Most Affordable Teacher Prep Master’s Programs with Zero Entrance Exam Requirements for 2023


Most affordable ITP master's programsThere is a lot involved in becoming a teacher in the United States today. You’ll have to prove yourself on a hundred different occasions and in a hundred different ways by the time you’re actually qualified to step into your own classroom. Just about every step in the process is vital to your vetting, ensuring you’ve learned what you need to know and that you’ve mastered it enough to be able to demonstrate it… but there are also plenty of hoops you have to jump through that aren’t quite so vital.

We believe that a graduate program entrance exam is one of those hoops, and that the extra time, energy, and money preparing for and taking one could be better spent doing something that actually contributes to your readiness for the classroom.

Don’t worry – if tests are your thing, you’ll have plenty to look forward to down the road when it comes time for the teaching proficiency or content exams required of all teacher candidates before being certified. We just don’t think you should have to pass an unnecessary exam just for the privilege of having to take the ones that are necessary later on.

When you go through an initial teacher preparation program in combination with earning a master’s degree that requires a GRE (Graduate Record Exam), Praxis Core or other standardized test just to apply, that’s essentially what you’re doing.

The intent of ITP master’s programs is to provide a path for otherwise highly qualified individuals without prior teacher training to get into the profession. And it’s a good thing this path exists since the U.S. is facing a dire shortage of qualified teachers. According to a 2019 paper from the Economic Policy Institute, the gap is not just in supply, but also in quality—many working teachers don’t have the kind of training they need to perform their jobs at the level expected of them.

Master’s level ITP programs offer a solution to both problems. They provide an avenue for people who didn’t initially go into teaching to both further their own education and pedagogical skills while meeting the qualifications for a state license to teach. And they ensure the highest grade of training available.

So we put together this list of ITP master’s degree programs with zero entrance exam requirements. That alone will help you save some money by avoiding the expense of exam prep courses and testing fees, but we figured you’d also appreciate a master’s program with tuition rates that don’t break the bank… and so we created this list to highlight the lowest-priced options in each state. That’s something we know anybody in the market for a master’s leading to initial licensure will appreciate.

And because there are some real differences between what low tuition rates look like at state schools and private universities, we went ahead and included the lowest cost program in each category, where available.

Educator Master’s Programs that Qualified for Our List

Many education master’s degrees are aimed at currently licensed teachers already working in the classroom. As part of the continuous-improvement process that the American education system embraces, teachers are hungry for knowledge. Their pay raises, credentials, and the level of responsibility they’re able to take on are often tied to earning a master’s degree.

Less common than the master’s degrees designed for existing teachers looking to advance are the ones aimed at bachelor’s-educated professionals looking to become first-time teachers: the ITP, or Initial Teacher Preparation master’s.

For this list, we only took master’s degrees that have the ITP component, aimed at people with no current teaching certification. That means including not only subject-matter specific instruction, but also adopting or making available all the required pedagogy courses that their particular state requires for teacher proficiency exams, and ultimately, certification. In some states, this even means that the school you attend is responsible for verifying your proficiency and making the final recommendation to the state licensing board on your behalf.

None of the programs we feature here require that you already have teacher training or certification. In many cases, they are offered alongside otherwise identical master’s degrees aimed at current teachers, but with the few extra classes you need to earn your license.

Standardized Entrance Exams vs. Language Proficiency and Subject Matter Assessments

Although we feature only schools that do not specify a standard entrance exam, you will find that most schools on the list do have certain exam requirements for international students in the form of a TOEFL/IELTS language qualification exam.

Others require the Praxis Subject Assessments at the beginning as a condition for enrollment or shortly after being enrolled rather than near the end of the program. Unlike the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests which assess basic reading, writing and math skills just like any other standardized entrance exam, the Subject Assessments are all about demonstrating you have the material you’ll be teaching down pat and are required for licensure, so they do not fit the definition of a conventional entrance exam.

Finding The Most Affordable Programs In Each State

Our approach to determining the most affordable options started with splitting the programs into separate categories for public and private schools, and then finding the state average tuition for each group. This gave us a basis for a like to like cost comparison, and a marker for understanding how the cost for each program stacked up against other similar programs in the same state.

Finding the Right Standard for Cost Comparison: Cost-per-credit

We avoid using the total out-of-pocket cost of the program in favor of comparing each degree on a cost-per-credit basis. That’s because not all master’s programs have the same course requirements—you might have to take a lot more subject-specific courses for a complex subject like physics, for example, than you would for English.

And some programs aren’t subject-specific at all, but instead are for elementary teachers who need a general knowledge of all primary subjects, while others are for special ed teachers who are trained in entirely different teaching methods and classroom management skills, and who are often granted specialty certification separate from conventional teaching licenses.

Because total cost of tuition can vary considerably depending on the type of program we’re dealing with, we used cost-per-credit as the standard for finding the most affordable options—that ensures that very long, highly specialized programs with more course requirements don’t get washed out when compared to more conventional programs.

In most cases schools present their graduate tuition info with the cost-per-credit clearly spelled out. For some schools, however, only the cost-per-semester is available. In those instances, we arrived at the cost-per-credit based on the typical 12-credit hours per semester most full-time graduate students take.

Lowest Cost with No Entrance Exams Doesn’t Always Mean the Absolute Lowest Cost Option

Because we are only looking for schools with no entrance exam requirements, we left all the others out of the running for this list. That means that some of the programs here do, in fact, have higher costs than the state average for their category (public or private)… but you can be 100% sure they are the lowest cost options available with no-entrance exams.

You’ll also find some states that have more than one school in each category. In those cases, there was either a tie for the lowest-cost program or a very near tie. We decided to give you all the options in the same price range!

Setting The Bar For Quality Programs By Embracing Accreditation

Of course, some people might equate programs with low tuition rates and no entrance exams with low quality. But we believe that no amount of savings is worth it if it means compromising on the quality of the program, or worse, enrolling in a program that doesn’t meet state requirements for certification.

Quality comes first for us, so we started with schools accredited by CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, before considering entrance exams or price, or anything else.

As the accrediting agency approved by the Committee for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to review educator training programs at every collegiate level, CAEP holds ITP programs to the highest standards. They do it by assessing processes and standards related to instructor hiring and evaluation, the implementation of rigorous continuous improvement programs, the availability of meaningful and in-depth field experience and student teaching opportunities, and, of course, by ensuring high standards for deep pedagogical course content.

All this is verified through extensive reviews and on-site visits.

If You Don’t See CAEP in the Accreditation Line, Don’t Worry!

CAEP is a relatively new agency, however, only active since 2016. Prior to that date, two competing accrediting bodies offered their blessing to ITP programs: NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) and TEAC (Teacher Education Accreditation Council).

Their standards and practices have been combined under CAEP, but until all the current NCATE and TEAC accreditation periods expire and CAEP is the only one that remains, the ITP landscape will be pockmarked by a variety of standards and accreditations. We’ve sorted all this out for the programs that made our list to show you the agency that has accredited them along with the valid dates for that accreditation. This will help you keep things straight with what your state licensing board shows for valid accreditation, while making sure you are getting an ITP program that meets the highest national standards.

Within a few years, all these programs will have transitioned completely to CAEP accreditation, but for now this was an important detail we wanted to be sure to include.

State-by-State Guide to the Most Affordable Teacher Prep Master’s with Zero Entrance Exams

Now you have the exact resource you need to find a program that will let you get the best education you can and become the teacher you’ve always known you could be, all at an affordable price and with fewer hoops to jump through!


