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Master teacher education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a master teacher. Master teachers usually study elementary education, early childhood education, or human development. 53% of master teachers hold a bachelor's degree, and 25% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,997 real master teacher resumes to see exactly what master teacher education sections show.
The most common colleges for master teachers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online master teacher courses to help get the education required to be a master teacher.
There are certain master teacher certifications that you should consider. These master teacher certifications include Child Development Associate (CDA) and Certified Security Supervision & Management (CSS).
What education do you need to become a master teacher?
What degree do you need to be a master teacher?
- Bachelor's, 53%
- Master's, 25%
- Associate, 15%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a master teacher?
- Elementary Education, 16%
- Human Development, 12%
- Education, 11%
- Other Majors, 48%
Most common colleges for master teachers
| Master teacher common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 11.20% |
| University of Central Oklahoma | 10.40% |
| Langston University | 10.40% |
| University of Oklahoma | 6.00% |
| California State University - San Bernardino | 5.60% |
Best majors for master teachers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elementary Education | 16.2% |
| 2 | Early Childhood Education | 12.6% |
| 3 | Human Development | 12.4% |
| 4 | Education | 11.3% |
| 5 | Psychology | 6.9% |
Best colleges for master teachers
The best colleges for master teachers are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A master teacher with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for master teachers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become master teachers.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
6. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
In-state tuition
$49,816
Enrollment
6,840
7. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
10. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
20 best online courses for master teachers
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3. Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)
Informational content for educators and parents to learn about teaching and understanding exceptional children...
4. Outcome Based Education (OBE) & Academic Quality Assurance
Master Course for Teachers' Development: Grow Your Teaching-Learning Expertise to World-Class Level...
5. Virtual Teacher Final Project
The Final Project will be a hands-on, comprehensive project that practitioners of virtual education can implement in their profession. For this final project, learners will draft a design plan for an online learning module utilizing materials learned from the virtual teacher series. Learners will choose the subject matter, method of delivery, tools, instructional strategies, and assessments, with the goal of creating a module of online or blended instruction that meets the needs of their...
6. THINK GLOBAL: TEACHERS TRAINING COURSE (IDP-ICE)
A group of seven European partners from Catalonia, Belgium, and Wales worked together on the Erasmus+ funded ‘Think Global’ project on global competence. The project seeks to address the following research question through development and piloting of practical classroom activities: What is global competence, and how can it be learned effectively? The Think Global project explores, through international collaboration, how global competence is defined, taught, learned, and measured in the...
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10. TESOL Teacher Training: Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
Putting Theory Into Practice in the ESL/EFL Classroom...
11. Implementing Positive Behaviour Management in the Classroom
Practical Strategies to Address Behaviour Issues in any Classroom...
12. Preparation for CELTA Teacher Training
Learn the skills required to succeed in your CELTA training - gain practice in lesson planning and writing assignments!!...
13. Introduction to Learning and Development
Become a confident people development practitioner and knowledgeable in Human Resource Development...
14. Android App Development Master Course with Java Android
Android Java Learn Android App Development java with Android Studio & Java to master your android development skills...
15. Professional Accredited Yoga Teacher Training Diploma Course
Full Certification Diploma Course to Learn the In depth techniques of Yoga to teach to Students & Groups!...
16. Master the FTCE Reading K-12
Instruction and Practice on the 44 Skills Needed to Pass the FTCE Reading K-12 Exam...
17. Reiki Level I, II and Master/Teacher Certification
Learn Reiki Levels 1, 2 and Master Level to become a Certified Traditional Usui Reiki Practitioner/Instructor...
18. HEART CENTERED REIKI CERTIFICATION - GRAND MASTER TEACHER
Certify/ Reiki Master Teacher- Channel Reiki To Past, Present, Future, Ancestors, Situations & Karma with Reiki Symbols...
19. Crystal Reiki Master/Teacher Certification
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20. Master Your Emotions and Revolutionise Your Social Skills
A comprehensive guide to personal development, mastering your mind, emotions, and enhancing your relationships...
Top 10 most affordable universities for master teachers
The most affordable schools for master teachers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for master teachers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for master teachers.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
6. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
7. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
8. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for master teachers
The hardest universities for master teachers to get into are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for master teachers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for master teachers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
10. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for master teachers
The easiest schools for master teachers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, gwynedd mercy university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a master teacher without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for master teachers.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
5. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
6. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
7. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
8. College of New Rochelle, The
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
982
9. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
10. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
Average master teacher salary by education level
| Master teacher education level | Master teacher salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $46,903 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $37,141 |
| Doctorate Degree | $46,460 |
Master teacher education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025