Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Elementary School Teachers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Utah Valley State, Dixie State, Brigham Young, and Weber State.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider University of Utah, Utah State, Southern Utah University, and Westminster College.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Westminster College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Brigham Young, Westminster College, College of Eastern Utah, and Southern Utah University.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of College of Eastern Utah, Westminster College, Utah State, and University of Utah.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Brigham Young, Westminster College, and University of Utah.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Utah State, Westminster College, College of Eastern Utah, and University of Utah.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Utah State University • Logan, UT
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2010)
• 6/29/2011
"It was a great education in a great location. I learned what I needed to learn and I don't think the circumstances could have been better."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Their knowledgeable faculty and flexible schedule are great. The fact that you can get a degree from them basically anywhere in the state is a huge advantage - especially if you're a full-time educator. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | As far as I know it's one of the premier programs in the nation. The dean of the school recently transferred to a bigger university, and a lot of the cutting-edge research in the field is being done by people at this university. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The faculty is very knowledgeable in their respective specialties and the opportunities available for distance education are basically unmatchable. It wasn't a perfect program, but I learned a lot and really enjoyed it. |
| Instruction | 8 | Some of the material we covered was from a purely theoretical standpoint, and while I understand the importance of educational theory, as a front-line educator I would have preferred to receive a more practical and practicable education. |
| How Difficult | 7 | It wasn't overwhelming, but at the same time the instructors challenged us. They understood that we're working teachers, so they kept us busy and learning, but didn't over-burden us with classwork. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Much more book oriented. Understandable since it's a graduate degree, but again I would have preferred more hands-on training. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Along with regular campus classes they offered a variety of options at myriad distance-learning locations and online. Anyone looking to get an education would have ample opportunity. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | I was at a distance location, but in that context I'd say they had excellent availability. Professors usually set up weekly chat times, academic articles were available online, and the facilities they provided - at least at my location - were more than adequate. |
| Social Life | 5 | I'm going to answer in the middle because I was there as a Master's student and at a distance location, but I think even in that context they tried to foster some school spirit with a small bookstore. The sociability of classmates was fine. |
| Placement Services | 6 | I was in the Master's program and the vast majority of my classmates were all working teachers just doing continuing education, so I'm actually not sure what the job placement/career services of the school looks like. However, I would imagine it's pretty good based on their reputation. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I honestly don't know anything about my alumni network. I'm sure if I took the time I could find something, but I'm not too concerned about it, and they aren't being overly proactive, either. |
Brigham Young University • Provo, UT
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 1999)
• 6/27/2011
"I am 100% satisfied with getting my Elementary Education degree at BYU. If I had a chance to do it over, I would certainly do it at BYU again. I loved it."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | As long as you are a person who likes to be in a wholesome environment with a strict dress code and many rules, BYU is amazing. I certainly recommend BYU to anyone who is pursuing a career in elementary education. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I think BYU's reputation for their El. Ed. program is very good. The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is because I think some people may not know about it. |
| Program Quality | 10 | BYU was an amazing place from which to earn a degree in elementary education. The professors and the other students are all very supportive. The learning environment there is very positive and the campus is beautiful! |
| Instruction | 10 | I can't imagine any school being able to do a better job of preparing me for my teaching career. There are a lot of students at BYU who major in elementary education, and each one leaves the school very prepared to go out and teach. |
| How Difficult | 6 | I found this program at BYU to be challenging, and slightly rigorous, but I can imagine that some schools would have been more difficult, i.e. ivy league schools. Taking a full 16 credit work load at BYU was very manageable. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I found my degree at BYU to be mostly book learning, with a bit of hands on experience here and there. A student could be more hands on if they wanted to, but I did not choose to go that route. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | BYU has classes early in the morning, in the afternoons, in the evenings, and on the weekends. They also have a program where you can get most of your coursework done through independent study, which makes it extremely flexible. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Every resource I needed to succeed as an El.Ed. major was on campus for me. I had access to counselors, a huge library, online help, study groups, etc. |