Arizona

Northern Arizona University – PU
Department of Teaching and Licensing
Flagstaff, Arizona
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Secondary Education 7-12 (not currently accepting students)
  • MEd in Elementary Education K-8
  • MA in English Secondary Education
  • MAT in Science Education (not currently accepting students)
  • MAT in Spanish Education Secondary Education

Accredited by CAEP through 2024.

Tuition costs $437/credit hour, equal to the state average of $437. (Out-of-state: $1,020)

  • Spanish Education MAT is available in a hybrid format that allows you to complete some of your classes online for extra flexibility
  • Research projects can be selected as an option if not required for a particular emphasis
  • Ed programs allow students to pursue coursework in areas of interest or additional endorsements in reading, special education, or technology

NAU’s comprehensive offering of zero-entry exam programs can give you both the knowledge and the material qualifications necessary to practice in almost every facet of elementary or secondary education. Special focus degrees in science education or Spanish education offer an extra boost to your career in a state that is hungry for capable instructors in both areas. Advisors work closely with students to assist them in selecting the right focus area and coursework for the career path that matches their individual goals.

Arkansas

Arkansas State University – PU
The School of Teacher Education and Leadership
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • Accelerated MA in Teaching – Special Education K-12 Online

Accredited by CAEP through 2024.

Tuition costs $317/credit hour, $10 more than the state average of $307.

  • Start teaching in as little as 14 weeks through this accelerated program that puts you in a classroom after your first semester
  • Program can be completed in as little as a year, or you can take up to 16 months
  • Designed for maximum flexibility for students who are currently working
  • Pay-by-the-course tuition billing means you can budget as you go

Not only is no GRE required to begin the accelerated online MAT at ASU, but neither is a current teaching certification. After as little as six credit hours of coursework and by passing the required PRAXIS exams, however, you can have your provisional Arkansas teaching license and be actively working in a special education role in state schools. Once in the classroom, you’ll put your knowledge of special education practices, specialized curricula, and multiple methods of assessment to work with disadvantaged students in culturally appropriate ways. The program stresses evidence-based approaches to integrate individuals with exceptionalities in safe and inclusive ways. Special courses on students with ASD and diversity round off this fast, but comprehensive ITP program.

Colorado

University of Denver – PU
Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences
Denver, Colorado
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MA in Curriculum and Instruction
    • Elementary Education K-6
    • Secondary Education 6-12
    • Secondary Math 6-12
    • Secondary Science 6-12
    • Secondary Social Studies 6-12
    • Art K-12

Accredited by CAEP through 2024.

Tuition costs $1,372/credit hour, equal to the state average of $1,372.

  • Program is renowned for rigorous coursework and individualized support
  • 100 percent of admitted students receive financial aid
  • Outstanding career services result in job placement rates above 75 percent
  • Faculty research projects including bullying prevention and student/school engagement

Theory is carefully balanced with hands-on practice in each of the concentrations offered through the Morgridge College of Education MA in Curriculum and Instruction. The approach offers a blend of current evidence-based techniques and teaches you how to apply them in multi-cultural classrooms and informal learning settings, for grade levels ranging from kindergarten to high school. Flexible program curriculum design allows you to tailor your instruction even within the various concentration options so you can find your own specific area of interest and build your competencies around it. Everything from social justice and equity to mathematics to gifted education is on tap at UD, all with a flexible program design that puts a rigorous education leading to a master’s degree well within reach.

Delaware

University of Delaware – PU
College of Education and Human Development
Newark, Delaware
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Exceptional Children and Youth
    • Elementary Special Education
    • Secondary Special Education
    • Autism/Severe Disabilities

Accredited by NCATE through 2020.

Tuition costs $697/credit hour, equalto the state average of $697 (Out-of-State: $1,898).

  • Consistently ranked as one of America’s Best Graduate Schools by U.S. News & World Report
  • Addresses the most pressing educational problems in the country through basic and applied research
  • Most recent NCATE reaccreditation resulted in a special congratulations from examiners, who identified no areas of improvement relative to current standards
  • Alumni named National Education Administrator of the Year and Teacher of the Year in Delaware

A research-heavy program awaits you at the UD MEd in Exceptional Children and Youth, regardless of which of the three focus areas you choose to pursue. In fact, three different instructors at the school have all been named as 2019 American Educational Research Association Fellows. Through the prism of analysis and evidence-based practices, you’ll study subjects such as educational evaluation and techniques for behavior change and positive behavior support as part of your core training. Then you have the opportunity to branch out, expanding your education into areas such as assistive technologies or diagnosis and instruction in literacy.

District of Columbia

Teach-Now Graduate School of Education – PU
Graduate School of Education
Washington, D.C.
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Special Education
  • MEd in Teaching Multi-Language Learners

Accredited by CAEP through 2024.

Tuition costs $342/credit hour, $79 less than the state average of $421.

  • Fully online program offers enormous flexibility in class structure, including the possibility of starting at any time
  • Program can be completed in as few as 12 months

The Teach-Now approach to initial teacher preparation is all about flexibility and making course structures that work for professionals at any phase of their career. With an instant-start enrollment that can have you taking your first class the same month you are accepted, Teach-Now gets the ball rolling fast. You can opt in to your cohort-based specialization track on one of three rolling start dates each year, joining a group of like-minded students who will support and push you to achieve your goals. Cohort studies include investigations into current trends, issues, and political dilemmas surrounding teaching today, and examine the role of special educators or multi-language learning educators in today’s education system. You’ll graduate equipped with the strategies, ideas, and technical information to make a difference, no matter where you are employed or what grade level you work with.

Florida

University of North Florida – PU
College of Education and Human Services
Jacksonville, Florida
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MAT in Secondary Education
    • English
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Foreign Language
    • Biology/Chemistry/Physics

Accredited by NCATE through 2019.

Tuition costs $408/credit hour, $11 more than the state average of $397.

  • The program is closely aligned with Duval County Schools
  • The Jacksonville Teacher Residency program option blends a full-year classroom apprenticeship with master’s level coursework and provides living expenses and tuition reimbursement
  • Cohort-based and traditional formats are both offered by the college

The UNF MAT is a classroom-focused program that puts you in the driver’s seat working with students from diverse backgrounds under the careful supervision of a primary teacher. You’ll put in plenty of your own time facing the front of the classroom as well, taking classes such as Principles of Instruction and Classroom Management, Content Area Reading, and ESOL Methods and Bilingual settings. It’s first-rate preparation for teaching in Florida schools, and you can take it the extra mile by joining the Jacksonville Teacher Residency program, which specifically positions you for future employment in Duval County schools, all while picking up the tab for your education.

Hawaii

University of Phoenix – PR
Kapolei, Hawaii
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MA in Education – Elementary Teacher Education
  • MA in Education – Secondary Teacher Education

Accredited by NCATE

Tuition costs $698/credit hour, $185 less than the state average of $883.

  • Online program
  • Offers support from dedicated education support specialists to prepare you for state licensure and credentialing requirements
  • District partnerships with hundreds of school districts nationwide ensures a placement for student teaching in a location convenient to online students all over the country
  • Program can be completed in as few as 18 months

University of Phoenix has got online education figured out. Their dedicated technology platform is second-to-none, and their long experience in remote education ensures that the delivery and support is top-notch. You’ll take only one class at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed and to make sure you absolutely nail down each key concept before moving on to the next. These concepts include utilizing effective classroom teaching strategies, fostering critical thinking for diverse populations, and evaluating and locating classroom resources. Along the way, you’ll accumulate 100 valuable hours of field experience, all performed prior to your student teaching to help you prepare through a variety of hands-on activities with real students in real school environments.

