Best Master's in Science Teacher Education Programs by Local Teacher Pay

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology

Published July 16, 2026·Last updated July 22, 2026

Ranked by the median wage for elementary teachers in each program metro area, from BLS. The top 25 out of 56 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database.

1
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WAPublic
- 9Master's/yr
- $102,920Metro teacher pay
- Master in Teaching (Secondary Teacher Education Program / STEP)
- Hybrid
About the program
The University of Washington offers a Master in Teaching through its Secondary Teacher Education Program, awarding the M.I.T. in a hybrid, cohort-based format for aspiring secondary teachers. The intensive one-year sequence begins in spring quarter and builds toward full-time student teaching in late winter, packing licensure preparation and extensive fieldwork into a tight, shared timeline. Candidates choose a secondary endorsement area such as Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, or Physics, alongside options in math, English language arts, social studies, and world languages, and the program frames its mentorship around educational justice. Graduates earn Washington state residency teacher certification with a secondary science endorsement for grades 6 through 12. The cohort model and heavy clinical emphasis read as a program built to move committed candidates into the classroom with strong practical grounding. Earning a master's degree in science teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Washington's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 9 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, where elementary teachers earn a median $102,920, roughly $92,610 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
2
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CAPublicOnline available
- 18Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Secondary Science Education
- Online
About the program
California State University, Northridge offers a Master of Arts in Secondary Science Education built for practicing secondary science teachers who want to deepen their craft without leaving the classroom. The two-year program runs fully online as a cohort that meets just one night per week, and guaranteed enrollment lets each group move through the sequence together on a predictable schedule. A single track keeps everyone on common ground while two elective courses in science, science-related subjects, or education let candidates tailor their study. The degree does not itself award a teaching credential, so it reads as advanced professional preparation rather than an entry route, with a separate CSUN credential program running alongside for those who need licensure. Students close the program with a master's portfolio anchored by a significant original, thesis-like project, and admission is limited to California residents. Graduates of this science teacher education program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 18 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
3
Boston University
Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit
- 10Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching in Science Education
- On-campus
About the program
Boston University's Wheelock College of Education and Human Development offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Science Education that moves candidates quickly toward the classroom, with completion possible in as little as one year across 38 to 40 credits. Students concentrate in biology, chemistry, or physics for grades 8 through 12, or in general science for grades 5 through 8, and the coursework leads to Massachusetts initial teaching licensure in the chosen area, with an optional TESOL add-on for teaching English learners. The defining feature is immersion in practice, with students placed in science teaching field experiences every semester and finishing with a full student-teaching practicum. A Robert Noyce full-tuition scholarship is available to candidates who commit to teaching in high-need districts, tying the program to a broader mission of staffing hard-to-fill science classrooms. Offered in person on a full-time or part-time basis, it reads as an intensive, service-minded route into secondary and middle-grades science teaching. Earning a master's degree in science teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Massachusetts's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 10 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
4
Merrimack College
North Andover, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available
- 1Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Middle School (5-8) and High School (8-12) Education
- On-campus
About the program
Merrimack College offers a Master of Education in Middle School and High School Education that leads to Massachusetts Initial licensure across grades 5 through 12, with science candidates choosing general science for grades 5 through 8 or biology, chemistry, or physics for grades 8 through 12. The 36-credit program builds in a required Sheltered English Instruction endorsement and culminates in a fifteen-week, 450-hour full-time practicum, marking it as a hands-on preparation route into the science classroom. Flexibility runs throughout its design, with students choosing online or on-campus delivery course by course, no GRE or GMAT required, and six enrollment cycles offered each year. A tuition-free fellowship option can let candidates graduate in about thirteen months, an accelerated and affordable on-ramp for those ready to commit. Approved by Massachusetts DESE as an Educator Preparation Program and offered by a NECHE-accredited college, the degree reads as an accessible, practice-heavy pathway to secondary and middle-grades science licensure. This master's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Massachusetts.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
