good course in education

Master’s Programs in Education

Additional Information

• Download the Master's Viewbook

As you embrace the next chapter in your development as an educator, innovator, and leader, consider a graduate program that builds on a century of innovation, that’s grounded in the skills every educator needs, and that fully supports your current work and future aspirations.

At the Harvard Graduate School of Education, our master’s degree program is driven by passion and empowered by evidence. We share a vision of education where every learner has an opportunity to be seen, to be challenged, to excel, and to reach their full potential. We are motivated by urgency to build a future that recognizes and overcomes grinding systemic inequities.

Whether you seek to make an impact in early education, in K–12 districts and networks, or in higher education — or whether you want to drive educational change outside of those realms — you belong at HGSE. 

No matter which program you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with HGSE’s world-class faculty, build a sustained community of practice and a lifelong professional network, and gain the preparation necessary to grow, advance, and become the type of leader that education needs.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education offers the Master's in Education (Ed.M.) degree in two formats —  residential and online — and in a variety of programs.

Residential Master's

HGSE’s  on-campus master’s degree is a one-year, full-time, immersive Harvard experience. You'll apply directly to one of its five distinct programs, spanning education leadership and entrepreneurship, education policy, human development, teaching and teacher leadership, and learning design and technology. 

Online Master's

Our Online Master's in Education  is a part-time, two-year, online program in education leadership. It is designed for experienced professionals who want to advance in their careers and deepen their impact. The online program in education leadership offers a choice of two pathways, preK–12 or higher education, that complement your career and chosen area of impact.  

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Teaching and Teacher Leadership

Contact Information

Connect with program staff.

If you have program-specific questions, please contact the TTL Program Staff .

• Connect with Admissions

If you have admissions-related questions, please email [email protected] .

Admissions Information

• Application Requirements
• Tuition and Costs
• International Applicants
• Recorded Webinars
• Download Brochure

A groundbreaking approach to teacher education — for people seeking to learn to teach, for experienced teachers building their leadership, and for all educators seeking to enhance their practice and create transformative learning opportunities.

Teachers change lives — and at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, you can be part of the change. The Teaching and Teacher Leadership (TTL) Program at HGSE will prepare you with the skills, knowledge, support, and professional network you need to design and lead transformative learning experiences, advance equity and social justice, and generate the best outcomes for students in U.S. schools.

The program’s innovative approach is intentionally designed to serve both individuals seeking to learn to teach and experienced teachers who are deepening their craft as teachers or developing their leadership to advance teaching and learning in classrooms, schools, and districts. 

And through the Harvard Fellowship for Teaching , HGSE offers significant financial support to qualified candidates to reduce the burden of loan debt for teachers.

Applicants will choose between two strands:

• Do you want to become a licensed teacher? The Teaching Licensure strand lets novice and early-career teachers pursue Massachusetts initial licensure in secondary education, which is transferrable to all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Licensure candidates have two possible pathways — you can select a preference for either the residency fieldwork model or the internship fieldwork model . The residency model is for people ready to make an immediate impact as a teacher; the internship model offers a more gradual path.
• Do you want to focus on the art of teaching, without licensure? The Teaching and Leading strand will enable you to enhance your own teaching practice or to lead others in transforming learning in classrooms, schools, and other settings. Candidates can pursue a curriculum tailored toward an exploration of teaching practice or toward teacher leadership.

Note: Ideal candidates will come with the intention to work in U.S. schools.

“At the heart of TTL is helping teachers reach all students. Whether you are preparing for the classroom yourself or are an experienced teacher preparing to improve teaching and learning on a wider scale, our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and skills to lead others in learning.” Heather Hill  Faculty Co-Chair

After completing the Teaching and Teacher Leadership Program, you will be able to:

• Leverage your knowledge and skills to lead others in joyful, equitable, rigorous, and transformative learning.
• Analyze instruction for the purpose of improving it.
• Foster productive inquiry and discussion.
• Identify, understand, and counteract systemic inequities within educational institutions.

The Harvard Fellowship for Teaching

HGSE is committed to investing in the future of the teaching profession — and minimizing the student debt that teachers carry. We offer a signature fellowship — the Harvard Fellowship for Teaching — to qualified candidates. The fellowship package covers 80 percent of tuition and provides for a $10,000 living stipend.

This prestigious fellowship is prioritized for admitted students pursuing the Teaching Licensure Residency model. Additional fellowships may be awarded to qualified candidates admitted to the Teaching Licensure Internship model and the Teaching and Leading strand. Fellowship decisions are determined during the admissions process. Fellowship recipients must be enrolled as full-time students.       HGSE offers a range of other  financial aid and fellowship opportunities to provide greater access and affordability to our students.

Curriculum Information

The TTL Program is designed to help you gain the knowledge and practice the skills essential to leading others in learning — and will create pathways to success that will allow you to thrive as an expert practitioner and mentor in your community. A minimum of 42 credits are required to graduate with an Ed.M. degree from HGSE.

The main elements of the 2024–25 academic year curriculum are:

• Commence your Foundations studies with How People Learn, an immersive online course that runs June–July and requires a time commitment of 12–15 hours per week.
• You will continue Foundations with Leading Change, Evidence, and Equity and Opportunity on campus in August. 
• Your Equity and Opportunity Foundations experience culminates in an elected course, which will take place during terms when electives are available.

To fulfill the program requirement, students must take a minimum of 12 credits specific to TTL.

• The TTL Program Core Experience (4 credits), is a full year course where all students come together to observe, analyze, and practice high-quality teaching.
• Teaching methods courses (10 credits) in the chosen content area, which begin in June. 
• A Summer Field-Based Experience (4 credits), held on site in Cambridge in July, allows you to begin to hone your teaching practice. 
• Two courses focused on inclusivity and diversity in the classroom (6 credits). 
• Field experiences , where students in the Teacher Licensure strand will intern or teach directly in Boston-area schools.
• Individuals interested in enhancing their own teaching practice can engage in coursework focused on new pedagogies, how to best serve diverse student populations, and special topics related to classrooms and teaching.  
• Experienced teachers may wish to enroll in HGSE’s Teacher Leadership Methods course, designed to provide cohort-based experience with skills and techniques used to drive adult learning and improve teaching.
• Candidates can take elective coursework based on interests or career goals, which includes the opportunity to specialize in an HGSE Concentration .

Advancing Research on Effective Teacher Preparation 

As a student in the TTL Program, you will have the opportunity to contribute to HGSE’s research on what makes effective teacher preparation. This research seeks to build an evidence base that contributes to the field’s understanding of effective approaches to teacher training, including how to support high-quality instruction, successful models of coaching and mentorship, and effective approaches to addressing the range of challenges facing our students.

TTL students will be able to participate in research studies as part of their courses, and some will also serve as research assistants, gaining knowledge of what works, as well as a doctoral-type experience at a major research university.

Explore our  course catalog . (All information and courses are subject to change.)

Note: The TTL Program trains educators to work in U.S. classrooms. Required coursework focuses on U.S. examples and contexts.

Teaching Licensure Strand

Students who want to earn certification to teach at the middle school and high school levels in U.S. schools should select the Teaching Licensure strand. TTL provides coursework and fieldwork that can lead to licensure in grades 5–8 in English, general science, history, and mathematics, as well as grades 8–12 in biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, and physics. In the Teaching Licensure strand, you will apply to one of two fieldwork models:

• The residency model – our innovative classroom immersion model, with significant funding available, in which students assume teaching responsibilities in the September following acceptance to the program. 
• The internship model – which ramps up teaching responsibility more gradually.