Idaho

University of Idaho – PU
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Moscow, Idaho
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Physical Education and Physical Activity
  • MEd in Special Education K-12 Exceptional Child

Accredited by NCATE

Tuition costs $390/credit hour, $78 more than the state average of $312. (Out-of-state: $1,125)

  • Can be completed in one year, or over a few years as needed to fit your busy schedule
  • Engage in nationally-recognized research

University of Idaho offers an exceptional Special Education-focused MEd, as well as one designed for aspiring PE teachers. Both offer a great value and comprehensive preparation for roles that are more important and in-demand than ever. Though these areas of focus are sort of on the opposite side of the spectrum from one another, interestingly, both roles have evolved over the years to become more holistic in nature, and both require a similar level of differentiation to account for the unique needs and aptitudes of different students. The MEd in Physical Education and Physical Activityis perfect for people who enjoys staying healthy and active, while the MEd in Special Education K-12 Exceptional Child is ideal for anybody looking to work with students with unique needs and capabilities – both are designed for anybody with a bachelor’s degree, a desire to earn initial licensure, and a real knack for addressing some of the most pressing issues in education today.

Illinois

Northeastern Illinois University – PU
Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education
Chicago, Illinois
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MAT Secondary Education 9-12
    • Language Arts
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
    • Earth science
  • MAT Middle Level Education 5-8
    • Social Studies
    • Math
    • Science
    • Literacy/Language Arts
  • MAT Elementary Education 1-6
  • MAT Special Education LBS-1

Accredited by NCATE through 2020.

Tuition costs $412/credit hour, $53 more than the state average of $359. (Out-of-state: $960)

  • College offers flexible daytime, evening, and weekend courses to accommodate almost any schedule
  • Pre-set class schedule allows the program to be completed in six semesters
  • Get in 200 hours of clinical teaching experience before beginning your dedicated full-time student teaching semester
  • Receive personalized instruction from dedicated professors in small classes

The NEIU ITP programs are carefully thought-out to offer you a rigorous, but achievable stair-step approach to initial teacher certification and training with all the right kinds of support along the way. You start off with a professional core of educational foundations, studying literacy, adolescent development, instructional techniques, and educational technology. From there, you dive into a content-specific curriculum and pedagogy sequence leading into your 16-week, full-time student teaching experience. Undertaken in an urban school setting, you’ll put all your theoretical training to use developing practical, hands-on expertise in classroom management.

Indiana

Ball State University – PU
Department of Educational Studies
Muncie, Indiana
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MA in Secondary Education

Accredited by CAEP through 2025.

Tuition costs $410/credit hour, $15 more than the state average of $395. (Out-of-state: $1,129, Online: $616)

  • Ranked among the U.S. News & World Report 2019 Best Online Programs
  • Offers full remote access to services such as tutoring, library services, technology support, and the school Writing Center
  • School received the Excellence in Institution-wide Online Education Award from the Online Learning Consortium

Ball State University runs nearly a fifty-fifty mix of online and on campus students, which means you aren’t in a forgotten minority as an online master’s student here. The school prides itself in the degree to which online students are linked together with one another and to faculty, with a social platform that allows for discussions and significant collaboration on assignments. In addition to a curriculum that covers staff development, alternative school curriculums, and various specialty courses, you’ll also dive into meaningful research as part of your program, broadening your perspectives and providing you with the skills to employ an evidence-based approach to teaching. All this and no entrance exam make the Ball State program a strong contender.

Kansas

Kansas State University – PU
College of Education
Manhattan, Kansas
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MAT Elementary Track
  • MAT Secondary Track
    • Social Science
    • Modern Languages

Accredited by NCATE through 2023.

Tuition costs $426/credit hour, $74 more than the state average of $352. (Out-of-state: $960, Online: $574)

  • Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Online Programs of 2018
  • Twelve-month cohort model with start dates in May
  • The program has a 96 percent pass rate for graduates on teacher licensure exams

The K-State program is a favorite for students from every state; with a fully-online, cohort-based model, no entrance exam requirements, and reciprocity agreements that allow your Kansas Initial Teaching License to transfer to any other state in the U.S., it’s an easy way to get started with few barriers to entry. It’s also a comprehensive, rigorous education in modern teaching techniques and theory that leads you through subjects in the social foundations of education and into teaching diverse learners before you dive into research, and of course, your student teaching experience. Through it all, you’ll remain deeply connected to your instructors and fellow cohort members via iPad and the Swivl Robotic Video platform… state-of-the-art technology that transports you into a virtual classroom no matter where you’re located.

Massachusetts

Lesley University – PR
Graduate School of Education
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Art Education
    • PreK-8
    • 5-12
  • MEd in Digital Literacy and Computer Science 5-12
  • MEd in Elementary Education 1-6
  • MEd in High School Education 8-12
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Earth Science
    • English 5-12
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Social Sciences 5-12
  • MEd in Middle School Education 5-8
    • English 5-12
    • General Science
    • History 5-12
    • Humanities
    • Mathematics
    • Mathematics/Science
    • Social Sciences 5-12
  • MEd in Special Education
    • Moderate Disabilities (5-12)
    • Moderate Disabilities (5-12) and Severe Disabilities
    • Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8)
    • Severe Disabilities
  • MEd in TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual Education

Accredited by TEAC .

Tuition costs $840/credit hour, $421 less than the state average of $1,261.

  • Some specializations offer optional accelerated off-campus teacher residency programs
  • Full-time and part-time on-campus programs available
  • Radius Global Market Research found that Lesley is the number one choice for superintendents and hiring managers across Massachusetts
  • Start dates available in spring, summer, or fall

The Lesley program is number one among Massachusetts hiring managers for a good reason: strong content knowledge combined with curriculum development skills, inclusive schooling, literacy, and culturally responsive teaching techniques prepare you to drop in to any school district, urban or rural, and begin making a positive impact at once. You’ll build all those skills through not just one, but two different classroom student teaching phases. Or, optionally, you can complete your program in half the time, with twice the classroom experience by opting into one of the residency teaching programs that embed you into a school district while you take your classes online for the perfect hybrid program experience.

Michigan

University of Michigan – Dearborn – PU
Department of Education
Dearborn, Michigan
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MAT Grades 6-12
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Earth Science
    • Economics
    • English
    • French
    • History
    • Integrated Science
    • Learning Disabilities
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Political Science
    • Social Studies
    • Spanish
    • ESL
    • Geography
    • German
    • Psychology
    • Speech

Accredited by TEAC through 2020.

Tuition costs $425/credit hour, $219 less than the state average of $644. (Out-of-state: $855)

  • The Curriculum Knowledge Center is a special center and library with lesson and curriculum planning resources on tap for graduate students
  • S. News & World Report ranks UM-Dearborn number six in the Midwest among master’s level public universities
  • School has also earned a Community Engagement Classification from The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for its commitment to the larger teaching community

An inclusive, supportive, student-focused institution awaits you at the University of Michigan in Dearborn. With a mission to develop research and scholarship in the teaching arts, the Department of Education stresses community engagement and a focus on meeting regional needs in teaching. With a wide array of teaching majors and minors available, you won’t have any trouble finding the subject area that aligns with your teaching goals, and that contributes in a meaningful way to the needs of local communities.

Minnesota

St. Cloud State University – PU
Department of English
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MA in TESL

Accredited by NCATE through 2022.

Tuition costs $414/credit hour, $110 less than the state average of $524. (Out-of-state: $630)

  • Courses available both on-campus and online
  • Offers 50 graduate assistantships for enrolled students
  • TESOL graduate certificate option with the program
  • Graduates have gone on to earn teaching licenses and positions across the U.S. and in 19 other countries
  • Take advantage of St. Cloud State’s English for Academic Purposes program or the Intensive English Center
  • A 1+1 agreement with Woosong and Kyunghee Universities in Korea can allow you to study overseas and transfer up to 15 credits when entering the program

You’re surrounded by expertise at St. Cloud University thanks to the fact that program faculty have a combined 100 years of teaching experience and have each earned the highest possible degrees in their respective fields. If you have the capacity to teach effectively, these are the people who can help you harness and perfect it. You’re also surrounded by fellow students from every walk of life; a campus-wide focus on diversity ensures that you are connected with the global community, including students from more than 15 countries around the world. That’s a bonus when it comes to earning a Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language, which requires you to put yourself into your students shoes to achieve the best results.

