salemstate.edu/graduate
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Salem State University’s McKeown School of Education master’s, certificates, and licensure programs put you on the path to leading in the classroom.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (MEd, LICENSURE ONLY)
We offer three programs that prepare participants to become licensed pre-kindergarten to second grade (PreK-2) teachers in Massachusetts public schools and/or early childhood educators in various community-based settings (e.g., preschool, out-of-school time, and early intervention).
• MEd, early childhood education, initial license: for those seeking initial licensure as a PreK-2 teacher in Massachusetts.
• MEd, early childhood education, advanced studies: for those who hold an initial PreK-2 teaching license and are seeking to become eligible for professional licensure, as well as individuals with prior experience in the field who are seeking further professional development.
• Licensure only, early childhood education: for those seeking initial licensure as a PreK-2 teacher in Massachusetts, but not a master’s degree.
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (MEd, LICENSURE ONLY)
We offer three online graduate programs in elementary education. Two programs prepare participants to become licensed elementary school (1-6) teachers in Massachusetts public schools in a school-based model:
• MEd, elementary education, initial licensure: for those seeking an initial license to teach grades 1-6 and receive a master’s degree
• Initial licensure only: for those seeking an initial license to teach grades 1-6 but do not want to receive a master’s degree
• MEd, elementary education, advanced studies: for licensed teachers who are seeking a master’s degree and preparing for their future professional license or are not seeking a license but want graduate-level expertise in elementary education
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP (CERTIFICATE, CAGS)
We offer two pathways to support and prepare you for educational leadership work in schools.
• Graduate certificate in teacher leadership: designed to support current and future teacher leaders, educators will learn the art of facilitation, professional learning design, and data-informed decision making—all competencies needed to effectively serve in informal and formal teacher leadership roles at the school level.
• Certificate of advanced graduate study (CAGS) in educational leadership: designed for educators holding master’s degrees who are ready to pursue informal and formal leadership work, with the end goal of licensure as a principal/assistant principal in the State of Massachusetts.
ENGLISH (MA, MAT, MA/MAT)
Our English graduate programs offer flexible pathways for aspiring and experienced educators, writers, and scholars.
• MA English: for those seeking to advance their training, pursue a career in writing/editing/communications, prepare for doctoral study, or advance to professional licensure or beyond in their secondary teaching career
• MAT English: for those with an undergraduate degree in English and who are seeking initial licensure to teach English at the middle and secondary levels in Massachusetts
• MA/MAT English: a dual-degree program for students who do not have an undergraduate degree in English and are seeking initial licensure to teach English at the middle and secondary levels in Massachusetts
TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (MAT, LICENSURE ONLY, CERTIFICATE)
Our TESOL programs are designed to prepare students to teach in a variety of community, international, workplace, and adult settings, combining theory and practice to help speakers of other languages progress towards fluency in English.
• MAT, English to speakers of other languages, licensure track: for those seeking a master’s degree and initial licensure in the field of ESL in grades K-12 in Massachusetts
• MAT, English to speakers of other languages, general track: for those seeking a master’s degree and wishing to pursue a career teaching ESL in a college, adult, or community program or at a language school in the U.S. or overseas. This track is also suitable for individuals who already hold a license to teach ESL but do not yet possess a master’s degree
• Licensure only, English to speakers of other languages: for those seeking initial licensure in the field of ESL in grades K-12, but not a master’s degree
• Graduate Certificate, Teaching English to speakers of other languages: for those seeking a strong introduction to ESL teaching but not licensure
BILINGUAL EDUCATION (CERTIFICATE)
The graduate certificate in bilingual education is designed to meet the requirements for PreK through 12 teachers who wish to earn the DESE Bilingual Education Endorsement.
This program provides a strong foundation in research and best practices to teach emerging bilingual students. Upon certification, participants will have the core skills needed to support the language acquisition and biliteracy development of their classrooms and interface with the communities they serve.
HIGHER EDUCATION IN STUDENT AFFAIRS (MEd)
Salem State’s Higher Education in Student Affairs Program (HESA) is, at its core, an opportunity to launch a career facilitating transformative educational experience for students and providing solutions to the challenges of a changing higher education system. This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in student affairs administration at universities, colleges, and community colleges.
HISTORY (MA, MAT)
We offer two unique pathways to prepare you for the next steps toward your career in history.
• MA history: for those who hold an initial teaching license and are seeking professional licensure; current or future professionals in area museums and historical agencies; students who are preparing for doctoral studies in history; and those who just love history and want to dive deeper into the discipline
• MAT history: for those seeking initial licensure to teach history in grades 5-12 in Massachusetts
LIBRARY MEDIA STUDIES (MEd, LICENSURE ONLY)
Our goal is to prepare our students to become innovative and creative school librarians by introducing best practices, new ideas in the field and avenues for pursuing excellence. Resources for knowledge acquisition, literature K-12, information literacy, management of the school library, and library design are just a few of the topics covered in our courses.
• MEd, library media studies: for those seeking a master’s degree and an initial license as a library teacher K-12 in Massachusetts
• Licensure only, library media studies: for those with a master’s degree who want to become certified as a library teacher at all levels in Massachusetts
MATHEMATICS (MAT, LICENSURE ONLY)
We offer a range of mathematics education programs to support your goals as a future or current teacher, whether you are just entering the field or looking to advance your credentials. We offer four tracks for the MAT Program as well as a non-degree licensure track.
