Start your master's degree in education as an undergraduate.
Getting a master’s degree is a surefire way to get higher-paying, more specialized teaching positions. Our affordable accelerated master's degree programs for Lesley undergraduate education majors, and BFA students who want to become art teachers, transition you into our nationally acclaimed Graduate School of Education where you'll continue through an M.Ed. program. Choose from several program options and get on track to earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as little as 5 1/2 years of full-time study.
How It Works
Most graduate education programs are 30–45 credits. By knocking out graduate credits as an undergraduate student, you'll save both time and money.
- Complete 6–12 of the graduate program's 30–45 credits during your junior or senior year, included in your undergraduate tuition. This saves you a semester or two of time.
- Finish the 24–33 remaining graduate credits after your senior year, at the graduate tuition rate for your program.
- Earn both degrees—a BA or BFA and an M.Ed.—in about 5 1/2 years.
- Save an additional $10,200 to $11,700 on graduate tuition with the Lesley Dividend (12 free graduate credits) for a total of about 44 to 70 percent off your graduate tuition, depending on the program.
Eligibility & Applying
You can apply for admission to a dual degree program at the end of your sophomore year. To be considered, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. Early in your undergraduate program, contact your academic advisor to let them know you're interested in this option. They'll connect you to the application process.
Accelerated Master's Programs by Undergraduate Major
In all programs, you'll work with your academic advisor to plan a course sequence.

Art & Design Majors
We offer accelerated M.Ed. programs for students who are getting their Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and who want to become a licensed art teacher in grades PreK–8 or 5–12. The programs are open to students enrolled in any BFA program within our College of Art & Design.
BFA & M.Ed. in Art Education PreK-8 or 5-12
- Our stand-alone master's degree program in art education is 39 credits.
- You'll take 9 credits as an undergraduate BFA student beginning in your junior year.
- Complete 30 credits after graduation and finish both degrees in approximately 5 1/2 years.
- Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits.
- That means you'll only pay for 18 graduate credits, for a total savings of 54% off of your graduate tuition.

Early Childhood Majors
Choose from our three accelerated M.Ed. options for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Early Childhood Education. The Early Childhood Education major leads to initial licensure as a teacher of early childhood, grades PreK–2.
Option 1: Special Education, Moderate
- Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Moderate Disabilities PreK-8 is 41 credits for students starting at Lesley as a grad student.
- If you're an undergraduate early childhood major at Lesley, the master's portion of the accelerated program is 38 credits (3 fewer credits).
- You'll take 6 graduate credits in your junior or senior year and complete the remaining 32 credits after graduation, for an initial savings of 9 graduate credits.
- Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits
- This means you will only pay for 20 graduate credits, giving you a total savings of ~52% off your graduate tuition.
Option 2: Special Education, Severe
- Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Severe Disabilities (All Levels) is 41 credits for students starting at Lesley as a grad student.
- If you're an undergraduate early childhood major at Lesley, the master's portion of the accelerated program is 38 credits (3 fewer credits).
- You'll take 6 graduate credits in your junior year or senior year and complete the remaining 32 credits after graduation, for an initial savings of 9 graduate credits.
- Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits
- This means you will only pay for 20 graduate credits, giving you a total savings of ~52% off your graduate tuition.
Option 3: Innovative Pedagogies
BA in Early Childhood and M.Ed. in Innovative Pedagogies in Early Childhood.
- This program is available for Professional license—if you have or will have already obtained your Initial license as an undergraduate—or as a non-licensure program (signed non-licensure agreement required).
- The stand-alone M.Ed. in Innovative Pedagogies in Early Childhood is 33 credits.
- You'll take 6 credits as part of your bachelor's degree and 27 credits after graduation.
- Use the Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits
- This means you'll only pay for 15 graduate credits, giving you a total savings of ~55% off your graduate tuition.

Early Childhood Studies Majors
Take advantage of our accelerated master's degree program for Early Childhood Studies majors. The Early Childhood Studies program is offered through Lesley's Center for the Adult Learner, both on the Lesley campus and through our off-campus community college partners.
- BS in Early Childhood Studies & M.Ed. in Early Childhood (PreK–2)
This program is available to those getting their bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Studies through Lesley's Center for the Adult Learner or at one of our off-campus community college partnerships. Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Early Childhood is 40 credits. In the accelerated program, you'd take 6–7 credits as part of your bachelor's degree and 33–34 credits after graduation. Students must have a minimum of 6 credits left to complete their bachelor's degrees. - BS in Early Childhood Studies or BS in Liberal Studies with Education Concentration, and M.Ed. in Early Childhood with Add-License Preparation for English as a Second Language
This program is available for those getting their bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Studies, or a BS in Liberal Studies with an education concentration, through Lesley's Center for the Adult Learner. The stand-alone M.Ed. in Early Childhood with Add-License Preparation for English as a Second Language is 46 credits. In the accelerated program, you'd take 6 credits as part of your bachelor's degree and 40 credits after graduation. Use the Lesley Dividend for a further 12 free graduate credits. - BS in Early Childhood Studies or BS in Liberal Studies with Education Concentration, and M.Ed. in Innovative Pedagogies in Early Childhood. This program is available for a Professional license—if you have or will have already obtained your Initial license as an undergraduate—or as a non-licensure program (signed non-licensure agreement required). If you are seeking an Initial teaching license, please see our other accelerated programs. The stand-alone M.Ed. in Innovative Pedagogies in Early Childhood is 33 credits. In the accelerated program, you'll take 6 credits as part of your bachelor's degree and 27 credits after graduation. Use the Lesley Dividend for a further 12 free graduate credits.

