Home 2023: The 90 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Teacher Certification Programs in the Mid-Atlantic Region

2023: The 90 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Teacher Certification Programs in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Even before the U.S. was fully formed, education in the mid-Atlantic region was a big part of the community there. The early settlers were quick to start some of the first public schools in the colonies. Even Ben Franklin’s grandfather was a schoolteacher in the early days of Philly.

It’s probably no accident that Ben Franklin was a big proponent of both thrift and education, famously preaching the value of both throughout his life. Everybody’s rolled their eyes at some point at a grandparent saying, “a penny saved is a penny earned.” Well, you have ‘ol Ben Franklin to thank for that one.

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

That tradition of accessible education and frugality is alive and well today in the mid-Atlantic states where you will find maybe the largest number of truly great but completely affordable bachelor’s-level teacher certification programs in the country.

The tri-state area is also known for diverse options, home to great universities with different philosophies, specializations and student teaching opportunities, and many of them offer it all with tuition rates that make it more affordable than you might think.

We have put together 90 different colleges from every corner of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania that offer affordable, bachelor’s-level teacher certification programs at rates people can afford.

Finding the Most Affordable Bachelor’s-Level Teacher Certification Programs in the Mid-Atlantic Region

You’re probably wondering exactly what affordable means in an age of skyrocketing college costs. We made a very straightforward definition: we put together a list of every single school offering a bachelor’s-level teacher certification program in each of these three states, calculated the average per-credit tuition costs for each state, and then included every school that came in below that average.

Because there is a significant difference between public and private schools when it comes to both funding and the tuition rates students pay, we actually calculated two different averages, one for each category. We’re only comparing private to private and public to public. And for the public schools, which frequently have different tuition rates for in-state versus out-of-state students, we only compared the in-state tuition costs.

What were those average per-credit costs for bachelor’s-level teacher certification programs throughout the tri-state area? Here’s what we found:

All the schools that come in under those numbers are on this list, marked with a PU for public or PR for private.

Going Beyond Costs To Look At School Qualifications

Although cost was our sole criteria for the programs included on this list, we know there’s a lot more to finding the perfect fit. Cost may be key, but there is a lot more to consider. Living in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, you have the luxury of a lot of excellent options, but you still have to find a program that’s well aligned with your personal career goals. Only you know what grade level you want to teach at, for example, or what endorsements you want to earn.

Even though we are only talking about three states, there’s also a tremendous range of teaching positions. New York City hosts the largest school district in the country, but some of the tiniest districts in the nation can also be found in the Mid-Atlantic, like little Georgetown-South Otselic Central in Chenango County, which had a graduating class in 2017 of only 21 students.

Whether you are aiming at big or small or somewhere in between, you are going to want to go through a program that prepares you specifically for those roles. Teaching math at an inner city magnet school like Manhattan’s PS 98M is a whole different world from taking on a math-science class in tiny Morristown up-state.

So we are giving you a lot more information here than just the bottom line. We go beyond just letting you know a school offers a bachelor’s-level teacher certification program. You’ll also see all the concentrations available, so you can look for that specialized and hard to find K-12 health teacher certification option. Or maybe you have one of the standard endorsements in mind but still want to keep your options open when it comes to which school to attend, so you need to know all the affordable programs in the area that are offering it.

We let you know if a school has a national accreditation for teacher training, too. We also pay attention to what other rankings have to say, like U.S. News & World Report or The Economist, so you get some idea about the school’s reputation.

We give you all the details you need to decide whether a school makes your cut even after you check out the cost. Our listings include information like:

  • Small class sizes and student-to-instructor ratios, so you can pick a program that offers plenty of individualized attention.
  • Notes about field experience and student teaching options, whether they fall into the urban, suburban, or rural mix, or take you even further afield, like international placements.
  • Student organizations and support groups you might want to tap into for extra academic support.
  • Career counseling and placement offered by the schools themselves.
  • Unique centers in research, or on-site schools for observation and student teaching options on campus.

There’s no one right choice for everyone, but this information helps you pick out the best school for you. And at costs that come in below the state averages—sometimes way below—you know it’s going to be a choice you can afford.

The Most Affordable Teacher Certification Bachelor’s Degrees in the Mid-Atlantic Region for 2023


New Jersey

Rowan University (PU)
College of Education
Glassboro, New Jersey
Website

  • Bachelor of Art in Education (on-campus)
    • Early Childhood (P-3)
    • Elementary Education (K-6)
    • Health and Physical Education
    • P-12 Subjects
      • English
      • World Languages (Spanish)
      • Social Studies
      • Art
      • Music
    • Bachelor of Art in Inclusive Education
    • Dual Degrees available in STEM subjects with MA

Estimated cost per credit: $431 (in-state), $732 (out-of-state)

$3 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Runs dedicated academic pipelines and partnerships with IMPACT (Increasing Male Practitioners in Classrooms) and RUTA (Rowan Urban Teacher Academy) to bring in non-traditional educators.
  • Center for Access, Success & Equity turns research into practice for local and regional issues of access and support.
  • Dual-degree options in STEM and other subjects with associated master’s credentials are available to education students.

You might be thinking that sneaking in only three dollars under the wire isn’t much cost advantage, but it’s hard to beat the kind of features Rowan delivers at any price. With strong and innovative student support programs like IMPACT and RUTA, a complete Learning Resource Center, and 11 different student interest organizations, there is always someone here to help you out. The wide range of concentrations are even wider than they look with the extra BA/BS + MASTEM options that let STEM teachers get a master’s in their field of study alongside the teacher certification BA in Ed. The Office of Clinical Experiences hooks students up with illuminating student teaching opportunities throughout the area. On top of all that, CampEduAdventures and other innovative teaching experiences just can’t be found anywhere else. It’s a lot of bang for the buck that even more expensive degrees can’t duplicate.

New Jersey City University (PU)
Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education
Jersey City, New Jersey
Website

  • Bachelor of Art in Education (on-campus)
    • Elementary K-6
    • Secondary K-12
    • Elementary Education and Teacher of Students with Disabilities

Estimated cost per credit: $423 (in-state), $761 (out-of-state)

$11 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Center of Teacher Preparation and Partnerships offers exclusive urban internship opportunities for in-depth experience.
  • Department of Multicultural Education offers dual certification with teacher of bilingual education endorsements alongside your primary endorsement.
  • A dedicated Department of Educational Technology ensures you get exposure to cutting edge edtech transforming the profession today.
  • Teacher Intern Program offers a multifaceted initiative combining professional development, service, and research with a paid working opportunity.

Located in the heart of a multicultural urban metropolis, you don’t have to search anywhere else for the ultimate in teacher prep for a career working in metro-area schools. The long tradition at NJCU of preparing distinguished educators goes beyond the routine, delivering special emphasis on cultural and language. The idea that education is transformative and empowering is woven into the program, as are social justice concepts. The instructors are experienced educators with a commitment that shines through in every class. Both private charter schools and public schools are on the slate for student teaching experiences, giving you a wide range of opportunities to practice your craft.

Kean University (PU)
College of Education
Union, New Jersey
Website

  • Bachelor of Art in Art Education
  • Bachelor of Art in Community Health Education
  • Bachelor of Art in Early Childhood Education
  • Bachelor of Art in Elementary Bilingual Education
  • Bachelor of Art in Elementary Education
  • Bachelor of Art in Exercise Science
  • Bachelor of Art in Physical Education
  • Bachelor of Art in Recreation Administration
  • Bachelor of Art in Secondary Education
  • Bachelor of Art in Spanish
  • Bachelor of Art in Elementary Education for Teachers of Students with Disabilities

Estimated cost per credit: $415 (in-state), $654 (out-of-state)

$19 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges state average

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Named one of Money Magazine’s Best Colleges for 2020 and on the U.S. News & World Reports Best Colleges for Social Mobility in 2021.
  • Center for Academic Success and Writing Center and Tutoring Services available to keep education students up to speed academically.
  • A Career Services team can help with job placements after graduation along with interview prep and resume building.
  • Recent graduates have won the Milken Award and multiple New Jersey Teacher of the Year awards.
  • Kean alums boast membership in the top 30 percent of highest-paid teachers in the nation.

Kean boasts some of the best teacher training in the entire region, and all at a very affordable tuition rate. The school is one of the 50 largest producers of teachers in the nation. The College of Education here offers continual support throughout the process through the College of Education Resource Center, along with general academic services like the Center for Academic Success. The program constantly evolves to embrace the best practices in teaching in a diverse and globally-minded society. That point is driven home with a wide array of classroom field experiences across the region. As the home of the first teacher’s college in New Jersey, Kean has been on point in teacher training for more than 50 years, and aren’t slacking off anytime soon.

Stockton University (PU)
School of Education
Galloway, New Jersey
Website

  • Bachelor of Art in Liberal Studies / Psychology (on-campus)
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Elementary Education
    • Language Arts & Social Studies
    • Science, Mathematics, Technology, & Art
  • Bachelor of Art in Studies in the Arts (Visual Arts)(on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Biological Science/Marine Science/Environmental studies (education concentration)(on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Chemistry (education concentration)(on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Environmental Studies (education concentration)(on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Literature (Litt Secondary concentration)(on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Mathematics (education concentration)(on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Music Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Applied Physics (education concentration)(on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Historical Studies (education concentration)(on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Political Science (education concentration)(on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Language and Cultural Studies (French or Spanish K-12 concentrations)(on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $408 (in-state), $656 (out-of-state)

$26 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Hosts the Southern Regional Institute and Center for Educational Technology Training that provides professional development opportunities for P-12 educators in future edtech efforts.
  • The Stockton Center for Community Schools offers a unique partnership with urban schools allowing students to work in neighborhoods and communities.
  • An advisor is assigned to every student to ensure you put together the right course load for your goals as a teacher.

On top of a whole lot of concentration options for your initial teacher certification, Stockton takes an expertise-based approach to initial teacher preparation: almost all those degrees are majors within their own subject areas, so the focus of your education will be in what you are teaching, not how you teach it. You get all that teacher training, too, as part of education concentrations, but you never lose sight here of your primary base of knowledge. You put it in play through four rounds of Clinical Practice that eases you into the classroom, culminating in your student teaching experience, a full-term placement in an elementary, middle, or high school setting. A special mentor teacher is assigned to every student to make sure you get it right and get the most out of your experience.

Montclair State University (PU)
College of Education and Human Services
Montclair, New Jersey
Website

  • Bachelor of Art in Anthropology (with teacher certification K-6) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Dance (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Science (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in English (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in French (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies (with teacher certification K-6) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Geography (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in History (with teacher certification P-12 or K-6) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Humanities (with teacher certification K-6) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Italian (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Latin (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Linguistics (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Music (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Physical Education (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Physics (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Political Science (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Psychology (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Religious Studies (with teacher certification K-6) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Sociology (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Spanish (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Visual Arts (with teacher certification P-12) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Family Science and Human Development (with teacher certification, P-3 or K-6) (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $403 (in-state), $668 (out-of-state)

$31 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP, CAATE
  • Many certifications also available with optional K-6 Teacher of Students with Disabilities endorsement.
  • Also holds programmatic approvals from NASPE, AAHPERD, ACEI, CEC, and NAEYC in specific subjects.
  • Many STEM degrees also offered in dual MAT/BS format for even more expert training in the subject matter.
  • Nearly 30 faculty members serve on editorial boards of academic journals, showing a high-level of professional involvement and reputation.
  • The Center of Pedagogy has been nationally recognized and brings faculty experts from every aspect of the teaching experience together with public schools in a wide-ranging partnership.

Montclair has the widest array of degrees for educators of any of the low-cost schools in the state, which makes it an easy choice if you’re looking for an exotic qualification like Latin or gender studies. Each of those degrees is subject-specific, taught by their own professional departments and available to non-teachers as well, which means you are getting the complete educational experience in every subject. Most degrees have relevant teaching concentrations in both the elementary and secondary fields, so you can further specialize by grade level. It’s a tremendous opportunity to get qualified as a teacher, and all at the lowest cost per credit in the state!

Caldwell University (PR)
School of Education
Caldwell, New Jersey
Website

  • Bachelor of Art in Elementary Education (K-6) (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Secondary Education (K-12) (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,163

$2 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification is also available in parallel with elementary and secondary degrees.
  • New Jersey Department of Education reports show that 91 percent of Caldwell’s recent graduates were rated Effective or Highly Effective on their state teacher evaluations, showing high quality teacher training in action.
  • Core Catholic school values of respect, integrity, community, and excellence make Caldwell a perfect fit for educational training.

Caldwell’s unique approach to teacher training involves every student earning a dual-major – one bachelor degree in your chosen educational concentration, and another from Caldwell’s subject-specific content majors. It’s a flexible approach to teacher certification that means you don’t even need to have your exact endorsement figured out when you first enroll. As a private university, Caldwell has the freedom to let you make your courses about you… and that gives you total control over how you want to shape your teaching career, right from the start. And the best part is, you complete both majors in only four years, giving you a more complete education in less time than many more expensive private school programs in the state.

Centenary University (PR)
School of Education
Hackettstown, New Jersey
Website

  • Bachelor of Art in Education 5-12/K-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • English
    • Social Studies
    • Mathematics
  • Bachelor of Art in Education 5-8 Middle School (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Art in Education K-6 Elementary Education (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,118

$47 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Clinical experience includes at least 150 hours in a classroom specific to your area of certification as a student teacher, on top of 450 hours of clinical internship time.
  • Internship hours are split between general and special educational settings for all students, ensuring you have experience in both types of classrooms.
  • Educational certification is available for P-3, K-6, 5-8, or K-12/5-12 Secondary

An innovative approach to special education teaching is a hallmark at Centenary, one of the few schools that requires all students split their clinical experience time between both general and special ed classrooms. The school was one of the first in New Jersey to offer dual certification in general and special ed, and remains a leader today. Forty percent of Centenary graduates get their first position working in special ed, compared to ten percent of New Jersey teacher certification graduates in general. That means higher rates of pay, all coming from a program that costs less than the average private school in the state. A full year-long placement during your final year provides a final round of polish and mentorship that will make landing the job of your dreams a snap after graduation.

Saint Elizabeth University (PR)
School of Professional Studies
Morristown, New Jersey
Website

  • Bachelor of Art in Education (on-campus)
    • Elementary/Early Childhood
    • Elementary/Middle School Math or Science

Estimated cost per credit: $1,097

$68 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • The school also offers a combined BA to MA in education in five and a half years for a fast-track to a master’s.
  • Named to the 2020/2021 Colleges of Distinction in Education list.
  • The BA in Education also offers an optional certification for a New Jersey Teacher of Students with Disabilities endorsement.

