Kansas Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide

This guide to teaching schools in Kansas is designed to provide key information to aspiring teachers looking for the best program for their needs. There are many teacher preparation programs in the state that prepare students to become teachers or advance in a current educator career. On this page, we have information on the various teaching degrees in Kansas as well as a list of accredited teacher preparation programs and student reviews. Whether you are just out of college or looking to change careers, this guide should help you find the best program that suits your individual career goals.

School Facts:

• There are 41 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in Kansas.¹
• 16 colleges and universities offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.¹
• Highest graduation rate*: University of Kansas, 64%.¹
• Highest transfer-out rate*: Washburn University, 40%.¹
• Highest net price per year*: Benedictine College, $55,500.¹
• Lowest net price per year*: Haskell Indian Nations University, $4,223.¹
• Annual undergraduate tuition range for teaching degree programs in Kansas*: $10,840-$24,550.²
• Five schools ranked in US News Regional Universities (Midwest) in 2013 (top 100): Baker University (33), Washburn University (70), Pittsburg State University (80), Emporia State University (97), Southwestern College (98).
• Three schools ranked in Forbes Top Colleges List (top 500): University of Kansas (308), Kansas State University (414), Bethel College (426).
• 22 teacher programs are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP (see below).*

*For 4-year colleges and universities with teacher degree programs.

Profiles of Well-Known Schools

Wichita State University: Wichita State University’s College of Education serves both undergrads and graduate students in attaining their educational goals. The school has several departments including Counseling, Educational and School Psychology, Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership, Human Performance Studies, and Sport Management. The school is located in the largest urban center in the entire state, which means students have access to plenty of hands-on experiences that will assist them in learning about their major and future career. The Wichita State faculty believe in combining curriculum and theory with real-world didactic experiences that go far beyond surface learning. The School offers majors in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Counseling Psychology, Special Education and much more. Students at the graduate level should contact the specific department to inquire about graduate admissions policies and requirements.

Top-Rated Teacher Preparation Programs

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) evaluated 1,100 college programs in the US that offer teacher preparation programs (Teacher Prep Review 2013 Report). No programs in Kansas made the “honor roll” rating of 3 stars or higher. Read more about the NCTQ Teacher Prep Review 2013 Report.

The following teacher preparation programs in Kansas received the highest ratings by the National Council on Teacher Quality:

Fort Hays State University (Undergraduate Secondary)
Pittsburg State University (Undergraduate Secondary)
Kansas State University (Undergraduate Secondary)
Emporia State University (Undergraduate Secondary)

The following reviewed schools were cited as problematic (no stars):

Haskell Indian Nations University (Undergraduate Elementary)

Teacher Preparation Programs Accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP

• Baker University
• Benedictine College
• Bethany College
• Bethel College
• Emporia State University
• Fort Hays State University
• Friends University
• Haskell Indian Nations University
• Kansas State University
• Kansas Wesleyan University
• McPherson College
• MidAmerica Nazarene University
• Newman University
• Ottawa University
• Pittsburg State University
• Southwestern College
• Sterling College
• Tabor College
• University of Kansas
• University of Saint Mary
• Washburn University
• Wichita State University

Read more about the CAEP, NCATE, and TEAC accrediting bodies.

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Kansas

Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Kansas

Baker University
618 Eighth Street
Baldwin City, KS 66006-0065
(800) 873-4282
www.bakeru.edu

Benedictine College
1020 N 2nd St
Atchison, KS 66002-1499
(913) 367-5340
www.benedictine.edu

Bethany College-Lindsborg
335 e swensson st
Lindsborg, KS 67456-1897
(785) 227-3311
www.bethanylb.edu

Butler Community College
901 S Haverhill Rd
El Dorado, KS 67042-3280
(316) 321-2222
www.butlercc.edu

Cloud County Community College
2221 Campus Dr
Concordia, KS 66901-1002
(785) 243-1435
www.cloud.edu

Emporia State University
1200 Commercial
Emporia, KS 66801-5087
(620) 341-1200
www.emporia.edu

