Online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Prepares educators to teach grades 1–5 in Louisiana
Emphasizes hands-on, practical classroom experience
Focuses on child development and effective teaching strategies
CAEP-accredited program
Prepares graduates for successful teaching careers and future graduate study
Accredited
Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Admissions
Whether you're a first-time freshman or a transfer student, our admissions team is here to support you from day one.
Apply by
May 25, 2026
Classes begin
Jun 29, 2026
I have no college credits
For university acceptance, first-time freshman must meet the following criteria:
- Complete high school Core curriculum for college readiness in place at time of high school graduation
- Not be required to take more than one developmental course
- Have a high school grade point average of at least 2.0
- Meet one of the following:
- Have an ACT composite of 20 or higher
- Have a high school Core grade point average of at least 2.0
I have some college credits
Transfer students to LSUA must meet one of the following sets of criteria:
- Have earned a transferable associate degree or higher
- Have earned at least 18 hours of college-level credit, including a college-level English and college-level mathematics course, with a grade of “C” or higher in each, and an overall GPA of at least 2.0
- Have earned at least 12 hours of college-level credit from LSUE or CLTCC Bridge Program, including a college-level English and college-level mathematics course, with a grade of “C” or higher in each, and an overall GPA of at least 2.0.
- If the above are not met, meet freshman admission requirements and be in good standing with their previous institution
Transfer Credits: LSUA processes transfer credits in accordance with campus policies at the time the courses were taken. Prior to 2020, LSUA did not have a course repeat policy that excluded grades from GPA calculations. As a result, your stated GPA at LSUA may be affected, which could impact your admission decision.
Additional Requirements
Education majors complete a prescribed curriculum during their freshman and sophomore semesters. In order to enroll in 3000/4000 level professional education courses, majors must be formally admitted to the teacher education program.
To be admitted to the teacher education program, candidates must:
- complete at least 69 hours of degree credit;
- achieve a grade point average of at least 2.5;
- earn credit (with a “C” or higher) for EDCI 2700, EDCI 2900, KINS 2600, ENGL 1001, ENGL 1002, KINS 2600, MATH 1029 or MATH 1313, MATH 1201, MATH 1202, PHSC 1001, PSYC 2060, and PSYC 2076;
- complete admission application and submit to LSUA School of Education;
- complete background check with Louisiana parish in which grades 1-5 school observation and participation requirements will be met; and
- receive Department of Education faculty approval of completed application for entry into LSUA’s Professional Teacher Education Program.
Requirements for Residency (EDCI 4900)
To be officially admitted to residency, students must meet the following criteria:
- Attain senior standing with an overall grade point average of at least 2.7; (3.0 starting in Fall 19);
- Pass PRAXIS II
- Elementary Education Content Knowledge 5001
- Content Subtest Reading 5002;
- Content Subtest MATH 5003;
- Content Subtest Social Studies 5004;
- Content Subtest Science 5005.
- Principles of Learning and Teaching (K-6) 5622
- Teaching Reading 5205
or - Elementary Education Content Knowledge 7001
- Subtest Reading 7002
- Subtest Math 7003
- Subtest Social Studies 7004
- Subtest Science 7005
- Principals of Learning and Teaching K-6 5622
Note: Teaching Reading 5205 is not required with the 7000 series.
- Elementary Education Content Knowledge 5001
- Complete all coursework (with a grade of “C” or higher in all professional courses) and complete all requirements
- Complete at least 2 days a week/150 FEX hours in a Louisiana field placement school.
Tuition
LSUA offers competitive, flat-rate tuition with no out-of-state fees. Plus, you may be able to save even more by transferring up to 75% of previous credits.
Tuition & Fees
- 120 credit hours
- Total credit hours per program
- $3401
- Cost per credit hour
- $10,200
- Total cost with fees and maximum transfer credits
- $40,800
- Total cost with fees
The final cost of this program will be determined once all transfer credits are evaluated. Transfer credits may apply for up to 75% of degree requirements. Your academic advisor will work with you to determine if and how any prior college credits or industry credentials earned will apply toward your LSUA degree. For further information about the approval for transfer credits and other requirements, please visit this site.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
The total cost above does not include transfer credit or financial aid. Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Fee schedules may vary by program depending on course-specific fees for proctoring and/or books. Please contact a Student Success Coach for more information.
