Best Master's in Teacher Education, Multiple Levels Programs by Degrees Awarded
Ranked by the number of master's degrees awarded each year, the most established programs. The top 25 out of 120 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database.
- 1
Relay Graduate School of Education
- 816Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- CAEP-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programRelay Graduate School of Education offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) grounded in real classroom apprenticeship rather than conventional seat time. The two-year structure pairs a residency year of clinical practice in Year 1 with a capstone inquiry project and a Master's Defense in Year 2, and much of the assessment comes through video submissions of the candidate's own live teaching, a design that keeps learning anchored in daily practice. Grade-level and content-area specializations vary by location, spanning options like elementary, mathematics, and special education, with an optional special education certification add-on. The Relay Teaching Residency and NY Relay Teacher Pathway tracks include routes to state teaching certification, while a Degree Only track serves teachers who are already certified and practicing. That split makes clear it is built for people learning to teach on the job as well as working teachers seeking the credential, with CAEP accreditation referenced by the school. Earning a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of New York's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA 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 816 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 2
University of West Georgia
- 150Master's/yr
- $76,570Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education
- Online
About the programThe University of West Georgia offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education, a 30 semester-hour program delivered primarily online for those preparing to teach grades 6-12. Its audience is clearly defined, spanning career changers moving into education, provisionally certified teachers seeking to complete their credential, and recent graduates entering the profession. Candidates concentrate in secondary content-area certification fields, aligning the coursework to the subject they intend to teach. Required field experiences in public schools ground the online study in classroom practice, bridging theory and the day-to-day work of teaching. The program leads to Georgia teaching certification in grades 6-12, giving subject specialists a flexible route to the classroom. Earning a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Georgia's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA 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 150 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,570, roughly $76,526 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.
- 3
University of California-Irvine
- 136Master's/yr
- Elementary and Secondary Education, M.A.T. (MAT Multiple Subject Program)
- On-campus
About the programThe University of California, Irvine offers a Master of Arts in Teaching through its MAT Multiple Subject Program, preparing candidates to teach across all grade levels and content areas of the elementary curriculum. The single multiple subject focus, with an optional Bilingual Authorization pathway, signals a program built specifically for aspiring elementary generalists. Its 14-month calendar runs from late June through the following July and is organized around a Five Core Commitments framework, a three-quarter inquiry course sequence with field-site projects, and student teaching integrated throughout. That structure weaves practice, reflection, and coursework into a single continuous year rather than treating them as separate stages. Completion leads to a California teaching credential authorizing elementary instruction, making this an on-campus, cohort-style route into the classroom for those set on teaching young learners. Graduates of this teacher education, multiple levels program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster'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 136 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 4
Georgia Southern University
- 135Master's/yr
- $72,290State teacher pay
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education
- Online
About the programGeorgia Southern University offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education built specifically for teachers already working in P-5 classrooms. Rather than a route to initial licensure, the fully online, 36 credit-hour degree functions as a Georgia certificate-upgrade program, serving candidates who already hold a renewable Induction or Professional Level Four Certificate in elementary education. The pacing is efficient, with the coursework completable in about one year across summer, fall, spring, and summer terms, a design that fits practicing educators looking to advance their credential without stepping away from the profession. Intensive field experiences with diverse student populations keep the advanced study anchored in real teaching. Approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, the program is a clear next step for teachers ready to deepen their practice and move up the certification ladder. As a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Georgia.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster'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 135 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.
- 5
University of the People
- 131Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Advanced Teaching
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)-accredited
- On-campus
About the programUniversity of the People offers a Master of Education in Advanced Teaching designed for educators who want to strengthen their practice without pursuing a state license. Students choose an elementary and middle school (K-8) or secondary (6-12) specialization and move through thirty-nine credits across thirteen asynchronous courses, a structure most complete in roughly twelve to fourteen months. The tuition-free, pay-as-you-go model, with modest per-course assessment fees of about four hundred thirty dollars, reflects the institution's accessibility mission and points the program toward working teachers, independent-school staff, and educators in international settings where state credentialing is not the goal. Because it does not lead to state teacher licensure or certification, the degree functions as professional development and advancement rather than an entry route into public-school teaching. It is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. As a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in California.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA 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 131 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.