| Social Life | 10 | BYU is a school that is known for being a good, clean school where most people don't drink or party much, so I guess the question depends on what you are looking for. I enjoyed the school sponsored socials, dances, concerts, comedy clubs, etc. |
| Placement Services | 4 | BYU does a good job of placing their graduates in jobs in Utah, but if you want to teach in a different state, like I did, you have to go though more work to get a certification to teach in that state. I think their job placement would be better if they helped students get certified in other states besides Utah. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | I actually don't really associate much with the alumni network, although I do receive letters from them at least monthly, so I think they do a good job. Each state I have lived in has BYU alumni night at the local football or baseball games, etc. |
Brigham Young University • Provo, UT
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2005)
• 6/28/2011
"I had a great experience. I think we could have used more hands on work, but I enjoyed my school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I think BYU offered a great educational experience. They have great values, professors, and experience. They work hard to help you find a job and provide you with lots of resources. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | I think it has a good reputation. It is an accredited program and the school is nationally recognized. |
| Program Quality | 6 | I felt like it was all theory and not a lot of practical info. I wish we had more time in the classroom as college students. We only spent 4 weeks per semester. I felt very unprepared for the reality of teaching. |
| Instruction | 8 | We had good professors. We also had coordinators that would take three years off as elementary school teachers to work for the university. They were the ones who would evaluate us on our teaching. Their advice and their critiques were the most useful because they had years of experience in similar situations. |
| How Difficult | 6 | I thought the program was fairly challenging. I did well and got good grades. There was a lot of reading and writing papers. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I felt it was mostly book oriented learning, but there was some hands on experience. We would spend four weeks per semester in a classroom. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | They had spring/ summer terms as well as the regular Fall/Winter semester. They offered evening classes for people who worked full time and they also had several "Independent Study" classes which could be taken online or at home on your own. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | We had a nice, updated building with plenty of classroom space, advisors, etc. We also our own computer lab with about 50 computers and computer aides to help out. The only negative thing is the lack of any independent study space in our building or a library. |
| Social Life | 9 | It is very fun socially. They put you in cohorts so you were with the same 25 people for most of your classes. You get to know everyone very well. There was also a few organized social events each semester. |
| Placement Services | 9 | They helped me find a job. They had representatives from the school districts come to job fairs where interviews were offered onsite. They also emailed us when new job postings were available. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I never had any contact with any alumni in my major. I continue to get the alumni magazine from my major's school, but that is about it. |
Southern Utah University • Cedar City, UT
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2007)
• 7/5/2011
"It was very good. It prepared me well."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Only go into teaching if it is your passion. Once you lose your passion, find something else to do. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | It is well-known as a teacher college. They produce good teachers. |
| Program Quality | 9 | They do a good job. I was satisfied. |
| Instruction | 8 | It was good. It could have used more hands-on experience, though. |
| How Difficult | 6 | I was challenged. The work load was doable. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The online classes were very book oriented. We had some hands-on work, but more would've been better. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | There were lots of online classes. Some classes were only available once a semester. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | They had a great library. There were many good resources. |
| Social Life | 5 | I'm not the spirit type. For those who are, there were activities and such. |
| Placement Services | 3 | They tried to help. Ultimately, it was my own leg work that got me a job. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I get an email once a month with news from the school. There is no personal contact. |
Brigham Young University • Provo, UT
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2010)
• 6/29/2011
"An enormous part of why I loved my experience at BYU so much is because of its unique culture. In addition, however, I feel that I received a very high quality of education, and I was able to participate in the university Honors Program, which was a wonderful experience that greatly enhanced my education."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I would absolutely recommend my school for the quality of learning and for the wonderful academic environment. The elementary education program at Brigham Young University was great for me, and I think it really holds up against other programs nationwide. However, as I mentioned above, BYU has a very unique culture, and that isn't for everyone. I would recommend spending a weekend or so in Provo before deciding to go to BYU. |
| Program Reputation | 3 | Although there are a lot of elementary ed majors at BYU, it is widely seen as one of the very easiest degree programs available. I have to say I agree with this widely held view. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I feel that my degree program successfully prepared me for teaching. I also think that the system within my program for student teaching was a well-organized and productive system. |