5
Lesley University
Cambridge, MAPrivate nonprofit
- 3Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Science Education
- Online
About the program
Lesley University offers a fully online Master of Education in Science Education aimed squarely at teachers who already hold a Massachusetts Initial license and want to advance to the Professional level. Approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, its professional-licensure tracks cover elementary grades 1 through 6 or middle school general science grades 5 through 8, with a non-licensure option for those not pursuing the upgrade. The program is explicit that it raises an existing Initial license to Professional and does not grant initial licensure to candidates who lack that starting credential, which pins its audience to practicing licensed teachers. Part-time pacing of three credits per eight-week term across eleven terms lets working educators finish in about two years without stepping away from the classroom. Because Massachusetts licensure is recognized elsewhere through the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, the credential can travel with teachers who move. The design reads as a career-advancement degree for in-service science teachers rather than an entry point. A master's-level path in science teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Massachusetts.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
6
Cambridge College
Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit
- 4Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in General Science
- On-campus
About the program
Cambridge College offers a Master of Education in General Science that delivers coursework through a hybrid mix of scheduled Zoom sessions and asynchronous online instruction, a format built around adults balancing study with other commitments. The program splits into a licensure track and a non-licensure track, with the licensure path leading to a Massachusetts Initial Teaching License in general science for grades 1 through 6 or 5 through 8. Licensure candidates complete a general science practicum with a supporting seminar and must meet a 3.0 GPA and pass the state MTEL exams, while the curriculum stays grounded in Massachusetts science standards. Regional accreditation from NECHE and authorization by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education back the credential. Prospective applicants should note that the program is set to transition to Bay Path University beginning in Fall 2026, a change worth weighing in planning. The two-track design lets the same degree serve both new licensure seekers and educators wanting content depth without it. Graduates of this science teacher education program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
7
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJPublic
- 9Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Ed.M. in Science Education
- On-campus
About the program
Rutgers Graduate School of Education offers an Ed.M. in Science Education with tracks in Physical Science, Biological Science, and General Science Education, a degree that advances the craft of teaching science rather than issuing a New Jersey school personnel license. Certification is not required to enter, though many students arrive already certified, which signals a cohort of practicing or aspiring educators looking to deepen expertise on their own terms. The 30-credit program balances 15 credits of science-education core with 6 credits of cognitive and instructional psychology and 9 elective credits, and it opens with an individualized goal-setting process between student and faculty that tailors the path to each person's aims. A culminating portfolio ties the work together, while the program's stated emphasis on culturally responsive teaching and social justice in science instruction shapes its intellectual character. The on-campus, CAEP-accredited setting keeps that reflective, pedagogy-forward focus at the center. As a master's degree in science teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in New Jersey.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 9 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
8
CUNY Hunter College
New York, NYPublic
- 8Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Adolescence Education: Biology (Grades 7-12)
- NYSED-registered program-accredited
- On-campus
About the program
CUNY Hunter College offers a Master of Arts in Adolescence Education: Biology aimed at candidates preparing to teach the subject in grades 7-12. Registered with the New York State Education Department, the program leads to initial certification and is designed for those who do not yet hold NYS certification in the subject, marking it as an entry route into the profession rather than a credential upgrade. Hunter offers the degree separately by science discipline, with parallel MA programs in Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics, so each candidate concentrates fully in a single content area. Field preparation is organized into sequential Clinical Blocks that build toward supervised student teaching, keeping the on-campus coursework anchored in classroom practice. The structure reads as a deliberate, staged pathway for new secondary science teachers. Earning a master's degree in science teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 8 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
9
CUNY City College
New York, NYPublic
- 3Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Science Education (Grades 5-9, or 7-12 with concentration in Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Atmospheric Science, or Physics)
- Hybrid
About the program