Financial Aid Available
LSUA offers multiple ways to help you fund your education, including financial aid, veteran education benefits, and credit for prior learning. Learn More ›
1 Beginning Fall 1 2026, all LSUA fully online programs are expected to increase by 4% (tuition and fees).
Academics
The online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education is designed to prepare proactive educators who possess the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to positively impact the growth and learning of all grade 1-5 students in Louisiana.
What Will I Learn?
The requirements of the curriculum are designed to prepare educators who will perform professionally and successfully in a variety of elementary settings in a world of continuous social and cultural change.
Learning Outcomes:
- Program completers will know the subject matter they are to teach.
- Program completers will develop differentiated lessons that reflect learning-theory and research-based strategies.
- Program completers will apply the basic principles of teaching and learning.
Courses
| General Education | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
ENGL 1001 English Composition I |
3 |
ENGL 1002 English Composition II |
3 |
POLI 2051 American Government |
3 |
PSYC 2060 Educational Psychology |
3 |
MATH 1021 College Algebra |
3 |
MATH 1029 Contemporary Mathematics OR MATH 1313 Finite Mathematics |
3 |
BIOL 1001 General Biology I |
3 |
BIOL 1002 General Biology II |
3 |
BIOL 1003 General Biology Laboratory I |
1 |
BIOL 1004 General Biology Laboratory II |
1 |
PHSC 1003 Physical Science Laboratory |
1 |
CMST 1061 Communication Fundamentals |
3 |
HIST 2055 American History I |
3 |
HIST 2057 American History II |
3 |
FIAR 1003 Interdisciplinary Survey of the Arts |
3 |
Total Required Credit Hours |
39 |
| Major Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
EDCI 2700 Characteristics of Exceptional Students |
3 |
EDCI 2900 Teaching Computer Literacy in the Elementary and Secondary Schools |
3 |
EDCI 3000 Children’s Literature |
3 |
EDCI 3020 Assessment and Use of Data |
3 |
EDCI 3125 Materials and Methods in Elementary Science |
3 |
EDCI 3127 Materials and Methods in Elementary Social Science |
3 |
EDCI 3200 Materials and Methods in Teaching Elementary Reading |
3 |
EDCI 3400 Content, Methods, and Materials for Elementary (1-5) Mathematics I |
3 |
EDCI 3500 Materials and Methods in Teaching Elementary Language Arts |
3 |
EDCI 4100 Assessing and Guiding Classroom Reading Instruction |
3 |
EDCI 4200 Reading in the Content Area |
3 |
EDCI 4020 Teaching Students with Dyslexia |
3 |
EDCI 4300 Assessing and Guiding Classroom Mathematics Instruction |
3 |
EDCI 4400 Content, Methods, and Materials for Elementary Mathematics II |
3 |
EDCI 4900 Residency in Elementary Grades, 1-5 |
9 |
Total Required Credit Hours |
51 |
| Additional Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
ENGL Electives |
6* |
HIST 3071 Louisiana History |
3 |
KINS 2600 Methods and Materials in Health & Physical Education for the Elementary School |
3 |
MATH 1201 Number Sense and Open-Ended Problem Solving |
3 |
MATH 1202 Geometry, Reasoning, and Measurement |
3 |
PHSC 1001 Physical Science I |
3 |
PHSC 1002 Physical Science II |
3 |
PYSC 2076 Child Psychology |
3 |
GEOG 1001 World Regional Geography |
3 |
Total Required Credit Hours |
30 |
*Students may be required to take ENGL 2010 (English Grammar) as part of this six-hour requirement; if they are not, they may choose two 2000 or higher-level literature-based courses.
Testimonials
As passionate advocates for education and proud members of LSUA's faculty, we are excited to guide you through our cutting-edge online elementary certification program. Here, you'll not only acquire vital knowledge and skills but also experience a supportive community that encourages innovation. Together, we will embark on a journey where you'll not only become an exceptional educator but also inspire and empower young minds to reach their full potential.
Careers
Our program is designed for career readiness, so you're prepared for the diverse landscape of elementary education.
Career Opportunities
- Elementary education teacher (grades 1-5)
- Early childhood teacher with additional PRAXIS
- Health and physical education teacher with additional PRAXIS
- Curriculum coordinator
- Principal with additional degree and PRAXIS
- Librarian with additional degree
