Elementary Education
Teaching is more than a job — it’s a calling to mentor, motivate, instruct and inspire a love of learning in tomorrow’s leaders. If you are looking to get your start in this rewarding profession, then look no further than Peru State College — Nebraska’s first college, established as a teacher training school in 1867.
Drawing on a rich history of teacher education programs, our bachelor’s in elementary education program will prepare you to teach kindergarten through grade eight in a self-contained classroom. Gain a solid foundation in humanities, mathematics, science and social sciences as you grow your professional skills with courses in classroom management, instruction and assessment, educational technology and more. Field-based experiences in area elementary schools provide numerous opportunities to engage and interact with children in high-impact classroom practice.
Earn your degree at a college that’s nationally recognized for affordability.
Learn from expert faculty who are experienced educators and practitioners.
Receive personalized attention with a 19:1 student-
to-faculty ratio.
Get real-world experience through hands-on, experiential learning.
Enjoy a generous transfer policy (up to 90 hours*) and opportunities for scholarships and financial aid.
Tailor your education to your interests with an array of Elementary Education Options.
Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education?
A bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Peru State College prepares students to educate learners in kindergarten through grade eight in a wide range of subjects: reading, math, science, health, humanities, social studies, art, music and more. As a student in our program, you will learn how to manage classrooms, create lesson plans and provide differentiated instruction for diverse learners. By the time you graduate, you will be a capable and confident teacher with the skills and confidence to help your students succeed in elementary school and beyond.
Benefits of a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education
Earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education can bring you many benefits:
Job security. Good teachers are a school’s greatest asset. When you choose to teach, you choose a profession well known for job security. Public schools in particular often have teachers unions that not only work to keep good educators in the classroom, but they also offer great benefits, including pensions.
Lots of variety. No two days are the same when you are a teacher. While you can count on spending much of your time planning lessons, teaching classes, evaluating student work, attending meetings and communicating with parents, the job also offers variety as you work with diverse learners from different families, backgrounds and cultures.
Career advancement. Your bachelor’s degree in elementary education not only opens the door to a teaching career, but also serves as a strong foundation for future growth. As a teacher, you’ll have the opportunity — and occasionally, the need — to pursue additional certifications and credentials to keep your career moving forward. Should you decide to pursue a master’s degree and explore areas such as curriculum and instruction design or educational leadership, you’ll be well positioned to do so.
Meaningful work. If you are looking for a career in which you can make a difference in your community and in the world, few professions can compare to teaching. As an educator, your job is to help young people succeed — not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. Helping to shape the next generation of young men and women — and the future of society as a whole — can be one of the greatest responsibilities and most rewarding opportunities imaginable.
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education Careers
Students completing a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Peru State College are prepared to attend the nation’s top graduate schools and pursue positions such as:
- Kindergarten teacher
- Elementary school teacher
- Reading specialist K–12
- Instructional coordinator
- School librarian
- Physical education teacher
- Child care teacher or administrator
- Head Start teacher
- Social and community service manager
- Youth services specialist
Typical Salaries for Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education
Earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education opens the doors for a variety of career paths. Here are salaries for some typical jobs in the field.
Physical Education Teacher
$49,800**
Child Care Center Administrator
$53,800*
Kindergarten Teacher
$60,900*
Librarian
$61,640*
Elementary School Teacher
$61,400*
Instructional Coordinator
$63,740*
*Salary info based on data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Salary info based on data compiled by Payscale
Why Choose Peru State for Your Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education?
At Peru State College, we are fiercely committed to quality learning — and proudly so. For more than 150 years, we’ve been devoted to academic excellence, continually improving, growing and putting student success first. As a student in our bachelor’s in elementary education degree program, you will enjoy:
- A relevant and rewarding education at an institution known for preparing qualified educators
- Expert faculty, many of whom are experienced former educators
- A 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio to ensure you receive personalized attention
- Contemporary coursework that is reviewed and updated on a continual basis
- Our Teaching Experience Learning Lab (TELL), which provides state-of-the-art technology and flexible classroom seating to model the classrooms in which you will teach
- Numerous opportunities to interact with children in area elementary schools and engage in high-impact practice
- Personal advising guidance from your professors and the dean
- Diverse scholarship opportunities, including Foundation Scholarships offering more than 175 student scholarships, funded through the private support of alumni and friends
- Career services, including resources and knowledge to help you explore your options, write resumes and cover letters, prepare for job interviews, find job and internship opportunities, research salaries and more
A variety of professional, social, academic, cultural, spiritual and volunteer-based organizations to help you meet new friends and explore your interests
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education Curriculum
The Bachelor’s in Elementary Education degree program is thoughtfully designed to equip students with a challenging and relevant curriculum that includes pedagogical studies, fosters the development of professional skills and attitudes appropriate for teaching, and explores the role of ongoing professional development in a successful career as a lifelong educator.
In addition, supplemental endorsements in Early Childhood Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) are available and easy to add.
See our Programs and Courses page for more information.
Elementary Education (K-8) Field Endorsement BS/BA
Frequently Asked Questions
Completing your bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Peru State College can help you make a difference for children, families and communities in roles that include:
- Kindergarten teacher
- Elementary school teacher
- Special education teacher
- School librarian
- Child care teacher or administrator
- Social and community service manager
Should you wish to further your education by pursuing a master’s degree, you can open doors to additional roles in educational leadership and areas such as curriculum and instruction design.
The median annual salary for professionals holding a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from a U.S. higher education institution was about $57,000 as of February 2023, according to Payscale.
Most students complete our bachelor’s degree in elementary education program in four years or less. Full-time students with eligible transfer credits may be able to complete the program sooner.
Yes. Peru State College is accredited under the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Standards through the CAEP Accreditation System.