CUNY City College offers a Master of Arts in Science Education that prepares candidates to teach general science in the middle grades (5-9) or a specific discipline at the secondary level (7-12), with concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Atmospheric Science, or Physics. The program leads to New York State teaching certification and structures the middle school route into two streams, an initial-certification path for those new to the classroom and a professional path for teachers who already hold an initial certificate. Its coursework is built around inquiry-based, classroom-ready investigations developed with community partners such as the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Hall of Science, tying preparation to real instructional resources. Evening classes accommodate teachers already working, while a full-time option serves career changers moving into the field. The hybrid delivery and dual-stream design make this a program that meets both aspiring and practicing science teachers where they are. This master's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in New York.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
10
CUNY Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NYPublic
- 12Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Adolescence Science Education (7-12), Master of Arts in Teaching
- On-campus
About the program
Brooklyn College offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Adolescence Science Education for grades 7-12, with distinct tracks preparing Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics teachers. The program is built around two entry points that reveal who it serves: an in-service concentration of 30-33 credits that moves already-certified teachers from an Initial to a Professional New York State certificate, and a pre-service concentration of 30-37 credits that carries candidates with strong science backgrounds toward both Initial and Professional certification. Its pedagogy is grounded in inquiry-based instruction and draws on community science resources such as gardens, museums, nature centers, and zoos, extending learning well beyond the classroom walls. A stated commitment to culturally responsive-sustaining education and preparing teachers for diverse urban students gives the program a clear sense of mission. The on-campus setting keeps candidates close to the New York City schools and science institutions the program is designed around. This master's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in New York.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 12 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
11
CUNY Queens College
Queens, NYPublic
- 13Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education in Biology / Chemistry / Earth Science / Physics (7-12); also Master of Arts in Adolescent Science Education (7-12)
- On-campus
About the program
CUNY Queens College offers science education master's degrees preparing candidates for New York State initial certification to teach grades 7-12, structured as separate tracks by discipline in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics. Candidates can pursue either a Master of Science in Education in a chosen science or a Master of Arts in Adolescent Science Education, giving the program flexibility across academic and professional orientations. A Science and Bilingual Extension option lets candidates add a bilingual credential to their single-discipline certification, a meaningful asset in Queens' linguistically diverse classrooms. Post-baccalaureate advanced certificates in each discipline extend the offerings to teachers seeking further specialization. Delivered on campus, the suite reads as a discipline-focused set of pathways into secondary science teaching with room to layer on bilingual credentials. This master's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in New York.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 13 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
12
Teachers College at Columbia University
New York, NYPrivate nonprofit
- 7Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education of Teachers in Science
- On-campus
About the program
Teachers College at Columbia University offers a Master of Science in Education of Teachers in Science, a 60-credit degree that leans heavily toward science subject matter, requiring 30 credits of science content. Rather than fixed tracks, candidates build individualized content coursework in consultation with an advisor, and the program runs parallel to an Ed.M. option with a lighter content load. The heavier science emphasis makes it especially suited to prospective community college instructors who are strengthening their disciplinary command without immediately pursuing a doctorate. The degree culminates in a required master's paper, which may take the form of laboratory research, a literature synthesis, or the development of a novel model. Delivered on campus, it reads as a content-intensive path for those who want to deepen their science expertise as teachers. As a master's degree in science teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in New York.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
13
CUNY Lehman College
Bronx, NYPublic
- 4Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education, Science Education (Adolescence Education, Grades 7-12)
- NYSED-registered program-accredited
- On-campus
About the program
CUNY Lehman College offers a Master of Science in Education in Science Education, an adolescence education degree preparing candidates to teach grades 7-12. The program leads to New York State initial certification in biology, chemistry, earth science, general science, or physics, letting candidates target the specific discipline they intend to teach. Within Science Education, Lehman lays out five program sequences, including a distinctive dual-certification route that pairs science content certification with a Students with Disabilities 7-12 generalist credential. That combined pathway positions graduates to teach science in inclusive and special education settings, broadening their reach in high-need classrooms. Delivered on campus and registered with the state education department, the degree offers a clear, discipline-specific entry into secondary science teaching with an option to add specialized certification. Earning a master's degree in science teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