Programs include:
• MAT Mathematics initial licensure (grades 8 - 12)
• MAT Mathematics advanced studies (may be used toward professional licensure in grades 8 - 12)
• MAT Middle School Mathematics initial licensure (grades 5 - 8)
• MAT Middle School Mathematics advanced studies (may be used toward professional licensure in grades 5 - 8)
• Licensure only, teacher of mathematics for initial licensure in either middle school (5 - 8) or secondary school (8 - 12)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION (MAT, MEd)
We offer two physical education programs designed to support your journey as an educator, no matter where you are in your career.
• MAT, physical education: for those seeking to obtain an initial license to teach elementary or secondary physical education
• MEd, leadership in physical education and movement studies: for physical educators who hold an initial license and are seeking to become eligible for a professional licensure in physical education
READING (MEd, LICENSURE ONLY)
These fully online programs offer participants the opportunity to gain indepth knowledge of literacy development, from PreK-12, and the necessary knowledge, skills and dispositions to implement evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining practices aligned with literacy research.
Salem State offers three unique pathways to prepare you for the next steps in your career:
• MEd, reading, specialist teacher of reading license: for those with an initial classroom teaching license seeking a master’s degree, including a specialist teacher of reading license
• MEd, reading, curriculum and instruction: for those seeking a master’s degree but not a specialist of reading license
• Licensure only, specialist teacher of reading: for those with an initial classroom teaching license and a master’s degree and are seeking a specialist teacher of reading license only
SCHOOL COUNSELING (MEd, LICENSURE ONLY)
Our programs will ensure that students receive comprehensive training to support the academic, career, professional, personal, social, and emotional needs of all K-12 students.
Salem State offers four unique pathways to prepare you for the next steps in your career:
• MEd, school counseling: for those seeking a master’s degree and initial licensure as a school counselor in Massachusetts
• MEd, school counseling and school adjustment counseling: for those seeking a master’s degree and initial licensure as a school counselor and school adjustment counselor in Massachusetts
• Licensure only, school counseling: for those with a master’s degree in counseling or psychology and seeking initial licensure as a school counselor in Massachusetts
• Licensure only, school adjustment counseling: for those with an MEd in school counseling or an MS in Counseling and seeking initial licensure as a school adjustment counselor in Massachusetts
SECONDARY SCIENCE (LICENSURE ONLY)
We offer a licensure only, teacher of secondary science program for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and seek to obtain an initial license to teach secondary science in Massachusetts.
Graduates will be prepared for teaching careers in their chosen licensure area of biology (grade 8-12), chemistry (grade 8-12), earth science (grade 8-12), general science (grade 5-8), or mathematics/science (grade 5-8).
This program does not lead to a master’s degree.
SPANISH (MAT)
Our program is an excellent way to establish a foundation for a career as a Spanish teacher, particularly at a time when the profession is undergoing an exciting shift toward teaching for proficiency. We offer four licensure tracks:
• Initial license in elementary Spanish (grades PreK-6)
• Initial license in secondary Spanish (grades 5-12)
• Advanced studies for professional license in elementary Spanish (grades PreK-6)
• Advanced studies for professional license in secondary Spanish (grades 5-12)
SPECIAL EDUCATION (MEd, LICENSURE ONLY)
Our programs are designed to cultivate the skills, methods, and strategies necessary to support students with mild to moderate special education needs.
We offer three unique pathways to prepare you for the next steps in your career.
• MEd, special education, initial license: for those seeking a master’s degree and an initial license in Massachusetts
• Licensure only, special education: for those who hold a master’s degree or a license in another teaching area and are seeking just an initial license
• MEd, special education, advanced studies: for those who hold an initial license and seek advanced skills and knowledge in special education
CAREERS
There is always a need for good teachers. Current trends and projections show a relatively stable demand for teachers in the Greater Boston area, with potential teacher shortages in some school districts. The average salary for a teacher in Massachusetts in 2021 was $86,118.*
Massachusetts teacher standards have a strong national reputation, and many teachers who hold teaching licenses in Massachusetts possess the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain licensure in other states successfully.
*Source: profiles.doe.mass.edu/statereport/teachersalaries.aspx
COST
The cost per credit varies by program and includes both tuition and fees*.
For all graduate education programs (except those noted below):
• Massachusetts residents: $478.30 per credit
• Non-Massachusetts residents: $576.20 per credit
For HESA, School Counseling, and School Adjustment Counseling programs:
• Massachusetts residents: $529.70 per credit
• Non-Massachusetts residents: $627.60 per credit
For assistance funding your graduate education, options such as financial aid, graduate assistantships, employer reimbursement, tuition remission, and veterans’ benefits may be available.
*Tuition and fees subject to change.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Here are some general tips to ensure a smooth application process:
• Check program application deadline(s) and work backward from the application deadline or start term.
• Start the online application so you can receive application reminders and updates.
• Order official transcripts or transcript evaluations and organize your references and personal statement(s).
• Submit additional information that a graduate program may require, such as a resume, passing MTEL scores or an educator license, or an additional writing sample.
APPLICATION DATE GUIDELINES*
Spring 2026 (January start)
Friday, December 12, 2025
Summer 2026 (May start)
Friday, April 17, 2026
Fall 2026 (September start)
Friday, July 24, 2026
*General application deadlines. Some programs have unique deadlines or accept applications for specific semesters.