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Bachelor of Science in

Elementary Education

On-Campus

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Wall Street Journal ranks Cornerstone University as one of America's best colleges 2026.

CAEP
Transfer Friendly
Transfer up to 75% of your program credits

Develop Young Minds with a B.S. in Elementary Education

Develop the knowledge and skills to make a lasting impact as a licensed teacher with Cornerstone University’s B.S. in Elementary Education, accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This degree equips you to be a skilled educator, preparing you to teach in elementary school settings. With a strong foundation in child development, instructional strategies, and classroom leadership, you’ll gain the expertise to nurture young learners during their most formative years. Recognized among the nation’s top programs — especially for early reading instruction — Cornerstone’s state-certified program taught from a Christian worldview prepares you to pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC). Step into your influential role in young lives!

Gain Skills and Certifications for Elementary Education Teaching Professionals

Gain valuable teaching capabilities that are in-demand inside and outside the classroom including:

Classroom Management – Create a structured, engaging, and disciplined learning environment through adaptability and problem-solving skills.

Instructional Planning & Curriculum Development – Design lesson plans and learning experiences that align with state standards while engaging diverse learning styles.

Early Literacy & Reading Instruction – Apply best practices in early reading programs, phonics, and literacy development to help students build strong foundational skills.

Differentiated Instruction – Adapt teaching strategies to support diverse learning needs, including students with special needs, English language learners, and gifted students.

Classroom Technology Integration – Utilize edtech tools and digital resources to enhance learning, improve student engagement, and streamline assessment.

Assessment & Data-Driven Decision Making – Develop and use formative and summative assessments to track student progress and inform instructional adjustments.

Communication & Collaboration – Engage with students, parents, faculty, and administration effectively to build strong relationships and a supportive learning community.

Leadership & Professionalism – Influence students, families and communities through a solid Christian Worldview foundation.

Elementary Education Certifications

Through our rigorous programs, you will be challenged and guided by experienced faculty to shape the future of education with Christ-centered purpose. Students will choose one of the following certifications as part of their degree program.

PK-Third Grade

Elementary Education (PK-Third Grade) Certification

Students in this program will be able to work toward a General Education certification for pre-kindergarten to third grade. Through this major, you will earn certification from the State of Michigan. As a certified teacher, you will be able to teach in young fives, kindergarten, and first- through third-grade classrooms.

What might make this degree a good fit for me? We recommend this path for students who desire to work with children at the pre-kindergarten and elementary school levels through third grade. This route is also a good fit for students who may wish to add a second major or a minor in order to manage credit loads.

How do I apply? Complete the On-Campus Bachelor’s Degree application and select the degree program (major) of Elementary Education (PK to Third).

PK-Sixth Grade

Elementary Education Plus (PK-Sixth Grade) Certification

Through this major, you have the potential to earn certification for two grade bands from the State of Michigan. Students in this program will work toward their General Education certification for the PK-third grade band plus an additional certification for a second band ranging from grades three through six. The State of Michigan requires certification exams for each grade band. As a certified teacher, you will be able to teach in the elementary classroom settings of PK-sixth grade.

What might make this degree a good fit for me? We recommend this path for students who desire to work with children in elementary school settings. This degree allows for greater flexibility in teaching in a variety of grade levels.

How do I apply? Complete the On-Campus Bachelor’s Degree application and select the degree program (major) of Elementary Education Plus (PK to Sixth).

Courses

Cornerstone is ready to help you excel in your career. The information below reflects just a few of the general education and industry-focused courses you will experience to achieve your degree.

Featured Courses

EDU-262: Educational Technology Integration

Understand emerging technology tools, ISTE standards, and best practices for creating student-centered, 21st-century classrooms.

EDU-265: Creativity for the Whole Learner

Explore research-based instructional strategies integrating arts into meaningful, developmentally appropriate teaching practices to engage and assess diverse learners.

EDU-328: Learner-Centered Assessment

Apply formative and summative assessments, screening tools, and observation to identify struggling learners and improve outcomes. Understand the roles of PK–12 professionals, including psychologists, counselors, social workers, reading specialists, and bilingual/ESOL educators. Collaborate in problem-solving and learn to develop, enact, and assess IEPs and 504 plans.

EDU-345: Foundations of Literacy

Study learning theories, literacy development, research-based strategies, and student characteristics, with emphasis on how neuroscience informs literacy assessment and instruction.