| Instruction | 7 | The instruction I received on how to teach in an elementary school setting was good, and I really have nothing bad to say about it. However, my student teaching was by far the most productive and essential part of my training. |
| How Difficult | 3 | Although many Elementary Ed majors would disagree because they want to fight the stereotypes, I think that my degree program was one of the easiest at my university. I was an international relations major initially, and it had a much more demanding work load than the elementary ed program. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I feel like I received a good mix of hands-on and book learning. Again, I can't really compare my experience to what I would have had at another school, but I felt that I had some great opportunities for hands-on learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | There was quite a lot of flexibility for me as far as class times and evening options were concerned, and there was a bit of flexibility as far as online and summer options. The most rigid semester, obviously, was my student teaching, but I think that is true for most schools. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | At no point during my undergraduate education did I feel that I did not have the absolute highest quality of services available to me. The services available both within my college and program and our access to those available throughout the entire university was great. |
| Social Life | 10 | BYU has a very unique culture surrounding it, and it isn't for everyone, but it was wonderful for me. A lot of the social structure of BYU has to do with the fact that most BYU students are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. |
| Placement Services | 6 | I really can't compare my school's job placement records and services to other universities with similar degree programs, because I'm not aware of the statistics I would need to do so, but my limited view seems to support the idea that most of those who graduated with me were able to find jobs that they have been happy with. The placement services within my college were very helpful to me personally. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | BYU has an extremely large and active alumni network, with many programs in place to encourage alumni assistance in job placement, etc. The alumni community is very helpful financially. |
Weber State University • Ogden, UT
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2010)
• 7/8/2011
"Sometimes I wish that I would have had a little bit more of a traditional college experience. I got through my program and moved on. I don't regret finishing and being done, but at the same time I do wish I'd have been a bit more involved. I think the school tends to just be a place to go to class and then people go home. It's just a school, not a social scene."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The education that I received at Weber was one that has benefited me every day in what I do. I look at the skills that I came away with and compare with colleagues from other schools and think that Weber was far superior. The preparation for the job market and, more importantly, the classroom is indispensable. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | As I talk to people in the community, I feel like there is a sense that Weber's program is the best out there. This is especially true among teachers. There is some competition between Weber and Utah State but Weber (at least in our area) seems to win the argument. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I feel like the program offered by Weber State is one of the best in our state. While teachers here aren't paid as well as we should be, the education we receive is top-notch and Weber, in my opinion, is the frontrunner in our state. |
| Instruction | 10 | When I started the program, I don't think I had a very good understanding of all that would go into making me a teacher. The classes (things like my developmental art class) that I would have never expected to be of much value, have turned out to be some of my biggest resources in working with my students and meeting their needs. |
| How Difficult | 5 | As I looked around (and compared with close friends), I thought, “This really isn't too tough after all.” I mean, college isn't designed to be easy and I worked really hard, but I look at close friends in pre-med science, business, law, and I don't think I had it too bad. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We worked a lot with people which was valuable to me. There was, naturally, a solid book learning component to the classes as well. I think the balance was excellent. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The school caters to the non-traditional student. Because of that, there were tons of options for getting through the curriculum. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Very well set up. Tried and tested through many years, and as I've said, it's the best. |
| Social Life | 5 | I think most people are at Weber to just get a degree. The friend making and partying wasn't a huge part of student life for us there. |
| Placement Services | 9 | I felt like they really bridged the gap between college and the field. We were placed in great student teaching programs and were able to make some amazing connections there. It was easy to get a job. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I know that there is an alumni network. I receive the quarterly newsletter, but I don't feel like it's really something for me. The people I see as part of the network are all older and wealthy enough that they can contribute a lot of money to the programs of the school. I guess I don't feel like I fit the demographic for it all. |
Southern Utah University • Cedar City, UT
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 1998)
• 7/22/2011