Bethel University – PR
Graduate School
St. Paul, Minnesota
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MA in Teaching
    • Business 5-12
    • Communication Arts and Literature 5-12
    • General Science 5-8
    • Chemistry 9-12
    • Life Science 9-12
    • Physics 9-12
    • Math 5-12
    • Social Studies 5-12
    • English as a Second Language K-12
    • Visual Arts K-12
    • World Languages and Cultures K-12
  • MA in Special Education
    • Academic Behavior Strategist
    • Autism Spectrum Disorders
    • Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities
    • Developmental Disabilities

Accredited by TEAC through 2022.

Tuition costs $535/credit hour, $69 less than the state average of $604.

  • Hybrid delivery model (or fully online for MA in Special Education)
  • As a Premier Para Partner with Anoka-Hennepin School District, Bethel special education track students have opportunities to work as full-time float paraeducators while earning their degrees
  • Faculty teach from a foundation of Christian faith, which is woven into the program at every level
  • Unique licensure options include dual-licenses for additional credentials

Caring and innovative professors are the hallmark of the Bethel system, and nowhere is that more important than when learning the teaching arts. Their empathy comes from experience, and that experience gives them the skills to help you develop your own knowledge of educational theory and practice quickly and effectively. A variety of field experiences at the middle, elementary, and high school levels offers you the chance to check out practices at each level before choosing your specialty. You can focus on your student teaching and assignments with an accelerated format that allows you to complete many lessons online, meeting for class only once or twice each week.

Missouri

Drury University – PR
Graduate Programs
Springfield, Missouri
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Special Education

Accredited by NCATE

Tuition costs $366/credit hour, $179 less than the state average of $545.

  • Entirely online program (some electives may have on-campus options)
  • With an enormous variety of elective options, your degree can be tailored specifically to accommodate your personal goals
  • Competency-based program that allows you to demonstrate your capabilities and fast-forward through material you already understand

Drury goes deep into all the elements of special education in the American system that makes the field unique. You’ll learn the ins and outs of Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans, while completing evaluation rubrics as part of a diagnostic summary exercise. You’ll learn about the ways in which cultural diversity can impact special education, and along the way you’ll assemble a portfolio that demonstrates your capabilities in addressing these and other challenges in special education. You’ll complete structured field experiences that are closely aligned to that coursework so that you gain a practical, real-world understanding that helps underpin the theoretical studies you gain in class.

University of Central Missouri
School of Teaching and Learning
Warrensburg, Missouri
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MAT Middle School/Secondary Education
    • Art
    • Biology
    • Business Education
    • Chemistry
    • Earth Science
    • Engineering and Technology
    • English
    • Family and Consumer Sciences
    • French/German/Spanish
    • Health
    • Library Media Specialist K-12
    • Mathematics
    • Middle/High School Education
    • Music Instrumental/Vocal
    • Physical Education
    • Physics
    • Social Studies
    • Special Education Mild Moderate Cross Categorical K-12
    • Special Education Severely Developmentally Disabled B-12
    • Speech Communication and Theatre

Accredited by NCATE through 2023.

Tuition costs $314/credit hour, $72 less than the state average of $386. (Out-of-state: $627. Online: $366)

  • Special Education available entirely online; Middle and Secondary Education programs available in hybrid format
  • Middle school majors enjoy one of the highest employment rates out of any UCM program
  • The program has been recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for excellence in producing teachers
  • Ranked among the top regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report
  • Named among the 2017 Best College in the Midwest by the Princeton Review

UCM was founded in 1871 as a teacher’s college, and they haven’t deviated from that core function since. With more content area specializations than you’ll find at virtually any other school, UCM has got you covered no matter what aspect of teaching you plan to go into in either the middle or secondary school levels. Regardless of specialization, you’ll get the benefit of hands-on, in-the-classroom learning sequences that foster both personal and professional growth. Although the programs with no entrance exams are offered online and in hybrid format, you’ll still have all the advantages that come from a staunchly diverse campus when it comes to absorbing the multicultural aspects of modern teaching.

New Hampshire

Southern New Hampshire University – PR
School of Education
Manchester, New Hampshire
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Elementary and Special Education
  • MEd in Early Childhood and Special Education

Accredited by TEAC through 2023.

Tuition costs $627/credit hour, equalto the state average of $627.

  • Fewer than 3,000 students on campus make this a tight-knit program with a supportive environment that fosters connections at every level
  • State-of-the-art facilities make attending class and research a pleasure as you access more than 100 databases available through the Shapiro Library, opened in 2014
  • Both ITP programs are dual certification, allowing you to qualify for two licensure categories

Special Education is a growing field in education overall, as both diagnosis rates and the public mandate to provide special needs students with an appropriate education continue to rise. SNHU hasn’t been slow to recognize the demand, or the need to produce new teachers capable of handling both special needs issues and basic elementary and early childhood education. Whichever MEd you select, you’ll gain a comprehensive theoretical background to provide a firm foundation for further studies, which may include classroom and behavior subjects, or intervention techniques in various subjects, including reading and mathematics.

Plymouth State University – PU
Various Departments
Plymouth, New Hampshire
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Special Education
  • MEd in English Education 5-12
  • MEd in Mathematics Education (Admissions restricted for Fall 2019)
    • 5-8
    • 7-12
  • MEd in Health Education K-12
  • MEd in TESOL K-12
  • MAT in Art Education K-12

Accredited by NCATE —probationary CAEP accreditation through 2020.

Tuition costs $535/credit hour, $85 less than the state average of $620.

  • A mix of online, on-campus, and hybrid course options are available depending on the degree program selected
  • The PSU Integrated Cluster learning model helps develop prized critical thinking and collaboration skills through innovative, interactive learning
  • School centers like the English Language and American Culture Program provide specialized learning and research opportunities

Attention to detail is one of the hallmarks of the PSU ITP educational approach. Most of the degrees are housed in highly focused departments, offering a concentration of expertise in exactly the subject matter you plan to teach, all thanks to the experienced and supportive instructors and staff. But that doesn’t mean you are limiting your experience in any way. Instead, through the innovative Integrated Cluster learning model the school embraces, you’ll interact not only with students from other programs, but also with community partners on multi-disciplinary, real-world projects. Open labs and a contemplative approach to community problem solving cap off your scholastic experience with lessons that will pay dividends in your own classroom after graduation.

New Jersey

Saint Peter’s University – PR
School of Education
Jersey City, New Jersey
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MA in Education: Teaching
    • Elementary Education
    • Art
    • English
    • Business
    • Music
    • Social Studies
    • Mathematics
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
    • Earth Science
    • Biological Science
    • Physical Science
    • Spanish/French/Italian (with additional requirements)

Accredited by TEAC through 2023.

Tuition costs $1,132/credit hour, $155 more than the state average of $977.

  • Flexible course offerings, with some in the evening and some offered online, allow you to tailor the program to your availability
  • Accelerated BA to MA program available

Saint Peter’s continues in the rigorous Jesuit tradition of teacher education. Their time-tested formula results in strong, ethical, capable graduates who are firmly grounded in the core subject matter of their specialization. These graduates go on to become teachers who exercise the kind of understanding and empathy that makes for a truly great experience for the students they teach. You will certainly remember your highly qualified instructors here, who are known nationally through forums such as the National Teacher’s Conference and prolific journal publication. Being a Jesuit program, you can expect to be well-grounded in the classics, such as history and philosophy, as well as exploring the latest theories of classroom management and pedagogical techniques.