In both models, you will be supported by Harvard faculty and school-based mentors — as well as by peers in the TTL Program, with additional opportunities for network-building with HGSE alumni. Both models require applicants to have an existing familiarity with U.S. schools to be successful.  Learn more about the differences between the residency and internship models.

Summer Experience for Teaching Licensure Candidates

All students in the Teaching Licensure strand will participate in the Summer Experience supporting the Cambridge-Harvard Summer Academy (CHSA), which takes place in Cambridge in July 2023. Through your work at CHSA, you will help middle and high school students in the Cambridge Public Schools with credit recovery, academic enrichment, and preparation for high school. Students in the Teaching Licensure strand will teach students directly as part of the teaching team. This is an opportunity for you to immediately immerse yourself in a school environment and begin to practice the skills necessary to advance your career.

Teaching and Leading Strand

The Teaching and Leading strand is designed for applicants who want to enhance their knowledge of the craft of teaching or assume roles as teacher leaders. Candidates for the Teaching and Leading strand will share a common interest in exploring and advancing the practice of effective teaching, with the goal of understanding how to improve learning experiences for all students. The program will be valuable for three types of applicant:

• Individuals interested in teaching, but who do not require formal licensure to teach. This includes applicants who might seek employment in independent schools or in informal educational sectors such as arts education, after-school programs, tutoring, and youth organizations. 
• Experienced teachers who wish to deepen their practice by learning new pedagogies and developing new capacities to help students thrive.
• Experienced teachers who seek leadership roles — from organizing school-based initiatives to more formal roles like coaching and professional development.

As a candidate in the Teaching and Leading strand, your own interests will guide your journey. If you are seeking a teacher leader role, TTL faculty will guide you to courses that focus on growing your skills as a reflective leader, preparing you to facilitate adult learning, helping you understand how to disrupt inequity, and teaching you how to engage in best practices around coaching, mentoring, and data analysis. If you are seeking to learn about the craft of teaching, our faculty will similarly direct you to recommended courses and opportunities that will meet your goals.

Students in this strand can also take on internships within the TTL Program (e.g., program supervisor, early career coach) or the HGSE community, and at surrounding schools or organizations. And you can customize your learning experience by pursuing one of HGSE's six Concentrations .

Note: Applicants in the Teaching and Leading strand should expect a focus on leadership within U.S. schools.

Program Faculty

Students will work closely with faculty associated with their area of study, but students can also work with and take courses with faculty throughout HGSE and Harvard.  View our faculty directory for a full list of HGSE faculty.

Faculty Co-Chairs

Heather C. Hill

Heather Hill studies policies and programs to improve teaching quality. Research interests include teacher professional development and instructional coaching.

Victor Pereira, Jr.

Victor Pereira's focus is on teacher preparation, developing new teachers, and improving science teaching and learning in middle and high school classrooms. 

Rosette Cirillo

Sarah Edith Fiarman

Noah Heller

Eric Soto-Shed

Career Pathways

The TTL Program prepares you for a variety of career pathways, including:

Teaching Licensure Strand:

• Licensed middle or high school teacher in English, science, math, and history

Teaching and Leading Strand: 

• Classroom teachers
• Curriculum designers 
• Department heads and grade-level team leaders 
• District-based instructional leadership team members 
• Instructional and curriculum leadership team members 
• Out-of-school educators; teachers in youth organizations or after-school programs
• Professional developers and content specialists 
• School improvement facilitators 
• School-based instructional coaches and mentor teachers
• Teachers of English as a second language
• International educators seeking to understand and advance a career in U.S. education

Cohort & Community

The TTL Program prioritizes the development of ongoing teacher communities that provide continued support, learning, and collaboration. Our cohort-based approach is designed to encourage and allow aspiring teachers and leaders to build relationships with one another, as well as with instructors and mentors — ultimately building a strong, dynamic network. 

As a TTL student, you will build a community around a shared commitment to teaching and teacher development. You will learn from and with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, levels of expertise, and instructional settings. To further connections with the field, you are invited to attend “meet the researcher” chats, engage in learning through affinity groups, and interact with teaching-focused colleagues across the larger university, by taking courses and participating in activities both at HGSE and at other Harvard schools. 

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Program Highlights

Explore examples of the Teaching and Teacher Leadership experience and the impact its community is making on the field:

Teaching Toward Change

Clari Heredia and Bryant Odega will be honored with the Intellectual Contribution Award for the Teaching and Teacher Leadership Program 

Donors Invest in Teachers, Reaching Key Milestone

The $10 million Challenge Match for Teachers, now complete, will expand scholarships for students in Teaching and Teacher Leadership

Best universities in the US for education degrees 2024

Explore the best universities in the us for education degrees, using data from the times higher education world university rankings 2024.

Top 10 universities in the US for education degrees 2024

Scroll down for the full list of best universities in the US for education degrees

To become a teacher in the US, you must be licensed by the state in which you want to teach, and most teacher-training courses begin at the postgraduate level. Aspiring teachers will often complete an undergraduate degree in any subject, then enrol in an accredited teacher programme. 

Get free support to study in the United States

However, education can also be studied at many levels beyond teacher training. Education as an academic discipline brings together fields such as sociology, politics, history and psychology to investigate a broad range of education-related problems, from social mobility to international policy. Some universities offer undergraduate education courses as majors or minors. 

Below are the best universities for education degrees in the US. 

Best universities for education degrees  Best universities in Australia for education degrees Best universities for education degrees in the UK Best universities in Canada for education degrees

5.  University of California, Los Angeles  (UCLA)

The education and social transformation major at  UCLA  analyses issues in education through social justice. An education studies minor can also be taken at an undergraduate level, aiming to give students an understanding of the research issues in education and the politics behind American education policies.

There are also five academic master’s and doctoral degrees in education on offer at  UCLA  covering topics such as higher education and organisational change, human development and psychology, social research and methodology, social sciences and comparative education and urban schooling. All courses are offered at both the MA and PhD level, except urban schooling, which is limited to a PhD.

Postgraduate students can take professional education degrees, either a master’s of education (MEd) or a doctor of education (EdD), which range in duration from one to two years.

4.  University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

The  University of Michigan-Ann Arbor  offers two bachelor’s degrees in education, covering elementary or secondary education. The elementary programme awards students with a bachelor’s degree in education. The secondary programme is three terms long, beginning in a student’s junior year, allowing them to graduate with both an undergraduate degree and a secondary teacher certification.

Postgraduate courses include a master’s in higher education, which looks at institutional research, public policy, and student access and success. The educational studies programme offers courses in design and technologies for learning among a range of other topics.

The doctor of philosophy programme focuses on education and psychology, educational studies, English and education, or higher education. Past graduates have gone on to work as education consultants, policymakers and research specialists.

3.  Harvard University

  Harvard University  mainly offers education courses at a postgraduate level, but students can also choose classes relating to education as an undergraduate.

Students enrolled in a master’s programme choose one programme to develop a specific expertise. Programmes include education policy and analysis; education leadership, organisations and entrepreneurship; human development and education; and learning design, innovation and technology.

Harvard offers two main education doctoral degrees: the three-year practice-based doctor of education leadership programme, and the five-year doctor of philosophy in education programme, which focuses on research and its impacts.

Since 2018, Harvard undergraduate students have been able to take secondary classes in educational studies. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences offers foundational courses for students wishing to pursue this option, including education in the economy, the social responsibilities of universities, and education and culture.

What can you do with an education degree?

2.  Stanford University

Stanford University  offers several pathways to study education. The undergraduate minor in education provides students with an introduction to the subject through research, theory and practice. It is usually taken by those who wish to pursue a postgraduate degree in the field.

