When thinking of education and quality what comes to mind? Is it allocation of funding? Policy? Or maybe you look less at the macro and more at the micro. For you is that the school district? The school itself? Your principle? Or maybe it’s each individual student. All of those concerns are valid, and certainly something to consider before heading into any job as an educator.
When U.S. News ranked Massachusetts as the number one state in the country for education the organization considered all of it- funds, policy, curriculum and performance in K-12 education. As if that weren’t enough, Massachusetts is also home to some of the best higher education institutions in the world. The joke goes that you can throw a rock in Boston and hit a university. Yes, there is a high density for higher education in the state, but why? We think it’s tradition. Harvard University is the oldest university in the United States, and ranks as the 2nd best school in the nation after Princeton. Cambridge is not the only place to find quality education in Massachusetts. In neighboring Boston you’ll find Boston University, currently ranked as the 37th best school in the nation and 39th best school in the world. The University of Massachusetts system isn’t too shabby either- with UMass Lowell and UMass Amherst ranking among the top public schools in the US. The fact is that the tradition of education in Massachusetts attracts quality educators because public schools and universities care. They care enough to pay substantially more for education than other states. According to Teacher Portal, the average salary for educators in Massachusetts is $72,334- only second to New York! So why teach in Massachusetts? Not only are you getting paid well, and in schools that seem to care about their students, you’ll be part of a several hundred year-old tradition.
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network
- Boston University
- University of Massachusetts-Lowell
- Lesley University
- Endicott College
- Framingham State University
- Fisher College
- University of Massachusetts-Boston
- Merrimack College
- Bay Path University
- Bridgewater State University
- Western New England University
- Wheelock College
- Fitchburg State University
Requirements for Teaching Licensure in Massachusetts
The “traditional” route to certification in Massachusetts involves four main steps:
1.) Complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Education
Complete a bachelor’s degree in education. Usually, a bachelor’s degree in education requires about 120 credit hours of general education courses, education courses, and electives. The common curriculum usually means about 30 or more major classes that correspond with state certification requirement, and additional course material that centers on theory and methods of teaching. We suggest you check the Licensing Guide For Massachusetts for and approved route towards certification.
2.) Complete a State-Approved Teacher Certification Program
For the traditional route, a “state-approved” teacher preparation program means working in an educational facility- typically a public school with a supervisor. Essentially it’s like having supervised on-the-job training before you are actually on the job. Teacher preparation programs are an important step into the field of education. Here you will gain exposure to the school system, learn how to work with a team, and learn how to put education theory into practice. Here’s a great resource for educator preparation programs in the state of Massachusetts.
3.) Pass the State-Mandated Exams
Generally, in the state of Massachusetts, you must complete the Massachusetts Tests for Education Licensure. This guide will give you a quick overview of which specific tests to take for your subject area.
Are you finished with your bachelor’s in education, teacher preparation, and exams? Here’s a helpful checklist to ensure you have everything in order for licensure:
- Complete a Background Check
- Demonstrate Proof of Degree Completion with Official Transcripts
- Demonstrate Proof of Teacher Preparation Completion
- Provide Passing Scores for State-Mandated Exams
- Complete an Application for Teacher Certification in the State of Massachusetts
- Pay a non-refundable Certification Processing Fee
If you have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than education or are simply looking for other methods that lead to licensure check out these alternative routes towards teacher certification for the state of Massachusetts.
Online Education Program Admission Requirements
Every school varies when it comes to admission and furthermore, admission requirements will differ depending on whether or not you are looking to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree. Let’s first take a look at general admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree in education.
Generally speaking in order to gain admission to a bachelor’s degree in education you must have a high school diploma or have passed a GED with an acceptable GPA. College entrance exams like the ACT and SAT are still very common and score requirements vary per institution. Once you have the scores you need, the next step is to fulfill application requirements. In general, the application requirements include the application itself, the 2 or 3 letters of recommendations, an entrance essay demonstrating how you are good fit with the institution and occasionally an interview.
Admissions into a master’s program also varies but many require: a bachelor’s degree with least a 2.75 GPA, 2 years of teaching experience, 2-3 letters of recommendation from academic and professional supervisors, written essays of intent/ demonstrated passion and desire to attend program, and a GRE score. It’s important to check with your institution as some schools do not require a GRE score.