- 6
George Fox University
- 116Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- Hybrid
About the programGeorge Fox University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching that leads to an Oregon PreK-12 preliminary teaching license, with candidates choosing a Single Subject specialization for middle and high school or a Multiple Subjects specialization for elementary grades. The program is engineered for speed and flexibility: students can become licensure-eligible after three semesters, and a condensed four-month full-time student-teaching placement runs shorter than the roughly eight-month requirement common elsewhere. A flexible online track with new cohort starts every eight weeks reinforces the sense of a program designed to meet career-changers and working adults where they are. Optional MAT Plus endorsements in Reading and ESOL can be earned concurrently, letting candidates leave with specialist credentials alongside the license. Accreditation by AAQEP grounds the accelerated structure in recognized educator-preparation standards. A master's-level path in teacher education, multiple levels, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Oregon.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA 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 116 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 7
The University of Tennessee-Martin
- 93Master's/yr
- MSED: Teaching - Initial Licensure (Elementary concentration; Secondary and K-8 Special Education Interventionist concentrations also offered)
- Online
About the programThe University of Tennessee at Martin offers an online M.S.Ed. in Teaching with initial licensure, aimed squarely at holders of a non-teaching bachelor's degree who want to move into the classroom without relocating. Candidates choose among elementary, secondary, K-8 special education interventionist, and K-12 tracks, so the program covers a broad range of grade bands under one online umbrella. Approval by the Tennessee State Board of Education and CAEP accreditation give the degree standing for licensure and hiring. Small class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratios lend the online experience a more personal feel than large-scale programs often provide. As one of UT Martin's online MSE offerings, it functions as a flexible, licensure-focused path for career-changers stepping into teaching. A master's-level path in teacher education, multiple levels, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Tennessee.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster'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 93 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 8
University of Oregon
- 84Master's/yr
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) via UOTeach Curriculum and Teaching Program
- On-campus
About the programThe University of Oregon offers a Master of Education through its UOTeach Curriculum and Teaching program, a licensure-focused degree that prepares candidates for Oregon's initial teaching license through the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. Students choose a pathway ranging from Elementary Multiple Subjects for grades K-8 to middle and high school endorsements in mathematics, science, English language arts, social studies, world languages, or physical education, and every candidate earns an embedded K-12 ESOL endorsement. Nine months of supported student teaching in partnership with Oregon school districts anchors the program in real classrooms across a full school year. A year-long curricular focus on anti-oppressive pedagogies and a partnership with the Sapsik'ʷałá Education Program for Indigenous teacher preparation give the degree an explicit equity and community orientation. It reads as a program built for candidates who want justice-centered preparation alongside a clear route into licensed teaching. Graduates of this teacher education, multiple levels program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster'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 84 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 9
University of Redlands
- 83Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Education: Learning and Teaching, Multiple Subject Track
- On-campus
About the programThe University of Redlands offers a Master of Arts in Education: Learning and Teaching through its MALT program, and the Multiple Subject Track blends the master's degree with a California Preliminary Multiple Subject teaching credential for aspiring Pre-K-12 educators. The hybrid format pairs a weekly in-person campus meeting with synchronous virtual instruction, keeping candidates connected to a cohort while accommodating other commitments. An equity-centered approach to pedagogy runs throughout the curriculum, reflecting a program that frames teaching as work rooted in fairness and access. Candidates fulfill the practicum through one of three pathways, choosing student teaching, a teaching internship, or a teacher residency depending on their circumstances. That flexibility, layered on a credential-bearing design, makes the track workable for both traditional students and those already employed in schools. As a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in California.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster'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 83 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 10
Jackson State University
- 81Master's/yr
- Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education
- CAEP, accredited through May 1, 2030
- On-campus
About the programJackson State University offers a Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education designed for in-service educators, with admission requiring a current Class A Educator's License or evidence of pursuing renewal. That admission gate signals an advanced program for teachers already in classrooms rather than an initial licensure route, and the department frames its tracks around early childhood education, literacy, and elementary education so candidates can specialize where they already work. The curriculum runs a minimum of 36 semester hours on campus. What distinguishes the department is its vertical pathway: the same faculty offer a linked Specialist in Education and a Doctor of Education in the field, giving graduates a clear ladder toward instructional leadership or doctoral study. The program is accredited by CAEP through May 1, 2030. This master's-level teacher education, multiple levels program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Mississippi.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster'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 81 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 11
University of Notre Dame
- 78Master's/yr
- Master of Education (M.Ed.), ACE Teaching Fellows
