- Undergraduate
- In-Person
Elementary Education
Overview
Prepare to help children build the knowledge, confidence, and curiosity they need to thrive in school and beyond. Gordon College’s elementary education degree equips you to teach students in grades 1–6 through evidence-based coursework, practical classroom experience, and close guidance from dedicated faculty.
As an elementary education major, you will learn how children develop, apply effective instructional strategies, and support students with varied academic, social, and language-learning needs. This Bachelor of Science in Education prepares you to pursue Massachusetts teacher licensure and serve in public, private, charter, or Christian schools.
Why earn your elementary education degree at Gordon College?
Gordon’s elementary education program combines nationally recognized literacy and mathematics preparation with practical experience, personalized faculty support, and a strong liberal arts foundation.
The National Council on Teacher Quality awarded Gordon’s undergraduate program an A+ for literacy teacher preparation grounded in the science of reading. Gordon is one of only two elementary education programs in Massachusetts to receive this distinction. NCTQ also ranked Gordon among the top 16 percent of schools nationwide for elementary mathematics teacher preparation.
Through the Herschend School of Education, you will:
- Apply research from the science of learning to classroom instruction
- Develop effective approaches to literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and writing
- Learn to support students with different strengths, backgrounds, and learning needs
- Build content knowledge through Gordon’s Core curriculum and an optional second major or minor
- Connect your academic preparation with values of service, care, and responsibility toward students and communities.
This combination prepares you to enter the classroom with the knowledge, judgment, and confidence to help elementary students succeed.
How can faith guide your work in elementary education?
Teaching offers a meaningful opportunity to serve students with patience, integrity, compassion, and care. At Gordon, you will consider how faith can shape the way you recognize each child’s value, respond to individual needs, and create a classroom where students feel known and supported.
Your influence can extend far beyond one school year. By helping children become capable readers, thoughtful learners, and confident members of their communities, you can make a lasting difference in their education and well-being. Gordon’s elementary education major prepares you to approach that responsibility with professional skill and a commitment to serving others.
| Degree | Bachelor of Science |
|---|---|
| Program Level | Undergraduate |
| School | Herschend School of Education |
| Program Format | In-Person |
Learn more
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Courses
Elementary Education Courses and Requirements
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Experiential Learning
Get teaching experience with opportunities like:
- Over 100 hours of field-based experience beginning freshman year
- Observation, assessment and teaching in elementary classrooms
- Semester-long student teaching practicum or internship
- Volunteering with Gordon College’s Community Tutors Program
- Connecting with North Shore Christian School, located on campus
Apply to Gordon
Take the first step toward a nationally ranked Christian liberal arts education.
Scholarships
We’re committed to working with you to make college accessible. Gordon offers a wealth of generous scholarships to lower your cost of attendance.
Faculty
Faculty
Nationally recognized, personally focused
Learn from Herschend School of Education faculty who bring research, classroom experience, and personal attention to your preparation as a teacher. Through small classes, advising, and field-based guidance, faculty will help you connect the science of learning with the daily decisions effective elementary educators make.
You will receive support as you plan your coursework, pursue licensure, develop your teaching practice, and prepare to lead a classroom of your own.
Careers
Life after Gordon
What can you do with an elementary education degree?
Gordon’s elementary education degree prepares you to pursue initial Massachusetts licensure for teaching students in grades 1–6. Through coursework in instructional methods, literacy, assessment, child development, and classroom practice, you will build skills for teaching in a range of educational settings.
Graduates may pursue opportunities in:
- Public elementary schools
- Private and independent schools
- Christian schools
- Charter schools
- International schools
- Educational ministries and mission organizations
- Tutoring and academic support programs
- Youth and community education programs
Licensure requirements vary by state and jurisdiction. Students who plan to teach outside Massachusetts should review the requirements of the state or location where they intend to work.
“As an athlete, I am accustomed to the camaraderie of teamwork. This same sense of community and collaboration permeated every aspect of my education program.”
Ben Richardson '23
Elementary Education major