Home / Teaching and Learning / M.Ed. in Elementary Education

Master of Education in
Elementary Education

Specifically designed for elementary teachers who wish to advance their expertise and skills, this program will build on their current understanding of young students’ learning needs and introduce them to new ways of incorporating technology into the classroom.

Total cost at ACE

$8,990

(tuition + fees)

Compare with other institutions*:

$18,900

University of Phoenix

$25,092

Concordia University

$17,325

Walden University

*Based on information provided on each institution's website as of August 2018

Applications due April 5 for April 8, 2019 Term

View Tuition Details

Key Features

  • Customizable: Specialize your degree with the Focus of Study that best fits your interests and career goals.
  • Intentional Designed: This program was specifically designed with the practicing elementary educator in mind. Courses provide practical applications that can be used immediately in the elementary-level classroom.
  • Flexible: Study on your schedule. Our online format allows you to plan your coursework around your life.
  • Well-Rounded Curriculum: By taking courses in curriculum design, assessment, digital tools, leadership, and your chosen focus of study, you’ll have the elementary education knowledge to create a diverse and balanced curriculum.

For more information about this program, view the College Catalog. You can also ask questions anytime via chat.

Focus of Study

Nine of your semester credits will be spent specializing in a focus area of your choice.
View the College Catalog for full descriptions.

Content

Literacy

See Student Experience

See Student Experience

View Academic Calendar

View Academic Calendar

Understand Admission Requirements

Understand Admission Requirements

Explore Payment Options

Explore Payment Options

Dual Degree Programs

After you complete your M.Ed. in Elementary Education, you can earn a second M.Ed. degree in less time due to the overlap in required courses. If you’re interested in an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, visit our Dual Degree page.

Department Chair

Tiffany Hamlett, Ph.D.
Administrative Faculty and Chair,
Department of Teaching and Learning

Dr. Tiffany Hamlett has worked in higher education for eight years in various educational fields. Her background includes early childhood education, curriculum development, and research methods. In addition, she serves as a reviewer for Social Development and the Southern Early Childhood Association. She is particularly interested in studying developmentally appropriate practice, lifespan development, and constructivist teaching practices.

A Degree You Can Count On

We are, and have always been, regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This accreditation guarantees that our programs meet certain levels of quality standards.   

A Note About Licensure:

While this program provides a comprehensive understanding of the intended program outcomes, it does not lead to licensure, certification, or endorsement. ACE offers several programs that do provide a pathway to licensure, certification, or endorsement and they can be found here.

Home / Teaching and Learning / M.Ed. in Elementary Education

Tuition

M.Ed. in Elementary Education

Total Tuition

34 semester credits x $235 per credit

$7,990

Fees

$50 Application Fee

$850 Technology & Library Fee ($25 per credit)

$100 Program Conferral Fee

$1,000

Total Program Cost*

$8,990

*This is an estimated value of the cost for tuition and fees. Amounts may vary depending on number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program credit hours, receipt of scholarship and/or grant amounts, and adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section.

State of California Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF)

It is a state of California requirement that a student who pays his or her tuition is required to pay a state-imposed assessment for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund. For more information and to see if you must pay the state-imposed assessment for Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) click here.

Home / Teaching and Learning / M.Ed. in Elementary Education

ACE General Admission Requirements

  • Complete and submit all application components including the admission application, including the enrollment agreement, and payment agreement.
  • Submit the nonrefundable application fee.*
  • Provide official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution indicating successful completion of the level of education required for entry to the program.**

*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.
**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.

Program Admission Requirements

M.Ed. in Elementary Education

  • Bachelor's or Highest Post-Baccalaureate degree earned
  • Minimum Grade Point Average 2.75 on a 4.0 Scale for full admission
  • Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.50 on a 4.0 Scale for Provisional Admission*
  • Documentation of at least an initial teaching license (in the state the applicant resides), school service personnel license, or a school services certificate
  • If applicants do not have a teaching certificate, they may document their teaching status by providing evidence of full-time teaching assignment from an individual in a supervisory capacity or from a human resources official of the school at their current employment 

*Applicants whose overall GPA, or GPA in the last 60 hours is below 2.50 will not be admitted to the degree program

International Transcript Requirements

All applicants must submit to the Admissions Office official, sealed college transcripts from each institution attended.

  • Transcripts that are international and/or not in English must be evaluated through an NACES-recommended agency.
  • Texas applicants may only submit evaluations from agencies approved by the Texas Education Agency.
  • International applicants must request the course-by-course evaluation. The evaluation report must show that the non-U.S. education is equivalent to the education/accreditation level required for the program.

English as a Second Language Applicants

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:

  1. Submission of an official transcript showing a degree from a United States secondary school or regionally accredited college/university.

  2. Submission of a transcript from a secondary school or college/university whose country uses English as a primary means of instruction, including, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand.

  3. Submission of an official minimum score on the paper-based or internet-based TOEFL exam.
    • The minimum TOEFL score required for the paper-based Test (PBT) is 550, and for the internet-based (iBT) Test is 80.

    • Applicants to the Texas M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program must submit scores from the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL An overall score of 80, and a score of 26 on the speaking section is required.

    • The testing agency must send test scores directly to American College of Education.

Admissions Appeal Process

Applicants have the right to appeal admissions decisions. Begin the process by filling out the admissions appeal here.

Home / Teaching and Learning / M.Ed. in Elementary Education

Courses

Explore the classes you'll take to fulfill this program's 34 semester credit requirement. For more information, a complete list of requirements, and course options, see the College Catalog.