Saint Elizabeth has been known as a leader in teacher education in New Jersey for over 100 years. The university doesn’t have the array of concentrations available that some other colleges here do, but they focus with intensity on those that they provide. You are also allowed to test into any endorsement offered in New Jersey, even if it’s outside their tracks. You’ll find a supportive cadre of instructors no matter what path you choose to take. At the end of the program, you’ll have all the qualifications and empathy you need to become a caring, responsible leader in local education in the region.

Felician University (PR)
School of Education
Rutherford, New Jersey
Website

  • Bachelor of Art in Education (on-campus)
    • Early Childhood and Special Education (P-3/Teacher of Students with Disabilities)
    • Elementary and Special Education (K-6/Teacher of Students with Disabilities)
      • With Middle School (5-8 endorsement)
    • Secondary Education (K-12) and Teacher of Students with Disabilities
  • English/Math/Biology/History/Art/Psychology (P-3 and K-6 only) available as co-majors with all degrees

Estimated cost per credit: $1,085

$80 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: TEAC
  • All Felician teacher certification bachelor’s programs prepare students for dual licensure in general and special education.
  • Begin gaining classroom experience the moment you start the program.
  • Clinical practice in your final year will involve full-time student teaching for the ultimate in experiential learning.

The core of the Felician teacher certification program revolves around experiential learning. Unlike other schools where you may spend two years or more sitting on the wrong side of the classroom before you get your shot at genuine practicum, Felician starts every student out in a practicum placement right away. That builds up throughout your time in the program to two days a week during the first part of your senior year, then a full-time, five-day-per-week student teaching placement during your Clinical II practicum. Learning by doing is the Felician way, and you come out the other side having learned enough to get both your general and special education endorsements in New Jersey… another exceptional value from one of the lowest-cost private universities in the state.

Georgian Court University (PR)
School of Education
Lakewood, New Jersey
Website

  • BA/BS in Early Childhood Education (P-3) (on-campus)
  • BA/BS in Elementary Education (K-6) (on-campus)
  • BA/BS in Single Subject (K-12) (on-campus)
    • Art
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • English
    • Health and Physical Education
    • Social Studies
    • Mathematics
    • Spanish

Estimated cost per credit: $1,068

$97 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Elementary and ECE endorsements can also be earned in single-subject areas for additional specialization.
  • New Jersey Teacher of Students With Disabilities endorsement is available as an option with all degrees.
  • Over 90 percent of GCU professors hold doctoral degrees for extremely prepared instructors.
  • The school boasts a 13 to 1 student to faculty ratio to guarantee you plenty of access to professors.

Each teacher training degree offered at Georgian is essentially a double major, split between your education coursework and the subject-matter area you specialize in. That gives you a tremendous value in education, crammed into a four-year program at almost $100 less than the average state cost for private schools. GCU recognizes the need to meet diverse student requirements in a wide variety of settings, so you can expect your instructors to tailor their teaching to your needs and offer plenty of individualized mentoring along the way. Lifelong learning is stressed, so you’ll leave the program equipped with tools to stay current as a teacher throughout your career.

Bloomfield College (PR)
Division of Education
Bloomfield, New Jersey
Website

  • Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education P-3 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education K-6 (on-campus)
    • Mathematics
    • Sciences
    • Social Studies
    • English Language Arts
  • Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education K-12 (on-campus)
    • Mathematics
    • Sciences
    • Social Studies
    • English Language Arts

Estimated cost per credit: $1,023

$142 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Bloomfield classes take a hands-on approach to develop understanding of abstract pedagogical concepts.
  • Teacher of Students with Disabilities endorsements are available as an option in all degree plans.
  • A 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio gives you the kind of personalized mentorship and instruction that will get you through the hard parts of teacher training.
  • Bloomfield is considered a Workforce-Ready institution.
  • A Middle-school (5-8) subject specialization can be added on to both the elementary and secondary certification paths.

Bloomfield prepares graduates to work with students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and communities through a comprehensive curriculum that embraces not just subject-matter knowledge, but specialized teacher strategies. You’ll put it all together in experiential learning opportunities under the direction of cooperating teachers that walk you through classroom observation, interaction, and teaching in carefully prepared steps. Bloomfield encourages students to write their own story, so you can take advantage of this low-cost private institution to forge your own path as an educator and as a person.

Pillar College (PR)
Newark, New Jersey
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Estimated cost per credit: $735

$430 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • The lowest cost private university teacher prep program in New Jersey.
  • Pillar embraces the Wesleyan heritage of Christian schooling with an obligation of service and spirit of unity.
  • Hands-on classroom experience begins in the first year with field-based learning experiences.
  • Small class sizes emphasize individualized learning and peer support as well as instructor mentorship.

Pillar offers only a single credential pathway in initial teacher prep, but that focus gives them a focus on excellence in elementary education training that you would have trouble finding even in much more expensive programs. The instructors here are highly focused on teaching the theory and methods you need to work with diverse learners in a variety of settings. It’s all in perfect alignment with the school’s overall devotion to the Wesleyan tradition of service. You get early opportunities to put those teachings into practice with field-based learning experiences conducted with experienced teachers.


New York

College of Staten Island – CUNY (PU)
School of Education
New York, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Science, Letters, and Society (on campus)
    • Birth-2
    • 1-6
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology (7-12) (on campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (7-12) (on campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Earth Science (7-12) (on campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in English (7-12) (on campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in History (7-12) (on campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Italian Studies (7-12) (on campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (7-12) (on campus)
  • Bachelors of Science in Physics (7-12) (on campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Spanish (7-12) (on campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $231 (out-of-state: $620)

$3 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Intellectual autonomy and professional responsibility are some of the key goals in the CSI School of Education objectives.
  • Students conduct research into educational policy and pedagogy to get an in-depth perspective on the profession.

New York is an incredibly diverse community, and CSI leans into the multicultural nature of it by training students to cater to unique learning styles. It’s one of the eight core practices you will come away from this program with. Collaboration, connection, and critical reflection are some of the other key elements. The programs promote meaningful fieldwork both before and during your student teaching that leads to engagement with students, families, and other educators in the community. It’s a solid introduction to New York teaching and you will walk away with the training to get credentials in any of the 11 different certification areas offered here.

Brooklyn College – CUNY (PU)
School of Education
New York, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Education 1-6 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education birth-2 (on-campus)
    • Special education
  • Bachelor of Arts in Adolescent Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Earth Science
    • English
    • French
    • Italian
    • Mathematics
    • Bachelor of Music
    • Physical Education Teacher (BS, P-12)
    • Physics
    • Social Studies
    • Spanish

Estimated cost per credit: $231 (out-of-state: $620)

$3 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • Outstanding professors are highly trained professionals and experts in their fields.
  • BC offers a clear and comprehensive walkthrough to state certification to make sure you complete all requirements.
  • Bilingual extension option available in the BA in Childhood Education 1-6 for diverse classrooms.
  • Close partnership between the School of Education and the Magner Career Center means you will get all the assistance you need for job placement after graduation.

Brooklyn College offers one of the most comprehensive teacher prep programs in New York City. Through a network of scholars throughout the metro area, you have experts in both pedagogy and edtech on tap as well as a strong alumni network to lean on both in school and after graduation. As an NYC college you can expect a heavy helping of urban schooling training. Your abilities to reach students in any classroom after graduating will stand as the ultimate proof of how well this program prepares new teachers. Innovative partnerships throughout the metro area give you a wide range of experience even by New York Standards!

City College of New York – CUNY (PU)
School of Education
New York, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Art Education K-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Education in Bilingual Childhood Education 1-6 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Education in Childhood Education 1-6 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education Birth-2 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English Education 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Adolescent Math Education 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Secondary Science Programs 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Social Studies 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Spanish 7-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $231 (out-of-state: $620)

$3 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE
  • Graduates have an 85 percent passing rate on New York State Certification exams.
  • The school is ranked #1 in NYC for social mobility.
  • Resources like the Learning and Technology Resource Center, the Multimedia Center, and the NYC Men Teach program offer support throughout your time here.

If you really want the measure of how good a school is, you look at where the graduates end up. For the City College, they end up in the city: between 2015 and 2017, 300 graduates were hired as teachers by the New York City Department of Education. Almost half of those were in high-paying shortage area subjects like TESOL, Spanish, and Special Education. With that kind of endorsement from the district that is most familiar with the college, you know exactly where you should go if you are seeking a teaching job in NYC. The magic happens through a diverse and challenging curriculum that will push you to learn the ropes no matter what concentration you specialize in. With 100 years of teacher education behind it, City College has got the key to what works here, and you can learn it for them while paying one of the lowest tuition rates in the state.

Hunter College – CUNY (PU)
School of Education
New York, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Adolescent Education (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Earth Science
    • English
    • French
    • Italian
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Social Studies
    • Spanish
  • Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music Education

Estimated cost per credit: $231 (out-of-state: $620)

$3 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE
  • With fieldwork conducted in New York City Public Schools, you get exposure to diverse classrooms and cultures.
  • With an average class size of only 18 students, there is plenty of personal attention from instructors.
  • More than 30,000 alumni stand ready to lend a hand in real world school districts after graduation.
  • As New York City’s first teacher-preparation school, Hunter College has been providing highly-trained educators since 1870.
  • Center for Gifted Studies and Education offers techniques for empowering gifted students by challenging and lifting them to their potential.
  • Home to the Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, dedicated to improving educational services to youth and children with ASD diagnoses.

Research, practical teaching experience, and dedicated community engagement all combine to make Hunter graduates responsible leaders in education. The school maintains strong partnerships with local NYC schools and agencies to broaden the experience of students. With a wide array of certification paths to New York State licensure, you can stick to the conventional paths of secondary English, social studies, or STEM fields, or branch out into less common fields like music and dance education. Other cutting edge resources at Hunter come from the Frankfort Center for Learning Technologies, which keeps students here abreast of the latest in edtech developments.

Medgar Evers College – CUNY (PU)
School of Education
New York, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Education (on-campus)
    • Childhood Education 1-6
      • English
      • Math
      • Science
      • Social Studies
    • Childhood Special Education 1-6
    • Early Childhood Special Education Birth – 2
      • Psychology

Estimated cost per credit: $231 (out-of-state: $620)

$3 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • The Center for Cognitive Development is a linchpin in the school’s special education curriculum, generating research on brain-related disorders to innovate in new learning techniques.
  • A Special Education Lab School geared toward early intervention builds on that expertise and puts it into practice at partner schools and centers in the city.
  • Flexible full and part-time scheduling options are available for working students.
  • The Ella Baker Child Development Center offers students with their own children nurturing and safe childcare options while studying.
  • Launch on the right track with the school’s dedicated Freshman Year Program to help you navigate the new structures of college life.

It’s not often that you find a School of Education that was founded recently enough to still have the original Dean in charge, but that’s the case at Medgar Evers College. The new approaches that you find to multicultural education here are right in line with that youth and energy. The new imperative for teachers to work with parents as well as kids offers an effective approach to urban education. You get the high impact instruction here to become a change agent for schools and communities to fulfill the mission: educate to liberate. Dedicated faculty and numerous partnerships with urban schools in the area give you both the guidance and the grounding you need to get that education yourself.

New York City College of Technology – CUNY (PU)
School of Professional Studies
New York, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Career and Technical Teacher
    • Technology Teacher (K-12)
    • Mathematics

Estimated cost per credit: $231 (out-of-state: $620)

$3 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • School participates in the CUNY Men Teach program offering financial and academic supports through the certification and hiring process.
  • Faculty research areas include quantum computation and symbolic and numerical computation.
  • Specific career subjects include family and consumer sciences, health, and trade and technical occupations.
  • Program is a member in good standing of AAQEP, assuring high educational standards in training.

CUNY schools tend to be excellent in preparing educators to work with student populations that have sometimes been forgotten by mainstream American educational systems. That’s true across the board for multicultural classrooms, but City Tech touches on yet another area that is left behind in most programs: vocational and career training. The Career and Technical teaching track is the only one of its kind in the CUNY system, and prepares educators for common career field education ranging from culinary arts to dental hygiene and automotive maintenance. And because these aren’t low-tech fields anymore, you get the full benefit of the high-tech City Tech research and technology system, supporting both computer, math, and career training.

Queens College – CUNY (PU)
School of Education
New York, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Education 1-6 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and Youth Services 7-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $231 (out-of-state: $620)

$3 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP, NCATE
  • School prepares teachers to support learning and development within family, cultural, and community contexts.
  • Accelerated master’s program available for students in Secondary Education track
  • A comprehensive Teacher Certification Office oversees graduates to makes sure you get all your boxes checked to become an official NYS teacher after graduation.
  • TIME 2000 is a dedicated four-year math teacher prep program that also offers scholarships toward your tuition.
  • Named as a Best Value College by both U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review for 28 consecutive years.

The Queens College School of Education specializes in classroom and fieldwork that aims to graduate teachers with all the skills needed to be of service to diverse urban communities. Although it’s just one piece of the larger CUNY system, QC has a national reputation for not just its liberal arts and scientific studies, but also its preprofessional programs, like teacher training. With accolades from the major college review publications, it’s no wonder that this school routinely hits the top of Best Value lists.

York College – CUNY (PU)
Department of Teacher Education
New York, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Biology Education 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Earth Science Education 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in English Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in History Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies 1-6 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Health Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Bilingual Education (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $231 (out-of-state: $620)

$3 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • School participates in the CUNY Men Teach program that offers financial and academic assistance through the certification process.
  • School boasted a 100 percent graduation rate in 2018 for teacher education students, ensuring you get through the program.
  • Research interests among faculty include student mentoring and effective bilingual teaching practices.

The York College teacher training program is characterized by an outstanding commitment to supporting students. You can see the results in the 100 percent graduation rate among graduates of the teacher training program. Experienced, highly-knowledgeable faculty members have both the empathy and the expertise you need to create student-centered learning environments in your own classrooms. Advisors are ready at any point to help you put together the perfect curriculum to meet your career goals as a teacher.

