Massachusetts Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide

This guide to teacher preparation programs in Massachusetts provides useful information for anyone looking to become a teacher in the state. There are several colleges and universities that offer programs to prepare aspiring teachers for a future inside and outside the classroom. In order to help you research and find the best program for you, we have created this guide to teaching schools in Massachusetts that includes lists of top-rated teaching programs, a table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs, and student reviews. For anyone looking for a teaching degree in Massachusetts, this guide should help you find an approved program that fits your career goals.

Table of Contents

• Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
• Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs
• Select Schools with Teacher Preparation Degrees
• Schools with Associate Degrees in Education
• Student Reviews

Quick Facts

• There are 75 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in Massachusetts.¹
• 20 schools offer an associate’s degree in education.¹
• 50 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in education.¹
• 49 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.¹
• 4 schools ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2022.²
• 7 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2023.³
• 8 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs 2022.⁴
• 3 educator preparation providers (EPPs) are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP.⁵
• 1 educator preparation provider (EPP) is accredited by the AAQEP.⁶

For not-for-profit schools with teacher degree programs.

Comparison of Massachusetts Schools with Teacher Preparation Programs

We have designed the following table to help you compare teacher preparation programs in Massachusetts according to various factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for the preparation of teachers. Completing a state-approved teacher preparation program is an important step towards earning licensure.

While accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is not a requirement for licensure, it is included in the following table as CAEP provides a highly-regarded accreditation that is accepted in many states.

You will also find data on teacher preparation program enrollment, completion, and licensing exam pass rates by institution, for both traditional and alternative programs, for the 2018-2019 academic year in this table. These data points are collected from annual US Department of Education reports under Title II (Teacher Quality) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which holds institutions and state departments of education accountable for increasing academic achievement through improvements in teacher quality. Traditional teacher preparation programs are usually completed as part of a bachelor’s degree program. Alternative certification programs are typically designed for career changers looking to enter the field and lead to a postgraduate certificate or a master’s degree. Many schools in our table offer both traditional and alternative programs. Take a look at our Massachusetts traditional and alternative certification guides for more information.

Finally, we have provided the net price per year for undergraduate tuition, based on the cost of attendance (tuition, books, room and board, and related expenses) for students who qualify for in-state tuition and fees, less the average financial aid award (including grants and scholarships).

• — indicates none or not applicable.
• N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.

Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs in Massachusetts

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2022

• Northeastern University
• Simmons University
• Smith College
• Wellesley College

US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2023

• Harvard University (#2)
• Boston College (#19 tie)
• Boston University (#45 tie)
• University of Massachusetts-Boston (#49)
• University of Massachusetts-Amherst (#71 tie)
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell (#153 tie)
• University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (#175 tie)

US News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs 2022

• University of Massachusetts-Lowell (#7)
• University of Massachusetts-Boston (#77 tie)
• Mount Holyoke College (#162 tie)
• Merrimack College (#182 tie)
• University of Massachusetts-Amherst (#205 tie)
• Emmanuel College (#242-321)
• Fitchburg State University (#242-321)
• Worcester State University (#242-321)

Select Massachusetts Schools with Teacher Preparation Degrees

Boston College

Boston College is home to the Lynch School of Education and Human Development (Lynch School), which has been in operation for nearly 70 years. The Lynch School offers several teacher preparation degrees, as well as programs to prepare students to be researchers, administrators, or other roles in the broader education field. Undergraduate programs include Bachelors of Arts (BA) degrees in Applied Psychology and Human Development, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Transformative Education Studies. For students who have already received a bachelor’s degree, there are several graduate-level teacher preparation programs in areas such as Elementary and Education, as well as various programs in Curriculum & Instruction, Higher Education, School Counseling, and Research and Evaluation Methods. Online options include a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Global Perspectives: Teaching, Curriculum, and Learning Environments, an M.Ed. in Jesuit Education, and several graduate degrees and certificates in Educational Leadership and Higher Education.

