Master of Arts in Education with a Specialization in Elementary Education Online

Open doors to new destinations in education by increasing your aptitude for instructional leadership.

Next Apply Date: 6/16/25
Next Start class Date: 6/30/25
Apply Now

Program Overview

Learn what our M.A.Ed. in elementary education online program can do for you

Enrich your experience as a teacher leader by earning your Master of Arts in Education with a Specialization in Elementary Education online from the UNC Pembroke School of Education. This online graduate education degree program prepares you for more rewarding educational leadership opportunities, including Curriculum Facilitator or Curriculum Director.

Grow your understanding of best practices in education with a focus on improving student learning outcomes and academic achievement as well as enhancing collaborative relationships within your community. Examine the current curricula, instructional approaches, assessment and other elements of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. You will also learn to apply theories and principles of human growth and development along with a variety of teaching strategies to meet the needs of all learners.

Designed to be flexible for busy adults, this elementary education master’s degree program provides rigorous professional development through a combination of 100% online coursework and hands-on learning in the field.

Graduate from this M.A.Ed. online program prepared for various educational roles, such as:

  • Teacher Leader
  • Curriculum Facilitator
  • Curriculum Director
Graduate from this M.A.Ed. online program prepared for various educational roles, such as:
  • Teacher Leader
  • Curriculum Facilitator
  • Curriculum Director

Also available online:

UNC Pembroke offers value in a variety of education programs. Check out our other graduate and postgraduate education programs.

Total Tuition (In-State) $9,227*
Duration As few as 14-20 months**
Credit Hours 30

Accreditation

Council for the Accredidication of Educator Preparation logo

All educator preparation programs at The University of North Carolina Pembroke are approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Also available online:

UNC Pembroke offers value in a variety of education programs. Check out our other graduate and postgraduate education programs.

Request Info Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 844-302-7886

Call 844-302-7886

Tuition

Explore the value of our affordable tuition

Tuition for our affordable online M.A.Ed. with a Specialization in Elementary Education is priced with the working student in mind—plus, you can pay by the course. Financial aid may be available for students who qualify.

View additional tuition information+

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Fees Per Credit Hour Distance Fee Per Term Per Program*
M.A.Ed. – Elementary Education (in-state resident) $237.78 $713.34 $33.05 $36.75 $9,227
M.A.Ed. – Elementary Education (out-of-state) $963.28 $2,889.84 $33.05 $36.75 $30,992

Tuition is based on a cadence of 6-9 credit hours per semester, which is two 7-week terms. Tuition will be capped at the per semester, full-time enrollment levels of nine (9) credit hours for graduate students.

Please consult with your advisor for more information.
https://www.uncp.edu/resources/student-accounts/tuition-fee-information

Additional Fees

One-Time Fees

Application Fee - $55 domestic/$60 international
Orientation Fee - $20
Graduation Fee - $100 (students will be charged an additional $25 if fee is not paid on time)

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour (In-State) $237.78
Total Tuition (In-State) $9,227*

Calendar

Note these important dates for our online students

For the convenience of our master’s in elementary education online students, the School of Education offers multiple start dates each year. View the full calendar for upcoming deadlines, including when to turn in all required documents, register for classes and pay tuition for your desired program start date.

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Summer I5/12/254/28/255/1/255/5/255/8/256/27/25
Summer II6/30/256/16/256/19/256/23/256/26/258/15/25
Fall I8/25/258/11/258/14/258/18/258/21/2510/10/25
Fall II10/20/2510/6/2510/9/2510/13/2510/16/2512/5/25

Now enrolling

Next Apply Date 6/16/25
Start Date 6/30/25

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

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Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

Apply Now

Take the next step toward earning your degree online from UNC Pembroke.

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Admissions

View the qualifications for our M.A.Ed. degree program online

The School of Education admission process is the first step toward earning your M.A.Ed. with a Specialization in Elementary Education online. Find out the requirements for the program and what additional materials are needed.

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • 2.5 cumulative GPA on undergraduate coursework
  • Valid NC class A teaching license or equivalent
View all admission requirements +

To be eligible for consideration for full or provisional admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Submit a completed online application
  • Pay a $55 non-refundable application fee ($60 for international applicants and waived for military members)
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
  • 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA
  • Valid North Carolina class A teaching license in K-6 Elementary (or equivalent licensure in your state)
  • Three professional references
  • No GRE or GMAT required

The electronic and physical information for submitting transcripts:

UNC Pembroke The Graduate School
PO Box 1510
One University Drive
Pembroke, NC 28372

UNCP will accept transcripts electronically - [email protected]

Courses

Read about our M.A.Ed. – Elementary Education online courses

To earn this online elementary education degree, students must complete eight core courses and four specialization courses for a total of 30 credit hours.

