Utah Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide

The state of Utah requires all teachers to complete an approved teacher preparation program before becoming eligible to work in the state’s school system. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for those pursuing teaching degrees in Utah. In order to find the best school option for a long and enjoyable career in education, take a look at our list of accredited teacher preparation programs as well as student reviews. Whether you’re looking to start a brand new career as a teaching or thinking about moving up the ladder in your current educator position, use this guide to help you find the best teaching preparation program for your individual needs.

School Facts:

• There are 15 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in Utah.¹
• 12 colleges and universities offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.¹
• Highest graduation rate*: Brigham Young University-Provo, 77%.¹
• Highest transfer-out rate*: Dixie State University, 35%.¹
• Highest net price per year*: Westminster College, $24,044.¹
• Lowest net price per year*: Snow College, $7,816.¹
• Annual undergraduate tuition range for teaching degree programs in Utah*: $4,710-$28,210.²
• Three schools ranked in US News Regional Universities (West) in 2013 (top 100): Westminster College (22), Southern Utah University (72), Weber State University (72).
• One school ranked in Forbes Top Colleges List (top 100): Brigham Young University (93).
• Nine 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

Utah State University: Utah State University is located in the city of Logan and is home to the Emma Eccles College of Education. The EECOE is widely regarded as the finest education college in the state of Utah and is the only graduate education department to appear in the top 50 spots on the US News & World Report rankings of top education schools. The College of Education moved up five spots from last year’s rankings to number 24. The College of Education is made up of several departments including the Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences, School of Teacher Education and Leadership, and Special Education and Rehabilitation. The majority of students are enrolled in the teacher education department, which is responsible for educating current and future teachers, administrators, and counselors.

Top-Rated Teacher Preparation Programs

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) evaluated and rated over 1,000 US college programs that prepare teachers for a professional career in the classroom (Teacher Prep Review 2013 Report). Out of all of the Utah programs evaluated, only one teaching program in Utah made the “honor roll” of 3 stars or higher. Read more about the NCTQ Teacher Prep Review 2013 Report.

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

Western Governors University (Undergraduate Secondary)
University of Utah (Undergraduate Elementary)
Utah State University (Undergraduate Secondary)
Utah Valley University (Undergraduate Secondary)
Utah State University (Undergraduate Elementary)

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

• Brigham Young University
• Dixie State College of Utah
• Southern Utah University
• University of Utah
• Utah State University
• Utah Valley University
• Weber State University
• Westminster College
• Western Governors University

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

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Utah

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 Utah

Brigham Young University
Main Campus
Provo, UT 84602
(801) 422-4636
www.byu.edu

Student Review: “One of the great things about the elementary education program is the internships. Instead of student teaching, there is an option to teach full-time for an entire year in your very own classroom. I did this program and it was very rewarding and educational. The interns are paid half of a regular teacher’s salary (better than the nothing you get from student teaching) and the schools get teachers at a discounted rate. Having my own class (with mentors of course) was a great way for me to really learn the ins and outs of teaching in an elementary classroom. I did not have the greatest of mentors which made a lot of things difficult that shouldn’t have been, but all in all, it was worth it. It was a very difficult year, but I graduated knowing exactly what I was getting myself into. I could have graduated as someone ready to start teaching, but instead I was able to graduate as a teacher.” -Student at Brigham Young University

Davis Applied Technology College
550 E 300 S
Kaysville, UT 84037-2699
(801) 593-2500

Snow College
150 E College Ave
Ephraim, UT 84627
(435) 283-7000
www.snow.edu

Southern Utah University
351 West University Blvd
Cedar City, UT 84720
(435) 586-7700

Student Review: “I enjoyed my educational experience at SUU. I really appreciated the fact that my class sizes were small and I could interact with many of my future colleagues and professors. After teaching for five years now, and doing some post-graduate work, I have found that the techniques, skills, and theories I was taught in college were in the vanguard in education. I appreciate that I was so well prepared. My one qualm with the program was that there was one class that the professor was awful, and even though the department chair seemed to be aware, nothing was done. Instead, when the chair taught the capstone course, he spent most of the semester reteaching what we should have gotten earlier from the previous course.” -Trevor P., student at Southern Utah University

Student Review: “Southern Utah University was a great experience. The small campus and small class sizes ensured that individual attention was given to each student. It was not uncommon to see your friends going to and from classes. Everything on campus was taken care of and clean and there were many events and activities available for students. The classes I took were very fun and interesting. It was usually easy to find a professor if you needed to talk to him or her.” -James M., student at Southern Utah University

University of Utah
201 Presidents Circle
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9008
(801) 581-7200
www.sa.utah.edu

Utah State University
Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-1400
(435) 797-1000

Utah Valley University
800 W University Parkway
Orem, UT 84058-5999
(801) 863-8161
www.uvu.edu

Weber State University
3848 Harrison Blvd
Ogden, UT 84408-1137
(801) 626-6000
www.weber.edu

Student Review: “Weber State University was an eye-opening change for me from my prior education. The professors I worked with were helpful and friendly any hour of the day or night. I was often given opportunities to study or discuss coursework outside of class, whether in an office hour or at the local pizza parlor. Every member of the faculty and staff seemed devoted to the idea of helping their students succeed. School activities outside of classwork were myriad, and even though I wasn’t a sports fan, I still got caught up in basketball every semester.” -Ben P., student at Weber State University

Westminster College-Salt Lake City
1840 South 1300 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84105
(801) 484-7651
www.westminstercollege.edu

Western Governors University
4001 South 700 East
Suite 700
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
(801) 274-3280
www.wgu.edu

Student Review: “I made the choice to take online classes through Western Governors University. At the start of my first semester, I didn’t know what to expect. Most people would say online colleges are jokes, because you can easily cheat your way through. I didn’t want that kind of experience, I wanted to be able to actually learn so that I could become the best teacher I could be. After my first semester was complete, I realized most people were wrong. Now, in my senior year, I can honestly say that WGU has challenged me more than any traditional college ever could. First of all, there is no possible way to cheat. When you have to take an exam, you have to go to a local college and take it in front of someone. The assignments you are given won’t be accepted until they are at least B+ level. This made the college quite difficult at times, and I admit there were times I wanted to quit and give up, due to the amount of work given to me and the high expectations expected of me. I stuck to it, and I’m very grateful I did. I have learned more through this college than people who go to traditional colleges. I now believe when I graduate in a couple of months, I will be fully prepared to teach.” -Veronica R., student at Western Governors University

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/