Harvard University

The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) offers the following one-year, residential master’s programs: a Master’s of Education (Ed.M.) in Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship; Education Policy and Analysis; Human Development and Education; Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology; and Teaching and Teacher Leadership. A wide variety of concentrations are offered, such as Arts and Learning or Early Childhood. For experienced teachers, there is also an Ed.M. in Education Leadership, which is offered fully online and can be completed in two years on a part-time schedule. Doctoral programs include a Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education. HGSE also hosts a variety of workshops and certificate programs for in-service educators seeking professional development. While HGSE confers most of the university’s education degrees, undergraduate students attending Harvard College also have the opportunity to select a secondary concentration in Educational Studies, which they complete in tandem with their program of primary concentration.

Schools with Associate Degrees in Education

While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate’s degree can be the first step towards a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred towards a bachelor’s degree. The following Alabama schools offer associate’s degrees in education.¹ Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.

Bay Path University*
588 Longmeadow St
Longmeadow, MA 01106
(413) 565-1000
www.baypath.edu

Berkshire Community College
1350 West St
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 499-4660
www.berkshirecc.edu

Bristol Community College
777 Elsbree St
Fall River, MA 02720
(508) 678-2811
www.bristolcc.edu

Bunker Hill Community College
250 New Rutherford Ave
Boston, MA 02129
(617) 228-2000
www.bhcc.mass.edu

Cape Cod Community College
2240 Iyannough Rd
West Barnstable, MA 02668
(774) 330-4022
www.capecod.edu

Dean College*
99 Main St
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 541-1900
www.dean.edu

Fisher College
118 Beacon St
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 236-8800
www.fisher.edu

Greenfield Community College
1 College Dr
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 775-1000
www.gcc.mass.edu

Holyoke Community College
303 Homestead Ave
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 552-2000
www.hcc.edu

Massachusetts Bay Community College
50 Oakland St
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
(781) 239-3000
www.massbay.edu

Massasoit Community College
1 Massasoit Blvd
Brockton, MA 02302
(508) 588-9100
www.massasoit.edu

Middlesex Community College
591 Springs Rd
Bedford, MA 01730
(781) 280-3200
www.middlesex.mass.edu

Mount Wachusett Community College
444 Green St
Gardner, MA 01440
(978) 632-6600
www.mwcc.edu

North Shore Community College
1 Ferncroft Rd
Danvers, MA 01923
(508) 762-4000
www.northshore.edu

Northern Essex Community College
100 Elliott St
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 556-3000
www.necc.mass.edu

Quincy College
1250 Hancock St
Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 984-1700
www.quincycollege.edu

Quinsigamond Community College
670 W Boylston St
Worcester, MA 01606
(508) 853-2300
www.qcc.edu

Roxbury Community College
1234 Columbus Ave
Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120
(617) 427-0060
www.rcc.mass.edu

Springfield Technical Community College
1 Armory Sq
Springfield, MA 01105
(413) 781-7822
www.stcc.edu

Urban College of Boston
2 Boylston St #2
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 449-7070
www.urbancollege.edu

Student Reviews

Bay Path University
588 Longmeadow St
Longmeadow, MA 01106
(413) 565-1000
https://www.baypath.edu/

Student Review: “The teacher preparation program at Bay Path University had many positive aspects. The professors were extremely knowledgeable and really looked out for us. In fact, I still keep in touch with multiple professors. The courses were, for the most part, enriching. Throughout the program, I learned many different ways to teach the core content areas. I loved getting to do the different projects to share the skills that I learned. One of my favorite projects was teaching the class for part of the day! The only negative course I had was one of the most important. The professor for my Classroom Management course was incompetent. Luckily, she was not invited back and we were able to revisit the skills in a different course. I felt extremely prepared for my practicum (student teaching) and I knew that my peers and my professors were there if I needed any help or had any questions. Overall, this was a strong program and I am extremely glad that I chose Bay Path University for my teacher preparation.” -Student at Bay Path University

Berkshire Community College
1350 West St
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 499-4660
https://www.berkshirecc.edu/

Student Review: “Berkshire Community College’s Early Childhood Education program has been great. The campus may look like a bomb shelter, but within those thick cement walls is the most under-appreciated faculty west of Boston. Many of my professors formally worked at Boston universities and are providing the same curriculum at a quarter of the price and a quarter of the class size. The greatest experience, however, has been hands-on. Within the campus is a preschool that I get to work with three days a week and has provided me with so much more knowledge than any book or speaker could have. Another wonderful aspect of the program is that the professors because they are virtually retirees, are willing to work so much more with us one on one at almost any time regardless of any set office hours. I think that the most important part of a teaching program is human interaction with young and old and BCC has provided the perfect balance of the two.” -James H., student at Berkshire Community College