14
Mercy University
Dobbs Ferry, NYPrivate nonprofitOnline available
- 1Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Adolescence Education, Grades 7-12
- Hybrid
About the program
Mercy University offers a Master of Science in Adolescence Education for grades 7-12, with subject concentrations spanning Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science alongside English, Mathematics, and Social Studies. The program leads to New York State initial professional teacher certification in the chosen subject, and a dual-certification option adds Teaching Students with Disabilities for candidates who want to reach inclusive classrooms. The standard track runs 30 credits, while the dual-certification path expands to 39 credits, giving candidates a clear choice between focused and broadened preparation. Coursework is delivered in a hybrid format across Mercy's Bronx, Manhattan, and Dobbs Ferry campuses combined with online study, making it accessible to teachers throughout the New York City region. The multi-campus reach and dual-certification option mark this as a flexible route into secondary teaching for a diverse candidate pool. This master's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in New York.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
15
Lewis & Clark College
Portland, ORPrivate nonprofit
- 3Master's/yr
- $82,330Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching, Secondary Education with Oregon Preliminary Teaching License in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Integrated Science
- On-campus
About the program
Lewis & Clark College offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in secondary education that pairs the degree with an Oregon preliminary teaching license in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Integrated Science. The structure, a full-time thirteen-month cohort running summer to summer, marks this as an immersive program for people ready to devote a concentrated year to becoming a teacher. A full school year of field experience alongside a mentor teacher moves candidates from observation and tutoring toward full-time teaching by spring, mirroring the arc of a real classroom apprenticeship. Graduates become eligible for a TSPC license recommendation after passing the NES subject-area test in their science discipline and the ORELA Civil Rights exam. Recognized through CAEP and Oregon's TSPC, the program suits committed career entrants seeking single-subject secondary licensure. A master's-level path in science teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Oregon.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA, where elementary teachers earn a median $82,330, roughly $78,096 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
16
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MNPrivate nonprofitOnline available
- 2Master's/yr
- $79,730Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Education (MAED), STEM concentration
- Online
About the program
St. Catherine University offers a Master of Arts in Education with a STEM concentration built for educators who already hold a teaching license and want to deepen their practice rather than earn initial credentials. The program frames STEM through hands-on work in science, engineering, makerspaces, computer science, and digital video production, an approach that reads as classroom-ready and oriented toward teachers who want to bring project-based learning back to their students. It sits alongside sister concentrations in curriculum and instruction and technology integration, giving licensed educators a way to specialize according to where their teaching is headed. After an online orientation, coursework is completed almost entirely online, with hybrid options adding periodic Saturday campus meetings for those who want in-person time. The design clearly serves working teachers balancing graduate study with full-time classrooms. Earning a master's degree in science teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Minnesota's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 2 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,730, roughly $76,062 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
17
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PAPrivate nonprofit
- 4Master's/yr
- $78,570Metro teacher pay
- Urban Teaching Apprenticeship, M.S.Ed. (Secondary, Grades 7-12, with science as a certifiable content area)
- On-campus
About the program
The University of Pennsylvania offers the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship M.S.Ed., a secondary-band program covering grades 7-12 in which science, including biology and chemistry, is among the certifiable content areas. The design centers on apprenticeship: a ten-month full-time cohort begins in July and layers more than 800 hours of fieldwork, so candidates learn to teach by teaching in partner urban schools. Each apprentice is supported by three people at once, a classroom mentor, an instructional coach, and a Penn Mentor, a structure that reflects the program's investment in close, sustained guidance. Graduates earn initial PreK-12 Pennsylvania certification in their content area through this state-approved preparation program. The urban focus and intensive residency make it well suited to those committed to teaching in city classrooms. Graduates of this science teacher education program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,570, roughly $76,613 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
