Academic Programs

Adult female meeting with female student at a table with a laptop and coffee cups

Admissions

De Witt Center for Science and Technology at Cornerstone University

Tuition & Financial Aid

Students giving high fives after Powderpuff football game

Student Experience

Newsweek's 2025 Best Online Colleges

Online

Bachelor of Arts in
Elementary Education
On-Campus

REQUEST INFORMATION

Loading...
Wall Street Journal ranks Cornerstone University as one of America's best colleges 2025.

Transfer Friendly
Transfer up to 75% of your program credits

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

The B.A. in Elementary Education at Cornerstone University 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.

PK-Sixth Grade

Elementary Education (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.

Courses

Cornerstone is ready to help you excel in your career. The courses below reflect 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-347: Children’s Literature & Writing Instruction

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

EDU-381: The Learner and Learning

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

View all of the courses for your academic program.

Academic Catalog

General Education

A Christian Worldview of Liberal Arts and the G.O.O.D. Life

The humanities are integral to Cornerstone’s liberal arts approach, exploring culture, literature, history, and philosophy through a Christian worldview. Developed by our renowned Christian worldview scholars, students consider how to apply G.O.O.D. Life Biblical principles to inspire their spiritual growth and to profoundly influence society, industry and ministry for Jesus Christ. Our G.O.O.D. Life foundations guide students to answer life’s biggest questions from a rich Biblical perspective to shape Christ-centered moral leaders.

  • God: Who is God? What is His beauty, goodness and greatness?
  • Others: What does it mean to live in a community with responsibility and grace?
  • Ourselves: Who am I? What is the beauty and frailty of being human?
  • Dual Citizenship: What is my role as a citizen of heaven and earth?
  • Life: How do we live, know, and love the good life, valuing truth, beauty, and goodness?

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 Arts 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.

Cornerstone University

Hours

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

Want To Learn More About CU?

Connect With CU