Individuals who are interested in the elementary education field can pursue a distance learning two-year associate or four-year bachelor's degree in elementary education. A distance learning elementary education degree is usually available at many schools that specialize in online learning. Students who complete a distance learning associate's degree in elementary education usually continue on to get a bachelor's degree because an associate's degree is not enough to become a fully licensed teacher. Some individuals also choose to move on to complete a master's degree in elementary education if they want to fill administration roles such as those of principals, deans or consultants.
A distance learning elementary education degree program also usually requires students to complete at least 12 weeks of full-time supervised student teaching in an actual classroom near them, according to Western Governors University, an accredited online institution. The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Distance Education and Training Council accredit distance learning elementary education degree programs.
The curriculum for a distance learning degree in elementary education is similar to that for a traditional elementary education degree. The only difference is that distance learning students can complete their program courses at their own pace. They must ensure they have the minimum computer hardware and software requirements to be able to complete online courses by checking with their institution before enrolling.
Some schools also require potential students who have a high school diploma to complete an online admissions test that helps to determine their likelihood of success in a distance learning degree program. Students who pursue a distance learning elementary education degree usually do so because they are not near a college that offers this type of program or need a flexible schedule to balance jobs or other commitments.
Classes in a distance learning elementary education degree program cover humanities, composition, technology in education, child psychology, diversity in the classroom and even math for elementary teachers. Students also study human communication, general psychology, early childhood education, early language development and child development and growth.
Teaching licenses for those wishing to teach in public schools are regulated at the state level. Many distance learning programs in elementary education do not offer licensing because they have students who are located in various states across the country. Students who complete a distance learning degree program in elementary education must follow the licensing requirements for the state in which they plan to teach by contacting their state board of education or licensure advisory committee.
Employment of teachers, which includes elementary teachers, is expected to grow by 13 percent from 2008 to 2018. Median annual wages of these teachers in May 2008 were between $47,000 and $52,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.