Long Island University (PR)
School of Education
Brookville, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Adolescence Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education B-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education 1-6 (on-campus)
    • American Studies
    • Earth System Science
    • English Literature
    • English Writing
    • Geography
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Philosophy
    • Political Science
    • Psychology
    • Science
    • Social Studies
    • Sociology
    • Spanish
  • Bachelor of Science in Health & Physical Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education B-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,239

$47 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • The on-campus Palmer School of Library and Information Science gives students pursuing the literature track a leg up through their collaborative national and international partnerships.
  • Center for Community Inclusion helps students develop their multicultural teaching skills.
  • Students may attend a semi-annual Conference of Elementary-Secondary Teaching and Learning to listen to a wide range of topics relating to educational psychology.
  • Strong relationships with more than 65 school districts and community centers offers a wealth of diverse student teaching opportunities.

LIU has been fostering innovative and inspiring teachers who have worked their way into leadership positions across the state. That’s good news for new grads hoping to tap the expansive alumni network for assistance in their own job search. The school has some special advantages for teachers going for a certification in English, either literature or writing. The nationally-recognized library science program offers a tie-in to the history and knowledge of global literature, while the Literacy and Learning Development Center offers strategic learning skills to clients in the local community and has expertise on-tap for students. The wide range of available certification areas here give you an opportunity to specialize in almost any field, however, with suitable student teaching placements to go along with them.

Cazenovia College (PR)
Division of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Cazenovia, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Inclusive Early Childhood Education B-2 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Inclusive Elementary Education 1-6 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,201

$85 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Member in good standing with AAQEP.
  • Both programs offer preparation for initial certification in their core areas and Teaching Students with Disabilities.
  • Student teaching placement area available in pre-k, kindergarten, and primary classrooms serving diverse populations, with an emphasis in high-needs rural settings.

Inclusive is truly the right word to describe the two Cazenovia BSeD degrees on offer at this innovative independent college outside of Syracuse. That’s because both degrees include both the conventional teacher preparation in their respective areas, but also a built-in option to pursue Teacher of Student with Disabilities certification in the package. A unique Inclusive Education Lab serves as the environment for your instruction, modeling the student-centered, intellectually-stimulating learning environments you will be trained to create. You’ll participate both in clinical practicum in the lab and through field experiences in both urban and rural educational centers.

St. Bonaventure University (PR)
School of Education
Bonaventure, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Adolescence Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Social Studies
    • Spanish
  • Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education (on-campus)
    • Childhood Education 1-6
    • Childhood and Early Childhood Education B-6
    • Inclusive Childhood Education 1-6
    • Inclusive Childhood and Early Childhood Education B-6
  • Bachelor of Science in Physical Education (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,182

$104 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE
  • Earn experience at both middle and high-school levels through the adolescence education program.
  • Students in the PE program enjoy the school’s active participation in National Girls & Women in Sports Day, hosting some 500 girls on campus each year.
  • Professors include those who hold prestigious positions on boards for national journals in their subject areas.
  • Ranked second in best value schools among regional universities and third best in the north by U.S. News & World Report.
  • Ranked in the top 400 colleges in the nation by The Princeton Review.

It’s easy to see how St. Bonaventure makes our most affordable schools list for the Mid-Atlantic region. Not only do they come in at lower than the state average tuition for private schools, but they also hit near the top of two different Best Value lists from U.S. News & World Report. You’ll find a high level of expertise among your instructors here too. Some serve on prestigious journal editorial boards, while others regularly submit and present at national symposia in their subject areas. The school has a strong commitment to turning out technology-proficient students and you’ll learn cutting-edge tools for both remote and classroom tasks. The motto here is teach by teaching, so you’ll rack up nearly 1,000 hours of real classroom experience before you graduate. Candidates come away with both confidence and the skill to back it up.

St. John Fisher College (PR)
School of Education
Rochester, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Inclusive Adolescence Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Optional Middle School extension 5-6
    • American Studies
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • English
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Spanish
  • Bachelor of Science Inclusive Childhood Education (on-campus)
    • Optional Early Childhood extension 1-2
    • Optional Middle School extension 5-6

Estimated cost per credit: $1,178

$108 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Fisher’s study abroad program offers access to more than 100 locations around the world, including in Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa for a true multicultural education.
  • A 12-to-1 student to faculty ratio means you always have access to your instructors for important questions and mentoring.
  • Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification offered as a dual certification in both degree programs.
  • Graduates have become teachers at both big urban school districts like Rochester and smaller districts like Penfield Central.
  • Team-based advising gives you the strength of many behind you as you face important course selection and certification decisions.

According to graduates, Fisher sets student teachers up for success. Motivation and encouragement are part of the package here. With small student to faculty ratios, you never have to look far to get help or attention when you need it. In keeping with the strengths of private schools, individuality and self-expression are encouraged as part of your learning experience. It comes through with unique options such as the study abroad program that takes you for experience overseas, or personalized career exploration that is embedded in your curriculum to keep you on track to hit your post-graduation goals. The Fisher Edge allows you to create your own signature experience that brings together academic interests, personal ambitions, and career aspirations. If you’re looking for a school that cements your teacher training with your long-term career goals, this is the place.

Le Moyne College (PR)
College of Arts & Sciences
Syracuse, New York
Website

  • Bachelor in Psychology (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6
  • Bachelor in English (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6
    • Inclusive Adolescent and Special Education 7-12
    • Adolescent/Secondary Education 7-12
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages K-12
  • Bachelor in History (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6
    • Inclusive Adolescent and Special Education 7-12
    • Adolescent/Secondary Education 7-12
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages K-12
  • Bachelor in Math (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6
    • Inclusive Adolescent and Special Education 7-12
    • Adolescent/Secondary Education 7-12
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages K-12
  • Bachelor in Biology (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6
    • Inclusive Adolescent and Special Education 7-12
    • Adolescent/Secondary Education 7-12
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages K-12
  • Bachelor in Chemistry (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6
    • Inclusive Adolescent and Special Education 7-12
    • Adolescent/Secondary Education 7-12
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages K-12
  • Bachelor in Sociology (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6
    • Inclusive Adolescent and Special Education 7-12
    • Adolescent/Secondary Education 7-12
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages K-12
  • Bachelor in a Foreign Language (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6
    • Inclusive Adolescent and Special Education 7-12
    • Adolescent/Secondary Education 7-12
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages K-12
  • Bachelor in Physics (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6
    • Inclusive Adolescent and Special Education 7-12
    • Adolescent/Secondary Education 7-12
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages K-12
  • Bachelor in Economics (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6
    • Inclusive Adolescent and Special Education 7-12
    • Adolescent/Secondary Education 7-12
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages K-12
  • Bachelor in Political Sciences (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6
    • Inclusive Adolescent and Special Education 7-12
    • Adolescent/Secondary Education 7-12
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages K-12
  • Bachelor in Religious Studies (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6
  • Bachelor in Philosophy (on-campus)
    • Inclusive Childhood and Special Education 1-6

Estimated cost per credit: $1,164

$122 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Member in good standing with AAQEP.
  • Offers a highly sought-after TESOL certification in a wide range of subject areas.
  • With a learning community in the Jesuit tradition, LeMoyne is dedicated to rigorous, participatory education.
  • The school emphasizes care for the whole person and the empathy, compassion, and respect that turn students into great teachers.

Jesuit colleges have been turning out fine, highly-respected educators for centuries. It’s a tradition that adapts the values of St. Ignatius to the most modern theoretical and technological approaches for a humanistic, effective style of pedagogy. You have a broad range of majors to choose from at LeMoyne with most of them offering both special and standard certification tracks, or a combination of the two, for both adolescent and childhood education. Even more valuable, the school has a rare TESOL prep track in most of those categories, preparing you for work in diverse, multicultural classrooms anywhere in the state.

Nazareth College (PR)
School of Education
Rochester, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Art Education
  • Bachelor of Arts/Sciences with Adolescence Education Certification in
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Chinese
    • English
    • French
    • Italian
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies (History)
    • Spanish
    • Theatre Arts
  • Bachelor of Arts/Sciences in Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education

Estimated cost per credit: $1,162

$122 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Teacher of Students with Disabilities available as a dual certification in Early Childhood, Childhood, and Adolescence education degrees.
  • Ongoing partnerships and fieldwork with local schools exceed the New York State requirements for intensive classroom experience.
  • International student teaching opportunities are available for additional multicultural experience.
  • A 4+1 option also offers the opportunity to move up to a master’s degree in only one additional year of study.
  • Music majors have the opportunity to perform in the brand new, state-of-the-art, 550 seat Glazer Music Performance Center.

Nazareth offers a classic private school experience with high placement rates for graduates and an excellent career services department to get you where you want to go in the teaching world. New York State Teacher of Students with Disabilities certifications are available with only two extra courses, making it an easy qualification to reach without disrupting your main studies. You have the usual array of close-knit local schools to take on your extended 14-week student teaching opportunity, but also options further afield, like Leeds, England. Art teaching majors could end up in France or Italy, while music majors can study abroad in exotic locales like Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Ghana. It’s a superb learning experience on every level, at a lot less than the state average cost.

Elmira College (PR)
Elmira, New York
Website

  • Bachelor in Arts/Sciences with Adolescence Education Certification
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • English Literature
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor in Arts/Sciences with Childhood Education Certification
    • Biology
    • English Literature
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies
    • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Bachelor in Arts/Sciences with Childhood Special Education Certification
    • Biology
    • English Literature
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies
    • Visual and Performing Arts

Estimated cost per credit: $1,153

$133 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • School is a member in good standing with AAQEP.
  • Student Success and Tutoring Center makes sure that every student receives the assistance they need to excel in coursework here.
  • The Writing Center also offers individualized tutoring and assistance.
  • Home of the Center for Mark Twain Studies, a unique research center of particular interest to English Lit majors here.
  • Study abroad options available in Finland, Switzerland, France, and Italy, to see how teaching happens across the pond.

Elmira holds a special place in the heart of Mark Twain fans as the hometown of his wife, Olivia, and many happy summers the iconic author spent here. Future English teachers might visit him in his resting place here at Woodlawn Cemetery, but surely will take advantage of the unique opportunities offered to study at the Center for Mark Twain Studies at Elmira College. Of course, if teaching American literature isn’t your burning passion in life, you can still take advantage of the excellent teacher training here in diverse areas like biology, math, and visual and performing arts.

Concordia College (PR)
School of Education
Bronxville, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Education
    • Early Childhood B-2
    • Childhood 1-6
    • Middle Childhood Generalist 5-9

Estimated cost per credit: $1,150

$136 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • A 5-year bachelor plus master’s degree program is available for students who wish to continue their education past the entry level.
  • A five-day pre-professional practicum helps you get familiar with the classroom before you jump into the deep end of 100 hours or more of student teaching.
  • Fieldwork includes a mix of high-needs urban schools, students with disabilities, and students with limited English proficiency for a wide exposure to modern teaching challenges in both public and parochial school settings.

Concordia offers you the flexibility to choose your own path to the classroom, while delivering the rigor of a private, Christian-based education along the way. The curriculum is as high-tech as they come, exposing you to modern remote teaching tools like web applications and virtual white boards as well as the latest in interactive classroom experiences. You also have the option of studying the goals, methods, and content necessary for the teaching of Christian faith, preparing you for positions in Lutheran schools. If you’re destined for public school teaching, you’ll get individual guidance and special workshops to prepare you to ace your NYS teacher certification tests on the first try. As a fully-accredited program that’s more than $100 per credit below the average cost of private teacher prep programs here, it’s a great deal either way.

Niagara University (PR)
College of Education
Niagara University, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts/Science in Adolescence Education 7-12
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • English
    • French
    • Math
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts/Science in Childhood and Middle Level Childhood Education 1-9
    • As above
    • Spanish
  • Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Childhood Education B-6
    • As Above
    • Liberal Arts
    • STEM
  • Bachelor of Arts in Middle Childhood and Adolescence Education 5-12
    • As Above
    • Business
  • Bachelor of Arts in Special Education and Adolescence 7-12
    • As Above
  • Bachelor of Arts in Special Education and Childhood 1-6
    • As Above
  • Bachelor of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages PreK-12
    • As Above

Estimated cost per credit: $1,140

$146 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE
  • The distinctive liberal arts concentration allows students to take courses across three different subjects, offering flexibility in certification and career goals.
  • The school enjoys well-established partnerships with many local schools for field work and student teaching placement.
  • Study in the newly-constructed College of Education building with model classrooms and SMART Board technologies.
  • Niagara is the only university in the state to hold dual accreditation in both the United States and Canada.

Everything that happens in the teacher prep program at Niagara reflects the school’s commitment to serving those most in need. From the enormous array of concentrations in different combinations to the wide range of accessible services delivered through the First-Year Experience program, it’s all tailored to giving you the tools you need to get the career you want. You will start your experience in real classrooms in your freshman year here, part of a sequence of frequent and varied placements to give you real-world experience early on. The brand-new College of Education building has model Pre-K-12 classrooms, interactive teaching labs, and a new teaching studio to help you showcase your abilities.

Houghton College (PR)
Education Department
Houghton, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Adolescence Education 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Adolescence Education 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Childhood Education 1-6 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music Education K-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,131

$155 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation:
  • Faculty have all earned graduate degrees in their areas of specialization and served as classroom teachers.
  • Program offers 100 hours of field experience prior to beginning the student teaching sequence so you are no stranger to the classroom!
  • Teaching in Urban American program offers a two-week site experience in inner-city schools in Buffalo.
  • Personalized academic advising is offered throughout your time at Houghton.
  • Collaborative research projects are available with the opportunity to present at international, national, and regional conferences.

There are a lot of reasons to recommend Houghton to any future teacher –even before you get to the affordable tuition rates. An in-depth commitment to classroom experience offers options around the Buffalo area or even overseas. Students are responsible for setting up and running the annual Math, Division, and Literacy days for local students, giving you both leadership experience and interaction. Many students also participate in AmeriCorps projects in the Buffalo area on summer language learning programs. Your professors all come with classroom experience, Christian values, and deep knowledge in their field of expertise. They are the mentors you need who offer the personal oversight and observation you need to keep you on track all the way through certification.

