Program Details
To help meet the urgent nationwide need for elementary school teachers, WGU offers an affordable, accredited, online Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education. The program prepares students to earn a teaching license and a master’s degree. Curriculum includes theoretical and practical application of teaching methodology, lesson planning, and classroom management. A 12–20 week in-classroom teaching experience is incorporated. The M.A. in Teaching, Elementary Education is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree, and leads to initial teacher licensure in any of the 50 states. WGU’s School of Education is CAEP-accredited.
WGU holds the same accreditation as many state universities. We offer low, flat-rate tuition that’s about half what students pay at other online universities. With our unparalleled online flexibility, students can complete most of their coursework whenever and wherever works best for their schedule. Students also benefit from our competency-based learning model, which lets them pass most courses as quickly as they prove mastery of the material, making it possible to accelerate their progress and potentially graduate faster. Faculty Mentors work one-on-one with WGU students, providing dedicated coaching, guidance, and support from enrollment through graduation.
% Online
100% OnlineProgram Accreditation & Licensing
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)
School Accreditation & Licensing
Western Governors University is accredited by:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Western Governors University is the only university to have received simultaneous accreditation by four regional accrediting commissions. Currently, WGU’s “home” accrediting commission is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the same organization that accredits such leading institutions as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and other public and private colleges.
Program Requirements & Restrictions
Minimum Education
Bachelor DegreeRecommended GPA
2.5 or above (4.0 scale)Application Requirements
Interview, Official College Transcript(s), Additional Materials May Be Required
Additional Info
- This program includes a student teaching component.
The WGU School of Education is the first competency-based online university to receive accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Additionally, the teacher licensure programs offered through the WGU School of Education have been awarded full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through June 30, 2026.
Restricted States
California