- Hybrid
About the programThe University of Notre Dame offers the Master of Education through its ACE Teaching Fellows program, a two-year service-through-teaching model that fuses graduate study with full-time work in Catholic schools. Fellows spend two summers in on-campus M.Ed. coursework at Notre Dame, alternating with two school years teaching in partner schools across 36 archdioceses and dioceses nationwide, while living in small faith communities of four to seven members. The design speaks to mission-minded graduates who want to teach immediately and grow as professionals within a supportive religious community rather than pursue academic concentrations. The fellowship is tuition-free and valued at more than $140,000, removing the cost barrier that often accompanies teacher preparation. Graduates are eligible for teacher licensure in Indiana, which holds reciprocity with 46 states, and they join a network of more than 2,000 alumni from a program founded in 1993. Earning a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Indiana's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteFor 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 78 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 12
Purdue University Global
- 77Master's/yr
- Master of Science in Education
- On-campus
About the programPurdue Global offers an online Master of Science in Education aimed squarely at educators already working in the field rather than career changers seeking a first teaching job. Its three concentrations, Essentials of Exceptionalities, Leadership Essentials, and Literacy and Language Essentials, let practicing teachers deepen expertise in a specialty they encounter daily, whether supporting students with disabilities, stepping toward school leadership, or strengthening literacy instruction. The forty-five to forty-six quarter credit hours are organized around four knowledge goals and five program competencies, a competency-driven framing that reads as applied professional growth over theory for its own sake. The program is explicit that it does not lead to state certification, endorsement, or licensure for teachers, principals, or superintendents in any state, so it suits educators pursuing advanced knowledge and career mobility rather than a new credential. Coursework is delivered fully online for flexibility around a teaching schedule. Earning a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Indiana's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster'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 77 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 13
The College of Saint Scholastica
- 73Master's/yr
- Master of Science in Teaching with Graduate Teaching Licensure
- Online
About the programThe College of St. Scholastica offers a Master of Science in Teaching with Graduate Teaching Licensure, an AAQEP-accredited, PELSB-approved program that leads to a Minnesota K-12 teaching license in about twenty-one months. Candidates choose from Elementary Education (K-6), Spanish (K-12), or a Secondary Education (5-12) field in Chemistry, Communication Arts and Literature, Life Science, Math, or Social Studies. The cohort model brings in a new group each fall and pairs weekly virtual classes with a three-day summer residency in Duluth, a low-residency structure that keeps the program largely accessible from a distance. The licensure track runs 34 to 39 credits, with six additional credits available to complete the optional master's degree, letting candidates prioritize the classroom credential and add the degree if they choose. That layered design reads as a licensure-first path with the master's as a natural extension. This master's-level teacher education, multiple levels program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Minnesota.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster'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 73 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 14
NUC University
- 64Master's/yr
- Master's Degree in Education with a Specialty in Educational Leadership (Maestria en Educacion con Especialidad en Liderazgo Educativo)
- Online
About the programNUC University, through its Online Division now operating as Northbridge University, offers a Master's Degree in Education with a Specialty in Educational Leadership aimed at educators moving toward school administration. The 39-credit, one-year program gives candidates a clear choice between a Field Experience Track that prepares them for Puerto Rico school-principal licensure and a Leadership Track that omits the field component, so the structure serves both those seeking certification and those pursuing leadership knowledge alone. That branching design reads as a program built to fit different career goals within a single online format. Field Experience Track graduates still need to meet Puerto Rico Department of Education requirements to obtain School Director certification. The educator preparation program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) through Fall 2027 across its Arecibo, Bayamon-Online Division, and Rio Grande campuses. Graduates of this teacher education, multiple levels program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster'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 64 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 15
Missouri State University-Springfield
- 61Master's/yr
- $49,380Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- Online
About the programMissouri State University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching designed for candidates who want to earn Missouri teacher certification and a graduate degree at the same time. With 27 subject and certification areas spanning art, the sciences, mathematics, English, music, physical education, and world languages across the K-12 and 9-12 grade bands, the program serves aspiring teachers no matter which classroom they are aiming for. Its fully online delivery, paired with field and practicum experience completed in the student's own home district, reads as a program built for adults who are rooted in a community and cannot relocate for training. That structure lets working professionals and career changers move into teaching without leaving their jobs or region behind. The program is CAEP-accredited and DESE-approved, and it also supports candidates pursuing certification in other states. This master's-level teacher education, multiple levels program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Missouri.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA 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 61 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Springfield, MO, where elementary teachers earn a median $49,380, roughly $55,743 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.