St. Thomas Aquinas College (PR)
School of Education
Sparkill, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Art Education K-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood & Childhood Education B-6 (on-campus)
    • English
    • History
    • Social Science
    • Spanish
    • Mathematics
    • Science & Technology
  • Bachelor of Arts in Childhood and Special Education 1-6 (on-campus)
    • Same concentrations as above
  • Bachelor of Arts in Adolescence Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Same concentrations as above
    • Biology/Chemistry

Estimated cost per credit: $1,113

$173 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE
  • The school is recognized as a Top Tier Regional University by national publications such as U.S. News & World Report.
  • Study abroad options in Finland and Sweden to get an international perspective on teaching.
  • Faculty members hold doctorates in their fields and extensive real-world experience, including in collaborative positions with local school districts for valuable networking and recommendations.
  • Student teaching options include high-needs schools and districts with professional development commitments to the school.

STAC was founded as a teacher’s college, so you are getting the core focus of the university, steeped in history and experience, through this teacher certification program. That depth of experience brings the old lessons and values to light, but the program also incorporates the latest in evidence-based instructional methods to promote problem solving and critical thinking. You’ll also learn content-specific methods for teaching in each of the concentration subject areas. There’s no one-size-fits-all at STAC. You’ll get training tailored to your interests and goals, and all for a tuition rate that’s lower than the average for private schools in the state.

Medaille College (PR)
Department of Education
Buffalo, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Childhood Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Adolescent Education/Students with Disabilities
  • Master of Science in Elementary Education
  • Master of Science Adolescent Education (Math, English, Chemistry, Biology, French)
  • Master of Science/Certificates of Advanced Studies Literacy
  • Master of Science/Certificates of Advanced Studies Students with Disabilities

Estimated cost per credit: $971 undergraduate/$800 graduate

    • The Future Teachers Club and Education Graduate Student Society facilitates student engagement with a warm and dedicated network to expand your knowledge and leadership skills.
    • The school has a high passing rate for New York State certification exams among graduates.
    • Adolescent education track offers qualification for dual-certification in the valuable Teaching Students with Disabilities category.
    • Earn hours of field work during the course of training prior to student teaching to prepare you for your own classroom management role.

    Medaille offers a flexible approach to training students with diverse talents and goals while keeping your career in mind the whole way. They do it through committed and compassionate staff and faculty who advise, mentor, and guide students from day one all the way through your capstone course experience. That support includes a classroom associate teacher and a college supervisor during your critical full-time student teaching placements. That gives you the support to get through the most challenging part of any teacher training program with flying colors.

The College of St. Rose (PR)
Thelma P. Lally School of Education
Albany, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood & Special Education B-6 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in English – Adolescence Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies – Adolescence Education (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,105

$181 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE
  • School graduates enjoy a 94 percent pass rate on state of New York certification exams.
  • Extensive student teaching and fieldwork placement opportunities in K-12 schools, colleges, and other educational settings for a variety of practical experiences.
  • Graduates of the school are among those leading curriculum development for state education departments.
  • Students participate in the on-campus Help Yourself Academy serving ethnically diverse local students from grades 3-5 in hands-on instruction and support to boost college attendance.
  • School has recently received a grant from Project THRIVE to help develop teachers with skills at working with children with disabilities.
  • Optional grade 5-6 certifications available with adolescence education concentrations.

St. Rose is one of New York’s largest centers for the certification of professional educators in the state. They estimate that a full third of all teachers working in the Capital Region today graduated from St. Rose. That’s a huge professional network on tap for you as well as a hallmark of the quality and reputation of the school. You’ll be working off curricula developed by those graduates in place at the state education department, reflecting the same ideals and skills that you will pick up in the course of this program. With additional expertise on campus in the communication sciences and speech disorders, you’ll get an extra edge here if you decide to focus on teaching in special education. St. Rose graduates can go far, and they can do it for less money than other private school students!

Keuka College (PR)
School of Education
Keuka Park, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Adolescent Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • English
    • Math
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Science in Adolescent Special Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Generalist English/Language Arts
    • Generalist Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Special Education B-2 (on-campus)
    • Art
    • American Sign Language
    • English
    • Family & Child Studies
    • Global Studies
    • Mathematics
    • Science
    • Spanish
  • Bachelor of Science in Unified Childhood/Special Education 1-6 (on-campus)
    • As above

Estimated cost per credit: $1,090

$196 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Partnerships with local and regional school districts ensure you will graduate with a lot of firsthand experience and valuable contacts in your network.
  • Four different Field Period experiences starting in your freshman year give you plenty of exposure to working classroom environments even before you get to your student teaching capstone experience.
  • A full 27 different custom pathways are available to let you tune your teacher training to the exact knowledge and skills you want.
  • The National Council on Teacher Quality gave the program an “A” rating for reading instruction for elementary-level teachers in 2020.

Keuka gives you the tools you need to inspire future generations as a teacher. Cutting-edge tools, techniques, and technology features prominently in their teacher certification program. You’ll get comprehensive training in assessment, the psychology of learning, literacy, and classroom management. But you’ll also get a lot of options. The school allows nearly 30 different custom pathways to certification, a combination that lets you develop your own unique skillset. Hands-on training and a lot of classroom exposure will get you ready not just for your certification exams, but in order to compete for and get the jobs you want in a competitive market.

Wells College (PR)
School of Education
Aurora, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Inclusive Childhood Education 1-6 (on-campus)
  • Adolescence Certification 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Social Studies
    • Spanish

Estimated cost per credit: $1,082

$204 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • One-on-one mentorship helps get you through the tough parts of this rigorous teacher training program.
  • School enjoys a 100 percent graduate school placement rate for students going on to a master’s program.
  • A gorgeous lakeside campus environment makes learning a pleasure.
  • Courses prepare you for both general and special education classroom certifications.
  • Students in the Wells program are eligible for the Wells-Warner 4+1 program, which offers the opportunity to earn your master’s degree with only one additional year of study at the Margaret Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester.

Wells believes strongly in field placement, offering you the chance to observe current teachers and to practice your own training in real school environments. You will complete an 80 to 120 hour internships, designed collaboratively with faculty and cooperating teachers, giving you a chance to shape your own student teaching experience. That experience can land you a long way for Rochester… recent students have completed internships at the Daktari Bush School and Wildlife Orphanage in South Africa and Keelung Sacred Heart Senior High School in Keelung City, Taiwan. But no matter what corner of the world you practice in, you’ll be well-qualified to take the relevant New York State certification tests on your return.

Roberts Wesleyan College (PR)
Department of Teacher Education
Rochester, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Adolescence Education 7-12 Generalist (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Social Studies
    • Spanish
  • Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities 1-6 (on-campus)
    • Language Arts
    • Math
    • Science
    • History
    • Spanish
  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Special Education B-2 (on-campus)
    • As above
  • Bachelor of Science in English to Speakers of Other Languages PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Music Education K-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Physical Education K-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,077

$209 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Ranked among the Best Value Schools in the Northern United States by U
  • U.S. News & World Reports.
  • Option to pursue dual certification in Students with Disabilities to most programs.
  • The school offers a 4+1 option to continue on to earn a master’s degree in only one extra year on top of your bachelor’s.
  • The PE program alone has hosted three of the winners of the prestigious state-wide Jay B. Nash Award in the past three years.
  • The school’s Teaching Fellowship Partnership offers paid employment to select students with local area school districts.
  • The world can be your classroom at Roberts with a variety of overseas education opportunities, ranging from mission trips to on-location courses to entire semesters spent abroad.

A BS from Roberts will challenge you, with the experienced, academically-accomplished instructors pushing to get the very best out of you in every aspect of your studies. But that same kind of challenge will also help you become the best teacher you can bee. You’ll get in-depth instruction in the teaching arts, far beyond just the basic elements of classroom discipline and subject matter instruction. At Roberts, instructors go into the logistics of teaching as well, giving you the real-world techniques of planning and preparing that other programs may only skim. Capped off with a healthy helping of field experience in areas classrooms, you’ll come away confident and well-prepared to teach in New York or anywhere in the country.

Russell Sage College (PR)
Esteves School of Education
Albany, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education 1-6 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Physical Education PreK-12 (hybrid)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,048

$238 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE/CAEP
  • A partnership with the East Greenbush Central School District allows students there to earn up to 30 credits prior to graduation, cutting as much as a year out of your teaching studies.
  • Uniquely situated in the Capital District, the college offers a tremendous network of public, private, and charter schools for fieldwork experience.
  • Special education instruction includes guidance directly from board-certified applied behavior analysts, giving you access to experts in behavior management.
  • More than 90 percent of graduates find employment or go on to advanced degrees, and 100 percent of employers give Sage grads high marks for professionalism and effectiveness on the job.

Student teaching at Russell Sage offers you a taste of everything: urban, suburban, and rural school districts will all be a part of your field experiences and student teaching placements. You have two distinctive placements in the childhood ed program, one of them entirely devoted to special education. But on top of all the classroom experience you get, Russell Sage offers a focus on practical and applied research opportunities for students. You’ll explore innovative ways to apply pedagogical theory to real-world challenges, and you’ll take that knowledge with you out into the classrooms as well as presentations at research symposiums.

Molloy College (PR)
School of Education and Human Services
Rockville Centre, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts/Science in Childhood Education (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Communications
    • English
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • LOTE (Spanish)
    • Psychology
    • Sociology
  • Bachelor of Arts/Science in Childhood/Early Childhood Education (on-campus)
    • As above
    • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts/Science in Childhood Special Education (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • English
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • LOTE (Spanish)
  • Bachelor of Arts/Science in Adolescence/Special Education (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Earth Science
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies
    • LOTE (Spanish)
  • Bachelor of Arts/Science in Music Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts/Science in Visual Arts Education (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,044

$242 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE/CAEP
  • Molloy has a graduation rate 10 percent higher than other Long Island colleges and a 94 percent pass rate on their NYS teaching certification exams.
  • A 4+1 program is available that allows you to progress from your bachelor’s to also earning a master’s degree here in only one additional year of study.
  • Most programs can also be taken with a 12 credit PreK-12 Gifted Education extension to get certification in this rare category.
  • Professional development workshops are offered to undergrads to expand their perspective and knowledge outside the classroom.
  • International Education program offers the option of studying in London for an exposure to international practices in education.

Molloy has been a leader in teacher training in the Long Island area for more than 50 years. The school has more luck motivating and preparing students than almost any other institution on the Island, and they do it at more than $200 less per credit than the competition. You get a solid foundation in the liberal arts on top of your excellent teacher preparation work, learning from experienced and accomplished faculty who still find, and share, the joy in teaching after long and illustrious careers in the field. A series of rigorous but exciting field experiences help to cement your classroom knowledge in real-world practice. The school has a reputation for delivering well-prepared graduates into the profession, and you can be one of them.

Dominican College of Blauvelt (PR)
Division of Teacher Education
Orangeburg, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts/Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Childhood Education
    • Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities
    • Early Childhood Education
  • Bachelor of Arts in Adolescence Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • English
    • Mathematics

Estimated cost per credit: $995

$291 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: TEAC
  • Named to the 2019/2020 Colleges of Distinction list for its education programs.
  • Over the past two years, 100 percent of all teacher education graduates from DCB have gotten jobs in the field.
  • A Students with Disabilities dual concentration option is available to students in both adolescence and childhood education tracks.
  • Recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution by the Department of Education.

DC prides itself on offering the highest levels of personal support to all students, fostering relationships directly between students and faculty with small, tight-knit classes. Through them, you’ll learn how to plan and execute instructional activities that meet the needs of students at every grade level. You’ll also get special instruction in working with students from minority cultures and with low levels of English ability.

Daemen College (PR)
Education Department
Amherst, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Adolescent Education 7-12 (dual Special Education option)
      • Biology
      • English
      • French
      • Spanish
      • Mathematics
      • Social Studies
    • Childhood Education 1-6 (dual Special Education option)
    • Early Childhood/Special Education B-2
    • Visual Arts Education K-12

Estimated cost per credit: $990

$296 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Graduates have a combined pass rate that is consistently over 90 percent on the NY State Teacher Certification exams.
  • Start accumulating field experience in your freshman year here for a real-world education in classroom management.
  • Small class sizes give you extensive face time with instructors to mine the depths of their experience in the field.
  • Multiple partnerships with local public, private, and charter schools offer a wide range of student teaching possibilities.
  • The Daemen Center for Interprofessional Learning and Simulation offers a unique experiential learning option promoting collaboration in the teaching fields.

The instructors at Daemen are fairly bristling with advanced academic credentials… doctorates in education, social work, and more ensure you are learning from a broad range of professionals in educational fields. That helps develop talents in classroom management and teaching that extend far past the usual curriculum at other schools. With a full range of certification options, including dual certification tracks in special education and students with disabilities, you can put together whatever kind of career you are hoping for with an affordable degree from Daemen.

Canisius College (PR)
School of Education & Human Services
Buffalo, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Adolescence Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • English
    • Social Studies
    • Spanish
  • Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education 1-6 / TESOL K-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Physical Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education/Special Education 1-6 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $954

$332 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • A middle school extension to concentration areas for grades 5-6 is also available with additional coursework.
  • The Institute for Autism Research offers additional expertise for students pursuing special education tracks.
  • The program keeps small class sizes and prides itself on personalized attention offered to students.

When a school has been singled out by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation as displaying high quality and meeting rigorous standards set forth by the education community, you know you are going to get something special there. That’s the case at Canisius, which has gone the extra mile to build out service-learning opportunities within the Buffalo community to give students key interactions with ethnically, racially, and culturally diverse populations. You’ll build up more than 100 hours of fieldwork even before you get to your student teaching experience here. The Ignatian foundation of your Jesuit education here makes it rigorous but also rewarding.

St. Joseph’s College Long Island (PR)
Department of Adolescence Education
Patchogue, New York
Website

  • Concentration in Adolescence Education with: (all on-campus)
    • Bachelor in Biology
    • Bachelor in Chemistry
    • Bachelor in English
    • Bachelor in History
    • Bachelor in Mathematics
    • Bachelor in Spanish

Estimated cost per credit: $953

$333 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • A bilingual certificate extension is available to give you the skills you need to help English language learners feel comfortable in the classroom.
  • Consistently ranked amongst the best teaching programs available in the New York Metropolitan area.
  • Campus locations on Long Island and in Brooklyn offer flexible attendance options.

St. Joseph’s only offers preparation for adolescence education certification, but they do it well! Focusing on only a handful of subject areas and a high-school grade level range allows them to develop a deep bench of expertise to pass along to students. You’ll spend plenty of time mastering your subject matter area in order to present class materials with skill. Most of the courses include fieldwork in local middle and high schools, which puts you in live classrooms to further develop your skills. The school leans heavily on educational technology, so you’ll get hands-on experience with the latest and greatest classroom teaching tools like smart whiteboards to round out your expertise.