Average Salaries For Common Educator Roles in Massachusetts
- Preschool Teacher:
$34,410
- Primary School Educator:$68,360
- Secondary School Educator:$67,530
- Higher Education Administrator:$143,276
- Principal:$116,894
- Special Education Teacher:$68,360
- Math or Science High School Teacher:$84,160
- ESL Teacher:$49,715
- School Psychologist: $72,010
Scholarships for Future Educators in Massachusetts
Math and Science Teacher Scholarship Program
Massachusetts TEACH Grant
The 5 Best Online Education Degree
Providers in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a total of 15 education degree-granting institutions that provide online education degrees. These range from community colleges offering associates in early childhood development or human services, to nationally ranked universities that offer a wide spread of masters level and education endorsement-level programming. While future students may want to go to the “best” online institution in their state for education degrees, they should take some to double check what exact degrees are offered by their institution of choice at the directory of all online education degrees at the bottom of the page. To select the following top five universities, we’ve looked at two factors: the number of fully online education degrees offered by an institution, and an “academic prestige” score. The academic prestige score takes into account metrics such as average amount of financial need received, average class sizes, admissions standards, and the percentage of faculty holding terminal degrees in their field. Also note that the tuition numbers below are just indicators of relatively how expensive or affordable a college is. The tuition numbers below, specifically, are the in-state (where applicable) undergraduate yearlong tuition rates for education degrees. Many universities, however, have similar tuition rates at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) is a public land grant research university located in Amherst ,Massachusetts. There are 30,037 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio is 18:1. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredits UMass Amherst to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. U.S News ranks UMass Amherst as the 75th best school in the nation, 38th best college for veterans, 16th fore best online bachelor’s programs, and 70th for best online graduate education programs. UMass Amherst offers 6 associate’s, 112 bachelor’s degrees, 76 master’s degrees, and 48 doctoral in a wide-range of fields. When it comes to online offerings UMass Amherst has an impressive selection of fully online degrees and certifications. In fact, there are over 20 online degrees for undergraduates and graduates alike including in agriculture, business, journalism, education and more.
UMass Amherst has an active College of Education. Perhaps that’s why U.S. News ranked it as the 51st best education college in the nation. Whether you’re looking for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, a certification or to do research, UMass Amherst has something for you. Their research centers focus on educational assessment, education policy, international education, counseling, and more. There are 16 online educationdegrees available. Their education-related degrees include the following:
- BA, Children’s Learning and Development Concentrations
- BA, Early Care and Education Concentrations
- M.Ed. Vision Studies (Orientation and Mobility)
- M.Ed. Vision Studies (Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments)
- M.Ed. Vision Studies (Vision Rehabilitation Therapy)
- M.Ed./Ed.S: Science Education
- Online Master of Education in Instructional Design
- Master of Education in School Counseling
- Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction,
- M.Ed. Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Autism Studies Option
- Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Science Education Option
,
- M.Ed. Master’s Degree in Education Administration,
- M.Ed. Master’s Degree in Reading and Language,
- M.Ed.
- Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling,
- Ed.D Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling: STEM Option,
- Ed.D
We selected the University of Massachusetts for the vast number of degree programs available online as well as for their high quality academic offerings.
Northeastern University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. According to Carnegie, Northeastern University is a R1 research institution- having the highest research activity. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredits Northeastern to provide bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. According to U.S. News Northeastern is the 40th best school in the nation, 6th most innovative school, 9th best school for international business, and one of the best schools for undergraduate engineering programs. This academic research university is considered very selective and currently enrolls over 19,000 students. Regardless of high enrollments the student-to-faculty ratio remains low at just 14:1. The innovative programming uses a cooperative education approaches for its 90 undergraduate majors and 158 graduate programs. All student create their own academic path on campus, online or through hybrid programming. Experiential learning is at the heart of Northeastern education- merging the classroom and the real world through professional work, research and service across the globe.
As one of the most innovative schools in the nation, Northeastern University takes on diversity as one of its core focuses in the field of education and includes specializations in eLearning, leadership, Higher education and other. Let’s take a closer look at what is offered entirely online. :
- Master’s in Applied Nutrition,
- Master’s in eLearning and Instructional Design
- Master’s in Higher Education Administration
- Master’s in Leadership,
- Master’s in Learning Analytics,
- Master’s in Learning and Instruction
- Master’s in Special Education,
- Doctor’s in Education
We selected Northeastern University for the number of online education-related programs and high quality of academics. Northeastern tends to attract students who have a “vision for change” so if you feel the drive for positive change in the field of education, Northeastern may be a great fit.
Boston University (BU) is a private research 4-year institution that enrolls over 32,695 students, and yet the student-to-faculty ratio remains low at 10:1. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredits BU to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. According to U.S. News Boston University ranks as the 37th best school in the nation, 14th best college for veterans, and as the 39th best school globally. BU is an academic powerhouse offering a vast number of degrees including in unique niche fields like architectural history, music teacher education, oral surgery, and sculpture. But BU is not just where to head if you are looking to specialize in niche areas, in fact there are several vocational programs available as well and some of the most popular by enrollment are in the fields of health, education, business, and engineering. It’s true that BU caters to all types of learners including non traditional ones. In fact, there are currently over 20 degree offered entirely online including their online MBA, online master’s in Art Education, and online PhD in physical therapy.
