois Professional Educator Standards and evidence-based instructional practices, the program combines flexible online learning with meaningful experiences in elementary classrooms.
A Flexible Pathway to the Classroom
Complete your education coursework online while balancing work, family and other responsibilities. Courses are offered in convenient eight-week terms, allowing you to make steady progress toward your degree and teaching license.
The online format is paired with required clinical field experiences and student teaching in an approved elementary school setting, giving you opportunities to apply what you learn with real students.
Prepare to Teach Grades 1 Through 6
Build the broad content knowledge and instructional skills needed to teach across the elementary curriculum. Through your coursework and clinical experiences, you will learn to:
- Design engaging, standards-aligned lessons
- Assess student learning and use results to guide instruction
- Adapt instruction to meet a variety of learning needs
- Create inclusive and culturally responsive classrooms
- Support students’ academic, social and emotional development
- Use evidence-based instructional strategies
- Build positive relationships with students, families and school communities
Complete Clinical Experiences Near You
Required clinical experiences allow you to observe, assist and teach in elementary classrooms under the guidance of experienced educators. Illinois College will work with students to identify approved school settings where they can complete field experiences and student teaching requirements.
These experiences will help you connect educational theory with classroom practice and develop the confidence to lead a classroom of your own.
A Transfer-Friendly Education Degree
Bring your previous college experience with you. Illinois College accepts up to 88 transfer credits, helping eligible students reduce the time and cost required to complete their bachelor’s degree.
Each student’s transcripts will be evaluated individually to determine how previous coursework applies toward Illinois College general education, content preparation and major requirements.
Students must have completed a minimum of 30 undergraduate credit hours and have at least one year of classroom-related experience before entering the program.
Support From Experienced Education Faculty
You will learn from education faculty who understand the opportunities and challenges today’s teachers face. Your professors will help you strengthen your instructional practice, navigate program and licensure requirements and prepare for success throughout your clinical experiences.
Faculty members will also serve as mentors and academic advisors as you progress from online coursework to student teaching and professional licensure.
Illinois Teacher Licensure Requirements
The online elementary education major is designed to prepare students to pursue an Illinois Professional Educator License with an endorsement in elementary education for grades 1 through 6.
To qualify for licensure, students must successfully complete:
- Illinois College general education requirements
- All required elementary education major courses with a grade of C- or better
- Required content preparation courses
- All state-mandated clinical experiences
- Student teaching in an approved elementary school setting
- The applicable Illinois Licensure Testing System content test
- All additional Illinois State Board of Education requirements
Licensure requirements are established by the Illinois State Board of Education and are subject to change.
Online Elementary Education Degree Courses
The online elementary education curriculum combines education coursework with content preparation in the subjects elementary teachers are expected to understand and teach. Check out courses and requirements HERE.
Career Opportunities for Elementary Education Graduates
Graduates who successfully complete all degree and licensure requirements will be prepared to pursue teaching positions in Illinois elementary schools.
Potential career paths include:
- Elementary classroom teacher
- Public school teacher
- Private school teacher
- Charter school teacher
- Reading or mathematics interventionist
- Curriculum or instructional support specialist
- Educational program coordinator
- Youth education program leader
The knowledge and experience developed through the program can also provide a foundation for graduate study, additional teaching endorsements and future leadership opportunities in education.
Get Started on Your Elementary Education Degree
Turn your classroom experience into the next step in your teaching career. With flexible online coursework, personalized faculty support and clinical experiences completed in an approved elementary school setting, Illinois College can help you Graduate READY to inspire young learners.
Request information to learn more about admission requirements, transfer credits, licensure preparation and the online elementary education program.