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Fifth grade teacher education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a fifth grade teacher. Fifth grade teachers usually study elementary education, education, or early childhood education. 71% of fifth grade teachers hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 3,785 real fifth grade teacher resumes to see exactly what fifth grade teacher education sections show.
The most common colleges for fifth grade teachers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online fifth grade teacher courses to help get the education required to be a fifth grade teacher.
There are certain fifth grade teacher certifications that you should consider. These fifth grade teacher certifications include Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) and Educational Certificate: K-12 (Ed:).
What education do you need to become a fifth grade teacher?
What degree do you need to be a fifth grade teacher?
- Bachelor's, 71%
- Master's, 23%
- Associate, 4%
- Doctorate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a fifth grade teacher?
- Elementary Education, 43%
- Education, 15%
- Psychology, 4%
- Other Majors, 32%
Most common colleges for fifth grade teachers
| Fifth grade teacher common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 10.61% |
| University of South Florida | 6.37% |
| University of Central Florida | 6.37% |
| Arizona State University | 6.10% |
| Texas A&M University | 5.57% |
Best majors for fifth grade teachers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elementary Education | 43.0% |
| 2 | Education | 15.3% |
| 3 | Early Childhood Education | 5.7% |
| 4 | Psychology | 3.8% |
| 5 | English | 3.6% |
Best colleges for fifth grade teachers
The best colleges for fifth grade teachers are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.
A fifth grade teacher with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for fifth grade teachers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become fifth grade teachers.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
In-state tuition
$49,816
Enrollment
6,840
9. SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,099
Enrollment
21,404
10. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
20 best online courses for fifth grade teachers
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In the Music Education for Teachers specialization, you will explore ways of integrating popular music into your teaching. You'll begin by learning from two highly experienced teachers, Krystal Banfield, the Vice President of Educational Outreach for Berklee College of Music, and David Alexis a Berklee Professor and long-time instructor for the Berklee City Music Program. They will take you through their process of incorporating popular music, improvisation, arranging, and music technology into...
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5. The Teacher and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social and emotional learning, or SEL, programs have flourished in schools during the last decade. These programs vary widely but most share a concern for five individual, student competencies: self awareness; self-management; social awareness; relationship skills; and finally responsible decision making. It is important for teachers and parents to know about and understand these programs. While lots of SEL programs emphasize K-12 student social and emotional learning, only a very few programs...
6. Virtual Teacher Final Project
The Final Project will be a hands-on, comprehensive project that practitioners of virtual education can implement in their profession. For this final project, learners will draft a design plan for an online learning module utilizing materials learned from the virtual teacher series. Learners will choose the subject matter, method of delivery, tools, instructional strategies, and assessments, with the goal of creating a module of online or blended instruction that meets the needs of their...
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A group of seven European partners from Catalonia, Belgium, and Wales worked together on the Erasmus+ funded ‘Think Global’ project on global competence. The project seeks to address the following research question through development and piloting of practical classroom activities: What is global competence, and how can it be learned effectively? The Think Global project explores, through international collaboration, how global competence is defined, taught, learned, and measured in the...
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11. Preparation for CELTA Teacher Training
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12. Adobe Premiere Pro: Color Grading Masterclass (Updated)
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13. Premiere Pro Lumetri 2020: Color Correct & Color Grade
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14. Color Grading Masterclass: Resolve 15
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15. TESOL Teacher Training: Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
Putting Theory Into Practice in the ESL/EFL Classroom...
16. Mindfulness Teacher Training Certificate
Become a certified mindfulness teacher with this accredited mindfulness teacher training programme...
17. Professional Accredited Yoga Teacher Training Diploma Course
Full Certification Diploma Course to Learn the In depth techniques of Yoga to teach to Students & Groups!...
18. Mastering Advanced Color Grading in Photoshop
Learn Professional Color Grading Techniques in Photoshop and make your Images Stand Out - with Ressources...
19. Mind Maps/ Mind Mapping for Teachers, Trainers, & Presenters
Using Mind Mapping to Plan>Rehearse >Teach brain-friendly lessons, broadcasts or webinars (Mind Maps,Memory,Mindmapping)...
20. Music Theory ABRSM Grade 5
Updated for 2018! Learn how to Pass the ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam and enjoy the process!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for fifth grade teachers
The most affordable schools for fifth grade teachers are Hunter College of the City University of New York, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for fifth grade teachers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for fifth grade teachers.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
7. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
8. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
9. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
10. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for fifth grade teachers
The hardest universities for fifth grade teachers to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for fifth grade teachers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for fifth grade teachers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
4. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
9. Brown University
Providence, RI • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for fifth grade teachers
The easiest schools for fifth grade teachers to get into are Barry University, curry college, and gwynedd mercy university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a fifth grade teacher without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for fifth grade teachers.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
3. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
4. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
5. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
6. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
7. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
8. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
9. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
10. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
Average fifth grade teacher salary by education level
| Fifth grade teacher education level | Fifth grade teacher salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $53,957 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $44,226 |
| Doctorate Degree | $53,523 |
Fifth grade teacher education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025