Kean University – PU
College of Education
Union, New Jersey
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MA in Fine Arts
  • MA in Special Education in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Accredited by CAEP through 2020.

Tuition costs $639/credit hour, $78 less than the state average of $717.(Out-of-state: $845)

  • Rare fine arts concentration seldom found in ITP programs
  • Focused on rekindling your passion for art alongside instilling teaching skills
  • Long-term support available for job placement

Kean is one of the best schools for teacher training in the region, and the numbers make that indisputable: the school is one of the 60 largest producers of teachers in the nation. That’s because they prepare graduates to thrive in an increasingly diverse and globalized society that is reflected in the classrooms they will be teaching in. Demand for good teachers is only increasing, and with field experience placements in some of the most demanding school districts in New Jersey, you’ll find yourself with the right kinds of skills and techniques to be one of the best. An evidence-based approach to teaching is the core focus of both programs, with the science of disability education receiving just as much emphasis as the personal inspiration of the fine arts degree.

New York

Pace University – PR
School of Education
New York, New York
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MST in TESOL PK-12

Accredited by NCATE —probationary CAEP accreditation through 2020.

Tuition costs $955/credit hour, $117 less than the state average of $1,072.

  • Program available on-campus in NYC and Westchester
  • Specialized study of language and literacy development is integrated into the program
  • Tutoring and Writing Centers are available to provide assistance on campus
  • Center for Academic Excellence helps guide students through their economic and social transitions while offering support toward graduation

As a comprehensive program in a high-demand field, the TESOL Master of Science in Teaching prepares you for today’s diverse, multicultural classroom environment. And there’s no better place to learn than in New York City, which has 140,000 students from 158 different native language groups studying English in the public schools according to the United Federation of Teachers. Pace gives you tools to take a multi-faceted approach to addressing this problem, along with the classroom experience it takes to perfect the approach.

North Carolina

Queens University of Charlotte – PR
Cato School of Education
Charlotte, North Carolina
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MAT in Elementary Education
  • MAT in Secondary Education 9-12
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Earth Sciences
    • English
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies
  • MAT in Foreign Language K-12
    • French
    • Spanish

Accredited by NCATE through 2023.

Tuition costs $433/credit hour, $519 less than the state average of $952.

  • Program available on campus with evening classes to match your busy schedule
  • Experiential learning is applied from day one of the program
  • Board of advisors made up of individuals from a wide variety of community organizations for diversity of thought and input

Cato’s mission is to create life-long teachers by creating life-long learners. An emphasis on leadership development is at the forefront of all the master’s degree programs, preparing you to take on positions of responsibility with authority and ethics immediately after you graduate. Highly-qualified, supportive instructors shepherd you carefully through the program. You’ll benefit from close community partnerships fostered through the Board of Advisors and student teaching placements in classrooms that are closely aligned with your specialty and degree.

North Dakota

Dickinson State University – PU
Teacher Education Department
Dickinson, North Dakota
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MAT in Secondary Education

Accredited by CAEP through 2025.

Tuition costs $336/credit hour, $20 less than the state average of $356. (Out-of-state: $336)

  • Entirely online program suited to a largely rural state
  • Named the 6th Top Public School in the United States for 2018 by U.S. News & World Report

North Dakota needs teachers, and Dickinson streamlines the process for secondary school educators with this low-cost, no-GRE, entirely online option. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the state is ranked second in the nation for projected overall increases in total public school enrollment, with a 16 percent bump expected over the next decade. That’s putting a strain on small school districts as they work hard to vet and hire enough qualified teachers. With the extensive preparation in educational foundations, cultural diversity, and technology integration you’ll find at Dickinson State, you will be well-prepared to become one of those new faculty members.

Ohio

University of Findlay – PR
Graduate Programs
Findlay, Ohio
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MA in Education Adolescent and Young Adult 7-12
    • Integrated Language Arts
    • Integrated Social Studies
    • Integrated Math
    • Integrated Science
    • Life Science
  • MA in Education Multi-Age K-12
    • Visual Arts
    • Spanish
    • Japanese
    • Health and Physical Education
  • MA in Education Middle Childhood 4-9
    • Math
    • Social Studies
    • Language Arts
    • Science
  • MA in Education Special Education Mild-to-Moderate Intervention Specialist K-12

Accredited by NCATE

Tuition costs $495/credit hour, $165 less than the state average of $660.

  • On-campus, hybrid, or online formats available
  • One-to-one personal advisor to assist you in mapping out both your education at Findlay and your ultimate career path
  • Supportive community grounded in the Christian faith

The Findlay master’s degree program in education with ITP licensure works a bit differently from other master’s programs—rather than starting off as an MA in Education and fulfilling the Ohio state licensing requirements, the Findlay MA Education is an outgrowth of their post-baccalaureate licensure program. By adding only five graduate-level classes to that existing path, you can get your master’s degree along the way. It seems like an easy choice! The additional training you’ll receive in leadership, collaboration, and research will not only make you a better teacher, but also prime you for rapid advancement in your school district after graduation.

Ohio University – PU
Patten College of Education
Athens, Ohio
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Early Childhood Intervention Specialist

Accredited by NCATE through 2022.

Tuition costs $394/credit hour, $101 less than the state average of $495. (Out-of-state: $727)

  • Hybrid program delivers the best of both worlds through a blend of online and on campus courses
  • Campus resources such as the Center for Clinical Practice in Education and the OHIO Center for Equity in Mathematics and Science offer many research and support services
  • Extensive job development and career services resources available for students and graduates

This program fosters development of the advanced knowledge, skills, and dispositions required to successfully earn licensure and work as an intervention specialist in early childhood education. You’ll learn the importance of communicating effectively not only with students, but also with their families. The skillset you’ll develop includes identifying developmental delays and disabilities, coming up with reflective and responsive action plans to address those issues, and how to support families positively in a variety of settings.

Oklahoma

Southwestern Oklahoma State University – PU
Department of Education
Weatherford, Oklahoma
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Social Sciences Secondary Education

Accredited by NCATE through 2022.

Tuition costs $271/credit hour, about the same as the state average of $272. (Out-of-state: $541)

  • Excellent research facilities available to students, including the Al Harris Library with 275,000 bound volumes and 1,400 periodical subscriptions
  • On-campus computer center, labs, and tele-learning resources to familiarize yourself with all types of modern teaching facilities

Both core subjects like mathematics and natural science and less common ones such as health and physical education are available through SOSU, all of them designed to provide candidates with the pedagogical, theoretical, and practical classroom experience to succeed as a teacher after graduation. A broad variety of electives, stretching from legal and ethical practices to language development to managing the teaching environment, allow you to customize your program to fit your career goals. A mandatory graduate capstone experience seals the deal, integrating everything you have learned and practiced into a coherent final stamp of approval before graduation.

University of Oklahoma – PU
Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education
Norman, Oklahoma
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in English Education
  • MEd in Mathematics Education
  • MEd in Reading Education
  • MEd in Science Education
  • MEd in Social Studies Education
  • MEd in Elementary Education

Accredited by NCATE through 2019.