Boston University
1 Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-2000
https://www.bu.edu/

Student Review: “Attending Boston University has been an okay experience for me. I like that there are so many different course options. But there are also so many students at the school that a lot of the times courses are full before the underclassmen even get a chance to register. I really dislike that there are so many students at the school. It’s way too big for my taste. Also, I dislike the physical layout of the school. It doesn’t have a campus feel to it because it’s basically just located in the middle of the city. There really is no distinctive Boston University campus in that regard. This was a major downside for me. The dorm rooms are also not that great. I feel like if I pay more than 50,000 dollars a year to attend a school they could at least make the effort to offer nice housing. One thing that I do like about BU is that there are a lot of resources for students on campus. They really do try to help you out a lot with things like financial aid and finding a job during the school year.” -Shacoria R., student at Boston University

Student Review: “I had an amazing experience at Boston University’s School of Education. For such a large university, the School of Education had a way of creating a smaller community, full of support from professors and a small cohort. My class of 30 undergrads took courses together for all four years, allowing us to build relationships both socially and professionally. The tight-knit community provided us with opportunities to observe each other’s growth and look to each other for advice and ideas. The top-rate professors at this research-based college provided us with data-driven instruction, best practices, and four years worth of practicums to help us build our practice. Being in a city surrounded by suburbs allowed us to experience both urban and suburban education experiences, giving ourselves a well-rounded perspective of Massachusetts pedagogy. BU additionally provided study abroad experiences where we could spend one of our student teaching semesters studying in London, Sydney, or Ecuador, bringing international education into the mix.” -Student at Boston University

Brandeis University
415 South St
Waltham, MA 02454
(781) 736-2000
https://www.brandeis.edu/

Student Review: “I had an overall good experience at Brandeis. It was the perfect place for me right out of high school and it was easy to feel comfortable. Unfortunately, sometimes the ‘Brandeis Bubble’ feels stifling. Fortunately, Brandeis offers free buses on the weekends and there’s a Brandeis University commuter rail stop. While Waltham is close to Boston, it’s sometimes difficult to get into the city during the weekdays without a car. Brandeis has some of the best professors in existence. It’s lacking a bit on the quality of food on campus and the dorms though.” -Tatiana T., student at Brandeis University

Student Review: “Brandeis was not the best experience for me. I thought it was going to be a very nice place to be, but unfortunately, it was not. The people there, in general, are nerds. If you want a social life, Brandeis really is not the place for you. Most people stay in even on the weekends to study. Also, there is a general aura of rudeness in the air. The students, especially the wealthy ones (which is most) are very degrading and condescending. I made a few good friends don’t get me wrong, but in general, the people were very disagreeable. Other than that, I did really enjoy the professors at the University. The classes were very academically challenging, but the professor’s passion for their subjects really shone through all of the work. Overall, I am deciding to transfer from Brandeis because I hated it so much. You definitely have to be a very specific type of person to thrive there.” -Vanessa B., student at Brandeis University

Bridgewater State University
131 Summer St
Bridgewater, MA 02324
(508) 531-1000
https://www.bridgew.edu/

Student Review: “The education program was structured so that I finished all of my other course requirements and then went into what was called “the block.” This was all my upper education classes. We went and observed and taught lessons at many different schools and many different grades, before even student teaching. I felt extremely prepared for student teaching and student teaching was a wonderful experience. It was a lot of work and at time overwhelming, but very worth it. I got a job my first year out of school and I feel like, as a teacher, I was well-prepared by the program.” -Student at Bridgewater State University

Clark University
950 Main St
Worcester, MA 01610
(508) 793-7711
https://www.clarku.edu/