Elementary Education Majors
We offer three accelerated M.Ed. options for Elementary Education majors—two with a special education focus, and one that prepares you to work with English language learners in grades PreK–6.
Option 1: Special Education, Moderate
BA in Elementary Education & M.Ed. in Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8)
- Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Moderate Disabilities PreK-8 is 41 credits for students starting at Lesley as a grad student.
- If you're an undergrad elementary education major at Lesley, the master's portion of this accelerated M.Ed. program is 38 credits (3 fewer credits).
- You'd take 6 graduate-level credits in your junior or senior year and complete the remaining 32 credits after graduation, for an initial savings of 9 credits.
- Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits.
- This means you will only pay for 20 graduate credits, for a total savings of ~52% off your graduate tuition.
Option 2: Special Education, Severe
BA in Elementary Education & M.Ed. in Special Education: Severe Disabilities (All Levels)
- Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Severe Disabilities All Levels is 41 credits.
- You'd take 6 graduate-level credits in your junior or senior year and complete the remaining 35 credits after graduation, for an initial savings of 6 credits.
- Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits.
- This means you will only pay for 23 graduate credits, for a total savings of ~44% off your graduate tuition.
Option 3: English as a Second Language
BA in Elementary Education & M.Ed. in English as a Second Language (PreK–6)
- The 36-credit English as a Second Language M.Ed. can only be taken as part of an accelerated M.Ed. program.
- Take 6 graduate credits in your junior or senior year and 30 credits after graduation.
- Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits.
- This means you will only pay for 18 graduate credits, for a total savings of ~50% off your graduate tuition.

Middle & High School Education Majors
There are two accelerated M.Ed. options for Middle School Education or Secondary Education majors, focusing on special education.
Option 1: Special Education, Moderate
- Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (5-12) is 41 credits if you enter Lesley as a graduate student.
- As an undergraduate at Lesley, the M.Ed. is 38 credits (3 fewer credits).
- Take 6 credits in your junior or senior year and complete the remaining 32 credits after graduation.
- Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits.
- This means you'd pay for only 20 graduate credits, for a total savings of ~52% off your graduate tuition.
Option 2: Special Education, Severe
- Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Severe Disabilities is 41 credits.
- You'd take 6 credits in your junior or senior year and complete the remaining 35 credits after graduation.
- Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits.
- This means you'd pay for only 23 graduate credits, for a total savings of ~44% off your graduate tuition.

Special Education Majors
As an undergraduate special education major, you can pursue one of two accelerated M.Ed. programs—one that will prepare you to teach English language learners in PreK–6 and the other for elementary education (Grades 1–6).
Option 1: English as a Second Language
BA in Special Education & M.Ed. English as a Second Language (PreK–6)
- The 36-credit M.Ed. in English as a Second Language program can only be taken as part of an accelerated master's program.
- Take 6 graduate credits in your junior or senior year and 30 credits after graduation.
- Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits.
- This means you'll only pay for 18 graduate credits, for a total savings of ~50% off of your graduate tuition.
Option 2: Elementary Education
BA in Special Education & M.Ed. Elementary Education
- Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Elementary Education program for students starting Lesley as a graduate student is 40 credits.
- If you're an undergrad special education major at Lesley, the master's portion of this accelerated M.Ed. program is 30 credits (10 fewer credits).
- You'll take 6 graduate credits in your junior or senior year and 24 credits after graduation, for an initial savings of 16 credits.
- Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits.
- This means you'll only pay for 12 graduate credits, for a total savings of ~70% off of your graduate tuition.

Other BA & BS Majors (Adult Bachelors)
If you're getting any BA or BS through Lesley's Center for the Adult Learner (LCAL), you can continue through to earn your M.Ed. in Arts, Community, & Education in one accelerated program.
- BA/BS & M.Ed. in Arts, Community, and Education
Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Arts, Community, and Education program is 36 credits. In the accelerated program designed for adult learners, you'd take 6 credits as part of your bachelor's degree and complete the remaining 30 credits after graduation. Students must have a minimum of 6 credits left to complete their bachelor's degree.
- Julie Stanwood
College of Art & Design
julie.stanwood@lesley.edu
617.349.8022
- Lisa Fiore
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
lfiore@lesley.edu
617.349.8662
- Randi Korn
Associate Provost for Academic Success
rkorn@lesley.edu
617.349.8596