Tuition costs $274/credit hour, about the same as the state average of $272. ($885: Out-of-state)

  • Study abroad options available that can take you to Arezzo, Italy, or Puebla, Mexico, to burnish your language or cultural skills while earning credit toward your master’s
  • The on-campus Zarrow Families Professional Services Center includes access to the complete Curriculum Library for K-12 state-adopted materials, a treasure trove for research and planning purposes
  • Other on-campus centers such as the Center for Educational Development and Research (CEDAR) or the Hardman Center for Children With Learning Differences offer research and expert consulting services

You’ll be plugged into the Oklahoma educational community through the MEd programs at UO. The college serves as a state-wide resource for communities and teachers developing expertise in diverse areas of education and educational research. You can not only participate in and advance that research during your time here, but also develop investigative and evidence-based planning and teaching skills that will last your entire career in the teaching profession. A broad set of MEd options ensures you will have access to a program that aligns with your personal career goals.

Oregon

George Fox University – PR
School of Education
Portland, Oregon
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MAT in Elementary
    • Secondary
    • Middle
  • MEd

Accredited by NCATE

Tuition costs $792/credit hour, $364 less than the state average of $1,156.

  • The Master in Education program is hybrid, with class meetings 1-2 nights each week in Redmond, with the remaining coursework online
  • MAT offers full or part-time formats with on-campus classes in Portland, Salem, Redmond, or Newberg
  • Specialist endorsements in ESOL, Reading, or Special Education available for MAT program students
  • Expert faculty are all experienced teachers with years in the trenches to offer valuable insights and expertise
  • Field placements through each semester of the MAT program develop extensive community-based service experience before graduation
  • Study abroad options for MAT students also available, with destinations such as Ecuador, Austria, and China

The George Fox ITP programs deliver an education with integrity and values wrapped in all the latest advances in pedagogical theory and practice. Emerging classroom technologies and international study options offer insightful modern teaching techniques, while a study abroad option exposes you to cultural perspectives that are sure to come in handy in today’s diverse classroom environments. And through a unique approach to research called “action research,” you’ll learn a way of thinking and teaching that will equip you with valuable and empowering skills that will last throughout the entire course of your teaching career.

Portland State University – PU
College of Education
Portland, Oregon
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Elementary Education/Secondary Education
    • Art
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Chinese/French/German/Russian/Spanish/Japanese
    • Health
    • Integrated Science
    • Language Arts
    • Math- Foundational/Advanced
    • Music
    • Physical Education
    • Physics
    • Social Studies
  • MEd in Special Education
  • MEd in Special Education for Visually Impaired Learners

Accredited by CAEP through 2023.

Tuition costs $434/credit hour, about the same as the state average of $437. (Out-of-state: $661)

  • The MEd in Special Education for Visually Impaired Learners is offered in a part-time, cohort-based, flexible hybrid format, with fully online courses after the first summer of instruction
  • The SDEP program earned the AACTE Innovative Teacher Education Program Honor for 2019
  • Program has a strategic focus on a just and equitable world, with diversity and social justice taking a prominent place in the curriculum
  • School made the U.S. News & World Report 2019 Best Graduate Schools in the United States list

Although the PSU College of Education has a mission and focus on training teachers to help build a just and equitable world, it also has a strong track record for preparing graduates to build a relevant and respectable career path. With the Oregon Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education on campus, you’ll get powerful and long-lasting lessons and support in career development alongside your pedagogical training and practice. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend the national conferences put on by the center, a haven for networking and professional development. With highly-respected programs in both special and general education on tap in a variety of flexible formats, you can have your cake and eat it too at PSU.

Pennsylvania

Widener University – PR
Center for Education
Chester, Pennsylvania
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Elementary Education PK-4
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Earth and Space Science
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Social Studies
  • MEd in Special Education PK-8

Accredited by NCATE through 2023.

Tuition costs $800/credit hour, $70 less than the state average of $870.

  • Strong community connections put you in touch with local populations in need and expand your cultural horizons
  • Programs emphasize experiential learning to bolster your clinical experiences
  • Leadership development is stressed in all Widener programs, preparing you for a career beyond classroom management
  • Both MEd degrees are offered in a part-time format to support your real-world demands

Widener’s strong commitment to experiential learning puts you in a position to be hands-on throughout the course of your graduate education. Community engagement, scholarship, and cultural diversity are all important components of that education, delivered by expert faculty in small class sizes that ensure you have plenty of face-to-face contact with mentors. Those mentors include faculty who have taken the same path and understand the challenges you face, and pride themselves in developing real relationships with students. Their ties with outside agencies put you on the inside track for recommendations, interviews, and internships. Flexible class structures and a part-time schedule allow you to fit your graduate coursework around the demands of your lifestyle.

Marywood University – PR
School of Education
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MAT PK-12
    • Music
    • Spanish
    • Reading
  • MAT Secondary Education 7-12
    • Biology
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies

Accredited by NCATE

Tuition costs $515/credit hour, $355 less than the state average of $870.

  • Both MAT degrees come with the option to add a special education concentration
  • Study in the McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, fully equipped with multimedia classrooms and a curriculum laboratory for easy reference
  • Spend 190 hours or more in early field experience placements getting comfortable in the classroom prior to your student teaching semester

Innovative and personalized programs are one of the big advantages to earning your ITP master’s at Marywood. A vast array of courses in and outside your selected concentration are available to tailor your studies to your chosen career path. Regardless of your selections, you will learn to integrate knowledge and action in innovative ways to improve your teaching strategies and practice throughout your career. You’ll be trained to become a discerning scholar, engaging in research to further the state-of-the-art in the profession, and learn how to absorb and implement that research throughout your career. Marywood produces reflective, effective communicators who are in-demand across the state.

Bloomsburg University – PU
College of Education
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Business Education K-12
  • MEd in Special Education PK-8 and Early Childhood Education PK-4

Accredited by NCATE

Tuition costs $516/credit hour, $42 less than the state average of $558. (Out-of-state: $774)

  • Bloomsburg is the largest comprehensive university in Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania, offering more resources to teachers than the competition
  • Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Regional Universities in the Northern U.S.
  • An alumni base of nearly 70,000 scattered around the world offer superb networking opportunities
  • Business Education degree offered in a hybrid format, with most classes offered online

As a Bloomsburg MEd student, you get an unparalleled combination of strong content knowledge together with in-class practice through numerous opportunities for field experience. Those can include student teaching, internships, or practicums in various settings to fit the innovative subject matter of the degrees. Business teaching programs are unusual, and the graduates are in-demand at both proprietary business schools and in BCIT (Business, Computers, and Information Technology) programs in public schools. You get 16 weeks of student teaching in a Pennsylvania public school district along the way, excellent training for classroom skills regardless of your final destination.

California University of Pennsylvania – PU
School of Graduate Studies and Research
California, Pennsylvania
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Elementary Education PK-4
  • MAT in Secondary Education 7-12
    • Biology
    • Communications
    • Earth Space Science
    • English
    • Physics
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies
    • Art K-12

Accredited by NCATE

Tuition costs $516/credit hour, $42 less than the state average of $558. (Out-of-state: $774)

  • Hybrid program format offers a combination of online courses, on-site field experiences, and a two-day on-campus residency in most certification options
  • The Teacher Intern Certification program allows you to accept job offers prior to graduation and work full-time as a teacher before full certification
  • Experienced professors come directly from active real-world teaching experience in their respective specialty areas

California U was founded as a teacher’s college originally and has held true to its roots for 160 years by producing some of the finest educators in Pennsylvania. With a wide range of certification options on offer, this becomes particularly important, as the current best practices for teaching subjects as diverse as art and biology can vary enormously. You’ll get the latest evidence-based practices in each directly from experienced instructors, and you’ll put them into practice through your hands-on field experiences and student teaching assignments.

