Graduate School of Education

Preparing Educators to Become Changemakers and Lifelong Learners

Lesley’s Graduate School of Education has earned a reputation as New England’s largest and most respected provider of teacher preparation programs. Whether you’re thinking about becoming a teacher or are already teaching, we offer programs that ensure you’ll be the best teacher you can be.

We specialize in integrating the arts, literacy, technology, and strategies for meeting the needs of diverse learners into all of our programs. With small class sizes, faculty support, and a collaborative environment, you’ll become a vital member of our learning community. And as a Lesley graduate, you’ll join an extensive network of alumni educators who are making a difference in students’ lives across the country and around the world.

phd in expressive therapies class presentation

PhD in Educational Studies Application Deadline

March 15, 2019 is the deadline to apply for one of our four PhD specializations:

If you've been thinking about taking the leap into a doctoral program, now's the time to get your application started. You'll find information on how to apply at the bottom of each of four program pages above.

Our doctoral programs highlight our commitment to scholarship, interdisciplinary study, and the value of relating theory to practice. By taking one of our programs, you'll be prepared to make positive change in your chosen career environment. You'll also:

Engage in critical inquiry.
Apply foundational knowledge.
Consume and produce research.
Initiate, facilitate, support, and sustain innovation.

A Sampling of our PhD Alumni in Higher Education

Graduates of our PhD program specializations are working in a variety of institutions. Below are just a few who are working in higher education.

Lynne Stasiak ‘17: Associate Professor of Education, Endicott College, Massachusetts
Michael Farmer ‘16: Assistant Professor, Lander University, South Carolina
Suzanne Spreadbury ‘05: Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Chief Academic Officer, Harvard University Extension School, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Mary Knab ‘12; Interim Associate Provost for Interprofessional Education and Practice, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts
Anne Benoit ‘13, Senior Lecturer, Curry College, Milton, Massachusetts
John Bailie ’12, President, International Institute for Restorative Practices, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Allison Muise ’16, Interim Dean for Academic Success, Endicott College, Beverly, Massachusetts

Professional Development Centers

Center for Reading Recovery and
Literacy Collaborative

Headed by literacy expert and author Irene Fountas, the center is a national leader in literacy research, professional development, and school programs for grades PreK–8. We run workshops, institutes, and courses in Cambridge and in school districts, as well as the annual Literacy for All Conference.

Learn more.

Center for Inclusive and Special Education

The Center for Inclusive and Special Education is dedicated to supporting educators, families, and communities in meeting the needs of all learners. We are guided by a philosophy that presumes the competence of all people in their different ways of knowing, learning, and expressing. We are also the home to the Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity, which advances the development of trauma-sensitive learning environments.

Learn more.

Center for Mathematics Achievement

We assist teachers, coaches, specialists, teacher leaders, and administrators in honing and deepening mathematics content knowledge through workshops, professional development, and consultation at school and district sites. We believe that educators who have enriched their own mathematical content knowledge are better equipped to provide more effective mathematics opportunities for their students.

Learn more.

STEAM Learning Lab

The STEAM Learning Lab provides a new way for our students and community partners to engage in inquiry-based exploration. It's a space where students can come together to imagine, build, and invent.

Learn more.

Teacher and students in the classroom, reading a book on the floor

Teacher Residency Programs

Earn a Master of Education degree and an Initial teaching license in just over a year of full-time work and study in a residency program at a participating Massachusetts school.

CBS Boston

Professor Emerita Nancy Carlsson-Paige discusses her research on the impact screen time has on children's brains.

Alumnus receives principal’s award

Craig Martin recognized as National Distinguished Principal from Massachusetts

University among six nonprofits benefiting from neuroscience pioneer’s $10M grant for support of science teaching.

classroom teacher with students at table

Lesley's New Teacher Community

Discover how our resources and workshops for education graduates can support you during your first years in the classroom.

Learn More

Accreditation

Educator Licensure Regulations

Each state’s educator licensure regulations are subject to change. If you’re an educator looking for an endorsement or addition to your current certification/license, you should verify with the appropriate state educator licensure authority that a program meets state requirements.

vandernoot gallery during crowded opening

Parker Gallery

The John O. and Olivia Parker Gallery, located in University Hall, hosts exhibitions that amplify a wide range of voices from K–12 students to professional artists.

Visit their Facebook page

Children exploring at Mt. Auburn cemetary.

Mount Auburn Urban Ecosystem Project

Lesley and Mount Auburn Cemetery collaborate to create a model of citizen science research and education in an urban nature preserve.

Learn More

Our educators to work with Brockton schools, immigrant families

Alumnae Heidi Lee, Susan Loomis-Wing, Ruth Rieffanaugh and Christine Winship exhibit in “Battle of the Sexes,” presented by the organization they co-founded to improve arts access.

children playing cards and learning from their teacher

6 Ways Educators Can Prevent Bullying

Think about your classroom. Now picture your students. Chances are that one out of every five has been bullied. As an educator, what can you do about it?

Thinking of Becoming a Teacher?

You'll need a number of solid skills, naturally, but here are a few traits that will be indispensable in your teaching career.

Become a School Leader

Expand your reach beyond your classroom, for greater impact on both your students and your career.

5 Signs You Should Be A Teacher

So you're thinking of becoming a teacher but you're not 100% ready to make the leap? These are 5 signs that teaching is the right job for you.

Read Full Article

a group of children work on art projects in a classroom

Anti-Bias Education

Through anti-bias education, early childhood educators can create learning communities that support human differences. Discover how you can foster an empathetic classroom.

Arming Teachers with Power for Change

Keeping children safe at school means more than instituting gun policies. We need to prepare educators with the compassion, knowledge, and skills they need to teach our children safely. Here are six ways.

Boston Public Schools

Boston Public Schools Principal Craig Martin is the 2018 Massachusetts Elementary Principal of the Year.

Andy Mellen studied Special Education: Severe Disabilities at Lesley University.

Andy Mellen ’17

As an adaptive learning center teacher, Andy goes above and beyond to ensure students with diverse learning needs can succeed in a general education setting.

Gov. Charlie Baker and others on hand at Huntington Theatre to honor Lesley alumna

Lesley alumna helped explore deep-sea biology, geology and archaeology with famed explorer Dr. Robert Ballard in the Pacific.

Book open to a page with an illustration of a baby.

Susan Lupone Stonis

According to Susan, it's never too soon to introduce parents to the habit of reading to their babies. That's why she co-authored "Belly Books."

Jamie Greubel Poser portrait Olympic bobsledder

Jamie Greubel Poser ’10

Bobsledder and education alum Jamie Greubel Poser aims for Olympic Gold in South Korea.

Learn more about Lesley's accreditations and state approvals.

View Teacher Education Program Outcomes.

Preparing Educators to Become Changemakers and Lifelong Learners

PhD in Educational Studies Application Deadline

A Sampling of our PhD Alumni in Higher Education

Professional Development Centers

Center for Reading Recovery and
Literacy Collaborative