St. Francis College (PR)
Education Department
Brooklyn Heights, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in English (on-campus)
    • Childhood Education
    • Adolescent Education
  • Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies (on-campus)
    • Childhood Education
    • Adolescent Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology (on-campus)
    • Childhood Education
    • Adolescent Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry/Adolescent Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics/Adolescent Education (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $890

$396 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • School is a member in good standing with AAQEP.
  • Follow the Franciscan ideals of service to your community in this rigorous Christian college program.
  • Each candidate at St. Francis will complete at least 300 hours of supervised student teaching in high-needs schools, along with a minimum of five hours of field experience for each educational credit earned.
  • Technology-rich programs prepare you for a bright future while humanistic teaching never lets you lose focus of the personal element.

The goal at St. Francis is for learning to lead to inspiration. The school embodies the Franciscan values of caring, service, and acceptance of differences, which makes it an excellent choice to hone your multicultural experience and get a little bit of that inspiration for yourself to make an impact on classrooms around the state or country. The professors here have decades of experience in both teaching and administration, and can help you learn the ropes not just around the classroom but within school systems as a whole. St. Francis graduates never have to look far for a job in the New York area.

Nyack College (PR)
School of Education
New York, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education (on-campus)
    • Communication & the Arts
    • English

Estimated cost per credit: $833

$453 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Degree leads not only to NYS teacher certification but also ACSI certification.
  • Global service-learning and overseas student teaching opportunities are available for diverse but inclusive clinical experiences.
  • Program enjoys reciprocity with almost all other states, which allows teaching certification outside of New York to be easily achieved.

If you are interested in pursuing a teaching career that primarily runs through Christian schools, Nyack is definitely the place to be. With accreditation from CAEP, it holds up the highest standards of secular education in the field, but it is also recognized by the Association of Christian Schools International as having a superb Christian-centric course of study. With two tracks, both in childhood education, you get the advantage of very focused, very experienced instructors and a curriculum that has been tested and found solid by both accreditors and future employers.

Five Towns College (PR)
Music Teacher Education Division
Dix Hills, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Music Education (on-campus)
    • Instrumental
    • Vocal/Piano/Guitar

Estimated cost per credit: $830

$456 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP, NASM
  • Through a special relationship with the NY State School Music Association, students participate in the collegiate chapter of the group to work at NYSSMA sponsored events for education and networking.
  • In it’s strategic location on Long Island, Five Towns is ideally situated for students to complete their fieldwork at any of 127 public schools in Nassau or Suffolk Counties.
  • Instructors include not only experienced music teachers, but also accomplished practicing artists.

Specialization can be a great advantage if you know what you want to do as a teacher, and if that is becoming a fantastic music teacher, then Five Towns has got to be near the top of your list. Not only does it have one of the coolest names of any private university in the state, but it’s also one of the least expensive. And with a dedicated bachelor of music program as its sole focus, you know that every ounce of your curriculum and instruction is going toward making you a standout music educator. Accreditation by both the National Schools of Music and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation means the program has cleared high bars in both the academic and musical worlds.

Utica College (PR)
Educator Preparation Program
Utica, New York
Website

  • Concentration in Early Childhood Education B-2 (on-campus)
    • Bachelor in Biology
    • Bachelor in Chemistry
    • Bachelor in Communication Arts
    • Bachelor in Economics
    • Bachelor in English
    • Bachelor in History
    • Bachelor in International Studies
    • Bachelor in Liberal Studies
    • Bachelor in Mathematics
    • Bachelor in Philosophy
    • Bachelor in Physics
    • Bachelor in Psychology
      • Child life
    • Bachelor in Sociology
    • Bachelor in Anthropology
  • Concentration in Childhood Education 1-6 (on-campus)
    • As above
    • Grade 7-9 extension
  • Concentration in Middle Childhood Education 5-9 (on-campus)
    • As above
  • Concentration in Adolescence Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • As above
    • Grad 5-6 extension
  • Students with Disabilities Generalist 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Bachelor in English
    • Bachelor in Mathematics
    • Bachelor in Biology
    • Bachelor in Chemistry
    • Bachelor in Physics
    • Bachelor in Economics
    • Bachelor in History
    • Bachelor in Sociology/Anthropology
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Education B-12 (on-campus)
    • Bachelor in English
  • Business and Marketing Education (on-campus)
    • Bachelor in Marketing Management

Estimated cost per credit: $719

$567 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Learn from an exceptional faculty full of seasoned professional teacher and administrators.
  • Observation and field placement offers hands-on experience at 35 different area schools for a diverse slice of teaching styles and classroom populations.
  • Dual certification options available in early childhood and childhood education, or between adolescence/childhood and special education.

Utica College has a wide range of different certifications and specializations that make it the ideal choice if you want to keep your options open on your path to becoming a professional teacher. That includes some rare and unusual ones like business and marketing or sociology and anthropology that you would have trouble finding even at more expensive programs. The school has a strong focus on practical applications, putting you out in the real world for hands-on observation and student teaching work, as well as options for research internships that give you an incredible academic grounding in your chosen field.

Boricua College (PR)
Child Education Program
New York, New York
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $367

$919 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation
  • The program is uniquely designed to address the need for bilingual elementary school teachers in the New York City area.
  • A non-traditional facilitator faculty role offers unique levels of individualized assistance to every single student at the school.

Boricua only offers a single concentration option, but it’s both unique and laser-focused on a pressing need: staffing more New York City schools with accomplished and highly-trained bilingual elementary school teachers. You won’t find another program like it in the state at any price, and at a cost over over $900 less than the average private school program, it’s a rare find. And a Boricua education stands out in other ways, as well: the Student-Facilitator partnership puts you in a small group with other students throughout your education here, managed by a faculty facilitator whose only role is to ensure you are getting the most from your education.


Pennsylvania

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (PU)
Office of Teacher Education
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Art
    • Business
    • Chemistry
    • Driver Education
    • Earth and Space Science
    • Early Childhood/Special Education
      • Urban Track
    • Early Childhood Education with Literacy/Reading
    • English
    • Family and Consumer Science
    • Health and Physical Education
    • Mathematics
    • Middle Level 4-8
    • Music
    • Physics
    • Social Studies
      • Geography
      • History
      • Sociology
    • Spanish
    • Special Education PreK-12
    • Vocational-Technical

Estimated cost per credit: $319 (out-of-state: $463)

$79 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • More than 30 different certification areas are available through IUP’s teacher education programs, giving you a path to any specialty you can imagine.
  • Experiential field opportunities are offered in culturally and economically diverse urban and rural settings.
  • Included in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges guidebook for 17 years running and ranked by Schools.com as one of the Top 10 colleges in the state.
  • Faculty are accomplished educators and highly respected researchers with many symposium presentations and journal publications to their credit.

Sometimes it helps to have a long history in teacher training to give a program some heft and reputation. IUP has that in spades, since its foundation in 1875 as the Indiana Normal School as a primary location for teacher certification in the state. With numerous national accolades and recommendations from reviews as varied as Money Magazine and The Princeton Review, you can be sure the reputation of IUP is still solid gold both in and outside the state. The professional network you will belong to is outstanding, and the school doesn’t forget you when you are gone… you will continue to have access to many summer workshops and continuing education options through IUP even after graduation.

Millersville University of Pennsylvania (PU)
College of Education and Human Services
Millersville, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood/Special Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Level Education
    • English Language Arts
    • Mathematics
    • Science
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Science in Education K-12 (on-campus)
    • Art Education
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Earth Sciences
    • English Education
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Music
    • Physics
    • Technology & Engineering
    • World Languages
      • French
      • German
      • Spanish

Estimated cost per credit: $319 (out-of-state: $643)

$79 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE/CAEP
  • Strong partnerships with local schools mean your student teaching placements are well-supported and guided by co-teachers and administrators with experience and familiarity with the program.
  • The Philadelphia Urban Seminar offers an intensive experience that takes you to partner LaSalle University for two weeks of in-city urban teaching.
  • The Susan A. Walker Children’s Literature Center offers a collection of over 10,000 children’s books for students to reference for their own lesson planning ideas.
  • A deep curriculum resource pool at the newly renovated McNairy Library offers books, manuals, learning center kits, and leveled readers for your use.

Millersville offers a wide array of teaching specializations leading to initial teacher certification at every grade level. The amount of resources the school puts behind the program are immense, giving you a wealth of material to draw in both in your classroom studies and to prepare for classroom experiences. You’ll get broad, multicultural exposure in that fieldwork, with rural, suburban, and urban teaching options on the table. The partnership with LaSalle University in the two-week Philadelphia Urban Seminar offers a particularly intensive exposure to urban teaching, one that will pay dividends going forward. As a former state teacher’s college, Millersville has a long history of developing outstanding educators to draw on. You can be part of that tradition at a much lower cost than the average public school in the state!

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (PU)
Teacher Education Department
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Early Childhood/Elementary PK-4
      • Early Childhood concentration
    • Elementary/Middle Level Education 4-8 (on-campus)
      • English/Language Arts
      • Mathematics
      • Math and Language Arts
      • Math and Science
      • Math and Social Studies
      • Science
      • Science and English/Language Arts
      • Science and Social Studies
      • Social Studies

Estimated cost per credit: $319 (out-of-state: $335)

$79 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE
  • Names as a 2019/2020 College of Distinction for its education programs.
  • The only university in Pennsylvania to include an on-campus public elementary lab school allows you to observe and participate in real classrooms without ever leaving campus.
  • The Bartos Child and Family Center offers additional opportunities to work with and observe children ages one through five.
  • Dual Specializations offered in special education with early childhood degree or middle level English, Math, Science, or Social studies concentrations.

Ship was the first normal school in the state dedicated to training teachers. That’s a long history of excellence in teacher education, and you can tell how serious the school is by the fact that it has a public elementary school and Head Start program operating on campus, the Grace B. Luhrs University Elementary School. Faculty include experts in cognitive, language, physical, and social-emotional growth and development, so you get all the background knowledge you need to interpret and manage classroom behavior on top of your pedagogical instruction. The school’s focus on the grade levels that are served by the on-campus elementary speak to the level of dedication and expertise delivered to future childhood and middle level teachers.

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (PU)
Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education 4-8 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Health Education P-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $276 (out-of-state: $587)

$122 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE
  • Physical education teacher preparation program is endorsed by NASPE/AAHPERD.
  • A dual certification in special education is available with either the ECE or MLE degree programs for extra preparation in special needs instruction.
  • Field experiences start in the first year for early and intensive hands-on preparation in real classrooms or gyms.
  • The ESU Professional Development School program offers the opportunity for students to participate in a service-focused group working with partner schools in the region.

Starting as a state normal school in 1893, East Stroudsburg has always been in the business of preparing teachers for Pennsylvania schools. The school still turns out teachers that are in great demand across the state as highly professional, reflective, well-prepared teachers starting from day one. With certification preparations for early and middle school teaching, or all-ages physical and health education, you won’t find every endorsement option in the books here, but you will find instructors and a curriculum that is highly tailored to a specific set of teaching skills and tools.

California University of Pennsylvania (PU)
California, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education 4-8 (on-campus)
    • English
    • Math
    • Science
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education (on-campus)
    • Art
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Communications
    • Earth Science
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Science in Technology Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Special Education (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $257 (out-of-state: $386)

$141 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE
  • Early childhood program is based on NAEYC standards and middle school program is rooted in AMLE standards for alignment with current best practices in the field.
  • Integrative STEM Education Endorsement from the Pennsylvania DOE gets you ready for instruction in the hot fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.
  • Dual special education certification option available with MLE and CE degrees.
  • The BSEd in Special Education also offers training to qualify you specifically for the state endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • On-campus seminars are regularly offered on current developments in education to keep you up-to-date with the latest thinking.

CalU gets that teaching is a calling, not just a career. Your passion and drive are what make you an exceptional teacher… as long as your put them together with training and preparation. That’s where CalU delivers, and does so at an affordable cost. With strong content area programs in hot fields like technology and special education, and intensive fieldwork and hands-on student teaching experiences give you the real-world experience you need to develop your skills. You get personal attention from all of the highly-qualified, highly-experienced instructors to bring out the best in your abilities. That extends to job placement support after graduation, with not only faculty, but also school alums and the Career and Professional Development Center kicking in the afterburner to get you jobs in schools you want.

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (PU)
Department of Business, Education, and Professional Studies
Cheyney, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Early Childhood PreK-4 and Special Education PreK-8 Dual certification

Estimated cost per credit: $257 (out-of-state: $514)

$141 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • Academic Success Center provides every student with the option of individualized mentoring to get past the hard parts.
  • A 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures plenty of face-time with instructors.
  • Public and private school settings are available for student teaching placements.

Cheyney was the first Historically Black University in the nation, founded in 1837, and understood the importance then and now of strong educators leading communities into the light. With a dual-certification program focused on early childhood education, the school gives you the full set of tools you need to get every child started on the right track in their education. You’ll learn how to assess, plan, and implement developmentally-appropriate lessons for kids from infancy to elementary school. You’ll put those skills into practice starting in your freshman year, as required field experience courses start early at Cheyney and continue all the way through your twelve-week student teaching commitment as a senior.

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (PU)
School of Education
Edinboro, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Deaf Education B-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education K-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Middle Level 4-8
      • English, Language Arts and Reading
      • Mathematics
      • Science
      • Social Studies
    • Secondary
      • Biology
      • Comprehensive English
      • Chemistry
      • Mathematics
      • Social Studies
    • Special Education

Estimated cost per credit: $257 (out-of-state: $386)

$141 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Edinboro was the first institution in the state to achieve CAEP accreditation for both initial and advanced teacher preparation programs.
  • The Early Childhood and Deaf Education programs is the only one of its kind in Western Pennsylvania.
  • A health and fitness computer lab and state-of-the-art human performance laboratory supports Health and PE majors with first-rate equipment and technology.
  • Dual degree option available in Special Education together with BSeD programs.
  • Learn team teaching techniques and other cutting-edge approaches to modern schooling.
  • A STEM endorsement is available with ECE program studies to give you a leg up in critical early teaching of science, technology, engineering, and math.
  • Edinboro received an A grade for Early Reading Instruction from the National Council on Teacher Quality in 2020.

