For those who want to become teachers, The Teachers College at Emporia State University has multiple pathways to accomplish this goal. The newest route is a fully online bachelor’s degree in elementary education, which is enrolling now for fall 2024.
Todd Roberts, program lead of the online elementary education program, says the new program is designed to meet prospective students where they are, especially beneficial for those whose circumstances are not conducive to moving to a specific campus.
“This past year, I visited over 20 Kansas school districts. As I talked to administrators, I was told over and over again that our elementary education graduates are among the best prepared. People who are place-bound haven't been able to get an elementary education degree from ESU and this year, that will change,” said Roberts.
“We are excited that we already have students in the fall cohort from southwest Kansas to the eastern portion of Kansas, and several in between. These new students will help to fill the teacher shortage across the state.”
Roberts also is excited about a pathway specifically designed for paraeducators already working in accredited school districts.
“The paraeducator option in the online bachelor of science in elementary education allows students to earn this degree while continuing in their roles as paraeducators longer,” he explained. “During student teaching, they step away from their roles as paraeducators and assume the role of a classroom teacher—this is an extremely important piece of preparing them for their own classroom.”
The elementary education online route includes three options:
- Paraeducator — paid position as a paraeducator earn credit toward the degree.
- Elementary education unified — the resulting unified license qualifies to teach in an elementary classroom or as a special education teacher.
- Registered Teacher Apprenticeship—paid position as an apprentice earn credit toward the degree and helps cover the cost of the degree.
For more information about the online bachelor’s degree in elementary education, go online to emporia.edu/elementaryeducation.
The Teachers College offers other pathways to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. These include:
- Main campus — face-to-face classes on the main campus in Emporia, Kansas, with the option to take some online classes.
- Distance education — face-to-face classes at campuses in greater Kansas City or Wichita areas, with the option to take some online classes.
The elementary education bachelor’s degree leads to Kansas teacher licensure in pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade classrooms. Elementary education unified results in licensure in kindergarten through sixth-grade or special education classrooms.
For those who already have a bachelor’s degree and want to change their career, ESU’s Master of Science in Elementary Education degree is a 30-credit-hour online program that leads to licensure in pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade classrooms. More information: emporia.edu/mseled.
Finally, the Restricted Licensure route is graduate study that leads to middle or secondary licensure in the subject matter in which the student earned their bachelor’s or master’s degree. This 21-credit hour online program allows the student to serve as teacher of record in a classroom as they complete the program. The licensure allows them to teach in a middle or high school. More information: emporia.edu/restrictedlicensure.