Student Review: “I feel that my teaching program prepared me for what I face now in my job. I liked that they focused on classroom management, which is one of the most difficult issues in teaching. I felt prepared with a few tools to build on when I received my first job. While in college, my advisor was very friendly and supportive. I never had a question that could not be answered by someone in the education department. I benefited from small class sizes. I was on a first name basis with many of my professors. The program was rigorous and overwhelming at times, but could always be accomplished, which prepared me for teaching. I did not like the final project, the teacher work sample, but now that I have been teaching for many years, I see the importance of it. I am a better teacher because of the time and effort that Emporia State University invested into me.” -Student at Emporia State University

Fort Hays State University
600 Park St
Hays, KS 67601-4099
(785) 628-4000

Student Review: “I attended Fort Hays State University for three years as an online student. The flexibility, cost, accreditation, and course selections were the main reason why I chose them over anyone else. Just like any school I had some teachers who were great with helping me and others that seemed to be almost too busy to lend a hand. Overall my experience was a good one. Even though I went back to school to get my degree in a field that I have already spent 8+ years in, the education still proved of value. I feel that I still learned a lot! When I go back to receive my masters I will definitely be putting Fort Hays on my list of possible choices.” -Durrell D., student at Fort Hays State University

Fort Scott Community College
2108 S Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701
(620) 223-2700
www.fortscott.edu

Friends University
2100 W. University Ave.
Wichita, KS 67213
(316) 295-5000

Highland Community College-Highland
606 W Main
Highland, KS 66035-4165
(785) 442-6000

Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd
Overland Park, KS 66210-1299
(913) 469-8500

Kansas State University
Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
(785) 532-6250
www.k-state.edu

Labette Community College
200 S 14th
Parsons, KS 67357-4201
(620) 421-6700
www.labette.edu

MidAmerica Nazarene University
2030 E College Way
Olathe, KS 66062-1899
(913) 782-3750
www.mnu.edu

Pittsburg State University
1701 S Broadway
Pittsburg, KS 66762
(620) 231-7000
www.pittstate.edu

Student Review: “I loved being a math education major at Pittsburg State University. I met some amazing people and had great teachers. The math classes were challenging but not impossible. My education classes were helpful and fun. I think both departments adequately prepared me for teaching. One thing I really liked was a one hour credit that math education majors take their last semester. In this ‘class’ we were required to spend 30 hours at the school we would be student teaching at the next semester. Words can’t express how much this helped my student teaching experience. A lot of the other departments at Pittsburg State University didn’t have this class for their secondary education majors but I think they should. The only downside about Pittsburg State University is that the education department isn’t very prestigious. It’s a great university but I wonder how I’d be different if I was in a better education department.” -Jean C., student at Pittsburg State University

Seward County Community College and Area Technical School
1801 N. Kansas Ave.
Liberal, KS 67901
(620) 624-1951
www.sccc.edu

Southwestern College-Winfield
100 College St
Winfield, KS 67156-6224
(620) 229-6000
www.sckans.edu

Sterling College-Sterling
125 W. Cooper
Sterling, KS 67579
(620) 278-2173
www.sterling.edu

Tabor College
400 S Jefferson
Hillsboro, KS 67063-1799
(620) 947-3121

University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-2700
www.ku.edu

Student Review: “I was a part of the University of Kansas’ teaching program for two years, and when I first began taking classes, I found them to be incredibly easy, but lacking a lot of substance in the sense that we talked about a lot of situations, experiences and issues a teacher would face, but never learned how exactly to handle them. I felt these classes coddled the students and didn’t challenge their beliefs or convictions as humans wanting to teach other humans. As I moved through the School of Education, my classes began to vary. I still had a lot of methodology classes that I thought babied the students and weren’t very challenging or interesting, but educational philosophy classes were also offered that were incredibly engaging and challenged how the students thought. I found the experience with the class in the School of Education to be very hit or miss, but when it came to the faculty and staff, I felt the opposite. Those working in and for the School of Education at the University of Kansas are knowledgeable about their building and job, as well as overly helpful and accommodating to students. Eventually, I switched degrees when I determined that I did not want to complete a degree with the School of Education in order to teach.” -Casey B., student at University of Kansas

Washburn University
1700 SW College Avenue
Topeka, KS 66621-0001
(785) 670-1010

Wichita State University
1845 Fairmount
Wichita, KS 67260-0124
(316) 978-3456
www.wichita.edu

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Niche College Search: https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-for-education/