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to nurture and develop practitioners as leaders in their classrooms, in their schools, in their professions, in their communities, and in the broader society. The primary focus is on teachers as leaders in the teaching-learning process. Graduate candidates will begin and may finish their leadership projects in this course. Corequisite: EDN 5460: Field Experience required.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Emphasis is on understanding research designs and methods in education including an introduction to elementary statistics, interpreting and critiquing professional research literature, using research findings to validate and modify decisions about teaching and learning, and conducting action research in the classroom, school, and community. Graduate candidates will begin and may finish the research project in this course. Corequisite: EDN 5460: Field Experience required.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to provide a focus on contexts and processes through which language develops including attainment of second languages, and the cognitive, social/emotional, and cultural aspects of language. This foundation provides the framework to differentiate curricula, instruction and assessment in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and viewing through the use of culturally diverse and appropriate literature. Candidates will demonstrate collaboration skills with families and specialists within the school settings.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is for students to become competent in digital literacy skills. The development of new teaching strategies and resources will be aligned to the North Carolina teaching and learning standards. Incorporating technology-based pedagogies provides the digital skills and dispositions necessary to prepare teachers to construct and individualize curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Emphasis will be placed on inclusive and culturally appropriate technology applications and pedagogies.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to assist candidates in developing a contextual perception of diverse learners and their educational needs based on information about children’s family life, culture, and stages of development. Candidates will assess children’s development, align curriculum, design instruction to accommodate developmental and cultural differences, and establish respectful learning environments. Candidates will also explore ways to nurture and motivate family involvement in the education process.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to assist candidates in deepening their understanding of mathematics and science in facilitating student learning. Emphasis placed on a constructivist approach to learning and incorporating research as it translates to instructional practices.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to provide an opportunity for candidates to improve student learning in social studies and language arts through systematic analysis and reflection on the cycles of teaching and learning. A primary focus is placed on connecting curriculum and instructional design, desired learning outcomes, content, diverse learners, instructional resources and assessment measures, in the context of developing global understandings and multiple literacies.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to provide a capstone experience for candidates to integrate the knowledge and insights gained from experiences in previous courses into final revisions of their professional portfolio. Based on updated self‐assessment, candidates develop goals for future professional development and complete data analysis and conclusions to finalize leadership and action research projects.

Students can choose 2 of the 4 following courses:

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a graduate-level introduction to the areas of focus addressed within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This course familiarizes students with the practices, philosophies, roles and responsibilities of educators working with a diverse population of students. Corequisite: EDN 5460: Field Experience required.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to develop graduate students' knowledge base related to the theory and techniques of classroom management. Emphasis is placed on how those understandings can be utilized to establish a positive and respectful learning environment for all students. A variety of classroom management programs are examined and evaluated.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to provide graduate students with an introduction to some of the issues related to living in poverty and the impact those issues have on teaching and learning. In this course, students will address popular myths, misconceptions, and educational practices that perpetuate a deficit orientation to economically disadvantaged students. We will examine the role of the opportunity gap for low-income students and some of the challenges that under-resourced children and their families face, such as the problems of unequal access to early childhood education, support services in and outside of school, affirming educational environments, experienced teachers, current technology, higher-order curricula, student-centered pedagogy, and opportunities for family involvement. We will also examine attitudes, beliefs, tools, strategies and practices that can better assure a culture of achievement and full participation of all learners.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to provide graduate students with an in-depth focus on appropriate technology applications for instruction and teachers. It is designed to help teachers construct a conceptual framework based on knowledge about technology and learn how to use that framework to individualize curriculum, instruction and assessment incorporating technology into teaching and learning based on the North Carolina Teaching Standards.
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*Tuition rate (in-state: $237.78 /credit hour plus $36.75 flat fee; out-of-state: $963.28 /credit hour plus $36.75 flat fee) is based on a cadence of 6-9 credit hours per semester. Students planning to take more than 9 credit hours per semester should consult with their advisor for more information about the graduate tuition policy.

**Time to completion may vary depending on your start date. Speak with your Enrollment Specialist for more details.

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