18
University of St Francis
Joliet, ILPrivate nonprofit
- 1Master's/yr
- $78,390Metro teacher pay
- Secondary Teacher Education with Licensure (M.Ed.)
- Online
About the program
The University of St. Francis offers a fully online Secondary Teacher Education with Licensure M.Ed. designed for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field and now want to teach. The 24-month program leads to an initial Illinois Professional Educator License with a secondary endorsement, and its science content pathway sits alongside options in English, history and social science, and mathematics for grades 9 through 12. Its clearest signal of purpose is the career-changer focus, reinforced by extensive support for the edTPA licensure assessment that candidates must pass. Delivered online through a program approved by the Illinois State Board of Education at a university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, it lets adults preparing for a second career study without relocating. The combination reads as a structured on-ramp into the secondary science classroom for professionals making a deliberate change. Earning a master's degree in science teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Illinois's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,390, roughly $75,670 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
19
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UTPrivate nonprofitOnline available
- 218Master's/yr
- $77,920Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts, Science Education (Middle Grades)
- Regionally accredited (NWCCU)
- Online
About the program
Western Governors University offers a Master of Arts, Science Education (Middle Grades) fully online, designed as an add-on specialization for teachers who already hold a valid license rather than a route to initial certification. The general science curriculum spans biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space science for middle and junior-high classrooms, and it ships an at-home lab kit with equipment and specimens so candidates run hands-on experiments themselves. WGU's competency-based model and flat-rate tuition let motivated teachers accelerate through material they already know, and the program closes with a comprehensive, standards-based instructional research paper rather than a thesis. Regionally accredited by the NWCCU, it reads as a deepening credential for practicing science teachers who want to sharpen content expertise and pedagogy on a flexible schedule. As a master's degree in science teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Utah.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 218 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Salt Lake City-Murray, UT, where elementary teachers earn a median $77,920, roughly $77,249 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
20
University of Georgia
Athens, GAPublic
- 12Master's/yr
- $76,600Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Science Education
- Online
About the program
The University of Georgia offers an online Master of Education in Science Education designed to advance already-licensed practitioners rather than to confer initial certification, upgrading an existing Georgia teaching certificate from T4 to T5. Offered by a SACSCOC-accredited institution and ranked seventh nationally for online master's in education by U.S. News in 2023, the 36-credit program carries strong institutional standing. There are no formal concentrations, but electives let teachers focus on STEM integration, socio-scientific issues, or environmental science education. Without a cohort requirement, students can start any semester and typically finish in about two years while continuing to teach, with up to six transfer hours accepted. Faculty include nationally recognized science-education scholars, reinforcing the program's identity as serious professional advancement for practicing science teachers. This master's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Georgia.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 12 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Athens-Clarke County, GA, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,600, roughly $82,063 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
21
SUNY Buffalo State University
Buffalo, NYPublic
- 7Master's/yr
- $76,490Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Science Education
- On-campus
About the program
SUNY Buffalo State University offers a Master of Science in Science Education that prepares candidates for New York State initial teacher certification in grades 7-12, with concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Geology, or Physics. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the on-campus program pairs disciplinary depth with an unusually immersive clinical model. Its standout feature is a competitive, paid full-year residency, selected from first-year candidates, that provides roughly 1,000 hours of graduated field experience progressing from co-teaching toward serving as teacher of record. Candidates complete the degree with a required Master's Project, tying their classroom work to a culminating scholarly product. The extended paid residency and heavy field-hour commitment make this a program built for candidates who want to learn to teach science by doing it at length. Graduates of this science teacher education program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,490, roughly $79,807 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
22
Piedmont University
Demorest, GAPrivate nonprofit
- 7Master's/yr
- $72,290State teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Secondary Education
- Hybrid
About the program