Undergraduates can also choose to take an honour’s programme to apply their chosen major to education. This option will include taking additional courses and producing a thesis relating to an educational issue.

Full-time master’s courses in education include the Stanford Teacher Education Program, as well as curriculum and teacher education, policy, organisation and leadership studies, learning, design and technology, international comparative education and education data science. Master’s courses range in length from nine to 18 months.

There are several doctoral education programmes on offer, in which all students undertake a research apprenticeship. Several programmes can be chosen, including elementary education, teacher education and sociology of education.

1.  University of California, Berkeley

Similar to other US universities, the  University of California, Berkeley  does not offer an undergraduate education major, but students can opt for a minor in education. Full education courses are then offered from a postgraduate level through the Graduate School of Education.

The master’s degrees offered can be completed via two routes, either through 20 semester units and a master’s thesis, or through 24 semester units and a written exam.

There are two doctoral-level education degrees. The doctorate of philosophy programme is geared towards those interested in research, whereas the doctorate of education degree is better suited to those seeking an advanced professional career in education. The latter focuses on educational leadership, human development and programme evaluation and assessment, and usually includes two years of field-based coursework.

Best universities in the US for education degrees 2024

Click each institution to view its full  World University Rankings 2024  results

You may also like

.css-185owts{overflow:hidden;max-height:54px;text-indent:0px;} Everything you need to know about studying in the US

Joy Hunter, Grace McCabe

Scholarships available in the US for international students

Seeta Bhardwa

Best universities in the United States 2024

Register free and enjoy extra benefits

2024 Best Colleges for Education in America

• Direct Admissions
• College Quiz
• Best colleges
• Best student life
• Top party schools
• Best academics
• Best professors
• Hardest to get into

Best programs

• Accounting/finance
• Agricultural sciences
• Anthropology
• Architecture
• Communications
• Computer science
• Criminal justice
• Culinary arts
• Engineering
• Engineering technician
• Environmental science
• Film/photography
• Global studies
• Health care management
• Information technology
• International relations
• Kinesiology/therapy
• Performing arts
• Political science
• Public health
• Public policy
• Religious studies
• Sports management
• Most diverse
• Most liberal
• Most conservative

Social scene

• Best greek life
• Best campuses
• Best college dorms
• Best college food
• Best locations
• Safest campuses
• College athletics
• Best for student athletes

1-25 of 2,342 results

Vanderbilt University

• Nashville, TN ·
• · Rating 4.02 out of 5   1,350 reviews
• grade  A+ Overall Niche Grade
• Acceptance rate 7%
• Net price $25,606
• SAT range 1490-1570

#1 Best Colleges for Education in America .

Blue checkmark.

NASHVILLE, TN ,

1350 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says My time at Vanderbilt University was truly enriching. The academic atmosphere fostered a culture of excellence and intellectual curiosity that I found invigorating. The professors were not only... What stood out to me was Vanderbilt's commitment to diversity and inclusion, creating a welcoming environment for students from all walks of life. However, one area that could be improved is the... .

Read 1350 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 7% ,

Net Price : $25,606 ,

SAT Range : 1490-1570 ,

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Ann Arbor, MI ·
• · Rating 3.96 out of 5   4,726 reviews
• Acceptance rate 18%
• Net price $19,318
• SAT range 1350-1530

#2 Best Colleges for Education in America .

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

4726 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says The University of Michigan takes a lot of pride in calling itself the best university in the world, but while finishing up my sophomore year I could not agree more. There is such a healthy balance... .

Read 4726 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 18% ,

Net Price : $19,318 ,

SAT Range : 1350-1530 ,

University of Florida

• Gainesville, FL ·
• · Rating 3.92 out of 5   8,095 reviews
• Acceptance rate 23%
• Net price $11,740
• SAT range 1300-1490

#3 Best Colleges for Education in America .

GAINESVILLE, FL ,

8095 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says The University of Florida is a great institution for students who want to pursue an associate, bachelor's, or any higher education degree. Ranked as the #1 public university in the nation, the... .

Read 8095 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 23% ,

Net Price : $11,740 ,

SAT Range : 1300-1490 ,

Stephen F. Austin State University

• NACOGDOCHES, TX
• · Rating 3.77 out of 5   2,779

Francis Marion University

• FLORENCE, SC
• · Rating 3.62 out of 5   956

Pepperdine University

• · Rating 3.76 out of 5   1,370

Northwestern University

• Evanston, IL ·
• · Rating 3.7 out of 5   1,494 reviews
• Net price $22,095

#4 Best Colleges for Education in America .

EVANSTON, IL ,

1494 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says There is a wealth of awesome student communities to join which really contributed to my experience. Classes are challenging but Northwestern offers many unique opportunities to explore different... .

Read 1494 reviews.

Net Price : $22,095 ,

Brown University

• Providence, RI ·
• · Rating 3.84 out of 5   1,084 reviews
• Acceptance rate 5%
• Net price $26,723
• SAT range 1490-1580

#5 Best Colleges for Education in America .

PROVIDENCE, RI ,

1084 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says My experience has been absolutely incredible. As everyone says, the open curriculum really makes a world of difference as it allows you to choose your own path and not be hampered by requirements... .

Read 1084 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 5% ,

Net Price : $26,723 ,

SAT Range : 1490-1580 ,

University of South Florida

• Tampa, FL ·
• · Rating 3.82 out of 5   7,550 reviews
• Acceptance rate 44%
• Net price $11,004
• SAT range 1140-1330

#6 Best Colleges for Education in America .

TAMPA, FL ,

7550 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says The University of South Florida makes a constant effort of ensuring students satisfaction and inclusion during university. They are very helpful when it comes to students academics and their success... .

Read 7550 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 44% ,

Net Price : $11,004 ,

SAT Range : 1140-1330 ,

• Will you get in? Understand your chances of getting accepted into any college in the country, and it's completely free

University of Central Florida

• Orlando, FL ·
• · Rating 3.82 out of 5   22,392 reviews
• grade  A Overall Niche Grade
• Acceptance rate 41%
• Net price $13,108
• SAT range 1200-1360

#7 Best Colleges for Education in America .

ORLANDO, FL ,

22392 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says The University of Central Florida provide students with a broad variety of programs of study, resources, and extra-curricular opportunities. Campus is huge and extremely lively. The school make it... .

Read 22392 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A ,

Acceptance Rate : 41% ,

Net Price : $13,108 ,

SAT Range : 1200-1360 ,

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Chapel Hill, NC ·
• · Rating 3.89 out of 5   2,670 reviews
• Acceptance rate 17%
• Net price $10,614

#8 Best Colleges for Education in America .

CHAPEL HILL, NC ,

2670 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) offers a vibrant and enriching experience characterized by academic excellence, diverse campus life, and a strong sense of community.... .

Read 2670 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 17% ,

Net Price : $10,614 ,

William Carey University

• Hattiesburg, MS ·
• · Rating 3.88 out of 5   355 reviews
• Acceptance rate 54%
• Net price $15,271
• SAT range 1050-1320

#9 Best Colleges for Education in America .

HATTIESBURG, MS ,

355 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Graduated with a BS in Elementary Education in 2023 and cannot say enough good things about William Carey and the instructors. As a transfer student from large state university programs, the... .

Read 355 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 54% ,

Net Price : $15,271 ,

SAT Range : 1050-1320 ,

Florida State University

• Tallahassee, FL ·
• · Rating 3.88 out of 5   7,660 reviews
• Acceptance rate 25%
• Net price $14,003
• SAT range 1210-1370

#10 Best Colleges for Education in America .

