Washington DC Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
Teacher certification in Washington DC requires completion of an approved teacher preparation program. This page features curated lists of top-rated teaching programs and a table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs in Washington DC.
Table of Contents
- DC Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 4 Affordable DC Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Washington DC Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Washington DC Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares eight Washington DC teacher preparation programs across key factors. All listed institutions are not-for-profit and approved by the Washington DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in most states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Washington DC traditional certification guide and our Washington DC alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American University | Yes | — | 65 | 67% | — | — | — | $37,319 |
| Catholic University of America | Yes | — | 15 | 80% | — | — | — | $36,228 |
| Gallaudet University | Yes | — | 8 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $18,410 |
| George Washington University | Yes | — | 26 | 63% | — | — | — | $40,308 |
| Georgetown University | No | — | — | — | — | 6 | N.Av. | $30,710 |
| Howard University | Yes | — | 19 | 78% | — | — | — | $23,233 |
| Trinity Washington University | Yes | — | 22 | 73% | — | — | — | $15,295 |
| University of the District of Columbia | Yes | — | 25 | 24% | — | — | — | $16,125 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Washington DC
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These four most affordable schools have a net price under $25,000.
- Trinity Washington University ($15,295)
- University of the District of Columbia ($16,125)
- Gallaudet University ($18,410)
- Howard University ($23,233)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Washington DC
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Washington DC
Our list of the top five bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Catholic University of America (80%)
- Howard University (78%)
- Trinity Washington University (73%)
- American University (67%)
- George Washington University (63%)2
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 three Washington DC schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Catholic University of America*
- Trinity Washington University*
- University of the District of Columbia*
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): http://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/