Edinboro is fairly bursting with opportunities for future teachers in Pennsylvania. With a wealth of endorsement and concentration options to get you started, the school also piles on dual degree and other combinations that are almost limitless in letting you tailor your training to your goals. The Philadelphia Urban Seminar option offers you a chance to pick up diverse teaching experiences for credit. More local events including Literacy Nights, Family STEM events, and tutoring engagements all push you to get engaged with your community and to gain experience in your field. If you need some more motivation, organizations on campus include the Council for Exceptional Children, the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association, and the Kappa Delta Pi Honors Fraternity.

Kutztown University (PU)
College of Education
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Elementary Education PreK-4
    • Special Education
    • Special Education: Visual Impairment
    • Middle Level Education 4-8
      • Math and Science
      • Math and English/Language Arts
      • Math and Social Studies
      • Science and English/Language Arts and Reading
      • Science and Social Studies
    • Secondary Education 7-12
      • English
      • Social Studies
      • German
      • Spanish
      • General Science
      • Biology
      • Earth & Space Science
      • Chemistry
      • Mathematics
      • Physics
    • Bachelor of Science in Art Education (on-campus)
    • Bachelor of Science in Music Education (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $257 (out-of-state: $386)

$141 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP, NASM
  • Kutztown is one of only six institutions in the United States to offer an undergrad program focusing on teaching to the visually impaired.
  • Earn your Autism Endorsement certificate as a part of the special education track.

Kutztown gets high marks both from graduates of the program and from employers of those graduates, but also from an even more hallowed group: the teachers in whose classrooms those future graduates did their student teaching. It’s not unheard of for those supervising teachers to go out of their own way to personally line up job interviews for their student teachers. It’s a sign Kutztown lives up to its mission of having a positive impact on the lives of children and youth in the state. Supported by state-of-the-art technology, you’ll learn how to work both individually and collaboratively through classroom and field experiences. The school offers some unique avenues, such as visually impaired teaching, along with some that are just hard to find, like art and music.

Lock Haven University (PU)
The College of Liberal Arts and Education
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Early Childhood Education PreK-4
    • Middle Level Education 4-8
      • Biology
      • Language Arts
      • Math
      • Social Studies
    • Secondary Education 7-12
      • Biology
      • Chemistry
      • English
      • General Science
      • Earth and Space Science
      • Mathematics
      • Physics
      • Social Studies
    • Health and Physical Education K-12
    • Special Education PreK-12

Estimated cost per credit: $257 (out-of-state: $386)

$141 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • Dual majors in Special Education and other content programs allow you to become dual certified in Pennsylvania.
  • Student teaching begins in your freshman year with 80 hours of field experience and placement in 4-8 different classroom settings.
  • The Robinson Learning Center on campus offers dedicated, state-of-the-art learning facilities with smart boards, computers, and other technology-enhanced classroom tools.
  • Subject-specific programs hold specialty recognition from various professional organizations such as NCTE and NSTA.

Founded in 1870 as the Central State Normal School, teacher training was Lock Haven’s first calling. It remains a central purpose at the university, and is recognized as one of the best TEACHER CERTIFICATION programs in the state. With tuition more than $140 less than the state average, that makes it a great value. You can hit any of the main subject-matter concentrations in demand in the state, or take advantage of even more unusual offerings at Lock Haven, like exploring marine biology in the middle school biology specialization. Students here get classroom hours in real-world environments early and often, starting in their freshman year.

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania (PU)
Education and Special Education Department
Mansfield, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Early Childhood and Elementary Education
    • Professional Studies in Secondary Education
      • Earth and Space Science
      • English
      • Mathematics
      • Social Studies/History
    • Bachelor of Music in Music Education (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $257 (out-of-state: $576)

$141 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: NASM
  • An optional special education certification allows you to meet state requirements for a special education teaching endorsement.
  • Names as a Program of Distinction consistently since 2015.
  • The campus chapter of the Student Council for Exceptional Children advances the professional and ethical growth of students pursuing special education careers.
  • Get more professional development opportunities through the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association, which puts on seminars and conferences at local, state, and national levels.

You’ll find a wide variety of field experiences incorporated throughout your curriculum at Mansfield, places to put your training in innovative instructional and assessment techniques to the test. Your highly experienced instructors have not only that same sort of real-world experience, but also plenty of academic qualification… you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone teaching here without a PhD or EdD behind their name. The Music Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, a vote of confidence in both teaching and musical training offered here.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (PU)
College of Education
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Early Childhood Education PK-4
      • International Education
      • Liberal Studies
    • Middle Level Education 4-8
      • English/Language Arts
      • Math
      • Science
      • Social Studies
    • Secondary Education 7-12
      • English
      • French
      • Social Studies
      • Spanish
    • Health and Physical Education K-12
      • Physical Activity and Fitness Management
      • School Wellness Education
    • Special Education K-12
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education PreK-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $257 (out-of-state: $514)

$141 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE, NASM
  • Special education dual major is an option for ECE program majors.
  • The school is the 4th largest producer of teachers in the state, so your network will extend everywhere.
  • Has received more than $1.8 million in grant funding since 2012, resulting in excellent facilities and resources for educators.
  • The Special Education program was ranked 10th best in the entire United States by org.
  • The unique RockTEACH program aims to diversify the teacher workforce by promoting college attendance and offering support to education students.

You’ll be learning from award-winning faculty at Slippery Rock, with tons of real-world experience to back up their academic expertise. A wide range of background gives you a wide base of perspectives to ground your own teaching philosophies on, and personal attention and mentorship will help you through those rough spots along the way. The college itself has collected plenty of awards and accolades over the years, including grant funding that allows more resources and better support for students… including a series of Professor Protégé fellowships that have handed out 103 iPads and $800 stipends to incoming freshmen so far. The school has a lot to offer students, and you’ll have a lot to offer to your own students with the qualifications this program will give you.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania (PU)
College of Education and Social Work
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Early Grades Preparation PreK-4
    • Middle Grades Preparation 4-8
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Earth and Space Sciences
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
  • Bachelor of Science in Education/Special Education
    • PreK-12
    • PreK-12 and Early Grades PreK-4
    • PreK-12 and Middle Grades 4-8
    • 7-12

Estimated cost per credit: $257 (out-of-state: $643)

$141 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at public colleges

  • National accreditation: NCATE
  • 4+1 programs are available in certain specific pathways to offer a fast track to your master’s degree with only 1 additional year of schooling.
  • Unique literacy department offers a minor that allows specialists in English and Language Arts to pump up the skill level in this neglected area of expertise.

The program at West Chester fosters a consistent objective of turning out life-long learners. You’ll be instilled with the curiosity and the skills to keep yourself current in your field long after graduation… a skill that would be valuable at any price, but that you will get here at much less than the state average cost per credit. Students go through a series of cross-disciplinary seminars that take your subject matter expertise and integrate content knowledge from across the spectrum of pedagogical research. You get the opportunity to put all of that into practice during your meaningful and deeply involved practical clinical experiences.

Messiah University (PR)
Department of Education
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • PreK-4
    • 4-8
      • English
      • Mathematics
      • Math & English
      • Math & Social Studies
      • Science
      • Science & English
      • Science & Social Studies
      • Science & Math
      • Social Studies
    • Special Education PreK-12
  • Bachelor of Science in Art Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in English 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in French PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Health and Physical Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Music Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science/Arts in Physics 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Spanish PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Special Education PreK-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,211

$5 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: NASM
  • Minors in ECE, special education, and TESOL give you the opportunity to extend your skillset into hot fields while maintaining a focus in your concentration area.
  • International student-teaching opportunities can take you to an overseas placement for 5-7 weeks of unforgettable cultural experience.
  • Learn in a state-of-the-art facility with three computer labs and a language lab on site.
  • Field experiences are available in more than twenty urban, suburban, and rural districts all within easy reach of the Messiah campus.

Messiah offers you a chance at getting hands-on experience in the field early on in your education, and on a continuing basis throughout the program. You’ll have three or more placements in public school settings through the program, and even an overseas student teaching option. That lets you test the knowledge you pick up in the classroom against real-world conditions, and to evolve and grow as you learn more and gain more experience. You’ll learn how to apply those skills in the context of your Christian faith, for preparation in either public or private school settings.

Drexel University (PR)
School of Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor’s in Elementary Education PreK-4/4-8 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor’s in Secondary Education 7-12

Estimated cost per credit: $1,197

$19 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • A 4+1 program option allows you to turn you bachelor’s into a master’s degree with only one additional year tacked on to your studies.
  • The unique DragonsTeach STEM certification program offers a secondary teaching certification to add a valuable credential to your initial teaching license.
  • Priority job placement at local partner schools with DragonsTeach gets you in the door first.
  • Co-op teaching experiences offer a better student teaching experience and an opportunity to learn with less pressure than traditional student teaching.
  • A wide range of both public and private area schools are available for your student teaching to offer both urban and suburban environments.

Drexel is serious about preparing new teachers with the tools to meet the rising challenge in science, tech, engineering, and math skills in the United States. You can earn a secondary certification through the DragonsTeach STEM program, but also find innovative ways to build STEM training into more traditional subjects. The ExCITe Center hosts a pair of innovative camps that combine STEM teaching with dance, music, and art, for example, drawing in students who might not otherwise be interested in technology subjects. You can expect similar innovation in your own education, whether through co-op teaching experiences or open colloquiums where you listen to PhD and EdD students from the school present their dissertation research. As a Philly-based university, you will also get all the benefits of the rich multicultural experience that comes from teaching and observation in the city.

Marywood University (PR)
School of Education
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education (on-campus)
    • Special Education
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education K-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Spanish K-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Communication Arts
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies

Estimated cost per credit: $1,173

$43 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: NASM
  • A five-year bachelor’s to master’s program is available if you end up loving Marywood so much after four years that you want to stay another to get an advanced degree.
  • Campus chapters of the PSEA, SCEC, and America Reads all offer opportunities for networking and extra hands-on experience tutoring.
  • The McGowan Center facilities include computer labs with advanced assistive technology and an extensive curriculum lab to inspire your own lesson planning.
  • You’ll also find wifi throughout the Center and various other amenities that keep your education on track, like a library and even a market!

As a private university, Marywood has the flexibility to structure their teacher certification program their own way. And their core beliefs is that prospective educators should be grounded in a professional, liberal education that allow effective communication and lifelong learning over the course of their career. You’ll master a dynamic body of knowledge and tap in to your own creativity and problem-solving skill through your studies. Excellent facilities and experienced, mentoring staff members give you all the resources you need to get superb training in teaching, while a variety of student organizations offer a chance for extra support and long-term networking.

Gwynedd Mercy University (PR)
School of Business & Education
Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Early Education/Special Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies

Estimated cost per credit: $1,155

$61 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • The on-campus Academic Resource Center offers one-stop-shopping for academic and professional needs on your road to certification.
  • Take advantage of the Hobbit House licensed private academic lab school right on campus for developing hands-on teaching skills.
  • Get involved in classroom observation beginning in your first semester with the Teacher Apprentice Program!
  • A dedicated personal advisor provides direct guidance through all four of your years here.
  • Learn from highly-qualified faculty with both doctoral-level academic preparation and years of classroom experience under their belt.

Gwynedd Mercy produces teachers who make real and lasting differences in the lives of their students. The well-funded private school has state-of-the-art classrooms for you to study in and a unique opportunity in the Valie Genuardi Hobbit House private school right on campus. A nursery through preK program there gives ECE students the opportunity to get involved with real students almost immediately, and all without leaving campus. You’ll get a total of 8 semesters spent observing or student teaching in actual classrooms, a wealth of first-hand experience regardless of your grade level specialization.

Eastern University (PR)
Undergraduate Education Department
St. Davids, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
    • ESL
    • Foreign Language education K-12
    • Music K-12
  • Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education 4-8 (on-campus)
    • English/Reading
    • Social Studies
    • Mathematics
    • Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Special Education N-8 (on-campus)
    • Other relevant certifications may be added
  • Bachelor of Science in Music Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in English 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Math 7-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,138

$78 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • You can graduate in as few as 3 years of study with the Eastern University FastPass accelerated track.
  • With a location in suburban Philadelphia, student teaching opportunities range from rural to urban to suburban schools to give you experience in every type of teaching environment.
  • Student organizations on campus to support your networking and study opportunities include the CEC, Kappa Delta Pi, and the PSEA.
  • A 3+1 or 4+1 combination BS/MS program can add a master’s to your portfolio with only one extra year of study.
  • Dedicated faculty have extensive experience working in all types of educational settings and the expertise to pass along their skills and knowledge.
  • Dual concentrations are offered to allow you to broaden your appeal in the job market with more than one teaching specialization.
  • International exchange program options can take you to New Zealand, South Korea, or Canada to broaden your perspectives on educational approaches.

Eastern does an excellent job of integrating Christian faith with their education major, fostering academic excellence along with a clear understanding of faith and justice in a teaching position. Educational equity is strongly pursued by Eastern’s professors and graduates, with diverse student teaching experience in all types of school districts offering you a perspective that few other new teacher enjoy. You’ll learn how to serve as a change agent in any type of position you pursue.

Misericordia University (PR)
Teacher Education Department
Dallas, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of science in Early Childhood/Special Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education 4-8 (on-campus)
    • Math/Science
    • Math/English
    • Math/Social Studies
    • Science/English
    • Science Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • English
    • History
    • Mathematics

Estimated cost per credit: $1,137

$79 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Graduates of this program enjoy pass rates for state certification between 90 and 100 percent, well above the state averages.
  • Hands-on experience starting in classrooms in your freshman year leads to more than 750 cumulative hours of field work by graduation.
  • Class sizes are kept small for face-to-face interaction with instructors and personalized attention, usually less than 15 students per course.
  • The only program in Northeastern Pennsylvania to earn an A from the National Council on Teacher Quality in reading instruction.

Although it’s a small school, the Teacher Education Department at Misericordia is one of the oldest departments and one of the most well-established. Since 1924, the school has been following a solid formula for producing excellent educators: keep classes small, keep studies focused, and offer plenty of direct contact hours with real students in functioning classrooms. The university may be old-school in its liberal-arts philosophy and individualized preparation, but it’s cutting-edge when it comes to subject matter areas… every mid-level certification path combines with a STEM subject to ensure the huge demand for well-prepared science and math teachers is met.