TALLAHASSEE, FL ,

7660 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says My experience at Florida State university was definitely a 10 out of 10. The campus is beautiful, and a reasonable size so finding ones classes, and walking around is manageable. The school is also... .

Read 7660 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 25% ,

Net Price : $14,003 ,

SAT Range : 1210-1370 ,

University of Georgia

• Athens, GA ·
• · Rating 3.99 out of 5   5,786 reviews
• Acceptance rate 43%
• Net price $17,180
• SAT range 1220-1420

#11 Best Colleges for Education in America .

ATHENS, GA ,

5786 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says Going to UGA was the best decision I could have made! It is a great combination between academics and a social scene. I felt like there was always something to do, but there also wasn't immense... .

Read 5786 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 43% ,

Net Price : $17,180 ,

SAT Range : 1220-1420 ,

Brigham Young University

• Provo, UT ·
• · Rating 4.06 out of 5   8,693 reviews
• Acceptance rate 67%
• Net price $13,521
• SAT range 1280-1460

#12 Best Colleges for Education in America .

PROVO, UT ,

8693 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says I love BYU! Living right at the foot of the mountains is the best. I'm super into running and hiking, and the trails here are perfect for that. It's also a great location for those into winter... .

Read 8693 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 67% ,

Net Price : $13,521 ,

SAT Range : 1280-1460 ,

• Sponsored Find Student Loan Options
• 4 Ways to Pay for College
• 2024 Best Colleges for English

University of California - Los Angeles

• Los Angeles, CA ·
• · Rating 3.98 out of 5   5,594 reviews
• Acceptance rate 9%
• Net price $16,999
• SAT range —

#13 Best Colleges for Education in America .

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

5594 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says As with any college, the experience is what you make of it. UCLA just presents a lot of diversity in terms of the experiences that you can have. You can get your party fix in on Thursdays at frat... .

Read 5594 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 9% ,

Net Price : $16,999 ,

Boston University

• Boston, MA ·
• · Rating 3.69 out of 5   3,644 reviews
• Acceptance rate 14%
• Net price $27,829
• SAT range 1350-1500

#14 Best Colleges for Education in America .

BOSTON, MA ,

3644 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says As a graduate student at Boston University's Questrom School of Business, my experience has been exceptionally rewarding. The curriculum is both rigorous and innovative, emphasizing not only... Questrom's emphasis on experiential learning has been particularly beneficial. Opportunities such as consulting projects, internships, and collaboration with industry leaders have provided practical... Overall, my time at Questrom has been transformative, equipping me with the skills, knowledge, and connections necessary to succeed in the dynamic field of business. I highly recommend Questrom to... .

Read 3644 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 14% ,

Net Price : $27,829 ,

SAT Range : 1350-1500 ,

Boston College

• Chestnut Hill, MA ·
• · Rating 3.67 out of 5   1,610 reviews
• Net price $30,559
• SAT range 1430-1540

#15 Best Colleges for Education in America .

CHESTNUT HILL, MA ,

1610 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Boston College is exactly what you make of it. There is no Greek life, so much of the social life revolves around clubs and student organizations. If you apply to these, you will easily find your... Diversity on campus was lacking. While there are student organizations that help students of color feel more welcome, these communities usually stick with each other. This leads to it being difficult... Overall, BC had a welcoming student body and amazing campus. As a young woman, I never felt unsafe walking around campus as night. The school introduced me to some of my lifelong friends, for which I... .

Read 1610 reviews.

Net Price : $30,559 ,

SAT Range : 1430-1540 ,

University of Washington

• Seattle, WA ·
• · Rating 3.79 out of 5   4,686 reviews
• Acceptance rate 48%
• Net price $10,603

#16 Best Colleges for Education in America .

SEATTLE, WA ,

4686 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says My experience at the University of Washington has been largely positive. I’ve appreciated the strong academic programs and the supportive faculty who are always willing to help students succeed. The... However, I believe there are areas that need improvement. Campus safety needs to be enhanced to ensure all students feel secure at all times. Additionally, while there is some diversity, the... .

Read 4686 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 48% ,

Net Price : $10,603 ,

Texas A&M University

• College Station, TX ·
• · Rating 4.06 out of 5   7,864 reviews
• Acceptance rate 63%
• Net price $20,375
• SAT range 1150-1390

#17 Best Colleges for Education in America .

COLLEGE STATION, TX ,

7864 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says As a Texas A&M University alum, I can vouch for the school's continuous tradition of quality. Both students and graduates can have a life-changing experience at Texas A&M thanks to its robust... .

Read 7864 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 63% ,

Net Price : $20,375 ,

SAT Range : 1150-1390 ,

Oklahoma State University

• Stillwater, OK ·
• · Rating 3.94 out of 5   3,752 reviews
• Acceptance rate 71%
• Net price $16,718
• SAT range 1010-1250

#18 Best Colleges for Education in America .

STILLWATER, OK ,

3752 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Oklahoma State University is an amazing place. After touring many campuses before choosing OSU, I realized that OSU was the only one that truly felt like home. The people there are very friendly and... .

Read 3752 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 71% ,

Net Price : $16,718 ,

SAT Range : 1010-1250 ,

Liberty University

• Lynchburg, VA ·
• · Rating 4.14 out of 5   8,382 reviews
• grade  B+ Overall Niche Grade
• Acceptance rate 99%
• Net price $29,913

#19 Best Colleges for Education in America .

LYNCHBURG, VA ,

8382 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says I completed a Bachelor Degree at Liberty University Online which was challenging and beneficial for my area of work in ministry. Though the student interaction is different and the availability of... .

Read 8382 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 99% ,

Net Price : $29,913 ,

Grand Canyon University

• Phoenix, AZ ·
• · Rating 4.17 out of 5   10,391 reviews
• Acceptance rate 81%
• Net price $21,939

#20 Best Colleges for Education in America .

PHOENIX, AZ ,

10391 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says My experience at GCU was extremely extraordinary I was out of college for about two years and GCU made it easy for me to return and complete my goals. With courses that are centered around our... .

Read 10391 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 81% ,

Net Price : $21,939 ,

Martin Luther College

• New Ulm, MN ·
• · Rating 3.93 out of 5   178 reviews
• grade  B Overall Niche Grade
• Acceptance rate 84%
• Net price $22,293
• SAT range 1080-1250

#21 Best Colleges for Education in America .

NEW ULM, MN ,

178 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I love the fact that we are all training for the same thing at MLC. Everyone here is studying to be a pastor, teacher, or staff minister, and that bonds the entire campus in such an amazing way. The... .

Read 178 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : B ,

Acceptance Rate : 84% ,

Net Price : $22,293 ,

SAT Range : 1080-1250 ,

Duke University

• Durham, NC ·
• · Rating 3.93 out of 5   1,209 reviews
• Acceptance rate 6%
• Net price $23,694

#22 Best Colleges for Education in America .

DURHAM, NC ,

1209 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says Duke is an amazing place to go to college! I have loved every minute here as CS major -- the classes are challenging, professors are engaging and available, the campus is beautiful, and the people... .

Read 1209 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 6% ,

Net Price : $23,694 ,

William & Mary

• Williamsburg, VA ·
• · Rating 3.68 out of 5   1,635 reviews
• Acceptance rate 33%
• Net price $25,688
• SAT range 1370-1520

#23 Best Colleges for Education in America .

WILLIAMSBURG, VA ,

1635 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says I have largely enjoyed my experience as an undergraduate student at the College of William & Mary. The institution is responsive to students’ needs, and I have witnessed significant administrative... .