- 16
Pacific Oaks College
- 58Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Elementary Education with Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
- On-campus
About the programPacific Oaks College offers a Master of Arts in Elementary Education paired with the Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, a hybrid program that combines online coursework with required fieldwork in California classrooms. Candidates earn the master's degree and the teaching credential together, graduating ready to teach multiple K-12 subjects in self-contained elementary classrooms. Three units of practicum place students in more than 25 local public schools, grounding the degree in supervised classroom experience. Because all fieldwork and student teaching must be completed in California, enrollment is restricted to state residents. The 43-unit program can be finished in about a year and a half full-time or two and a half years part-time, and it meets California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requirements. This dual structure suits aspiring teachers who want licensure and a graduate degree along a single path. This master's-level teacher education, multiple levels program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in California.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA 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 58 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 17
Fresno Pacific University
- 50Master's/yr
- Teaching Multiple Subject Credential, M.A.
- California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC)-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programFresno Pacific University offers a Teaching Multiple Subject Credential with a Master of Arts, preparing candidates to teach at the elementary and middle school levels. The program offers two entry points, a Student Teaching Track for those completing supervised placements and an Independent Teaching Intern Track for candidates already working in classrooms, so it accommodates both new preparers and employed interns. Cohort-based student teaching with partnering school districts anchors the experience in real school settings, and a post-credential MAT pathway lets already-credentialed teachers extend into the master's. Delivered in a hybrid format across Fresno, Visalia, and Merced locations with multiple start dates, it emphasizes accessibility for working candidates around the Central Valley. Aligned with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, it leads to a Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. A master's-level path in teacher education, multiple levels, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in California.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteFor 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 50 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 18
University of California-Berkeley
- 49Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Education (Berkeley Teacher Education Program)
- On-campus
About the programThe University of California, Berkeley offers a Master of Arts in Education through its Berkeley Teacher Education Program, an intensive route that couples a graduate degree with a California teaching credential. Candidates pursue a multiple subject credential for elementary teaching or single subject pathways in English, history and social science, mathematics, or science. The program runs as a tightly sequenced 15-month cohort across two summers, a fall, and a spring, totaling roughly 54 to 62 units and immersing students in extended fieldwork. A distinctive feature is the classroom-based inquiry research candidates conduct while they student teach, blending scholarly reflection with day-to-day practice. Aligned with California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requirements and delivered on campus, it is designed for aspiring teachers who want both credential and research grounding in a single accelerated year-plus. Graduates of this teacher education, multiple levels program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster'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 49 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 19
Hamline University
- 49Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- Hybrid
About the programHamline University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching, a hybrid program that leads to an initial Minnesota teaching license across a wide span of specialties. Twelve licensure areas are available, from Elementary Education K-6 and ESL K-12 to Adult Basic Education, two Special Education tracks in Academic Behavioral Strategist and Autism Spectrum Disorder, and secondary content fields including Chemistry, General Science, Life Sciences, Physics, Communication Arts and Literature, Mathematics, and Social Studies. Fully online delivery is available for the ESL and Special Education licenses beginning in fall, while other licenses use a hybrid format with synchronous evening classes suited to working schedules. The curriculum unfolds in three parts, foundational coursework, license-specific courses, and a culminating student-teaching and capstone sequence, and can be completed in eighteen to twenty-four months. The breadth of licensure areas and evening format point to a program built to bring adults into a range of Minnesota classrooms. Earning a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Minnesota's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA 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 49 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 20
Eastern Kentucky University
- 49Master's/yr
- $60,610State teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- On-campus
About the programEastern Kentucky University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching that leads to Kentucky teacher certification across an unusually broad set of 25 options, spanning Elementary Education, Secondary subjects, several Special Education tracks including Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Early Childhood, and School Librarian. The program embeds a student-teaching practicum alongside a capstone research project with an oral presentation, pairing supervised classroom work with a culminating scholarly component. Ranging from 34 to 49 credit hours depending on concentration, it scales to the demands of each certification area rather than forcing a single template. Candidates must pass PRAXIS content exams, and an Option 6 Alternative Route lets those already employed as teachers earn the degree on a temporary provisional certificate. The result is a comprehensive certification program flexible enough for both new entrants and working educators. Earning a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Kentucky's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA 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 49 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kentucky statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,610, roughly $67,226 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.
