Elementary Education

"I have wanted to be a teacher since I was seven years old. I've always known it is my calling. I like knowing that I can be such a positive influence on my students for the rest of their lives." - Ali Ryder, First Grade Teacher, Herald Elementary Teacher of the Year (Collinsville)

Change a child's life. Be an inspiration.
Spark a love of learning. Become a teacher.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree qualifies you for an Oklahoma elementary teaching license (grades 1-8). You will receive a breadth of knowledge reflecting the broad traditions of general education and a depth of knowledge in an area of specialization. Students participate in three field experiences and a full-semester clinical internship, working in diverse school settings to demonstrate and strengthen your pedagogical knowledge.

This is program is only offered online.

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Transfer Maps

Degree Requirements

40 hours must be upper-division.
A 2.75 overall and major GPA with a minimum grade of “C” in all major and professional core requirement courses. General Education courses require a minimum grade of “C.”
At least: 60 hours at a four-year institution; 30 hours completed at OSU; 15 of the final 30 or 50% of the upper-division hours in the major field completed at OSU. Limit of: one-half of major course requirements as transfer work; one-fourth of hours earned by correspondence; eight transfer correspondence hours.

Courses Include

*course availability varies by semester

Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary and Middle School
Teaching Reading in the Elementary and Middle School
Introduction to Visual Arts in the Curriculum
Literacy Assessment and Instruction
Teaching Mathematics at the Primary Level

Evening, hybrid and online courses make it easy for students to pursue a degree while working.

How Much Will it Cost?

OSU is one of the best values in the Big 12 and has lower tuition and fees than many Tulsa-area schools and online-only institutions. Students taking 15 credit hours (full time) will pay approximately $6,807.75 per semester in tuition and fees and an estimated $630 for books and supplies. (Estimates based on 2021-2022 tuition and fee charges. Books and supplies will vary based on classes taken each semester.) OSU-Tulsa offers financial aid, scholarships and tuition waivers, with several dedicated specifically to transfer students.

OSU Tuition and Fees Estimator

Possible options for Elementary Education majors include:

OSU-Tulsa Transfer Tuition Waiver Scholarship or Regents Distinguished Transfer Waiver Scholarship

Contact the OSU-Tulsa Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to learn more.

How Long will it Take?

Use this chart below to see how long it will take you to complete your bachelor’s degree at OSU-Tulsa if you transfer with 60 credit hours from your two-year institution. If you transfer with fewer than 60 credit hours, the number of semesters will increase accordingly.

Credit Hours/Semester	Semesters (est.)
6	10
9	7
12	5
15	4

Career Paths

Kindergarten Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Middle School Teacher
Tutor
Guidance Counselor
Librarian

Some of these careers may require extra training or education.

Potential Employers

Public school districts
Private and parochial schools
Libraries
Tutoring companies
Daycares
Colleges and universities
Freelance teaching work
Non-profit and community organizations
Museums

Graduate Study

Elementary Education graduates often continue their education by pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree or graduate certificate. Related graduate programs available at OSU-Tulsa include:

Counseling (master's)
Educational Leadership Studies (master's)
Educational Psychology (master's)
Teaching, Learning and Leadership (master's)
Education (doctoral)
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (doctoral)
Educational Psychology (doctoral)
School Administration (doctoral)

Reach Higher: DirectComplete

The Elementary Education program at OSU-Tulsa is part of the Reach Higher: DirectComplete initiative, which helps adult returning college students complete a bachelor's degree in an in-demand occupation. If you are age 25-49 and have an annual income below $75,000, learn more about Reach Higher: DirectComplete and request information about the program.