Read 1635 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 33% ,

Net Price : $25,688 ,

SAT Range : 1370-1520 ,

University of California - Irvine

• Irvine, CA ·
• · Rating 3.77 out of 5   4,283 reviews
• Acceptance rate 21%
• Net price $14,033

#24 Best Colleges for Education in America .

IRVINE, CA ,

4283 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says I enjoyed by UCI experience. I liked how diverse the campus was and the proximity of good study spots such as local cafes and the beach for when I needed to take study breaks. I also liked that it is... .

Read 4283 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 21% ,

Net Price : $14,033 ,

Texas Tech University

• Lubbock, TX ·
• · Rating 3.89 out of 5   5,449 reviews
• Net price $17,896
• SAT range 1090-1280

#25 Best Colleges for Education in America .

LUBBOCK, TX ,

5449 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I am the first to go to a university on both sides of my hispanic family. I honestly did not know what to expect at first I had mixed feelings since I knew no one at Tech. During welcome week I grew... .

Read 5449 reviews.

Net Price : $17,896 ,

SAT Range : 1090-1280 ,

George Mason University

• FAIRFAX, VA
• · Rating 3.71 out of 5   5,051

McLennan Community College

• · Rating 4.07 out of 5   662

D'Youville University

• BUFFALO, NY
• · Rating 3.53 out of 5   447

Showing results 1 through 25 of 2,342

Best Colleges for Education

Some people were born to teach. They help friends with homework or find after-school jobs working with children. Others develop their interest in education more slowly.

No matter how you got here, you’re now considering an education degree. The next step in your journey? Finding and attending one of the best colleges for education. After all, you have to learn before you can teach.

What Can You Do With an Education Degree?

While teaching may be the most identifiable career path for education majors, it isn’t the only one. There are plenty of jobs both in and out of school settings.

Possible career options for graduates with an education degree include:

• Guidance or career counselor
• Admission officer
• Program developer at a museum
• Education consultant or researcher
• School superintendent
• Instructional designer

Many education majors also find service and job opportunities through teach-abroad and domestic nonprofits.

What Kind of Classes Does an Education Major Take?

Your education coursework will include a thorough grounding in teaching theories and methodologies. You’ll learn different philosophical approaches to education and practical strategies to teach different material and learners.

Course titles will vary between schools, but you might take any of the following classes:

• Introduction to Teaching
• Philosophy of Teaching
• Curriculum Development
• Public School Law
• Child Psychology
• Teaching English as a Second Language
• Teaching Students With Disabilities

In addition, most education majors focus their studies in a particular direction. You may want to concentrate on teaching a specific school subject or age level, which will shape your coursework.

Many programs also offer practical experience in the form of supervised internships. Students often work as assistants in public school classrooms, applying all they’ve learned in a controlled environment.

Your school may offer guidance and preparation for licensing exams as well. If you want to work in a public school in any state, you’ll need to be certified as a teacher.

Can You Get an Online Education Degree?

Technically, yes. There are fully online education programs.

However, the nature of the subject makes online-only instruction difficult. Classes benefit from in-person attendance and the chance for students to practice different skills with their peers.

If you need the flexibility of online coursework, you might consider an online-friendly school rather than online-only. These schools allow you to take much of your coursework in a digital setting but still provide a focused selection of classes in person.

You can filter Niche’s ratings by online availability to find a school likely to work with your schedule or other responsibilities.

What Makes These the Best Schools for Education?

Niche considers many things when ranking schools. First and foremost is the overall Niche grade (35%), arrived at through its methodology .

We also look at:

• Program demand
• Education student experience
• Education student caliber
• School investment in education research

In addition to online availability, you can filter the list to reflect your priorities, geography, or likely admittance.

Come see what’s out there. There are many fabulous schools for education degrees, and finding the right one just takes a little time and a willingness to explore the possibilities.

Accredited Online Colleges

Find a trustworthy and flexible online college learning option that works best for you using U.S. News rankings, data and expert advice.

Online college is no longer just an option for many students – it has become the norm. Experts say colleges are poised to offer even more online degree programs and develop new ones as well. Advancements in technology, course design and high-speed internet availability are moving online learning forward. One reason students enroll in online degree programs is for the flexibility to study from anywhere. Students with family responsibilities or full-time jobs may also be able to work around their own schedules. Online students need to have good time management skills and be able to overcome distractions in their environment. Though online formats still present students with unique challenges, accredited institutions usually offer tailored support for students to adjust to online courses and plan their academic futures however they learn.

Online College Degree Programs

Earning a bachelor's degree – in person or online – can open doors to employment opportunities. According to the National Center for Education Statistics , the employment rate among 25- to 34-year-olds in the U.S. with a bachelor's degree or higher was at 87% in 2022. Compare that with the 73% employment rate for those with only a high school diploma. In fall 2020, about 11.8 million of all undergraduate students were enrolled in at least one distance education courses at degree-granting postsecondary institutions, and 7 million were enrolled exclusively in online classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics . Students in online programs usually earn the same degree as on-campus students. The curriculum for an online bachelor’s degree typically matches the on-campus curriculum at the same school, and the diploma usually doesn’t state whether that specific degree was earned online or in person. This can help ease fears that employers won’t accept applicants with online undergraduate degrees. Many online bachelor’s programs require students to complete general education requirements in the arts, humanities and sciences if they haven’t already done so at another college or university. Prospective students will likely need to decide between a liberal arts major and one that is more career-focused, with the latter being the route many take to change career fields or advance professionally. Still, experts say it may make sense for some online students to major in a liberal arts discipline if it’s a subject they are truly passionate about. Academic advisers can offer guidance on which route is best for you.

Pros and Cons of Online Degrees

Students can take classes virtually, allowing them to learn anywhere.

Students can pursue the best program for their field of study, even if the school is far from home.

Students can plan around busy schedules to complete their coursework.

Students need greater self-motivation, time management skills and discipline to complete coursework.

There's no face-to-face interaction with an instructor.

Networking with classmates may be difficult.

An online degree can be a great choice for students who want to continue their education and have either an associate degree or no postsecondary education. A variety of online bachelor’s programs exist, so prospective students should explore all options before enrolling. Those who want to earn their online degree as quickly as possible may wish to pursue a competency-based program or one with an accelerated schedule. The majority of incoming online undergraduates have previously earned some college credits. Individuals in this group should check early in the process whether the prospective online program will accept those credits. Students with an undergraduate degree also can earn a master’s degree completely online. This path is a great choice for working professionals who want to advance in their career or change fields completely. You can find out more through U.S. News’ best online master’s degrees rankings and resources.

What Current Online College Students Say

Olga Nikuradze , senior at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, class of 2023, Bachelor of Science in data science.

Diana Mansfield , senior at Unity Environmental University, class of 2024, Bachelor of Science in marine biology and sustainable aquaculture.

Jennifer Rose , senior at Indiana University, class of 2026, Bachelor of Science in informatics.

How to Choose the Best Online College for You

The best online college is the one that fits your needs. As you’re evaluating programs, consider how each school’s research, resources and reputation line up with your career interests and goals. An online program’s accreditation, tuition and flexibility are other factors that come into play. A good place to start your research is the U.S. News rankings of accredited online bachelor's programs . Once you narrow down what colleges you’re interested in, make sure the programs are in your ideal format – whether that’s fully online or a hybrid model. Review admission requirements and application fees and compare the availability of financial aid. Look into the school’s costs beyond tuition, including book, course material and online delivery fees, and research its student services and faculty.

