Bachelor in Elementary Education and Teaching (Bachelor's)

Tuition is $22,000 per year.

This on-campus bachelor's programme prepares students to teach children from birth through third grade. It includes multiple classroom practicums and a student teaching internship. The programme leads to certification in Early Childhood Education (Birth-K) or Birth-Third, with a special education emphasis. Students develop skills in early literacy, classroom management, and child development through hands-on experience and coursework.

Focus areas include Early Literacy Instruction, Classroom Management, Child Development Knowledge, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Facilitation, Differentiated Instruction, Morally Grounded Formation.

The programme requires a total of 120 credits, including general education, major-specific courses, and field experiences. Students complete at least 420 hours of classroom experience through practicums and a student teaching internship.

Graduates work as public or private elementary school teachers, preschool teachers, early intervention specialists, and directors of early learning programs.

Applicants must complete the on-campus bachelor’s degree application and select the Early Childhood Education (Birth to K) or Early Childhood Education Plus (Birth to Third) major. Transfer students may apply up to 75% of their credits toward the degree.

The programme totals about 120 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, typically four years. For international students, tuition is around the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 73% of applicants.

Cornerstone University brings students together through campus life, online learning, and conversations about the ideas shaping communities, the nation, and the future. Its Wisdom Conversations series invites students to examine enduring questions through a Christ-first perspective. The university also sets goals for students to develop professional ethics, communication skills, relational intelligence, networking presence, and a mature relationship with Jesus Christ.

Academic options cover Business & Innovation; Health, Science & Technology; Education & Human Services; Ministry, Media & the Arts; and Theological Seminary study. Programs include associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, with courses taught by faculty experts and committed Christians. Cornerstone connects academic preparation with professional and ministry readiness, while integrating a Christian worldview into education.

The university operates on campus in Grand Rapids and offers degrees online to students across the United States. International students should understand that Christian faith is central to the institution’s identity and academic approach. Campus students can take part in student life and events such as Wisdom Conversations, while online information sessions provide a route for students considering remote degree study. In 2026, Cornerstone marked its 85th anniversary, continuing its focus on preparing graduates to influence society and the workforce through their chosen fields.