- 21
Marian University
- 48Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- Online
About the programMarian University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching that combines fully online coursework with an intensive, in-person capstone in the classroom. Candidates can specialize in elementary education, secondary science education, or exceptional needs across P-12, matching the degree to the setting they intend to teach. The program culminates in a required full-time student-teaching internship, held Monday through Friday during standard school hours in the final semester, so the flexible online study gives way to a demanding immersion before graduation. Most candidates complete the degree in 18 to 24 months, and a separate licensure-only track of 18 to 24 credit hours serves those who need certification without the full 36-credit master's. The result is a route to initial teacher licensure that keeps academics accessible while insisting on real classroom preparation. Earning a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Indiana's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster'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 48 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 22
Stockton University
- 47Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Education
- Online
About the programStockton University offers a Master of Arts in Education whose stackable endorsements make it a versatile home for educators charting different career moves, from ESL and bilingual instruction and Teacher of Students with Disabilities to Reading Specialist, Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant, Supervisor, and Principal roles. Built primarily for candidates who already hold a New Jersey teaching certificate, the 36-credit degree lets teachers add specialized credentials as they advance, while an Alternate Route pathway opens the door to those pursuing initial certification. Its fully online format, offered in accelerated 7-week or full 15-week terms, gives working teachers control over their pace. The Alternate Route option is especially distinctive, allowing candidates to earn initial certification, the degree, and additional endorsements concurrently with up to six years to finish. Holding both AAQEP and CAEP accreditation and eligible for interstate reciprocity, the program balances flexibility with recognized standing. Graduates of this teacher education, multiple levels program at the master's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA 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 47 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 23
Western Kentucky University
- 45Master's/yr
- $61,260Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Advanced Teacher Education
- On-campus
About the programWestern Kentucky University offers a Master of Arts in Education in Advanced Teacher Education for teachers who already hold a valid certificate and want to deepen their practice, pursue rank change, and earn additional credentials. The 30-hour program splits evenly between a 15-hour Professional Education core and a 15-hour concentration drawn from more than 25 specializations, among them Literacy P-12, Gifted and Talented Education, TESOL, Trauma Informed Care, and Teacher Leader. That core is co-designed with partner school districts and built to be job-embedded, so coursework connects directly to the classrooms candidates already teach in. The degree can also lead toward National Board Certification, reinforcing its focus on advanced professional growth. It is clearly a credential for experienced educators sharpening their expertise, not an entry point to first licensure. As a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Kentucky.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteFor 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 45 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Bowling Green, KY, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,260, roughly $67,932 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.
- 24
University of Missouri-St Louis
- 44Master's/yr
- $60,650Metro teacher pay
- Education, M.Ed., Elementary Teacher Certification
- Hybrid
About the programThe University of Missouri-St. Louis offers a Master of Education in Education with an Elementary Teacher Certification emphasis, a program that leads to Missouri Initial Professional Teacher Certification in elementary teaching, grades 1-6. Its structure reads as a genuine preparation pathway: the 30 credit hours of core and emphasis coursework are supplemented by additional certification courses and two practicum experiences, and candidates must pass the Missouri Content Examination to earn the credential. The work culminates in a two-course action research capstone that ties classroom practice to inquiry, and a combined emphasis in elementary and special education certification is available for those wanting dual authorization. Classes can be taken online or in person, full- or part-time, and the degree is finishable in as little as two years. The program is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation and recognized by Missouri DESE. Earning a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Missouri's secondary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteFor 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 44 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into St. Louis, MO-IL, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,650, roughly $63,783 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.
- 25
Middle Georgia State University
- 44Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Teaching (Teacher Education) with Initial Teacher Certification
- On-campus
About the programMiddle Georgia State University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Teacher Education that carries candidates into their first Georgia teaching certificate. The three-semester, cohort-based structure moves a group through prescribed sequential coursework together, and while five of seven courses run fully online, two build in intensive classroom field placements of twenty-four to forty hours a week in partner districts. That heavy clinical load, paired with certification areas spanning P-12, Middle Grades, and Secondary and aligned to GACE content assessments, signals a program built to move career changers and recent graduates quickly into the classroom rather than to layer credentials onto experienced teachers. Because it is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and requires passing the GACE content exam, completion leads directly to initial certification in the candidate's chosen grade band and subject. As a master's degree in teacher education, multiple levels, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Georgia.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA 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 44 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
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