Point Park University (PR)
School of Education
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts 4-8 in: (on-campus)
    • English
    • Math
    • Science
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts or Science 7-12 in: (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Citizenship
    • English
    • Math
    • Social Studies

Estimated cost per credit: $1,129

$87 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • A dual certification in special education is also available with very degree field in the program.
  • Your faculty bring both industry experience and high-level academic expertise to the program, with award-winning achievements and research behind them.
  • Project Children LEAD offers multicultural education resources to teachers to prepare you for the modern classroom in diverse communities.

If studying at a dynamic, urban university that is a fraction of the cost of other big private schools sounds like a good deal to you, then Point Park may be just the place for your teacher training. You’ll be learning from professors who have come from successful backgrounds working in education and use that real-world experience to boost your own odds of success. Early field placements give you a taste of what it’s like to run your own classroom in a multicultural urban environment and build confidence you will take with you for your entire career. Graduates rave about their small class sizes and additional preparation offered by advisors and professors along the way.

Gannon University (PR)
School of Education
Erie, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education 4-8 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education 7-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Special Education (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,119

$97 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Start building your resume as early as your freshman year with classroom observation and tutoring experiences.
  • The school has an 88 percent overall post-graduation employment rate but a solid 100 percent rate in ECE and Secondary Education.
  • Multiple field placements in urban, suburban, and rural schools, both public and private, give you a wide range of experiences to draw on throughout your career.
  • Service-learning projects offer an opportunity to give back to the community while improving your own teaching skillsets.
  • Overseas study option at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick gives you a chance at training in multinational teaching styles.
  • Campus chapters of Kapp Delta Pi, the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association, and Gannon University’s Society for Exceptional Children offer additional networking and learning opportunities.
  • Dual certification options in special education and any of the other certification programs offer you double the qualifications in a hot, in-demand field of education.
  • Special education courses benefit from a partnership with the Barber National Institute, an organization that offers services to more than 6,000 children with various intellectual or behavioral challenges.

Gannon offers small, intimate class sizes, with an average of 13 students to a single professor, together with big, world-circling opportunities. Whether that takes you to Ireland for a semester at partner school Mary Immaculate College, or to Thailand to teach English, it gives you the tools and the experience to become a force for positive educational change wherever you seek employment after graduation. Three 60-hour field experiences build up to a full semester of student teaching, with placements in both public schools and private educational facilities like charter schools or Catholic diocesan schools.

Elizabethtown College (PR)
Department of Education
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Middle Level Education 4-8 (on-campus)
    • Mathematics
    • Science
    • English/Language Arts
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Special Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Secondary Education (on-campus)
    • Biology 7-12
    • Chemistry 7-12
    • English 7-12
    • Mathematics 7-12
    • Physics 7-12
    • Social Studies 7-12
    • Music PK-12
    • Fine Arts PK-12
    • Spanish PK-12

Estimated cost per credit: $1,099

$117 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Students are encouraged to study abroad during their time at Elizabethtown, offering courses in parts of the world with direct relevance to your specialization area.
  • The school offers early and frequent field expertises in urban, rural, and suburban settings.
  • Faculty are experts in not only their individual specialty areas but also in advocating for equity, civic engagement, and global citizenship.
  • Partnerships with the U-GRO Learning Centres expands the lab-school environment available for students working with children from six weeks up to 5th grade level.
  • Campus chapters of the NSTA, CEC, Kappa Delta Pi, and others offer opportunities for networking and study outside the classroom.

Etown considers social justice to be a fundamental mission of their teacher education program. You’ll be a better educator and a better citizen with their social justice curriculum at the core of your training. Education for service is the goal, and through the daily activities of your coursework and special opportunities like those offered by the Anna Reese Tempest Distinguished Educator Lecture Series, you will be well prepared for that service by the time you graduate. But the school comes in strong on the hard sciences too, with the National Science Teachers Association maintaining an active group on campus and highly respected specializations in biology, chemistry, and physics available for critical STEM teaching preparation. At a lower than average cost, it’s an extensive preparation in any popular field you choose.

Cabrini University (PR)
School of Education
Radnor, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Special Education PreK-8 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Middle-Level Education 4-8 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Secondary Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Communication
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies

Estimated cost per credit: $1,056

$160 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Home of the Center for Urban Education, Equity, and Improvement, offering student opportunities to work alongside historically underserved communities and schools in the area.
  • The on-campus Barbara and John Jordan Center for Children of Trauma and Domestic Violence Education offers teachers trained here additional expertise in working with children whose lives have been touched by violence and abuse.
  • The Children’s School is a university-run pre-school and kindergarten that offers special observation and field work opportunities for students pursuing an ECE degree.

The university’s namesake, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, was a teacher herself, so you had better believe that the school takes teacher training seriously. Only 30 minutes from Philadelphia, Cabrini is ideally placed to offer student teaching experiences in a variety of urban, suburban, and rural areas. Although the school offers the typical private liberal arts college focus on individual expression and personal attention, it also has a significant high-tech side through the Center for Universal Design for Learning, Technology, and Resources, which offers a mobile iPad cart and extensive collection of K-12 software for your use.

Thiel College (PR)
Department of Education
Greenville, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood/Special Education (on-campus)
  • Secondary Education Bachelor of Arts in: (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • English
    • History
    • Math

Estimated cost per credit: $1,056

$160 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • All Thiel professors are trained, certified, and have significant experience as teachers, principals, and administrators with knowledge and wisdom to pass along.
  • Graduates have achieved an 86% summary pass rate on state exams since 2018.
  • Build at least 190 hours of field experience before graduation here, documented in an ePortfolio with your other coursework for an easy way to demonstrate what you have learned to future employers.
  • The school maintains close personal contact and oversight for the partner districts used for student teaching, ensuring you get a solid experience at any grade level.

With the stringent, research-based, cutting-edge curriculum at Thiel delivered by professors with a commitment to your success and decades of real-world experience under their belt, you have a can’t-miss combination of science and knowledge working for you here. Thiel classes are designed to provide meaningful interaction between you and the other students, as well as significant personal attention from professors, developing thoughts and ideas through experiential learning strategies.

Neumann University (PR)
School of Education and Human Services
Aston, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Education (on-campus)
    • Early Childhood (PreK-4) and Special Education (PreK-12)
    • Secondary Education
      • Biology
      • English
      • Mathematics
      • Political Science

Estimated cost per credit: $1,050

$166 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Named to the Catholic College of Distinction list for 2020 and 2021.
  • Ranked among the Best Colleges for Social Mobility in 2021 by U.S. News & World Report.
  • Enjoy the opportunity for high-impact field experiences starting in your first year of the program.
  • A partnership with the NU Child Development Center offers developmentally appropriate practice to support 21st century early learners.
  • Graduates have found employment throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and beyond.
  • The Neumann University Global Engagement Office has a wide portfolio of overseas study options you can take advantage of for truly multicultural educational experiences.
  • The on-campus Child Development Center is a state-licensed childcare facility that offers observation, practical training, and student teaching options to ECE students.

Neumann offers an inexpensive, comprehensive entry point into teaching at the early childhood or secondary levels with a strong emphasis on field experiences. You’ll be out in classrooms observing early in your first year, and continue to build hands-on experience throughout the program. You’ll be taught with an individualized approach to your own learning potential, and learn how to incorporate that into your own teaching style and lesson planning. Neumann produces teachers who are consummate professionals with strong cultural competence and communication skills, capable of succeeding in any type of teaching environment.

La Salle University (PR)
Department of Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in PreK-4/Special Ed and American Studies (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Middle-Level Education with Minor in American Studies 4-8 (on-campus)
    • English/Language Arts
    • Mathematics
    • Social studies
  • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Social studies
    • English
    • Communication
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Mathematics
    • Spanish PreK-12

Estimated cost per credit: $1,045

$171 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Special education dual certification options available for mid-level track educators to expand your state qualifications in that in-demand area.
  • La Salle was ranked among the Top Colleges in the U.S. for 2017 by Forbes
  • Over 80 percent of faculty hold a terminal degree in their field of expertise, so you get expert instruction in every course.
  • Over 90 percent of graduates find full-time occupation within a year of graduating from the program.
  • The LADDER Program offers additional resources and training opportunities for students in the special ed tracks by delivering services to the developmentally disabled as a peer mentor.
  • The Writers Matter program is a unique opportunity for language arts specialists at La Salle to sever as student mentors to developing adolescent writers for hands-on skill development during the course of the program.

You really can’t go wrong getting your teacher certification at a university that was named after the patron saint of teachers. St. John Baptist de La Salle was a pioneer in teacher training in his day, and La Salle University carries on that tradition today with an excellent and accessible program for Pennsylvania initial teacher preparation. The school goes out of its way to provide opportunities for students to volunteer at various scholastic enterprises during their training, giving back to the community while developing their own skills as educators. Although the La Salle Christian Brothers tradition is old, the schooling you receive here is forward-thinking and research-based. You’ll build strong knowledge and classroom skills while honing your commitment to social justice and equity.

Robert Morris University (PR)
Department of Education
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (on-campus)
    • Special Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Special Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education 4-8 (on-campus)
    • English
    • Science
    • Social studies
    • Math
  • Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Applied Mathematics
    • Biology
    • Business Education
    • English
    • Social Science

Estimated cost per credit: $1,028

$188 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • National accreditation: CAEP
  • The Bob and Joan Peirce Center for Structure Reading Teacher Training offers specialized preparation for instructors who plan to work with children with dyslexia.
  • The RMU Trees Network establishes a system of interconnections for families of kids with intellectual disabilities and allows specialized education for future special ed teachers on campus.
  • As part of the Ohio River Consortium, you’ll be part of an active partnership with regional school districts in offering active engagement experiences as part of the curriculum.

Communication is stressed above all other skills here at RMU, because without dynamic and effective communication, there is no teaching. Whether it is through special opportunities you’ll only find as part of the RMU Department of Education, such as the chance to work with the families of disabled youth through the Trees network, or through the rigorous standard curriculum, you will find that your abilities to express yourself and convey complex ideas will be honed throughout your time here. Discipline-backed research backs up everything you will study at RMU, while the experience of instructors with decades of time in the classroom will give you the edge when putting theory into practice.

Holy Family University (PR)
School of Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Early Childhood Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Special Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Secondary Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Art Education PreK-12
    • Biology
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies

Estimated cost per credit: $1,020

$196 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Since 1977, Holy Family has produced more than 3,200 Pennsylvania teachers.
  • Option to add grade 5/6 or 4-8 to your PK-4 teaching certification with the addition of additional content tests.
  • The state-of-the-art Education & Technology Center was designed expressly for teacher training and features complete wireless coverage, live video conferencing, and translation capabilities.
  • A strong emphasis on field experience means you begin observation in your freshman year and continue with classroom placements all the way through your senior student teaching experience.
  • More than 14 different school districts in the Philadelphia area offer teaching placements for a broad selection of different experiences.
  • Dual certification available in ECE PreK-4 and Special Education PreK-12.

Holy Family isn’t shy about their goals. The school aims to change the world by creating educators who can take kids to their full potential in school and beyond. And they also focus on doing it at a reasonable cost, a goal they have entirely met at nearly $200 per credit below the state average cost for private schools. A set of outstanding professors who are empathetic and invested in your success will get you know you as an individual and give you the kind of individualized instruction you need to gain knowledge and skills as a teacher. With over 3,000 Holy Family graduates having moved on to successful careers in teaching in Pennsylvania, you will find a ready-made network of alumni to ease you in to any part of the state where you might choose to work.

Carlow University (PR)
College of Arts and Sciences
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Art in Art Education K-12 (hybrid)
  • Bachelor of Art in Early Childhood Education PreK-4 (hybrid)
    • Special Education

Estimated cost per credit: $1,018

$198 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • The Carlow Campus Laboratory School offers hands-on experience without ever leaving campus.
  • The school offers an unusual hybrid learning approach that delivers expert instruction with a flexible blend of on campus and online instruction.
  • The Early Learning Center is a licensed ECE facility with NAEYC and Keystone STARS accreditation.
  • The Carlow University Art Gallery offers art education majors a unique opportunity to engage with professional artists and curators while still in school.

Carlow doesn’t offer a huge area of specializations for your teaching certification, but they go all-out to give you a one-of-a-kind course of instruction in the areas they teach. You’ll be hard-pressed to find even far more expensive schools that give you the kind of freedom and scheduling convenience you will find at Carlow with their hybrid instructional offering. With a full lab school right on campus, you’ll find yourself getting early hands-on experience in PreK-8 classrooms with small, intimate class sizes (averaging only 14 students each) that ease your way in to classroom management.

Cairn University Langhorne (PR)
School of Education
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Early Childhood Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Health & Physical Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Special Education PreK-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $1,012

$204 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • A grade 5-6 upgrade is available in the Elementary/ECE degree path to allow middle school qualification as well.
  • Special Education and TESOL add-on certifications are available in select majors.
  • A 4+1 accelerated track is available if you decide to continue your training at the master’s level with only one extra year of study at Cairn.
  • Professors are strong in both classroom skills and faith, offering a sterling example to every student.
  • International student teaching and internship options are strongly encouraged, with the possibility of taking you to any of over 130 Christian schools around the world for true multicultural expertise.

Whether it is in the superb music teacher training program here, where you start teaching in labs in your first semester, or in the secondary education track, where you get educational theory and methods straight up in your freshman year, Cairn puts you right in the thick of things immediately. You’ll find the teacher prep programs here offer excellent preparation for public, Christian, private, or international school positions. Extra certification options like TESOL and special ed can seal the deal with unique qualifications that schools are increasingly demanding. And Cairn offers plenty of opportunities for you to study or teach either one-on-one, in local schools, or even in international studies programs to get direct experience long before you graduate.

La Roche University (PR)
Education Department
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Education (on-campus)
    • PreK-4
    • Special Education PreK-12
    • Middle Level Education
      • English/Language Arts & Reading
      • Mathematics
      • Science
      • Social Studies
        • Dual majors in Political Science or History Available

Estimated cost per credit: $982

$234 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Dedicated faculty ensure every student has a full opportunity to succeed in this small and engaging program.
  • Additional special education endorsement in PreK-12 available to PreK-4 concentration students.
  • Every education major at the school is paired with a dedicated mentor teacher to ensure personalized attention in the student teaching phase.

La Roche offers a quality educational experience to students of all religions, ethnicities, and talents. The school encourages participation in clubs and community volunteer groups on top of your educational commitments, preparing every teacher for both a role in education and in a multicultural society.