Kutztown University – PU
College of Education
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Art Education *
  • MEd in Secondary Education 7-12
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Earth and Space Science
    • English
    • General Science
    • German/Spanish K-12
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Social Studies

Accredited by NCATE

Entrance Exam Required: None

Tuition costs $516/credit hour, $42 less than the state average of $558. (Out-of-state: $774; Online: $526)

  • Most degrees available in hybrid format for flexibility in attendance
  • Develop an electronic portfolio prior to graduation in the MEd in Secondary Education to aid your job hunting and interview performance
  • With two dedicated advisors, you will get double the support in academics and career-building before you graduate.
  • MEd programs at KU all follow the Danielson framework for a comprehensive education
  • * Although the MEd in Art is not technically an ITP program, attending students can easily make arrangements with school advisers to add in the classes necessary to add state certification

KU works hard to increase awareness of broad issues in the educational setting while serving to expand the knowledge of both the field generally and with graduate students in particular. Your scholarly growth is a priority for Kutztown instructors and advisors, who will take you carefully through the interrelated areas of Curriculum, Instruction, Professionalism, and Educational Environment. You’ll also have the opportunity to perform advanced study and research as a graduate student at KU, assisting in expanding the knowledge base of the profession directly even as you hone your own research skills for lifelong use in the field.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania – PU
Department of Secondary Education/Foundations of Education
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Secondary Education
    • Mathematics
    • Sciences
    • Social Studies (History)
    • English

Accredited by NCATE through 2022.

Tuition costs $516/credit hour, $42 less than the state average of $558. (Out-of-state: $774)

  • The program is delivered in a hybrid format that allows most courses to be completed online, on your own schedule
  • Program can be completed in as little as one year; full and part-time attendance allowed, with start dates in fall, summer, winter, or spring

Slippery Rock offers extreme flexibility at a low cost and with a low bar to entry, making it a great option among Pennsylvania’s no entrance exam ITP programs. With start dates year round, and flexible online course delivery, it’s the perfect fit for almost any stage of your career. But easy-in doesn’t mean easy-out… you’ll be put to the test through demanding courses such as research methods for teacher leadership, technology-based inquiry, and elements of quantitative educational research. It’s all in keeping with the university mission to provide a caring community of lifelong learners connecting with the world.

Rhode Island

University of Rhode Island – PU
School of Education
Kingston, Rhode Island
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MA in Education with Teacher Certification
    • Elementary Education
    • Secondary Education
      • English
      • Math
      • Science
      • Social Studies
    • Health and Physical Education
    • School Library Media

Accredited by NCATE through 2022.

Tuition costs $572/credit hour, equalto the state average of $572. (Out-of-state: $1,105)

  • Flexible formats, with day and evening classes, some available online, in either Kingston or Providence, with a 2-3 year completion and Fall, Spring, and Summer start dates available
  • A Curriculum Materials Library is available to students for research or ideas for your own curriculum development
  • The Center for Career and Experiential Education offers resume assistance, internship information, and an annual career fair for networking opportunities

With a full slate of preparatory courses, specialization options, and cutting-edge instruction in classroom management and teaching theory, you graduate from URI with all the tools you need to take on any type of teaching job and succeed. But where the school really shines is in helping you find those jobs. Through the Center for Career and Experiential Education, you can locate internship, volunteer, and other job-placement opportunities, while the Career Resources section of the School of Education offers even more assistance and materials. Beyond that, the school also participates in the Jumpstart Program, a national early education organization that offers the opportunity for you to gain experience in preschool classrooms assisting under-resourced communities even as you compile experience to boost your own career.

South Dakota

University of Sioux Falls – PR
Roger and Ruth Fredrikson School of Education
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Teaching

Accredited by CAEP through 2024.

Tuition costs $360/credit hour, equalto the state average of $360.

  • Hybrid format allows you to complete the program with a combination of on campus and online courses
  • As a Christian university, you can expect the highest levels of ethical and compassionate conduct from instructors and staff

The University of Sioux Falls understands that demand is high for teachers today, but also understands there can be no compromising the quality or thoroughness of preparation in initial teacher preparation. The MEd in Teaching program is designed to draw in students who did not initially envision themselves in a teaching role, and to equip them with all the pedagogical theory and knowledge available at a master’s level together with the basic qualifications for a teaching license. It’s all being done to build the base of qualified teachers in South Dakota. You’ll get leadership training as an integrated component of the program, preparing you to manage not only classrooms but even larger organizations over time.

Northern State University – PU
Millicient Atkins School of Education
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MSEd in Educational Studies
    • Secondary Education Teaching

Accredited by NCATE

Tuition costs $330/credit hour, $18 less than the state average of $348. (Out-of-state: $616)

  • Hybrid program that offers flexibility with courses combining on-campus and online components
  • Mandatory course in South Dakota Indian Studies ensures you are prepared to teach to the unique heritage and background of the state
  • School partnerships with South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers unique internship and real-world training experiences
  • The Rural Student Teacher Project offers student-teaching placements in small-towns with heavy community engagement and an associated stipend

Research is heavily emphasized at NSU, with a mandatory foundation course in graduate-level research and design. You also have significant exposure to teaching and learning technology, an important effectiveness multiplier in a state with serious secondary teacher shortages. Hands-on internships and lab experiences help build your familiarity with both the technical and human aspects of managing classrooms. In fact, if you take part in the RSTP, your supervision will be conducted almost entirely through distance-learning technology. Other community engagement opportunities arise through workshops and reading clinics put on by the school.

Tennessee

Christian Brothers University – PR
Rosa Deal School of The Arts
South Memphis, Tennessee
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MAT
    • Early Childhood Education PreK-3
    • Elementary Education K-5
    • Special Education Interventionist K-8/6-12
    • Middle Grades 6-8
      • English/Language Arts
      • Social Studies
      • Mathematics
      • Science
    • Biology 6-12
    • Mathematics 6-12
    • Chemistry 6-12
    • English 6-12
    • Spanish/French/German PreK-12
    • History 6-12
    • Visual Arts K-12
    • Physics 6-12

Accredited by NCATE through 2022.

Tuition costs $600/credit hour, $248 less than the state average of $848.

(No entrance exam required for candidates with an undergraduate GPA above 2.75, along with successful essays, recommendation and interview. Candidates with a GPA below 2.75 are required to pass the CORE PRAXIS.)

  • Accelerated, evening format allows you to complete the program in 18-months
  • Students are eligible for membership in The Student Tennessee Education Association (STEA), offering networking and information about teacher employment and requirements in the state

The Christian Brothers University is a proud member of the Lasallian Mission, a part of the Catholic Church designed to provide a human and Christian education, the largest Roman Catholic organization dedicated to teaching in the world. As part of the mission, you benefit not only from the teaching-oriented focus, but also by continuing the tradition of offering professional services in poor and marginalized communities. Centering on personal relationships and prizing academic excellence, the tradition is just the thing to prepare you for a lifetime of teaching. You’re equipped with the broad, general knowledge of teaching and educational theory you need while also getting expert, subject-specific training throughout the course of the program.

Austin Peay State University – PU
Department of Music
Clarksville, Tennessee
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • Master of Music
    • Music Education (initial licensure)

Accredited by NCATE

Tuition costs $390/credit hour, $34 less than the state average of $424. (Out-of-state: $620)

  • Personalized mentoring offered by experienced instructors, including assistance in designing a personalized program of study matching both your career and artistic aspirations
  • Develop an electronic portfolio throughout your time in the program to aid in interviews and job placement

Austin Peay offers the full-court press for students interested in obtaining both a master’s degree in music and their initial teacher licensing for Tennessee in this comprehensive program. You’ll get immersive coursework in musical theory and history, with a wide range of electives ranging from choral to instrumental to symphonic music, while also going in-depth into the special skills required to teach music successfully. The development of aural skills and teaching models are both covered, along with integrating technology in the music classroom… and all of it comes together in your clinical student teaching experience.

