Find the right education master's degree program for your goals.
You earned your bachelor’s degree in something other than education and started your career. But something in you wants to answer the call to teach. Now you’re looking for the best graduate school and teacher preparation program to reach your goal.
First, you'll need to enroll in a state-approved master’s degree program leading to initial teacher licensure from a regionally-accredited institution. But since you have lots of choices, you may be wondering how to pick the right one. Here are the questions we recommend you ask.
1. Does the graduate school have a strong reputation for preparing teachers?
In 2017, Radius Global Market Research surveyed 200 Massachusetts principals and other hiring decision-makers on the qualities they value most in new teachers. The majority indicated that the number one quality was that the teachers had graduated from a school with a “longstanding tradition of preparing experts in education.”
2. Which teacher preparation programs are offered at the school?
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issues teaching licenses for set grades and subjects. Each state-approved teacher preparation program leads to a specific license. Make sure the graduate schools you’re looking at offer a program that’ll help you become the kind of teacher you want to be. If not, ask if the school has a self-designed program based on your interests.
3. Who are the faculty teaching the courses?
Look for bios of faculty on the graduate school's website or in other materials. Read up on their experience, accomplishments, philosophy, or academic interests to determine if the school is a good fit.