Check the Accreditation Status of the School or Program

When choosing an online degree program, prospective students should ensure the school is accredited by an organization recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or the nonprofit Council for Higher Education Accreditation. These organizations monitor programs and schools and renew their accreditation every few years. The Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs contains information from recognized accrediting agencies and state approval agencies that reported to the U.S. Department of Education. Information regarding whether an online degree program is accredited is often available on a school’s website. Accreditation is a process that an outside authority conducts to ensure a school or degree program – either on campus, online or a combination of both – meets certain standards of quality and rigor. Accreditation is a voluntary process, though it has several benefits and essentially validates a program to employers and other institutions. There are a few types of accreditation , but the main two are regional and national. Designated regional agencies determine whether a school is regionally accredited. This is a widely recognized type of accreditation. Credits transfer easily between regionally accredited schools. National accreditation is usually less rigorous and awarded to schools of a similar type, like vocational or technical institutions. For-profit online programs are more likely to have national accreditation. Credits from a nationally accredited college are not transferable to a regionally accredited college. Students can speak with their academic adviser to learn more about what types of accreditation are expected from employers in a given career field. Employers may verify that a job candidate’s degree comes from an accredited program, especially if the school name is unfamiliar to them. Should a student decide to change programs, a transfer-friendly school is more likely to accept course credits that come from an accredited institution.

Choose a College Major

Choosing an undergraduate major can seem daunting. As you research options, think about what subjects you enjoy and what majors might prepare you for careers you’d want to pursue. Make sure you understand how salary may vary by field over the course of a career. The right major can set you up for success in college and beyond. The six most common bachelor’s degrees earned in 2020-21, according to the National Center for Education Statistics , were business, health professions and related programs, social sciences and history, biological and biomedical sciences, psychology, and engineering. Students who receive bachelor’s degrees in certain engineering fields have some of the highest starting salaries. According to U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data on students who received federal financial aid, computer engineering, petroleum engineering and industrial engineering majors make a median starting salary of more than $65,000 per year. Students shouldn’t pick an area of study solely because it is popular or high earning. The same goes for online graduate students – they should weigh the professional benefits of an advanced degree. Those with job experience should consider their professional goals when deciding what to study.

Determine Which Online Learning Option Works for You

The structure of online degree programs varies. That’s why prospective students must research a program thoroughly to ensure it meets their needs. In general, however, online courses require students to regularly log in to a learning management system, or LMS. This is a virtual portal that serves as a classroom, where students can access relevant course materials and monitor their progress on lessons. Different formats require different levels of communication with fellow students. Online students may interact with each other through a variety of channels, including discussion forums, social media, videoconferencing, by phone and through email. Students should not expect an online class to be easier than an on-campus one just because of the format. Programs may require students to attend what are often referred to as synchronous class sessions. These sessions are held in real time through videoconferencing, which can help students interact and build relationships with their classmates and the instructor. This type of program’s activities adhere to a preset schedule of classes, lectures, conversations and assignments. Most online courses have an asynchronous, or self-paced, component. Students complete readings, listen to lectures and participate in discussions with classmates whenever they wish but must follow weekly deadlines. Open-schedule courses give students the freedom to begin courses whenever they want and complete assignments based on their start date. Students don’t adhere to regular semester dates. In this format, communication with other students can be sparse. Students working full time might find the convenience and flexibility of open-schedule courses the most desirable. Then there’s fixed-time courses where students attend all classes virtually, with no in-person meetings required, but must log on to attend class at specific times. This format is the best for those who want the structure of a set schedule but need the class to be entirely online. Lastly, hybrid online courses allow students to do coursework remotely but require a few in-person meetings.

Top Online Colleges

U.S. News evaluated several factors to rank the best online bachelor's degree programs, including graduation rates, faculty credentials and support services available remotely.

Find an Online College

Use the filters below to search ranked online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

How to Get Financial Aid for Online College

1. Submit the FAFSA. To receive financial aid, the first and most important step is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This is available online on Oct. 1 each year. To receive the most financial aid possible, prospective students should check school and state grant deadlines and apply early. The FAFSA requires applicants to fill in basic information, such as their contact information and Social Security number, as well as provide their latest federal income tax returns and bank statements. Undergraduate students who are younger than 24 years old – and not married, veterans or active military members – will need to file as a dependent and provide their parents’ financial information. Nearly all students who apply for financial aid qualify for some form of it. 2. Fill out other financial aid forms and apply for scholarships. Many colleges offer their own source of financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships and loans. You may need to fill out additional forms to receive this aid. This information – including deadlines – is generally available on a school’s website. Applicants can also search online for scholarships available at specific schools or from organizations tied to their discipline. Online learners may be eligible for the same scholarships available to on-campus students, and there may even be additional scholarships for online or adult learners. 3. Review and correct the FAFSA Student Aid Report. A few days after submitting the FAFSA online, applicants will receive a Student Aid Report from the Federal Student Aid office. This report restates answers that applicants provided as well as other relevant information, and it’s an opportunity for applicants to correct any errors on the FAFSA, including adding or removing colleges. 4. Compare awards. Each school will calculate applicants’ financial need, which determines their financial aid eligibility. Students will receive an award letter stating what financial aid they are being offered. They can compare their award packages based on the aid they are eligible to receive, the school’s tuition and other costs. 5. Reapply for financial aid each year. To continue receiving financial aid each year, applicants need to fill out the FAFSA annually for as long as they plan to be a student. A degree can be a major investment, and financial aid can help ease the burden of costly tuition. Much like financial aid for on-campus students, aid for online students is available in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and even federal work-study jobs. That said, some online degree programs may not offer work-study opportunities, as many online students are already working full time. The online degree financial aid process is often identical to that of students earning a degree in person. Online students also need to meet similar – if not the same – requirements to be eligible for financial aid at a given school. Additionally, whether a student is full- or part-time can affect that person’s ability to qualify for financial aid. To receive certain amounts or types of aid, many online programs require students to meet specific credit-hour requirements. Applying for financial aid is a complex process. In a 2022 survey of online students by Wiley University Services, 36% of online students indicated that determining how to pay for school was the most difficult part of the application process, while 27% said completing financial aid forms was the hardest. Luckily, accredited online colleges often have financial aid advisers to answer questions and help applicants through the process. To learn more, read U.S. News’ paying for college coverage . There you’ll find expert advice and resources to help you through the process.

How to Apply to Online College

The admissions process for online college is usually similar to that of on-campus programs. Step 1: Fill out the Common App. To start, you’ll need to fill out the application. At the bachelor’s level, the Common Application is accepted by more than 900 schools, including some colleges outside the U.S. It’s likely that an online degree-seeking student will also need to complete this application. Because master’s degree applications are usually tied to a specific program in a school, what application students need to complete may vary. Step 2: Write essays. Applicants at both levels will likely have to submit an essay of some kind. Because many online students already have some work experience, experts recommend that they emphasize their professional skills as part of their application and explain how their experience has prepared them for online college. Step 3: Collect letters of recommendation. Undergraduate and graduate online programs often require letters of recommendation . These may come not only from teachers and school counselors but also current or previous employers who can speak to a student’s work ethic. At the graduate level, a recommendation letter will more likely come from an employer. Step 4: Submit test scores. Applicants may need to submit standardized test scores as part of their application. Many undergraduate online students already have some previously earned college credits and therefore may be able to forgo submitting an SAT or ACT entrance exam score if enough of their credits transfer. At the graduate level, whether the GMAT or GRE graduate school entry exam is required depends on the school and area of study. Some may not require any test scores. This information is typically available on a program’s website. Consult an admissions officer at schools of interest to determine the exact requirements. Step 5: Submit transcripts. Students also may need to submit school transcripts and, depending on the program’s requirements, their prior work experience and previously earned credit hours. Note that just because a program is offered online doesn’t guarantee that getting admitted will be easier. Step 6: Keep track of deadlines. Make sure you follow directions carefully and keep track of deadlines for the school’s admissions application, financial aid and test score submission. Prospective students can find deadline information on each school’s website. Because online program academic calendars may be structured differently from on-campus offerings, deadlines may differ for these applicants.

