Online B.Ed. in Elementary Ed. – Middle Grades Social Science Shape Futures
128
Credit Hours
Online,* 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026
Are you interested in becoming a licensed elementary school teacher? Maybe you’re most passionate about teaching younger children, but you’d like to keep your options open because you can see yourself being a middle school social studies teacher someday. If so, conferring Liberty’s Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Elementary Education – Middle Grades Social Science (B.Ed.) in Elementary Education – Middle Grades Social Science degree may be for you.
Liberty’s B.Ed. in Elementary Education is one of only a few like it in the U.S. – an online bachelor’s degree that leads to teacher licensure in Virginia. Through this online elementary education program, you will complete state-mandated requirements for teacher licensure – including core competencies, student teaching, and practicum hours. In addition to preparing you for success as an elementary school teacher, this degree can also prepare you for success in middle grades education as a social studies teacher.
Liberty University’s School of Education meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Once you complete Virginia licensure requirements, you can apply for reciprocity in another state. Partner with Liberty and learn the teaching skills you need to be successful.
Liberty maintains strict compliance with all licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Not a Virginia resident? We want to help find the best program for you! To view educational requirements and whether a specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our licensure/certification requirements webpage.
*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
The format of Liberty University’s education courses, which are approved by the VDOE and offered in a fully online setting, allow you to complete your degree at your own pace. In addition, this degree program allows you to complete your student teaching and practicums at a location near you, so you can finish your degree without leaving your community.
At Liberty University, our mission is to Train Champions for Christ. As an education student at Liberty, you’ll be taught teaching and studying techniques from experts in education. Our dedicated professors, who have years of experience in teaching elementary and middle school, instruct from a biblical worldview and have a vested interest in your success.
The B.Ed. in Elementary Education with a middle school add-on in social studies can help provide you with 2 endorsements on your teaching license: elementary education K-6 and middle education social science. By pursuing the middle-grades social science endorsement, you can become a versatile and well-rounded teacher who is prepared to succeed in a number of learning environments.
The middle grades social science specialization requires students to complete 5 additional courses that are specific to social science. In addition to these courses, students who choose to add the middle grades social science endorsement are required to complete a minimum of 90 practicum hours and at least 1 full semester of student teaching.
Further, the elementary education program requires 3 practicums. Completing the B.Ed. in Elementary Education – Middle Grades Social Science endorsement will require you to complete a total of 4 practicums and 1 student teaching requirement. This degree provides more than just an online elementary education degree. It prepares you to work with elementary and middle school students alike.
Degree Completion Plan
Individual state licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements.
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no additional cost to you. As a full-time student, this could save you an estimated $800-2,000 per year on textbooks!
| Undergraduate Full Time | $390/Credit |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Part Time | $455/Credit |
| Military Undergraduate | $250/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
*Official high school transcript requirement may be waived with college transcripts from an accredited college/university showing at least 12 earned credit hours with an acceptable GPA.
Note: A 2.0 or above cumulative GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Applicants may submit a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of a final official high school transcript in order to enroll in up to 12 credit hours at Liberty University.
Students must submit official high school transcripts, or official college transcripts showing at least 12 credit hours earned with an acceptable grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution, in order to register for additional courses.
The official high school transcript, GED requirement, and High School Self-Certification Form can be waived if the applicant has earned an associate degree or higher.
Final transcripts must reflect all coursework and final grades received for grades 9-12, a graduation date, and an overall GPA. (Mailed transcripts must be in a sealed and unopened envelope.)
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
If you have military-only transfer credits (completed basic training and enlistment), you must request an official military transcript. Please go to the Military Transfer Credit webpage to request your military transcript.
If you are an international applicant, you may be required to have your international transcripts reviewed. Information regarding the transcript evaluation process for international students can be found by visiting NACES.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
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Who May Qualify?
Available Benefits:
*Not applicable to certificates.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Our B.Ed. is one of the first online bachelor’s programs in the nation to offer a curriculum that prepares you for initial teacher licensure.
Students enrolled in our online Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Elementary Education degree will have access to a wide variety of resources through Liberty’s research portal and extensive amount of electronic and print resources through the Jerry Falwell Library.
With our unique online licensure track, you can complete your teaching licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Liberty maintains strict compliance with all licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Not a Virginia resident? We want to help find the best program for you! To view educational requirements and whether a specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our licensure/certification requirements webpage.
Pursuing our online Bachelor of Education licensure tracks may make you eligible for the Federal TEACH Grant.
Receive hands-on experience with 90 hours of practicum courses and 1 semester of student teaching.
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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.