Texas

Texas State University – PU
Office of Educator Preparation
San Marcos, Texas
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MEd in Elementary Education
    • English Language Arts/Reading/Social Studies 4-8
    • Science 4-8
    • Math 4-8
    • Generalist 4-8
    • Core Subjects ESL EC-6
    • Core Subjects Bilingual EC-6
  • MEd in Secondary Education
  • MEd in Special Education

Accredited by TEAC through 2023.

Tuition costs $426/credit hour, about the same as the state average of $421. (Out-of-state: $848)

  • Several programs offer hybrid options, allowing some courses to be completed partially or entirely online
  • Teacher Recruitment Program, available in Secondary and Elementary ESL degrees, provides an accelerated pathway for individuals to achieve licensure
  • Faculty are drawn from nationally-recognized leaders in education research

Most people remember Lyndon Johnson best as the 36th President of the United States. But there are still graduates of the little Welhausen School south of San Antonio who remember him best as their speech teacher. His formative experiences working with disadvantaged Mexican-American children there shaped his future as a Civil Rights leader… and it was all because of his education at Texas State as a teacher. Though the methods and curriculum have changed a lot since Johnson’s day, the commitment to developing culturally responsive educators remains. A commitment to research means that many of the faculty here are active in investigating and publishing in the field, something that you too can participate in as part of your degree program.

Utah

Western Governor’s University – PR
Teacher’s College
Salt Lake City, Utah
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MAT in Elementary Education
  • MAT in Middle Grades Mathematics
  • MAT in Secondary Education
    • Mathematics
    • Science
    • English

Accredited by NCATE through 2019; accredited by CAEP through 2025.

Tuition costs $270/credit hour, equalto the state average of $270.

  • Entirely online program format offers maximum flexibility for scheduling and course completion
  • Eighty-three percent of graduates complete the program in 12-24 months
  • Offers teacher certification in almost any state with student teaching arranged in your location
  • Elementary education curriculum at WGU has been nationally recognized by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)

You have the opportunity to put your passion for teaching to work fast with a degree from WGU. With on-demand online courses designed to fit into your busy schedule you can quickly develop your knowledge in foundations of education, child and adolescent psychology, diversity and inclusion, and classroom management and motivation. The program also measures your progress by what you’ve learned, not how long you’ve spent studying, so you can quickly test out of courses covering topics you’ve already mastered. Because the program is entirely online, the college has invested in the best high-tech and advisory support systems, so you will always have an entire team on tap to support you and ensure your success.

Vermont

University of Vermont – PU
Department of Education
Burlington, Vermont
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MAT in Middle Level Education
    • Math
    • Science
    • Social Studies
    • English
  • MAT in Secondary Education
    • English
    • World Languages
    • Mathematics
    • Science
    • Social Studies
  • MEd in Special Education K-21

Accredited by CAEP through 2024.

Entrance Exam Required: None

Tuition costs $683/credit hour, equal to the state average of $683. (Out-of-state: $1,720)

  • Partnerships with agencies such as the Tarrant Institute on Innovative Education and the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion offer volunteer, study, and research opportunities for students
  • The College of Education and Social Services Student Services Office monitors academic progress, assists with student health issues, and otherwise facilitates your studies and communication throughout the course of the program
  • Many courses are evening-based to accommodate working professionals

The UV ITP programs combine knowledgeable and caring faculty with hands-on experience, cutting-edge research opportunities, and collaborative learning efforts between students and instructors to offer a highly professional approach to educational training. Your learning here revolves around inclusive education, with a family-centered, evidence-based approach that stresses collaboration with families, teachers, administrators, and outside service providers. Students at UV spend a lot of time out in the community, exploring the cultural, linguistic, and economic diversity that will challenge them out in the real world. A personalized, proficiency-based approach is the right one for Vermont, and it’s exactly what you’ll learn at UV.

Virginia

Bluefield College – PR
School of Education
Bluefield, Vermont
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MA in Education
    • Biology
    • Career & Technology Education: Business
    • History & Social Sciences
    • Music Education PreK-12
      • Instrumental
      • Vocal/Choral
    • Theater Arts PreK-12
    • Visual Arts PreK-12

Accredited by TEAC through 2023.

Tuition costs $460/credit hour, $183 less than the state average of $643.

  • Program offered entirely online apart from field experience and student teaching placements
  • As a Christian school, the ethics and support at Bluefield are first-rate

As the first graduate program launched by Bluefield College (first offered in 2013), a lot of resources have been put into making the MAEd degree a success. You can reap the rewards of all that effort through a program that doesn’t make you jump through hoops to enter, and offers flexible, online courses that allow you to fit them into your individual schedule. You’ll build your research and leadership skills alongside your pedagogical knowledge and theory, and you’ll get the hands-on experience in the field you need to hone your skills for the real-world.

Radford University – PU
College of Graduate Studies and Research
Radford, Virginia
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MS in Education
    • Elementary PreK-6/6-8
      • English
      • Social Studies
      • Math
      • Science
    • Secondary 6-12
      • Biology
      • Physics
      • Earth and Space Science
      • Chemistry
      • Social Studies
      • English
      • Math
  • MS in Special Education
    • General K-12
    • Adapted Curriculum K-12
    • Early Childhood Special Education
    • Deaf and Hard of Hearing
    • Visual Impairment

Accredited by NCATE through 2020.

Tuition costs $372/credit hour, $151 less than the state average of $523. (Out-of-state: $727)

  • Some special education degree specializations allow hybrid class options with minimal on-campus, Saturday courses plus synchronous online instruction
  • Partnerships with 14 schools in the area make it a snap to find a student teaching placement in line with your specialization and career expectations

Whether it is Virginia state licensure in general or special education, Redford can offer you the path to get there together with a master’s-level education that will equip you with the best of current knowledge and techniques in classroom instruction and pedagogy. A keen, results-oriented approach prepares you for a professional position in education, backed by strong research skills. Students not only participate in cutting-edge research here but are also offered the opportunity to present at conferences or participate in the publication process, building a reputation and network long before they graduate. The in-depth special education programs bring additional expertise to bear, with the Visual Impairment degree offering a virtual classroom that is spread over five different universities, exposing you to both excellent instructors and a diversity of ideas.

Wisconsin

Cardinal Stritch University – PR
College of Education and Leadership
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Website

ITP Programs Offered

  • MA in Inclusive Education
  • MAT
  • MA in Urban Special Education
    • Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence 1-8
    • Early Adolescence to Adolescent 6-12

Accredited by NCATE.

Tuition costs $690/credit hour, equal to the state average of $690.

  • Courses are available in face-to-face, on campus format in evenings, or in a hybrid format with a combination of on campus and online instruction
  • The MA in Inclusive Education is the only post-baccalaureate program of its kind in the state and leads to licensure in both Regular Education and in Cross Categorical Special Education at the Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence Level
  • All education programs conform to the highly-respected and widely used Danielson Framework for Teaching as well as meeting InTASC standards
  • Through a collaboration with the Seton Teacher Residency Program, you can synthesize theory and practice in a customized, accelerated format that can earn you your Wisconsin initial educator license in 16 months

Cardinal Stritch is known both in Wisconsin and across the country as an innovative location for teacher education. The leadership programs here have won numerous awards, and the school started both the first literacy program in the state and the first MA in special education. That has made Stritch a linchpin of the Wisconsin and upper Midwest effort to counteract teacher shortages in the region, producing graduates who are prepared to serve in different capacities in both urban and rural locations. It’s the MA in Urban Special Education that really stands out here, however, offering a specialized course of instruction in a demanding field that will give you the toolset you need to address challenging situations in diverse and disadvantaged populations.