How to Avoid Online College Scams

Beware of diploma mills, which award illegitimate degrees or certificates to students on the internet. Among the most important steps a prospective student can take is to ensure an online degree program is accredited by an organization recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. It’s also essential to look for red flags on a program’s website. Anything that seems too good to be true – earning a degree in a very short time period, for instance, or at an extremely low cost – is a warning sign. The opposite is also true: If a program seems abnormally expensive, conduct further research. Other red flags include a program not listing a campus or business address online, the website having a lot of grammatical or spelling errors or lacking a “.edu” URL, and the school failing to post information about student support services.

For-Profit Online Colleges

When exploring programs, a prospective student may encounter for-profit and nonprofit schools. Students may perceive for-profit online colleges as a more financially risky option, but experts recommend taking what they hear in the media and through word-of-mouth with a grain of salt. For-profit online schools became more prevalent in the late 1990s. At the time, these schools accepted most applicants, including those who weren’t prepared for college. This contributed to low graduation rates and higher debt, as well as a negative reputation toward for-profit schools. That’s changed in recent years, however, as these schools began placing a greater emphasis on student support services and started requiring some students to take entrance exams to gauge their college readiness. Experts say for-profit and nonprofit schools are becoming increasingly similar, but a few primary differences remain. For one, experts say, admissions are typically less selective at for-profit schools. These online colleges are more likely than nonprofits to have rolling admissions, along with academic calendars that don’t operate around the traditional semester schedule. For-profit institutions tend to have national rather than regional accreditation. Experts recommend looking beyond the nonprofit and for-profit classification when choosing an online degree program. Instead, they say, focus on accreditation, tuition, faculty and support services. Prospective students can also look at reviews of different for-profit programs to get a sense of other students' experiences.

For-Profit Schools

• Historically had a negative reputation due to lower graduation rates and high student debt.
• More likely to have national versus regional accreditation, which is preferred by employers.
• Less competitive in the application process than nonprofit schools.

Non-Profit Schools

• Have historically prioritized student support.
• Are more likely to be regionally accredited compared with nonprofit programs.
• Require students to demonstrate readiness through a more competitive application process.

Online Colleges Near Me

While online education offers students the opportunity to study from anywhere in the world, many students still choose a program with a campus close to home. Cost is a big factor in staying local. Online programs at public universities and colleges often charge different tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students. For example, the University of Florida charges in-state residents $112 per credit hour for enrollment of its online programs, while residents of other states pay $500 per credit hour. That’s a significant savings for Florida residents. Additionally, this in-state tuition is much lower than what Florida residents might pay to attend an online public school based in another state like Ohio or Texas. Sticking with a public school in your state can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your degree. You might also choose a nearby online college so you can easily visit the campus to meet with professors or advisers. Visiting the school can help you better connect with the school community and join on-campus student clubs or attend events. Some students enroll in a local online degree program because they are already familiar with its culture and traditions, or they have family or friends with ties to the institution. The school may also be more recognizable to local employers. Certain online degrees have in-person residency or orientation requirements where students have to visit campus a few times each term or throughout the course of the program. In this case, a local program makes sense.

Online Colleges by State Near Me

• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions About Online College

How much does an online bachelor's cost.

The cost of an online bachelor’s degree varies based on what school you choose, whether it’s a private school or a public school, and by your state of residence, among many other factors. An online bachelor’s degree cost can differ from that of an in-person bachelor’s when accounting for fees and how tuition is calculated. While on-campus programs may charge fees for housing, transportation, recreational activities and meals, online programs tend to lack these costs. That said, online programs may charge a distance education or technology fee . Online programs may charge tuition by the credit hour instead of by the semester, which may save online students some money. Most schools post information online about tuition and required fees for online programs, just as they do for campus-based bachelor’s programs. You can also request info from the bursar’s office, which is responsible for handling college tuition payments. There are also several ways students can reduce the cost of an online degree. For instance, they can transfer previously earned college credits or enroll in an accelerated program. If they’re in a competency-based program, students demonstrate mastery of specific skills to progress faster through what they already know, spending more time on the new information and paying a set price per billing period. Employer tuition reimbursement – where an employer pays for some or all tuition – and scholarships for online students can also help reduce the price of getting a degree. Prospective students can contact a financial aid adviser to ensure they are on track with paying each term. Generally, online programs accept payments online by credit card, debit card or electronic check; by mail via a check or money order; or by wire transfer. Most online degree programs also permit students to pay tuition for a given term in several sums rather than all at once.

How Long Does an Online Bachelor's Take?

An online bachelor’s degree can take the same amount of time as an in-person bachelor’s, which is four years, since the coursework is the same. Most bachelor’s degrees require around 120 credits, though the number varies by program and degree type. But an online degree can be completed in less time depending on whether you choose a full- or part-time program, for example. Full-time students can take more classes per term, but a part-time program may be easier to manage on top of other obligations. Bear in mind that most online undergraduates do not start their bachelor’s degree from scratch. Many have previously earned college credits that can be applied toward their new degree, which can save them time and money. Students generally need to submit transcripts from their previous college so that the new school can evaluate which credits will transfer. Academic term length is another important factor. While some programs have a traditional monthslong semester system for online courses, others have an accelerated time frame.

How to Talk to Prospective Employers About Your Online Degree?

You can talk about your online degree openly with a potential employer – it’s a good opportunity to showcase the rigor of the program you attended, your time-management and collaboration skills, and your work ethic. In the interview process, let them know how the skills you learned from the degree apply to the role you want. Several years ago, employers were more hesitant to accept online degrees as legitimate, with concerns that online students didn’t gain the same vital skills as they would in a traditional campus environment. But in recent years, that perception has changed dramatically, as even the top-tier schools have embraced online education and launched high-quality degree programs. And now, experts say it usually isn’t necessary to indicate on a resume that a degree was earned online, as the school’s reputation and accreditation will be significantly more important. While some employers may still be hesitant about online degrees, many have come to recognize the value of having their employees further their education while working, in part because students can apply what they learn directly to their careers. In fact, roughly one-third of online college students have access to tuition reimbursement benefits from their employer, according to the Wiley University Services survey.

What Are Some High Paying Online Degrees?

An online degree can help prepare you for a range of lucrative careers. On the list of U.S. News’ 25 Best Paying Jobs , petroleum engineers , who design equipment that extracts oil from reservoirs, are at No. 17 with an average salary of $142,800 in 2022, according to the BLS . This career path requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, which is available online. In front of petroleum engineers on the list are information technology managers at No. 12, with an average salary of $173,670 in 2022. Online degrees in the IT field are prevalent at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Business and management degrees, also offered online, can help an employee climb the ladder at a company and earn a higher salary. In May 2022, the average wage for chief executives was $246,440, according to the BLS , and the average annual salary for general and operations managers was $122,860. Also on U.S. News' Best Paying Jobs list, marketing manager ranks No. 15, with an average salary of $158,280 in 2022; financial manager is at No. 14, with an average annual salary of $166,050; and sales manager ranks at No. 19, with an average salary of $150,530.

