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Education

Early Childhood Education

Master of Education (M.Ed.): Initial Licensure (PreK–2), On-Campus, Off-Campus, or Teacher Residency

Inspire young children’s joy of discovery.

At the heart of our early childhood programs is respect for the competence, curiosity, and unique needs of young children. In this program, you'll learn how to foster children's capacity to become ready for elementary school and participate as citizens, and to set the stage for a lifetime of joy in learning.

REGISTER: M.Ed. in Education Virtual Information Session

Explore how children develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, and morally. Gain an appreciation for how family and community enhance learning. Develop strategies for supporting English language learners and children with special needs. Through anti-bias education, you'll see what it takes to create a fair and caring classroom community. And through self-reflection and examination of multiple perspectives, you'll emerge as an effective and compassionate educator. 

Study literature, arts, math, science, and social studies for PreK-2 students. With your faculty, co-create curriculum ideas and teaching strategies to use in your student teaching experience (teacher residencies fulfill this requirement at the residency site). There, you'll integrate theory and practice, and improve through ongoing feedback and support.

Then, with the skills needed for a rewarding early childhood career, you'll graduate from the university that educates more teachers than anyone else in New England. In fact, more than 4,500 people have earned a teaching degree here in just the last five years. Employers in Massachusetts prefer to hire Lesley graduates, saying they are best prepared to enter the classroom on day one.

Graduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus or off-campus program, or full-time accelerated teacher residency program

40 Credits
On-Campus Graduate Education Programs

Our on-campus programs are offered in a combination of face-to-face, remote synchronous via Zoom, or asynchronous online courses. Whatever the delivery mode, you'll get the same careful attention and support from our dedicated faculty and staff.

Please contact luadmissions@lesley.edu if you have any questions.

Teacher reading to a group of small children

Yearlong Teacher Residency Option

Finish your degree in just over a year—with double the teaching experience and at a reduced cost—as a resident intern in a participating public or independent school. In this program format, you participate full-time in the life of the school, and take classes at both the school site and Lesley.

Apply by May 1, 2023, to start in June, 2023, at one of the following sites: Belmont Day School, Brookwood School, or Shady Hill School. 

Gain Skills and Expertise
Our early childhood program prepares you to:
$86,755
Average salary for teachers in Massachusetts (2021-2022), according to the National Education Association.
#1
Superintendents and other hiring managers across Massachusetts prefer to hire Lesley graduates, reporting that they are best prepared to enter the classroom on day one. (Source: Radius Global Market Research)
Top Schools
Massachusetts ranks as the best state to be a teacher, with some of the highest performing schools and best salaries in the country, according to US News.
Professor Erika Dawes in her office
Early Childhood
Dr. Erika Thulin Dawes
Erika is a professor in the Graduate School of Education, and currently serves as the program director of the graduate Early Childhood Education programs. A former elementary classroom teacher, reading specialist, and district literacy administrator, Erika now teaches and mentors courses in early childhood literacy, children's literature, and elementary literacy methods. She blogs about children's and young adult literature at "The Classroom Bookshelf," and reviews children's and middle grade books for Language Arts.
The degree employers are looking for.
Lesley graduates go on to rewarding careers in public and private schools, daycare centers, and beyond. That's because our programs are ranked #1 for preparing teachers with the skills Massachusetts employers are seeking, including:
Important Licensure Information

All Lesley University educator licensure programs comply with current Massachusetts educational requirements, as specified. In addition, Massachusetts participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement, which makes it possible for an educator to have their Massachusetts license/s recognized across the United States. Depending on your professional goals, where you reside or plan to teach, and the licensure structures that exist within that state, there are diverse pathways to licensure that may be relevant. In accordance with Lesley University’s institutional participation in SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) and with federal regulations, Lesley University strongly encourages prospective applicants who intend to pursue licensure in a state other than Massachusetts review the Lesley University Licensure and Credentialing page for more information.

Faculty

Total approximate cost for this master's degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Early Childhood Education
  • Tuition
    $925/credit x 40
    $37,000
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $850
    Map ePortfolio Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $1,000
  • Total
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

  • Tuition
    $750/credit x 40
    $30,000
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $850
    Map ePortfolio Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $1,000
  • Total
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

  • Tuition
    $562.50/credit x 40
    $22,500
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $850
    Map ePortfolio Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $1,000
  • Total
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

Teacher Residency

Teacher Residency pricing varies from school to school. Contact Graduate Admissions for pricing information at 888.LESLEY.U / 617.349.8300 or luadmissions@lesley.edu.

The Office of Veterans Affairs has determined that Teacher Residency programs are not eligible for Veteran’s Benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

Your degree is an investment, and we're committed to ensuring its value. That's why we offer the best teacher education in Massachusetts at competitive tuition rates.
We'll help ensure your degree is as affordable as possible. Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.