Teaching/Learning Core Courses

(7 semester credits)

This course introduces students to the historical, political, and social influences on the development of the U. S. educational system. Topics include major philosophies of teaching and learning, the impact of educational theories on educational practice, legal aspects of education, and school effectiveness and student achievement.
Embracing the value of assessment and evaluation is the first step in improving learner outcomes through datadriven decision-making. This course develops relevant competencies and promotes a healthy balance of utilizing formative and summative assessments, evaluation practices, and data to inform and guide integrated curriculum development and instructional delivery. Assessments can provide facilitators with the knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of diverse learners in a variety of school and organizational settings.
The capstone experience provides an opportunity for students in the M.Ed. in Elementary Education program to demonstrate and document the impact of the knowledge and competencies gained throughout and as a result of the program. In the capstone experience, students select artifacts produced along with or as a result of course application assignments. These artifacts serve as the centerpiece of a culminating project that demonstrates competency.

Digital Learning Courses

(6 semester credits)

This course examines the impact of technology on learning as well as how today's student navigates a media-rich world. Topics include the human-computer interface, technology and the brain, diffusion of innovations, and connectivity through social media. The course considers trends and issues in educational technologies as well as research into the effects of technology on society.
This course uses a project-based approach in studying technology in education, best practices for classroom teachers, and strategies for professional development in light of emerging technologies. The course addresses 21st century standards for education, educators' digital presence, cloud computing, and digital ethics.

Curriculum and Instruction Courses

(6 semester credits)

This course focuses on the major theories, strategies, and applications utilized in P-12 standards-driven learning environments. Participants review and apply current literature and educational research studies concerning standards-based curriculum, implementation strategies and tools.
This course assists in the development of rigorous, appropriate curriculum and instruction. Multiculturalism, culturally relevant pedagogy, differentiated instruction, and thematic, interdisciplinary unit planning are emphasized. Using a curricular framework, students plan, evaluate, reflect on, and adapt curricula experiences to build successful learning environments for all learners.

Leadership Courses

(3 semester credits)

This course explores the leadership models and frameworks required for teacher leaders to share governance and work collaboratively with principals and other adults to achieve school goals for student learning and achievement. Recognition is given to the critical roles teachers assume in decision-making through the perspective of multiple stakeholders and the need for teacher leaders to assist in harnessing this collective knowledge to make a difference in teaching and learning. Learners engage in leadership interactions to develop instructional leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and the ability to become advocates and change agents for continuous school improvement. Emphasis is placed on understanding teacher evaluation systems and communicating this information to colleagues.

Research Courses

(3 semester credits)

This course enables students to become informed consumers of educational research and to develop skills that prepare them to carry out action research in their schools and classrooms. An emphasis is placed on providing students with knowledge that they can apply in determining whether particular research findings are relevant to their leadership and instructional practices and to distinguish between trustworthy and non-trustworthy research. Throughout the course, students identify the elements that scientifically-based research and action research share. Emphasis is placed on how research can become a vital and relevant tool for teachers and school leaders.

Focus of Study

Customize this degree by choosing a three-course Focus of Study to fulfill the remaining nine semester credits.

Content

(9 semester credits)

This course considers how to develop an appreciation for the world beyond the classroom as found in writings and other literacies in relation to significant historical events and global perspectives. Principles and methods of inquiry to foster critical and creative thinking are utilized to explore methods for introducing genres and core ideas which have shaped regional, state, national, and global understanding from past eras to present day. Response to Instruction (RtI) procedures will engage strategies and methods appropriate for the delivery of reading/language arts and social studies through the use of differentiated instruction.
This course provides a foundation for teaching mathematics to diverse elementary students. Students examine current standards in mathematics, as well as the process of aligning curriculum and lesson plans to standards. Students develop a toolkit of content specific instruction and assessment strategies. Students demonstrate computational skills and understanding of fundamental concepts and processes of mathematics, including number systems and operations, algebraic thinking, measurement, geometry, and statistics and probability.
This course provides a foundation for teaching science to diverse elementary students. Students examine current standards in science, as well as the process of aligning curriculum and lesson plans to standards. Students develop a repertoire of content-specific instructional methods for planning, delivering, assessing, and remediating diverse elementary students understanding of the fundamental concepts and mastery of essential process skills associated with science, engineering, and technology. This course provides an integrated scientific inquiry approach using critical-thinking skills, literacy, and technology to explore social, cultural, and ethical aspects of science, including an investigation of the foundational concepts in the physical, Earth and space, and life sciences.

Literacy

(9 semester credits)

This course builds key concepts and principles related to phonemic awareness and phonics, shaping an emerging understanding of the connection between language and the written code. Essential components of effective reading instruction will be explored using a Response to Instruction (Rtl) model. Learners will analyze critical elements of emerging skills to foster the use of appropriate strategies across developmental stages, content areas, technology, and diversity issues in learning to read.
This course examines issues related to integrating reading skills to enhance fluency, vocabulary development, and comprehension in a variety of text structures and across content areas. A range of instructional strategies for assessment, intervention, and enrichment will be evaluated as to their effectiveness for supporting engagement and motivation in reading to learn. Key dimensions for the development of differentiated instruction will promote blending of resources from the school environment, community and abroad, including the use of technology.

This course prepares students to implement a school-wide leadership initiative to improve a comprehensive range of literacy skills. Specific principles and theories of emerging and developmental reading instruction are evaluated in relation to currently employed practice so teachers can immediately strengthen instruction. Students examine the scientific research base underlying different models of reading instruction. Special attention is given to curriculum mapping, alignment, and the development of an implementation plan to strengthen literacy.

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