University of Phoenix Education Degree Programs: Shaping Future Educators
The University of Phoenix (UoPX) offers a range of education degree programs designed to prepare individuals for careers in teaching, particularly in early childhood and elementary education. These programs are structured to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to become effective educators. Since 1978, the University of Phoenix has maintained institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.
Overview of University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix (UoPX) is a private for-profit university headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 1976 by John Sperling and John D. Murphy, it has grown to become a significant institution in higher education, conferring certificates and degrees at various levels, including associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university expanded to San Jose, California, in 1980 and launched its online program in 1989.
Bachelor's of Education Degrees
The formative years are the most important for children’s education. You can be a part of helping inspire and guide children as they discover learning and personal growth during this critical period. Explore online bachelor’s of education degrees to prepare you for a teaching career focused on early childhood and elementary school age students.
Bachelor of Science in Education - Elementary Teacher Education
The Bachelor of Science in Education - Elementary Teacher Education program is designed to equip students with the skills to elevate children to their highest learning potential. This program focuses on developing teaching strategies specifically designed to guide students from pre-school to elementary school. You’ll need 120 credits to complete this Bachelor of Science in Education - Elementary Education program. The program provides a field-based experience at the appropriate grade and content level for K-8 teaching.
Bachelor of Science in Education - Early Childhood Education
The Bachelor of Science in Education - Early Childhood Education program teaches you skills to give children from birth through age 8 or grade 3 the best possible chance of success in school - and beyond. The Bachelor of Science in Education - Early Childhood is an undergraduate degree program intended to prepare students with no prior teaching experience for initial teacher licensure. It is designed for students who want to become early childhood education teachers.
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Core Components of the Bachelor's Programs
Teaching-focused bachelor’s education degrees help you prepare for teaching licensure. The curriculum is designed to be career-relevant, focusing on skills identified as in-demand by labor market researchers.
Course Structure:
- Elementary Teacher Education: You’ll have 20 core courses of program-specific knowledge and a full time clinical practice/student teaching component to help you build the skills, competency, and confidence to teach elementary school children.
- Early Childhood Education: You’ll have 14 core courses of program-specific knowledge and a clinical practice/student teaching component to help you build the skills, competency, and confidence to teach children.
Clinical Experience:
University of Phoenix requires an in-person, full time student experience teaching in the classroom as part of the curriculum. It’s one of the final steps to completing your bachelor’s degree. You’ll complete a student teaching experience where you will apply your instruction and classroom management skills, full time. Working under the supervision of a teacher and a University of Phoenix faculty supervisor, you’ll develop lesson plans, teach, work with diverse student populations, and incorporate technology into the classroom. You are given the opportunity to complete your clinical hours and your student teaching in a local school district or placement. Your dedicated education program specialist works 1:1 with you directly during your 100 required hours of clinical experience (or more if required by your state) and a minimum of 12 weeks of clinical practice (or more if required by your state).
Licensure Preparation:
Online Bachelor of Education degrees prepare you for teaching licensure in many states. Program support specialists can help you navigate teacher licensure and credentialing requirements. Every state is different when it comes to state licensure. Before becoming a early childhood or elementary school teacher, you must demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed for effective classroom practice.
Master’s of Education Degrees
Bring your knowledge to the next generation and grow professionally as a teacher with a master’s education degree. Gain real-world classroom skills through hands-on clinical experience, and clinical practice. A master’s education degree prepares you to apply for teacher licensure for elementary, secondary or special education - or K-12 principal licensure, in select states.
Course Structure:
- You’ll take 15 core courses with program-specific knowledge to help you gain the confidence and skills to succeed.
- You’ll take 11 core courses with program-specific knowledge to help you gain the confidence and skills to succeed.
- You’ll take 12 core courses with program-specific knowledge to help you gain the confidence and skills to succeed.
- You’ll take 15-16 core courses with program-specific knowledge to help you gain the confidence and skills to succeed and a student teaching/clinical practice course.
- You’ll take 12-13 core courses with program-specific knowledge to help you gain the confidence and skills to succeed and a student teaching/clinical practice course.