The School of Education is one of Boston University’s largest schools offering comprehensive education-related degrees. In fact there are over 10 majors available to undergraduates and over 20 advanced degree options. As a research university, BU has had a huge impact on education research including recently in the fields of language and literacy, applied human development, and teaching and learning. Their motto is “Be Prepared to Change Lives” which certainly appears to line up with how they carry out their mission. Let’s take a look at which programs are available online:
- Master’s in Art Education
- Master’s in Curriculum and Development
- Master’s in Higher Education Administration
- Master’s in TESOL Master’s in Music Education
- Doctorate in Music Education
We selected BU for the high quality of academic offerings as well as the number of online education degrees.
University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) is a public research institution located in Lowell, Massachusetts. There are 17,849 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredits UMass Lowell to award comprehensive degrees and professional certifications- meaning there’s an academic program for students at any stage of higher education. According to U.S. News UMass Lowell ranks as the 156th best school in the nation, 80th best public school, 22nd for best online bachelor’s degrees and 8th for best online graduate education programs. UMass Lowell supports its students with academic counseling, career counseling, employment services, and placement for its graduates. As a student you have an opportunity to select study anything from accounting to visual arts. Health, business, and education are some of the most robust fields, and there are dozens of online degree offerings. Currently, there are nearly 50 fully online degrees and professional certifications offered including their online bachelor’s in business administration, online certificate in computer information systems security, and online master’s in reading teacher education.
The College of Education at UMass Lowell makes an impact through their degrees, outreach, and research. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s-seeking students may all pursue an education degree whether that’s a Bachelor of Arts in education, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction or a PhD in literary studies- there’s something for many types of interests. Their outreach program is called Jumpstart- a program where individuals work in various daycare centers in Lowell to develop literacy skills in early childhood. Their faculty-applied research certainly has a focus on early literacy as well as on STEM education, instructional leadership, and teaching to English learners. As one of the best online education school in the US, it’s probably no surprise that UMass Lowell offers a wide-range of quality online education degrees :
- Online Master’s Degree in Education Administration
- Online Master’s Degree in Reading and Language
- Online Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction
- Online Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Science Education
- Option Online Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Autism Studies Option
- Online Ed.S. in Administration, Planning and Policy
- Online Ed.S. in Reading and Language
- Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling Ed.D.
- Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling: STEM Option, Ed.D.
We selected the University of Massachusetts Lowell for their high quality of academic offerings as well as for the high number of programs available online.
Lesley University is a private institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There are 4,865 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredits Lesley University to award comprehensive degrees and professional certifications. According to U.S. News Lesley University ranks as the 181st best school in the nation, and 177th best for high school counselors. The university offers the full gamut of services that support their students including credit for life experience and academic counseling among other. Speaking of academics, Lesley offers a number of high-quality academic programming in fields that include biology, animation, American History, photography, and psychology. Their most robust department is their department of education which offers a wide-range of education-related degrees both on-campus and online. Currently, there are 9 online degrees available to both bachelor’s degree and master’s degree candidates.
Lesley University has prepared 10s of thousands of educators. What makes such a small university a big influencer in American education? In short, Lesley remains relevant. Over the years, Lesley has offered fantastic education-related degrees to traditional learners, and recognizing the growing need for online education, has begun to offer more programming online. As teachers move through their career, expanded knowledge and a subsequent boost in pay becomes essential. Here’s a list of their online education master’s degrees:
Curriculum and Instruction: Elementary Education
- Generalist: Professional License or Non-Licensure,
- Educational Technology,
- Individually Designed Program for Educators: Online,
- Language and Literacy,
- Mathematics Education: Professional License or Non-Licensure,
- Science in Education: Professional License or Non-Licensure
We selected Lesley University for the high number of online degree offerings and their quality academic programming.
Directory of Online Education Degree
Providers in Massachusetts
| Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network | 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02115 | Online Ed Degrees: 7 | |
 Tuition $NA | |||
| Boston University | One Silber Way, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 | Online Ed Degrees: 5 | |
 Tuition $31539 | |||
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| Fisher College | 118 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 | Online Ed Degrees: 5 | |
 Tuition $26224 | |||
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125-3393 | Online Ed Degrees: 4 | |
 Tuition $11966 | |||
| Merrimack College | 315 Turnpike St, North Andover, Massachusetts 01845 | Online Ed Degrees: 4 | |
 Tuition $33003 | |||
| Bay Path University | 588 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, Massachusetts 01106 | Online Ed Degrees: 3 | |
 Tuition $22012 | |||
| Bridgewater State University | 131 Summer Street, Bridgewater, Massachusetts 02325 | Online Ed Degrees: 2 | |
 Tuition $15737 | |||
| Western New England University | 1215 Wilbraham Rd, Springfield, Massachusetts 01119-2684 | Online Ed Degrees: 1 | |
 Tuition $29109 | |||
| Wheelock College | 200 Riverway, Boston, Massachusetts 02215-4104 | Online Ed Degrees: 1 | |
 Tuition $29133 | |||
| Fitchburg State University | 160 Pearl St, Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420-2697 | Online Ed Degrees: 2 | |
 Tuition $14361 | |||