EDU-347: Children’s Literature & Writing Instruction

Learn the reading-writing connection, quality children’s literature, and strategies for teaching writing using mentor texts.

EDU-371: Young Child & Community

Study communication and relationships with parents and communities, strategies for involvement, and parent-teacher and volunteer programs. Explore cultural pluralism and curriculum adaptations for children’s cultural needs.

EDU-381: The Learner and Learning

Examine key theories and principles of learning, motivation, classroom management, and assessment that apply to all learners.

EDU-447: Teaching Literacy I

Learn to teach reading and language arts in grades K–3 with emphasis on formative assessment, read-alouds, metacognition, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, and literacy-rich environments. Gain experience through supervised clinical practice.

View all of the courses for your academic program.

Academic Catalog

General Education

The Cornerstone Core™ Statement

The Cornerstone Core offers a groundbreaking general education unlike any other college or university in America. Faith, civic understanding and career preparation are fully integrated into one coherent formation. Developed by our renowned Christian worldview scholars, this focused 33-credit-hour curriculum develops both depth of character and clarity of thinking. The Cornerstone Core new general education curriculum is an antidote to the rising popularity of relativism, skepticism, doubt and moral ambiguity. Graduates are prepared to succeed in their professions and strengthen the institutions and communities they serve as Biblically grounded moral leaders to influence the world for Jesus Christ.

Students in every major study three areas:

The Beauty of Christianity

Examine the beauty of God, the Gospel, and the core doctrines of the Christian faith. Discover the coherence of a worldview rooted in God’s truth through Scripture applied today —- shaping character, conviction, and spiritual depth. We believe that beauty is more important than arguments and these courses will introduce students to the grandeur and beauty of Jesus and His creation and our place in the redemptive work of Jesus.

The Wisdom of the American Experience

Engage with Cornerstone’s Great Works Canon of the American Experience, by exploring the original speeches, sermons and foundational texts that shaped the American Republic, wrestling with enduring questions of liberty, order, duty and self-government. Graduates will learn what it means to be Christian citizens who are dutiful, wise, and formed with character to influence themselves, their families, and our nation.

Marketplace Intelligence

Develop analytical reasoning, scientific thinking, ethical utilization of artificial intelligence, commitment to free market economics, ethical clarity, and truthful and effective communication strategies to create solutions to complex challenges and serve society and humanity with excellence. Graduates will be able to consider and discern what is true, beautiful and good.

Learn more about the Cornerstone Core.

Learn More

Teacher Education Field Experience

Students will engage in classroom experiences every semester starting in the spring of freshman year. You’ll observe a variety of grade levels and school settings, taking on more active roles and putting knowledge into practice. You will spend one-to-two semesters working with a cooperating teacher to prepare you for your final semester of full-time teaching.

Influential Careers with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Degree

  • Teacher
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Educational Consultant
  • Instructional Designer
  • Youth Program Coordinator
  • Educational Program Coordinator
  • Teacher Trainer

Tuition

On-Campus

$22,000 per year

Generous scholarship and payment options available.
Review information about student fees and housing packages on our Tuition & Fees page.

ScholarshipsFile the FAFSA

Your Degree Starts Here

Start your degree at one of the most affordable Christian universities in the region. An admissions counselor is ready to help you begin the enrollment process.

  1. Apply — our application is free.
  2. Set goals — your admissions counselor is here to guide you.
  3. Maximize your credits — you could transfer in up to 75% of your degree credits.
  4. Discover affordability — scholarships and grants are available for qualified students.

CU has fostered an environment where faith and learning were not separate elements but intertwined, enhancing my personal and professional growth. The faculty and staff were incredibly supportive, guiding my spiritual development beyond academics. They consistently encouraged me to weave my faith into my teaching practices and have leadership, which has prepared me for a purposeful and impactful career.

—Genesis J.

Throughout every course at Cornerstone University professors are highly educated in their field focus, but also in the foundations of being Christlike. Through out every semester my professors did an incredible job of combining both the curriculum needed to be successful in their class, along with thinking on how it could apply to our walk with Christ.

—Lydia B.

During my time at CU, professors have spent hours with me as I wrestled with what I wanted to study. Through field experiences, I feel incredibly prepared to head into the teaching profession.

—Sydney Y.

Cornerstone University

Hours

MON - FRI: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
SAT & SUN: Closed

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