Piedmont University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education for candidates preparing to teach grades 6 through 12, with a broadfield science concentration among the content areas it markets. The program is distinguished by three sequential internship experiences that build classroom readiness step by step, and its minimum of 37 semester hours can be spread across up to six years, offering flexibility for those balancing other commitments. Graduate coursework must be completed at a 3.0 GPA or higher, and candidates pass the appropriate GACE content-area test before Internship III and before being recommended for certification. Completion leads to Georgia teacher certification in secondary education. Housed in the Charles and Catherine Sewell Center for Teacher Education and offered in a hybrid format, it reads as a supported, internship-heavy path into secondary teaching. Earning a master's degree in science teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Georgia's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Georgia statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $72,290, roughly $75,073 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
23
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MIPublicOnline available
- 3Master's/yr
- $63,450Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Science Education
About the program
Western Michigan University offers a Master of Arts in Science Education administered through the Mallinson Institute for Science Education within the College of Arts and Sciences, a home that ties the degree closely to disciplinary science alongside teaching. Admission runs on a rolling basis with applications accepted up to two weeks before an entry term, and the process asks for three letters of recommendation and a personal statement rather than a GRE score. The flexible entry timeline and streamlined requirements suggest a program accessible to applicants entering at different points in their careers. A master's-level path in science teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Michigan.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kalamazoo-Portage, MI, where elementary teachers earn a median $63,450, roughly $66,902 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
24
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney, NEPublicOnline available
- 13Master's/yr
- $62,380State teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.), STEM Education
- Online
About the program
The University of Nebraska at Kearney offers a Master of Science in Education in STEM Education built for teachers who already hold certification in a qualifying science or math field and want to strengthen their content and practice. Its structure is notably flexible, letting candidates pursue an integrated option that combines two disciplines from a menu including Biology, Chemistry, Cyber Systems, Mathematics, Physics, and Technology, or focus on a single discipline-specific track. That breadth reflects the program's unusual collaborative design, jointly administered by six academic departments so that the 18 discipline credits are taught by the science and math faculty themselves rather than an education department alone. Nine credits of professional development and a 3-credit capstone round out the 30-credit online program, keeping pedagogy in view alongside deep content. The fully online delivery and CAEP accreditation make it a content-rich option for certified educators advancing their STEM teaching. As a master's degree in science teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Nebraska.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 13 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Nebraska statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $62,380, roughly $69,232 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
25
University of Louisville
Louisville, KYPublic
- 5Master's/yr
- $61,610Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education
- On-campus
About the program
The University of Louisville offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education that prepares candidates for Kentucky teacher certification across a wide slate of content areas, including biology, chemistry, earth and space science, physics, and mathematics for grades 8 through 12. The program is built to produce classroom-ready teachers, requiring 200 hours of documented field experience before a nine-credit-hour student teaching placement and passage of the Praxis content and Principles of Learning and Teaching exams. Midpoint and exit Hallmark Assessment Tasks and a 3.0 minimum GPA structure the progression toward licensure. An Early Start Program adds a distinctive on-ramp, letting qualifying biology, chemistry, and mathematics undergraduates earn both a bachelor's degree and the MAT within five years. The heavy field-experience load and certification focus mark this as a hands-on preparation route into secondary science teaching rather than an add-on for practicing educators. Earning a master's degree in science teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Kentucky's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,610, roughly $66,195 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site

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Best Master's in Science Teacher Education Programs by Local Teacher Pay

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

California State University-Northridge

Boston University

Merrimack College

Lesley University

Cambridge College

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

CUNY Hunter College

CUNY City College

CUNY Brooklyn College

CUNY Queens College

Teachers College at Columbia University

CUNY Lehman College

Mercy University

Lewis & Clark College

St Catherine University

University of Pennsylvania

University of St Francis

Western Governors University

University of Georgia

SUNY Buffalo State University

Piedmont University

Western Michigan University

University of Nebraska at Kearney

University of Louisville