Become the Educator Every Child Deserves
The EdM in Elementary Education is master’s degree program for individuals with liberal arts or professional undergraduate degrees who are seeking licensure as an elementary teacher. You’ll learn to provide high-quality instruction that promotes the learning and development for general education students in grades 1–6. You’ll also learn how to have an impact in the classroom through field-based experiences and on-site coursework in school settings.
In the master’s in elementary education program, you may also choose to add licensure in special education or ESL. This flexible master’s program can be completed both full- and part-time.
Program Features
If you’re considering a master’s degree in elementary education, you’ll find that BU Wheelock offers a full range of options through the EdM in Elementary Education.
Earn Teaching Licensure
The EdM in Elementary Education prepares you for licensure as an elementary school teacher. You’ll gain the knowledge, practical experience, and ongoing support needed to inspire young learners and make a meaningful impact in the classroom.
Gain Meaningful Field Experiences
Graduate preservice teacher candidates will take a rigorous course of study while participating in mentored field experiences. You’ll complete a pre-practicum and an on-site methods course, which will prepare you for a full-time student teaching practicum during your final semester. In the spring, you’ll student teach for the entire term, assuming responsibility for designing and implementing instruction.
Add a Special Education License
Students in the EdM in Elementary Education may choose to add a special education teaching license. The special education master’s licensure-granting tracks include:
- Licensure, moderate disabilities, PreK–2, PreK–8, or 5–12
- Licensure, severe disabilities, PreK–2 or all levels
- DESE endorsement, autism spectrum disorder
Add-On ESL Licensure
If you’re looking to provide support literacy skills for English learners, you may also choose to pursue add-on licensure in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). As part of the program, you’ll complete an ESL practicum.
“I picked this program at BU Wheelock because it is a challenging, rigorous program built on field experiences and being in the classroom. I wanted to find a program that would set me up for success as a new teacher.”
Career Outcomes in Elementary Education
Master’s in elementary education programs should help you promote the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that create effective learning environments. Our EdM in Elementary Education does. It prepares you to:
- Provide high-quality instruction
- Analyze student performance and administer meaningful assessments
- Use data to improve instruction
- Demonstrate cultural proficiency
- Develop effective partnerships with families, caregivers, and communities
Alumni in Elementary Education
When considering elementary education EdM/MEd programs, it’s important to look at student outcomes. In our EdM in Elementary Education, you’ll join a supportive learning community of faculty, practitioners, and peers. Our alumni hold jobs as:
- Elementary classroom teacher
- Afterschool director
- Curriculum developer
- Museum educator
- Teacher’s assistant
- Paraprofessional
“The practicum taught me the importance of building relationships, being flexible, and meeting students where they are—principles I continue to rely on every day in my teaching.”
Featured Faculty
Faculty in the EdM in Elementary Education program have extensive clinical experience and a solid understanding of working in schools to their teaching. They thoughtfully and intentionally integrate current research and field-based experiences into your training as a teacher.
Learn from faculty like Dr. Andrea Bien, who has had the unique opportunity to spend extensive time in the field, working with elementary teachers and learners to examine and support literacy teaching practices. She prioritizes innovative models of pre- and in-service teacher education that recognize and value students’ and teachers’ expertise.
EdM in Elementary Education Courses
When comparing elementary education EdM/MEd programs, consider the focus on the curriculum. Our EdM in Elementary Education emphasizes research, an interdisciplinary approach, and thoughtfully designed coursework. You’ll work with an advisor to design the right course of study for you. The general EdM (36 credits) includes these courses:
- Introduction to Reading Development, Assessment, and Instruction
- Mathematical Reasoning in the Elementary Grades
- Special Education: Curriculum and Instruction
- Instructional Methods for Teaching Foundational Literacy Skills
- Teaching English Language Learners
In addition to the courses for the master’s in elementary education, take courses such as:
- Disability, Education, and Society
- Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education
- Collaborative Approaches to Individualized Educational Programming
- Culturally Relevant Approaches to Positive Behavioral Supports
Add an additional five course license pathway (18 credits) to meet the requirements for initial license in English as a Second Language (PreK–6). Courses include:
- The Student Teaching Experience–Bilingual
- Methods in Bilingual Education and ESL
- Literacy Development for Bilingual Students
- Second Language Acquisition
Scholarships Available
Don’t let funding keep you from pursuing a master’s in curriculum and instruction. In our EdM in Elementary Education, merit-based scholarships are available to make your degree more affordable.
Admissions & Dates
Fall 2026 Semester
Aug 15, 2025
Application Opens
Fall 2026 Semester
July 1, 2026
International Applicant Deadline
Fall 2026 Semester
Aug 1, 2026
Application Closes
Still wondering which master’s degree in elementary education might be the best fit for you? Connect with BU Wheelock to learn more about the unique aspects of our EdM in Elementary Education. Learn about application requirements and deadlines, sign up for an information session, or start your application today.
Licensing Disclosure
BU Wheelock Educator Preparation Programs Licensing Disclosure provides information about BU Wheelock state approved programs and how the educational requirements compare with those in other states. Education students in licensure programs should review this resource and contact edlic@bu.edu with questions.
Background Checks
Students who are admitted into BU Wheelock routinely participate in field experiences as a part of their respective program curriculum and requirements. Most field sites require criminal background checks to determine students’ eligibility for participation. History of a criminal background may disqualify students from participating in these required experiences, which in turn may impede the successful completion of one’s degree program.