- You’ll take 14 core courses with program-specific knowledge to help you gain the confidence and skills to succeed and a student teaching/clinical practice course.
Key Features of University of Phoenix Education Programs
Accreditation and Recognition
Since 1978, University of Phoenix has maintained institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org. This accreditation ensures that the university meets certain standards of quality and rigor in its academic programs. The Bachelor of Science in Education - Elementary Education meets requirements in many states.
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Flexible Online Learning
Our core courses are taken online. The clinical portion of the degree, which includes field experience and student teaching, takes place in an in-person traditional classroom environment in your home state. Here’s more good news - we don’t expect you to take several courses at once. You only take one course at a time over 5-6 weeks.
Career-Relevant Curriculum
Our college deans focus on developing a career-relevant curriculum. Learning shouldn’t take years to put into practice. We’ve worked with the labor market researcher Lightcast to identify in-demand skills for occupations and mapped those to our related associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
Experienced Faculty
You can learn from faculty who are leaders in their field. Learn from instructors who average 28+ years of professional experience. Our instructors are accomplished professionals who understand the challenges adult learners face and are committed to fostering a flexible, supportive learning environment.
Support and Resources
You have a support team of real people you can lean on. You have a support team of real people you can lean on. College of Education students will find many helpful resources on COE Central. Program handbooks provide a wealth of information on topics such as professional expectations, clinical experiences, clinical practice, internships, edTPA and much more. Plus, you’ll find support from our dedicated education program specialists who work with you 1:1 during your 100 required hours of clinical experience (or more if required by your state) and a minimum of 12 weeks of clinical practice (or more if required by your state).
Financial Aid and Savings
Paying for school can be intimidating, but we’re here to help you make sense of it. Our finance advisors can walk you through your options like federal financial aid and savings opportunities to minimize your debt. Because we believe everyone deserves an affordable education, we work hard to help our students achieve one. Savings opportunities. Your cost could be reduced with eligible transfer credits, scholarships, employer discounts and more. [1] Money savings based on prevailing cost per undergraduate course at $1,364 ($398 cost per credit x 3 credits + $170 resource fee). Tuition is based on number of credit hours per course. Courses are typically 3 credits, but can range from 1-6 credits. Costs do not include savings opportunities like transfer credits and scholarships. Your prior eligible college credits can lower your cost and help you graduate sooner. Are you employed? Check to see if your employer has an alliance agreement with us for education benefits. Are you a Phoenix alum? If so, you’re eligible for special tuition rates and can save up to $2,880 on a bachelor’s degree. We look at all your relevant experience, from parenting to past jobs, to help you get the college credits you deserve.
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Enrollment and Accessibility
UoPX has an open admissions policy by which most of its undergraduate programs are accessible to anyone with a high school diploma, GED, or their equivalent. After selected your degree program, choose your start date from our calendar, apply for free and register before the deadline (usually one week before the program starts).
Challenges and Criticisms
The University of Phoenix has faced scrutiny regarding its graduation rates, student debt levels, and recruitment practices. Some academics and former students argue the abbreviated courses and the use of learning teams result in an inferior education. UoPX has been criticized for lack of academic rigor; Henry M. Levin called its business degree an "MBA Lite", saying "I've looked at [its] course materials. It's a very low level of instruction."
Student Demographics
According to Phoenix Education Partners' S-1 filing in 2025, the average age of a University of Phoenix student was 37 years old. Data from the University’s 2024 fiscal year in the filing showed that 76% of students were employed while enrolled, 95% of new students were over the age of 22, 64% cared for dependents at home, and 61% were first-generation college students. Among students who completed an optional survey, 62% identified as members of a minority group. The 2020 Academic Annual Report for UoPX indicated women make up two-thirds of the student body, the average student age is 37, and more than 83 percent of its students are employed while in school. The 2020 report also noted that 21% of the student body were affiliated with the military, of which 41% are women.
Career Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 109,000 job openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. When you earn your Bachelor of Science in Education - Elementary Education degree you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply on the job. The BLS Projected Growth for 2024-2034 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions.
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