Elementary Education Online Program

  • Bachelor of Science
  • Darden College of Education & Professional Studies
  • Department of Teaching & Learning

Degree completion

  • For students with some college credits
  • Complete at least 30 credits online from ODU

Answer the call to educate young minds. At ODU, you will prepare for a teaching career with faculty who have direct and current school-based experience, and you'll receive career mentoring from former school professionals.

You will also complete extensive field work and a supervised capstone teaching experience. There you will apply your knowledge in the school setting to:

  • practice state-of-the-art instruction;
  • teach students of various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; and
  • pursue lifelong professional growth and development.

This program is designed to lead to Virginia teacher licensure. If you want to be licensed in a different state, we encourage you to check your state's teacher licensure requirements before applying.

When you graduate, you will earn a Bachelor of Science in elementary education.

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"The ODU online program was flexible enough to fit right into my very busy life as a teacher, photographer, wife, and mother."
--Elizabeth B.

"[This program] has enabled me to continue my education during a very challenging time of my life. I have been able to invest in myself, provide for my family, and help others by teaching. I am a lifelong learner aka: Professional Student and ODU has helped to make that attainable for me."
--Tina W.

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Elementary age students working toward their education
  • Best Online Bachelor's in Elementary Education, 2024 - AcademicInfluence.com

  • To earn a bachelor's degree from ODU, you must complete at least 30 credit hours with us. This online Bachelor of Science in elementary education requires 120 total credit hours.

    This program includes a student teaching practicum, which requires a clearance background check.

    Talk with our enrollment team to determine if you have credits that will transfer or to start an application.

  • Access course materials online from any location. Some classes will have live, regular online meeting times, while others will not. Instructors may schedule assignments and exams at specific times. This program requires a practicum or internship. All courses follow ODU's regular academic calendar.

    • Teaching:  Pre-K, Primary, Elementary
    • With additional experience, training, and/or education:  
      • Principal or Superintendent
      • Curriculum or Subject Area Supervision
      • Reading Specialist
      • Media/Library/Information Services

    Note for students in Washington State from the Student Achievement Council concerning this bachelor's degree: "This program is not intended to lead to teacher certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for teacher advancement."

  • In-state Virginia Residents
    $393 per credit hour*
    Out-of-State Students
    $426 per credit hour

    Active duty military students may qualify for a discounted undergraduate tuition rate.

    These tuition rates are effective Fall 2023 and subject to change. 
    * In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

What is Degree Completion?

An online bachelor's degree completion program takes into account the college credits you have earned at another college program, university, or community college. These credits can come from one academic institution or several, and they should satisfy ODU's lower division general education requirements.

ODUGlobal enrollment coordinators can provide a free unofficial transfer assessment before you apply. They will assess your credits for transferability to your ODU bachelor's degree based on several factors. These include the grade you earned in the class, the school which awarded the credits, and the program in which you intend to enroll.

Students should submit a complete set of transcripts representing all potential transfer credits. They can be unofficial transcripts, but you'll need the official versions when you apply. You'll review these credits with your enrollment coordinator, who will advise you on the remaining classes you'll need to complete your degree.

In order to earn an undergraduate degree from ODU as a transfer student, you'll need to earn at least 30 credits at Old Dominion University in a given program.

Guaranteed admissions programs can shorten the path to your bachelor's degree with ODUGlobal.

Learn More About Transferring to ODU

ODU Guaranteed Admission Agreements

What's it like to earn an online teaching degree?

Prospective students who are anxious to start their teaching career often wonder about what an online teaching degree program includes. How will it differ from the campus experience? What does the program require? How do online education degrees stack up when it comes to state requirements?

ODU's online Bachelor of Science major Elementary Education matches on-campus rigor, academic integrity, curriculum, and instruction to prepare you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to excel in an elementary classroom.

You'll likely attend both real-time classes and complete coursework at your own pace. When it comes to student teaching, you'll work with your student success director to find a classroom experience in your area.

Earning an online elementary education degree can be a perfect solution for an aspiring educator who wants a high quality degree program but who wants to stay in their own community.

ODU's elementary education students who are planning to teach in Virginia may be able to take advantage of the Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program from the Virginia Department of Education in addition to other financial aid opportunities

This program is designed to prepare students for Virginia teacher licensure. If you live outside Virginia, we encourage you to check your state's teacher licensure requirements before applying to ODU.

Use these licensure links to explore whether this program may help you obtain a teaching license in other states.

Our dedicated enrollment team will guide your transition to ODUGlobal.

  • Finish your degree with us. We offer the upper division (300 and 400 level) courses you'll need. Our enrollment team will review your credits from other higher education institutions. Then you can apply them toward a degree from ODU.

    Additional assessments for licensure are required once admitted to the University.

  • We've partnered with the Virginia Community College System and select educational institutions to make transferring easy. By applying, you will be assured admission at ODU for the completion of your degree.

    Learn more about Guaranteed Admission to ODU