Student Review: “I thought the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts (HECCMA) Certificate in College Teaching Program for college teaching preparation was very beneficial, but could use some improvements. I learned a great deal from my professors who were always happy to answer questions and provide alternative resources for me to study. I felt the practical aspects of the program such as developing original syllabi, assignments, and learning objectives were wonderful and something that served me well when I accepted a teaching position. However, most courses were online with little in person interactions. Also, sometimes professors had difficulty giving constructive feedback when they did not have much background in my specific subject, chemistry. This was compensated somewhat by group assignments where I could get feedback from other chemistry students. Overall, I’m glad I took the courses and have personally recommended them to others.” -Student at Clark University

Emerson College
120 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 824-8500
https://emerson.edu/

Student Review: “I attended Emerson College for their graduate theatre education program with the end goal of becoming a K12 teacher. Most of the professors are beyond qualified and I left the school feeling as though I could jump into any classroom environment and succeed. They modeled how they wanted us to teach, using positivity and honesty, rather than employing a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude. Challenges came with the courses that were not directly about classroom instruction, where the professors seemed less able to meet our needs and generally less qualified to be working in an educator prep program. If I could have been taught exclusively by Professors Colby and Nelson, it would have been perfection!” -Student at Emerson College

Endicott College
376 Hale St
Beverly, MA 01915
(978) 927-0585
https://www.endicott.edu

Student Review: “Endicott College is a great community. The professors are very involved with all of their students and can always be found for extra help outside of class. The school also has many great events hosted by the Campus Activity Board (CAB). The President of the school is also extremely involved with many of the events and even hosts several at his home every year. The education received at Endicott really prepares you for your future through the multiple internships that are a requirement for graduation. Endicott promotes individual growth for its students, but also creates a family atmosphere in the classrooms. One of the drawbacks of the school is that the Internet is inconsistent. Also, there are more students with cars on campus than there are parking spaces, so it is very difficult to find a place to park.” -Christopher J., student at Endicott College

Fitchburg State University
160 Pearl St
Fitchburg, MA 01420
(978) 345-2151
https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/

Student Review: “My experience with the Fitchburg State University teaching program were overwhelmingly positive. All of the teachers in the program were approachable and understood my special needs, and assisted me in passing my courses. The work they supplied me with was challenging, but fitting. The material was broad and varied, allowing me the option of focusing on many aspects of literature. I found it a little disheartening, though, that the university took very little advantage of the McKay school, which is just on campus, in its curriculum. Perhaps it was only my interest in secondary education, but regardless, it would have been better to use it than have to send students down to the high school, which is in an out of the way location. Overall, it was a wonderful time.” -Shannon G., student at Fitchburg State University

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-1000
https://www.harvard.edu/

Student Review: “The faculty at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education are generally excellent and focused on producing well-intentioned, hard-working educators. The content is innovative and fresh, and the out-of-class internships and training opportunities are robust. Unfortunately, the focus of HGSE is on the PhD students, and the curriculum and attention for Master’s students can suffer as a consequence. In contrast to the education courses at my undergraduate institution, the ones at HGSE required comparatively short papers (4 – 5 pages, even for a final paper) focused on very similar content. The rigor was not what I expected from a Harvard education, and it’s relatively easy to complete a degree without engaging in deep classroom learning. All that said, the resources at Harvard are unrivaled, so if you are an ambitious self-starter with time to fully focus on your academics, then Harvard will offer tremendous opportunities simply not available through other education programs in New England.” -Student at Harvard University

Lesley University
29 Everett St
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 868-9600
https://lesley.edu/

Student Review: “I feel as though Lesley’s program truly prepared me to become a teacher. At Lesley we worked closely with our education professors and had one on one, small group, and whole class discussions that really dove into issues that face our education system. Small class sizes are a huge perk when in a teacher preparation program, as I received individualized attention from my professors. Something I really liked is the support I received when I went to take my licensure tests. I felt incredibly prepared, due to the quality of classes and professors, and passed all of my tests on the first try. Lesley’s Ed program does need to improve the racial diversity of its students, specifically in a field where many teachers are white.” -Student at Lesley University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 253-1000
https://web.mit.edu/

Student Review: “The Kaufman Teaching Certificate Program (KTCP) is provided by the Teaching and Learning Lab at MIT. It was a fabulous course that taught about several different pedagogical techniques, strategies to write and develop a teaching philosophy, and presented research on effective teaching practices. We practiced lectures incorporating active learning, inclusivity practices in the classroom, implicit bias, imposter syndrome, writing effective syllabi, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed the program and would highly recommend it.” -Student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mount Holyoke College
50 College St
South Hadley, MA 01075
(413) 538-2000
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/

