Elementary education

Master of Education

The elementary years mark the starting line for every student’s educational journey. From here, they surge forward — building and utilizing a number of essential skills and becoming enthusiastic learners. A confident, secure initial sprint also helps them pick up the pace as the years progress, leading to success in middle and high school, college and the workforce.

Teachers like yourself guide this process. You help your students learn to read and write, foster their interest in STEM and the language arts, and know when they require assistance. Like your students, your own professional journey evolves — from initial licensure and the excitement of leading your first classroom to upgrading and enriching your approach to teaching. As you advance from these early stages to mid-career authority, Mizzou Online's master of education (M Ed) in learning, teaching and curriculum with a concentration in elementary education supports you through your next steps.

Geared toward licensed early-career educators, the online M Ed in elementary education program takes you beyond direct classroom applications. You’ll delve into the theories and research behind effective student engagement, explore curriculum development strategies and understand how to empower all learners. Added to this, you’ll see how technology enhances your lesson plans and expands what you know about grade-appropriate content instruction.

About the Online Master's in Elementary Education Program

Between your earliest years and where you are now, a teacher likely ignited your interest in school. You were eager to learn, often immersing yourself in projects and exploring beyond the classroom curriculum, and now want to foster a similar mindset in today’s students.

You’re already partially there. Mizzou’s Department of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum helps you think beyond your credentialing program through a classroom-focused approach supported by mentorship and research. You’ll prepare to create more equitable and inclusive learning environments and back your decisions up with data — from lessons to evaluations:

• Understand how childhood development and curriculum theories work together to produce engaging, grade-specific lesson plans and activities.
• Grow your toolkit of instructional and classroom management practices.
• Help students acquire problem-solving, critical thinking and literacy skills.
• Explore technology as an enrichment tool for the elementary grades.
• Know what it means to lead in your school environment, from your own classroom to curriculum discussions.
• Learn to uplift the whole student, including their academic, personal and socio-emotional development.