"Good work ethic and social life balance. Could be less invasive on the donation end."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a great school to learn and grow in and it provides a great overall learning experience. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | SUU is well established among its competition. It had a great reputation. |
| Program Quality | 7 | My school prepares students for many challenges that face teachers today. The curriculum may need some more teaching strategies. |
| Instruction | 6 | The school provides a good quality of teaching and interaction with fellow students. They do, however, need to prepare us more for the student of 'today,' who is far more knowledgeable and aware because of the internet. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The work load is not too heavy. I do appreciate all the teachers did to assist us with our schedules. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There is an equal proportion of both types. Neither trumps the other. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Classes are well rounded to help a diverse student population, but students are expected to adhere to schedules once they've been created. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Well organized and helpful. Some professors will go out of their way to assist students. |
| Social Life | 7 | There are activities all year round that bring students together. Being an alumni member helps every bit. |
| Placement Services | 3 | The school does little or nothing to help students after graduation. Much has to do with it being a 'for profit' institution. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | I do think the school takes advantage of the alumni by overworking them for charitable causes that don't seem to actually do much for the intended purpose. The network is very focused. |
Western Governor's University • Salt Lake City, UT
Studying Educational Leadership (completion in 2011)
• 9/18/2011
"The school was easy to work with and always willing to help me make sense of the material. They provided me with an excellent mentor that was very helpful."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If you are looking for a flexible learning setting this is great! It is also budget friendly. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The program is relatively new. I am hoping that it is something that catches on. |
| Program Quality | 8 | The program opened my eyes to a lot of new thinking in education. I am a better teacher because of it. |
| Instruction | 8 | Much of the instruction was done on my own by working through modules. The modules were designed to target those areas that I would need to understand. |
| How Difficult | 7 | While the work was time-consuming and it took me a while to get used to the online classroom, I really enjoyed this style of learning. The text that was provided to me for each course was extremely helpful. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Much of the work that I did throughout the program was based on what I was reading in the text and how I could apply it to my own work. This is why I rated it close to a mix. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I was able to work whenever I had time because all of the courses were online. This was a great benefit for me and a huge draw to the program. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The online resources that were provided to me were top notch. At times they were a little confusing to navigate. |
| Social Life | 5 | Since the program was online there was no social outlet like parties. However, they did host online meeting forums and monthly conference calls. |
| Placement Services | 3 | This was not something that they helped with since I was currently employed. However, when I registered they did mention that it was something that they would offer if needed. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I haven't had much interaction with them yet. They did reach out to me after the graduation ceremony. |
Westminster College • Salt Lake City, UT
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2004)
• 10/29/2011
"I was prepared to enter the classroom. I still refer back to materials I received from classes I took."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | My school has the best program in the area. People maybe turned off by the tuition but quality education is worth the price Westminster charges. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Teachers coming from Westminster are usually looked at first. The program is known for preparing their teachers for the realities of our career. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I entered the classroom prepared for my responsibility because of the program. I spent a lot of time in the classroom "practicing" as part of their program, so I knew what to expect. |
| Instruction | 10 | Each class was focused on one aspect of the job I was preparing to enter. The best class or best preparation was the focus on class management. Many universities in the area do not prepare their teachers in this area very well. |
| How Difficult | 8 | It was challenging. The program helped me develop my raw skills to become the best teacher I could be. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Westminster uses both styles of learning, but the education program favors a hands on approach. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Most classes are available fall or spring semester. Several class times were listed for most classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The school of education offices used to be located in a dorm building. Now the school has its own area for professors. |
| Social Life | 7 | The school's focus is on academics, not on social events. Social events are offered in the form of sports, plays, and concerts for the most part. |
| Placement Services | 10 | HR personnel come right to the college to recruit. I could also go to the school afterward for help getting a job if I needed it. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I usually receive information on alumni events. Most events focus on drinking at a bar or golfing and I'm not interested in either. |
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