Geneva College (PR)
Department of Education
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • PreK-4/PreK-8 Special Education
    • Middle Level Education 4-8
      • English
      • Math
      • Science
      • Social Studies
    • Secondary Education 7-12
      • Biology
      • Chemistry
      • English
      • Math
      • Physics
      • Social Studies
    • Bachelor’s in Music Education K-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $950

$266 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • The school has achieved a pass rate about 90 percent in the most recent years on record for state certification exams.
  • Begin experiential learning in real classrooms as early as your freshman year for unparalleled hands-on teaching time.
  • Geneva offers additional tutoring and field experience in local classrooms.
  • Overseas teaching opportunities are open for fulfilling your student teaching requirements, giving you international perspective and true multicultural expertise.

Geneva carefully integrates the philosophy and practices of faith-based teaching with the research and science behind modern instructional methods for the best of both worlds in teacher training. A high certification pass rate among graduates tells you all you need to know about the success of this approach. It’s a program that is fueled by the passion and excellence of faculty, each of who have not only rock-solid academic credentials, but decades of classroom experience and a faith that allows them to analyze and teach educational issues from a Christian perspective.

Clarks Summit University (PR)
School of Education
Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education (on-campus)
    • Early Childhood/Elementary Education PreK-4
    • Health and Physical Education PreK-12
    • Secondary Education
      • English
      • Mathematics
      • Social Studies
    • Bachelor of Music Education PreK-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $907

$309 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • With an average class size of only 11, you never have to worry about getting individualized attention from instructors here.
  • Graduates are eligible not only for state certification but also from ACSI.
  • Study abroad options are available that can take you to South Africa, Germany, Greece, Italy, or Peru for a semester or even an entire year.

You probably can already tell from the small class sizes the value that CSU places on interpersonal contact and mentorship. Faculty here genuinely care about their students and work hard to prepare you for success as a teacher, and as a disciple. You’ll learn how to create engaging classroom spaces, find out where to develop practical sources for lessons, and get a solid biblical foundation for education.

Immaculata University (PR)
Education Division
Immaculata, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
    • Special Education PreK-8
  • Bachelor of Education K-12
    • Biology
    • Business and Computers
    • Chemistry
    • English
    • Music Education
    • Social studies/history

Estimated cost per credit: $897

$319 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Student teaching in Peru and Chile available through the Global Perspectives in Education Project, a six week trip that involves cross-cultural experience at both schools and sites such as Machu Pichu.
  • Almost 95 percent of the graduating class of 2019 found work or entered grad school after earning a degree here.
  • A 10-to-1 student to teacher ratio gives you every opportunity to enjoy personalized academic instruction in every course.
  • Ranked as one of America’s top colleges by Forbes and U.S. News & World Report, and as one of the best colleges for the money by Money Magazine.

Immaculata is known for turning out teachers who are complete professionals. You’ll learn the required pedagogical skills and ethics to manage classrooms with complete mastery, while maintaining the professional standards that schools expect. Full attention is paid to the most basic skills in literacy, thinking, and social relationships, so you can teach your own students the essential habits of life-long learning. Developing, managing, and adapting your own instruction and educational programs will become second nature after your studies here.

Lancaster Bible College (PR)
Education Department
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Education PreK-4/K-8 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Education/Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies 4-8/K-8 (on-campus)
    • Math
    • English
    • Science
    • Social studies

Estimated cost per credit: $890

$326 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Certification available not just for the state of Pennsylvania, but also through ACSI for K-8 teaching in Christian schools.
  • Practical experience starts in year one of this program as you get into the field observing teachers and working with students hands-on.
  • All courses are taught on the foundation of a biblical worldview and by seasoned educators with both academic and practical experience.
  • Students have conducted their student teaching in places as diverse as Ecuador or in regional Mennonite schools as well as local public schools.
  • The BSED/BABS program has had a 75 percent placement rate since 2010.

You’ll find caring faculty with you every step of the way on your journey here toward becoming a reflective, relational, and relevant teacher. The school weaves field experience together with your coursework so you get every opportunity to put theory into practice while it’s still fresh in your mind. The belief behind the program is that teaching is more than just technique; it also relies on the character and integrity of the teacher. The proof is in the results, such as LBC alum Becca Foxwell, named as the 2016 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

Albright College (PR)
Education Department
Reading, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor in Early Childhood Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
    • Available with more than 20 co-majors, see college site for details
  • Bachelor in Secondary Education 7-12
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • English
    • French
    • Latin
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Social Studies
      • History
      • Political Science
    • Spanish
  • Bachelor in Art Education K-12
  • Bachelor in Foreign Languages K-12

Estimated cost per credit: $883

$333 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Continue your path in educational studies at the master’s level with only one additional year in school with the 4+1 bachelor plus master’s program here.
  • Dual bachelor’s degrees are also supported to enhance your qualifications in a broader range of teaching areas.
  • The Albright Early Learning Centers is an NAEYC-accredited early childhood facility on campus where ECE students develop their skills with careful mentorship from faculty.
  • Five different regional school district partnerships offer student teaching and observation options in urban, suburban, and rural locations.

Albright recognizes that an investment in education is one of the best you can make, either on the individual or the national level. Making their teacher certification program one of the most affordable in the state puts the full weight of the college behind that idea, and puts a high-quality teacher training program well within reach at a fraction of the average cost. A wealth of co-major options give you alternatives to specialize in almost any conceivable teaching area, while a careful blend of coursework knowledge and classroom experience teach you how to put scientifically-supported theories of pedagogy to work.

Waynesburg University (PR)
Department of Education
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Special Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary/Middle Level Education 4-8 (on-campus)
    • English/Math
    • Social Studies/Math
    • Science/Math
    • English/Science
    • Social Studies/Science
  • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • English
      • Creative Writing
      • Literature
    • (BS) Chemistry
    • (BS) Biology
    • (BS) General Science
    • (BS) Mathematics
    • Social Studies

Estimated cost per credit: $848

$368 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • The program teaches classical theories together with modern pedagogical strategies to give you perspective and scope in the history of teaching.
  • Field placements begin in your freshman year as Waynesburg puts practical classroom experience front and center.
  • Secondary programs offer you not just one, but two advisors, one from the education department and the other in your major area to ensure you check all the boxes in both education and your specialty field.

Waynesburg will fully equip you for success in the 21st century classroom. Your studies here will focus on research-based and developmentally appropriate instructional techniques, but everything is grounded in a study and appreciation of classical theories of education. It’s the best of both worlds, backed up by plenty of practical training in actual classrooms. With dual certifications in the sciences and soft subjects at the middle school levels, you’ll be ready to meet the demand for STEM-focused educators that is sweeping the industry. The school goes all-out to make sure you are supported along the way, detailing advisors in not only your concentration area but also from the Education Department, with two sets of eyes on your coursework and field experiences to make sure you are completely qualified for your state certification.

Wilson College (PR)
Education Department
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Health and Physical Education PreK-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • English
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts in Special Education PreK-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $790

$426 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • A full 150 hours of pre-practicum training in local classrooms precedes your student teaching commitment to let you hit the ground running with real-world experience.
  • Named as a College of Distinction in Education for 2018-2019.
  • A dual certification in ECE/special education is also available to combine two hot areas of expertise.

Wilson delivers a highly-regarded program in all the major certification areas that are in-demand in Pennsylvania primary education today. Partnerships with local communities allow you to put your training to practice right away, with not only extensive observation in live classroom environments, but also a generous helping of pre-practicum experience before you engage in your full-time, off-campus student teaching placement.

Bryn Athyn College of the New Church (PR)
Department of Education
Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Special Education PreK-8 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $790

$426 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • You’ll get over 700 hours of experience in early childhood and elementary classrooms before you graduate, including field experience in special education settings.
  • A special project includes hands-on experience in creating a school garden as an option for fostering important outdoor play into lessons.

Affordability doesn’t mean sacrificing quality at Bryn Athyn. With a single specialization on tap, you don’t have to worry about any distractions here—every professor is laser-focused on ECE and special education preparation, and you’ll find that the experience on tap is unparalleled. Unique experiences like creating school gardens come with the territory at this well-run program, and a ton of practical experience will give you the expertise you need to put your own ideas into practice in the teaching field as well. A spiritual approach is incorporated into all your courses, so you will grow as a responsible and caring professional even as you develop your knowledge and skills.

Mount Aloysius College (PR)
Education Department
Cresson, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Level Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education 4-8 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in English Secondary Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in History/Political Science Secondary Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology Secondary Education (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $770

$446 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Early and Middle Level degrees also include concentration options in:
    • English
    • History/Political Science
    • Biology
  • Complete your undergraduate degree at MAC and you have a guaranteed master’s program entrance waiting for you at Saint Francis University when you decide to continue your education.
  • All students are members of the PSEA, offering additional support and networking through your studies.
  • An on-campus child care center offers easy access to observation and training for ECE students.

Individualized programs give you all the flexibility that a private school can offer at a fraction of the cost per credit of the typical private university in the state. With plenty of one-on-one support from the accomplished faculty at Mount Aloysius, you have the freedom to put together your own personalized course of study that develops your career in a direction that excites you. All of it happens on top of a firm grounding in the liberal arts, and reflecting the core values of the college in mercy, hospitality, service, and justice.

York College of Pennsylvania (PR)
School of Behavioral Sciences and Education
York, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Elementary Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
    • Special Education (dual major)
  • Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education (on-campus)
    • Special Education (dual major)
    • English/Language Arts
    • Math
    • Science
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Science in Music Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • Biology
    • General Science
  • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education 7-12 (on-campus)
    • English
    • Social Studies
    • Spanish Education (K-12)

Estimated cost per credit: $656

$560 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Graduates of the highly respected music education program here have gone on to teach at Rising Star Music Studio and the Beverly Hills Music School.
  • The school Career Development Center positions you to get into the job of your dreams with tailored resume building and interview coaching as well as on-campus networking events and mini-internship fairs.
  • Special attention to cognitive, social, and emotional development stages is offered along with strategies for dealing with ELL students.
  • Campus chapters of Kappa Delta Pi and the Student Education Association give you a chance to get plugged in to the local educational community early on.
  • More than 90 percent of recent graduates have moved on directly to advanced studies or found employment after leaving York.

All of the programs at the school value getting students out into the community and into classrooms early and often. Personalized attention from expert faculty members with decades of teaching experience gives you an edge when it comes time to handle your own challenges in real-world classrooms. The school’s Academic Support Center can also give you individualized coaching in any of the various liberal arts or hard science and math coursework that you might encounter along the way.

Rosemont College (PR)
Department of Education
Rosemont, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education PreK-4 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education PreK-4 with PreK-12 Special Education(on-campus)
  • Secondary Education 7-12 with: (on-campus)
    • Bachelor of Science in Biology
    • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
    • Bachelor of Arts in English
    • Bachelor of Arts in History/Social studies
    • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
    • Bachelor of Arts in Spanish PreK-12
    • Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art PreK-12

Estimated cost per credit: $650

$566 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • You’ll receive one-on-one mentoring starting in your first year directly with the Director of Education.
  • Freshman year placements in elementary, middle, and secondary education classrooms gets you a fast start with hands-on experience.
  • More than six regional school districts are available for your student teaching placements, including in urban settings such as Philadelphia.
  • A commitment to experiential learning means that every student will have to opportunity to perform service learning, an internship, participate in undergraduate research, or engage in study abroad.

Rosemont believes strongly in the power of small schools to deliver excellent and individualized instruction to future teachers. Nothing illustrates this better than the opportunity for every student here to receive direct, personal mentoring with the director of the entire department, starting in your freshman year. You’ll also get an immersive experience in classroom observation and teaching early on. All that personalized guidance comes with a freedom to develop your own unique teaching style along the way. With overseas study options, real-world internships options, and strong participation in undergraduate research encouraged, it’s an immersive experience that will help you find your own path to success in teaching.

Grove City College (PR)
Department of Education
Grove City, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Special Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Secondary Level Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education K-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in French K-12 (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Spanish K-12 (on-campus)

Estimated cost per credit: $644

$572 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Names as a College of Distinction in Education for 2017-2018.
  • Almost 95 percent of graduates receive multiple job offers soon after graduation and almost all pass their Praxis certification exams on the first try, demonstrating the quality of education available here.
  • Student-led groups such as the Council for Exceptional Children and the Secondary Education Society offer recognition, networking opportunities, and additional learning at GCC.
  • An annual Ed Camp conference invites practicing teachers and administrators from school districts around the country for dynamic conversation, brainstorming, and lesson sharing with students here.
  • Office of Education Career Services offers direct contact with school recruiters all over the world as well as a dedicated certification officer to ensure you meet all the requirements for your teaching endorsements.
  • The Hamilton Curriculum Library offers a wealth of resources to help you develop your own lesson plans.

The faculty at GCC come from diverse careers in K-12 education, but one thing they have in common is a passion for mentoring students in the pursuit of their own goals. Comprehensive career counseling delivers results in the form of multiple job offers to almost every graduate from this program. You’ll find endorsement options here that go farther than the norm, with French, Music, and Spanish majors that are highly respected in their specialty areas. There are even student groups and clubs in these individual areas, for more focus and better peer support through the course of your studies. You’ll get field experience in classrooms beginning in your freshman year and have a chance to develop your own teaching style and theories through a solid grounding in the core humanities courses on your schedule.

Keystone College (PR)
School of Professional Studies
La Plume, Pennsylvania
Website

  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (on-campus)
  • Bachelor of Science in Special Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education
    • Language Arts
    • Social Studies
  • Bachelor of Science in Teaching
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies

Estimated cost per credit: $483

$733 less per credit than the state average for similar programs at private colleges

  • Students work with a faculty mentor and participate in research at an early stage in the program, offering lifelong benefits in building and interpreting experimental evidence.
  • Frequent classroom observation and field experience is a feature throughout your time in the program at Keystone.
  • The school encourage civic-based engagement and service-learning experiences to build ties to the community.
  • Study abroad options are available to give you direct experience in multicultural teaching experiences overseas.

Even as the least expensive private school program offering teacher training in Pennsylvania, you’re going to get an exceptional education here at Keystone. But it’s time to lay those concerns to rest: Keystone puts you in the hands of skilled and passionate faculty with a personal interest in your success. You’ll have a unique plan for success based on your education here, backed up by the Keystone promise to continue offering career development services for as long as it takes to get you placed. The school offers you independence, but also teaching you to communicate effectively and collaborate to transform the lives of your students for the better. It’s a well-rounded curriculum that places a heavy emphasis on real-world experience, and it’s a private school experience that doesn’t cost any more than a public school education.