The online Master of Arts in Elementary Education degree at Appalachian
Appalachian State University’s flexible, online Master of Arts in Elementary Education program will help you perfect the skills needed to become an effective elementary teacher.
Courses provide specialized preparation for individuals seeking to teach in the K-6 school setting.
This App State Online degree program is designed to meet the advanced competencies as mandated in the North Carolina Excellent Schools Act for Master-level teacher education programs.
You will be taught to understand the nature of the elementary school-age learner in relation to the learning and evaluation process. With this understanding, you will be able to make critical decisions by synthesizing information relative to the development of appropriate living/learning environments.
This program leads to a “M” level licensure for elementary grades.
App State Online: Change your future.
More information on Elementary Education
Careers
- Elementary school teacher
- Tutor
- Lead teacher
Degree details
Program information
- Click for course information.
- Completion time: two years
(Note: Not all courses listed may be delivered to App State Online students. Refer curriculum questions to the program contact.)
Eligibility and application requirements
Eligibility:
Applicants must:
- hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- hold a valid North Carolina “A” level teaching license or equivalent from another state.
- Meet Graduate School admission criteria
Note: If the North Carolina teaching license is in an area other than elementary education, before the applicant is eligible to receive the M level license, he or she must pass the NES Foundations of Reading and Praxis 7803: Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics CKT test.
Admissions exam:
COVID-19 Update Effective 4/16/2020:
Individuals applying to programs with a July 1 deadline who are experiencing difficulty taking a required standardized exam due to Covid-19 closures of testing centers or other factors that prevent them from taking the GRE online should contact Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Dr. Marie Hoepfl (hoepflmc@appstate.edu) to request a waiver.
GRE or MAT waivers are available if the applicant has an undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or better.
No exam waiver is automatic but will require review and approval by the Graduate School upon submission of a complete application. An approved waiver request does not guarantee acceptance into the program. A denied waiver request does not mean that a candidate is denied admission to the program, only that a standardized exam score is needed to more fully evaluate the application. Standardized test scores may be required for scholarship consideration.
Applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.4 will be required to take the official general GRE or MAT exam in accordance with Graduate School policy.
Application requirements:
- Completed online application to graduate school
- Resume
- Official transcripts must be submitted showing any completed degrees and transcripts showing any coursework completed at institutions other than Appalachian in the last five years
- Three references
- Application fee
Program requirement
If you do not have teaching experience in the elementary grades, you must successfully complete an internship by taking CI 5900 Internship/Practicum (3 s.h.). This may result in the total number of hours exceeding 39 s.h.
Professional Licensure
This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.
If this applies to you, check the U.S. Department of Education for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at Appalachian at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.