Student Review: “Mount Holyoke prepares teachers pretty well. For the most part, my teachers were prepared with plans for the year and stuck to the plans which I liked. Most professors give a syllabus with homework due dates, assignments, and test dates as well as the name of the lecture being given. This allows me to know exactly what I will be learning on that day and I can review after. Most professors here have powerpoints prepared for the year that they use and they upload online so we can look back at them which was also helpful.” -Student at Mount Holyoke College

Northeastern University
360 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 373-2000
https://www.northeastern.edu/

Student Review: “Northeastern University has been an amazing experience for me. From an academic perspective, there is a huge variety of classes available ranging over hundreds of diverse majors. Class sizes tend to be smaller once you get past the normal freshman requirements, which there aren’t too many of anyways. In two years I’ve only ever had one truly bad professor, the rest have ranged from decent to superb. All of them are very friendly and approachable, and more than willing to discuss material both class-related and not at their office hours, which are usually convenient. I’ve never had a problem with unreasonable professors demanding too much or thinking their students have nothing to do all day but type papers. Co-op is great; you’ll love earning money, and there are lots of options to pick from. You don’t need to limit yourself to jobs traditionally in your major, you can reach out and try different things to find what you like. The campus is absolutely beautiful, with many new buildings. Older buildings are being constantly renovated (that’s your high tuition bill at work). Freshman dorms are alright, amazing if you can get into International Village, and once you’re an upperclassman you have so many superb options to pick from. The food is excellent for college food, and there’s enough variety that you won’t get tired of what you’re eating. All in all, definitely consider NU.” -Justin K., student at Northeastern University

Salem State University
352 Lafayette St
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 542-6000
https://www.salemstate.edu/

Student Review: “My experience in the 4+1 Program at Salem State University has been very unique. Four years have been spent obtaining my Bachelor’s and one year will be spent on my Master’s. I feel very prepared to enter the field after being part of this education program. As part of the secondary ed program, students are paired with local public schools to gain great experience in the classroom, observing and then teaching. We are sorted with teachers according to our disciplines, and spend two years working in two different schools, while taking meaningful classes to aid our instruction. The only negative about the program is the lack of preparation, as it is a brand new program for the school; so faculty and staff are still learning and developing on the program.” -Student at Salem State University

University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 545-0111
https://www.umass.edu/

Student Review: “Umass has been one of the best experiences of my life. Professors are easy to approach in and out of class. I’ve experienced working directly with professors and they work very hard to give a student every advantage possible but they are demanding. Umass is filled with hidden gems like corner shops, restaurants, a beautiful pond and surrounded by mountains. The weather can make it difficult to walk to class but it is worth it to be at such a huge school that always has something going on. I’ve been involved in several clubs and have found online communities of students to learn about new activities and clubs that are just starting (I’m excited about Archery club). The food served in the dining halls is award-winning. I’ve been visited by friends who go to other schools and they rave about the food. Anyone considering Umass as their school should visit and eat at Berkshire dining hall. Umass has a nice balance of academic and party culture. You can always find a party but they are hidden out of view. The library is the second tallest in the United States and has every book you could ask for. My major focuses on research and I’ve spent plenty of time digging through the stacks and never come out disappointed. Umass is awesome.” -Peter M., student at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Student Review: “Overall, the University-to-Schools teacher preparation program at UMass provided me with a positive educational experience, despite a number of downsides. Most faculty members I spoke with were approachable, eager to assist in any capacity, and masters of constructive feedback. Though all the required courses required significant reading and writing outside of the classroom, I did not find any class to be particularly rigorous or intellectually stimulating. At times, I felt that classes taught only the barest surfaces of useful information — the real value in this program came from the practicum, which required students to spend significant time in the classroom.” -Student at University of Massachusetts Amherst

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. The Princeton Review. The Best 385 Colleges, 2022 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2021.
3. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2023: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings
4. US News & World Report Best Online Graduate Education Schools 2022: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/rankings
5. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): http://caepnet.org/provider-search
6. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
7. US Department of Education 2020 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx