WGU B.A. in Elementary Education (BAELED) Degree Snapshot

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The WGU B.A. in Elementary Education offers a flexible, competency-based path to teaching. Here’s a quick snapshot of the program’s structure, cost, and timeline:

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• Total Competency Units: 120 credits  

• Estimated cost without Degree Hacking: $23,000

• Avg. Finish Time without Degree Hacking: About 3 years  

• Transfer Cap: Up to 90 credits  

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Hacking Your WGU B.A. in Elementary Education Degree

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To cut down both time and cost, follow these key steps to “hack” your WGU B.A. in Elementary Education degree:

• Review your old transcripts to identify credits you’ve already earned

• Earn remaining transfer credit from CLEP, Study.com, or other transfer sources

• Enroll in WGU, transferring in up to 90 credits

• Complete your WGU requirements in 1-2 terms

• Become a teacher faster and for less money

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Estimated cost with Degree Hacking: $4,000-$8000

Estimated time to graduate with Degree Hacking: 6-12 months

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_{Request your personalized plan to hack your WGU B.A. in Elementary Education degree.}

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About the WGU B.A. in Elementary Education

What You’ll Learn & Do

Here’s what you can expect to study in your B.A. in Elementary Education program at WGU and how it will prepare you for a successful teaching career.

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Focus Areas

• Foundational core in education and learning science  

• Professional core coursework  

• Elementary curriculum and instructional methods  

• Inclusive and tiered literacy instruction  

• Clinical experience and student teaching  

• Competency-based assessments and licensure preparation  

• Educational technology  

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Outcomes: After Your B.A. in Elementary Education Program, You’ll Be Able To...

• Demonstrate foundational competencies in learning science and child development  

• Design and implement standards-based instruction in core content areas  

• Apply inclusive methods and tiered instruction for diverse learners  

• Engage in authentic, competency-based clinical practice leading to licensure  

• Work as a teacher!

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Degree Requirements Overview

WGU's B.A. in Elementary Education requires 120 credits, broken into:

• General Education/Foundational: ~30–35 credits

• Core ELED Courses: ~45–55 credits

• Upper-Division ELED/Clinical: ~25–30 credits

• Capstone Project: ~3–6 credits

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WGU Elementary Education Degree Hacking Plan

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The key to degree hacking is to complete as much of the degree as possible through lower cost transfer credit before enrolling at WGU.  

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While certain specialized courses must be taken at WGU, including the Student Teaching clinical experience, you can transfer up to 90 credits - that's 75% of your entire degree.

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Complete all of your eligible transfer courses before enrolling and focus on your WGU requirements while enrolled.

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Use Degree Hacked to plan out your transfer credit so you have the maximum credit when you enroll.

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Multiple ways to earn transfer credit:

1. Use previously earned credit. If you’ve completed any college request all of those transcripts. Many of your previous classes will probably apply to the elementary education program.

2. Earn additional credit. Study.com has 220 courses and is the best place to maximize your transfer credit due to its low cost and large library.

3. Round out your transfer credit, if needed, from additional sources like CLEP or DSST.

Sample WGU Elementary Education Degree Hacking Plan‍

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_{*WGU course with 0 competency units are alternatives for Elementary Mathematics Curriculum}

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_{Enter your email to see the full plan.}

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Degree Hacking Steps

PLAN

The first step is credit mapping—figuring out which of your previously earned credits through past courses and test exams will transfer into WGU.

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Steps to Plan Your Transfer Path:

• Collect Transcripts – Request transcripts from all previous colleges, CLEP/DSST exams, or ACE/NCCRS-approved providers.

• Submit for Evaluation – WGU’s transfer evaluation team reviews your transcripts before enrollment and provides a customized degree plan.

• Map Eligible Credits – Identify which general education and foundational courses can transfer.

• Pinpoint WGU-Only Courses – Upper-division education courses, clinical practice, and student teaching must be completed at WGU.

• Choose Credit Providers – Use affordable partners like Study.com for lower-division coursework.

• Build a Completion Timeline – Decide how many transfer credits you’ll bring in and how many WGU terms you’ll need.

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Use tools like Degree Hacked’s transfer maps to maximize your incoming credits before you apply.

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TRANSFER

Study.com Credit Strategy

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After your transfer evaluation, you’ll know exactly which courses you can still take affordably before enrollment at WGU.

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Typical Courses to Complete Outside WGU:

• English Composition

• College Mathematics

• Communications

• Introductory Education Theory & Foundations

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By completing these through Study.com (ACE-approved and widely accepted by WGU), you can cover 30+ credits in just a few months.

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Benefits:

• Savings of $10,000+ compared to taking the same credits at a university

• Flexible, self-paced online courses

• No proctored exams required (as of 2024)

Tip: Knock out your general education first, so you can focus only on the teaching major at WGU.

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GRADUATE

WGU Teaching Mastery

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Once enrolled at WGU with your transfer credits applied, you’ll focus on the specialized teaching courses that lead to licensure.

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WGU Core Experience Includes:

• Competency-Based Assessments – Advance as soon as you show mastery.

• Upper-Division Teaching Courses – Classroom management, curriculum design, pedagogy.

• Clinical Practice – Real-world teaching practice under supervision.

• Student Teaching – A full-term placement to prepare for your license.

• Technology Microcredential – Build digital teaching skills alongside your degree.

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Graduation Timeline:

• Many students complete in as few as 4 intensive terms (12–18 months) after transfer credits.

• Total tuition can be cut nearly in half with effective planning.

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Applying to WGU for the Bachelor’s in Elementary Education

Admissions & Transfer Logistics

• Complete and submit the online application form  

• Send all transcripts, credentials, or score reports directly to WGU  

• Feedback for transfer evaluation is typically sent in a few business days  

• Start dates are usually on the 1st of every month  

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Costs, Aid & Ways to Pay Less for Your WGU Degree

• Flat tuition per six-month term: $3,825 + additional fees  

• FAFSA, WGU scholarships and grants, military and employer benefits  

• Save Before You Enroll: Knock out Gen Ed/electives before you enroll

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B.A. in Elementary Education Career ROI

• Starting teacher salary: $40,000-55,000

• Degree payback time: 2-3 months of teaching

• Lifetime earnings boost: $500,000+

• Plus: Summers off, job security, and making a difference!

• Typical roles: Elementary School Teacher, Curriculum Developer/Instructional Coordinator, Specialized Teacher, Educational Administrator  

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Ready to become a teacher in 18 months instead of 4 years while saving $55,000? Start your degree hack today and be teaching in your own classroom by next fall!

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