What Online Degrees Are In Demand?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the jobs projected to have the fastest growth from 2020 to 2030 that require a bachelor’s degree include agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes, at 46% growth; and film and video editors and camera operators, at 33% growth. Suitable degrees for these jobs include a bachelor's degree in a field related to business and management or film and broadcasting, respectively. In addition, some of the projected fastest-growing occupations for 2020 to 2030 were in health care and related industries. That’s good news for online students, as programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels are prevalent in this discipline. This increasing demand is due, in part, to an aging population and a rise in individuals living with chronic illnesses. Health care jobs in high demand include nurse practitioners and occupational therapy assistants. Online degrees exist that can prepare students for these roles. According to the statistics bureau, computer and mathematical occupations – for which an online degree in engineering or information technology may be relevant – account for some of the fastest-growing occupations. Demand for statisticians, for example, is expected to rise 35% between 2020 and 2030. Concerns over online security are also leading to a greater demand for employees with cybersecurity experience and knowledge. For positions such as information security analysts, employment is expected to grow by 33% through 2030.

Methodology

U.S. News has been publishing school rankings in the education sector since 1983 and has done so specifically for online degree programs since 2013. At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, U.S. News calculates rankings based on a variety of factors, which hold different weights depending on the ranking category. A program’s score for each factor, or ranking indicator, is calculated using data that online programs report to U.S. News in an annual survey. The rankings methodologies for online programs are separate from those for U.S. News’ Best Colleges and Best Graduate Schools rankings. Ranking methodologies are typically updated on an annual basis. In developing the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs rankings, U.S. News assessed online colleges based on four general categories. Engagement constitutes 35% of each school’s rank, referring to the extent to which a degree program enables students to effectively interact with instructors and classmates as they would in an on-campus environment. Services and technologies made up 25% of each school’s rank, focusing on how programs incorporate diverse technologies to allow students more flexibility to complete their coursework at a distance. This category also takes into account the quality of student support services, career guidance and financial aid resources. Accounting for 20% of each school’s rank was faculty credentials and training, measuring the degree to which online instructors’ credentials mirror those of on-campus faculty. This category also measures the effectiveness of the resources used to train instructors to teach distance learners. Finally, expert opinions from surveys of high-ranking academic officials make up another 20% of each school’s rank. These insights help account for factors affecting program quality that hard data can’t capture. U.S. News calculates rankings for online graduate programs using similar methodologies, with an additional category taken into consideration. Student excellence is also considered – a category that measures the extent to which students who enter an online program have proven aptitudes, ambitions and accomplishments that enable them to handle the rigors of online learning.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

The 30 Best Colleges for Education Majors

What’s covered:, how we made this list, 30 best schools for education majors, what are your chances of acceptance to these top schools for education majors.

Education is one of the 10 most popular majors in the country. And given the high need for qualified educators in every age group and level, from early childhood through higher learning, that’s great news. 

If you’re looking to study education in college, where should you look? One of the 30 best colleges for the discipline may just be the answer!

To create this list, we evaluated a number of factors, including the reputation of the program, the overall school quality, the popularity of the major within the school, and the size of the program relative to the size of the school.

1. Vanderbilt University

Location: Nashville

Undergrad Enrollment: 6,800

Acceptance Rate: 12%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1470-1570/33-35

Through Vanderbilt’s Peabody College, students can pursue programs in areas like Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Special Education. Future teachers will gain classroom experience early on in college, and students are required to pursue a non-education second major in most instances in order to gain knowledge in other topics. Special Education undergraduates obtain some 500 hours in classrooms in Nashville and beyond.

Peabody also offers 21 master’s programs, 2 Ed.D. program tracks, and six Ph.D. programs. The university’s online education doctorate was ranked no. 1 by Fortune .

2. Michigan State University

Location: East Lansing

Undergrad Enrollment: 39,400

Acceptance Rate: 76%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1100-1300/23-29

Ranked among U.S. News ’ best places in the country to earn an online master’s degree in education, MSU also boasts top undergraduate education programs. Both the elementary and secondary programs have been ranked no. 1 in U.S. News for 28 consecutive years. 

Fieldwork is central to the curriculum. Students grow their understanding of pedagogy through internships and experiential learning. MSU has developed strong relationships with schools in Michigan and beyond, and students gain hands-on experience teaching in real-world settings.

3. University of Washington

Location: Seattle

Undergrad Enrollment: 32,000 

Acceptance Rate: 56%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1200-1457/27-33

The UW College of Education offers a wide variety of programs taught by nationally-recognized faculty, including undergraduate studies in areas like Early Childhood & Family Studies; Education, Communities & Organizations; Education, Learning & Society; and more. Future teachers can prepare through a Seattle Teacher Residency, where they will take part in a year-long classroom apprenticeship with integrated, graduate-level coursework. 

UW collaborates with diverse schools in the state to solve real-world educational challenges in order to prepare future generations of educators to become change agents.

4. Ohio State University

Location: Columbus

Undergrad Enrollment: 46,800

Acceptance Rate: 68%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1210-1430/26-32

Ohio State’s College of Education and Human Ecology encompasses a wide variety of programs at the undergraduate level and beyond. There are numerous general and traditional educational programs, such as Child and Youth Studies, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and many others, as well as niche programs like Business Education.

Students have the opportunity to explore a wide array of topics and practices in the discipline, gaining the knowledge and skills to educate learners from all backgrounds and conduct research in the field.

5. University of Texas at Austin

Location: Austin

Undergrad Enrollment: 40,800

Acceptance Rate: 32%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1210-1470/26-33

At UT Austin, students will learn how to teach children with different backgrounds and abilities. Focusing on leadership, the program provides future teachers with nearly 800 hours of hands-on experience working with children in classrooms over several semesters — well beyond the state requirement. You will graduate well prepared to take the teacher certification exams — graduates of the program pass the exam at a rate of more than 95%

The university also offers non-certification programs that prepare students to work with students and youth in settings like daycare centers, after-school programs, and more.

6. University of Georgia

Location: Athens

Undergrad Enrollment: 29,600

Acceptance Rate: 48%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1220-1400/27-32

Education students have the option of several different pathways to pursue at UGA. Via the BSEd program, they can study areas like English Education, Health and Physical Education, Middle Grades Education, Science Education, Special Education, and more. Meanwhile, dual degree programs enable students to study education while pursuing another academic area simultaneously, typically in the same amount of time as it would take to pursue just one degree.

Another option is the so-called “Double Dawg,” a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree pathway. Students may earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years or fewer. Examples include an AB in French/MAT in World Language Education, AB in Political Science/MAT in Social Studies, and BSEd in Science Education/MEd in Science Education. No matter what the program, students receive mentorship and experiential learning opportunities.

7. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Location: Madison

Undergrad Enrollment: 31,700

Acceptance Rate: 57%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1260-1460/27-32

UW Madison’s School of Education offers a wide array of undergraduate programs. While undergraduate degrees are not available in every department, each division does offer courses at the undergraduate level — Art, Counseling Psychology, Curriculum and Instruction, Dance, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, Educational Policy Studies, Educational Psychology, Kinesiology, Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education, and Theatre and Drama.

Students have a breadth of opportunities to conduct research and participate in experiential learning, such as volunteering, internships, and study abroad. The programs within the School of Education rank in the top 10 in all nine of the U.S. News ’ education specialty areas, including Educational Psychology, which ranks no. 1.

8. Pennsylvania State University

Location: University Park

Undergrad Enrollment: 40,300

Acceptance Rate: 54%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1150-1340/25-30

Penn State’s College of Education stays true to the belief that its students have the potential to positively impact the lives of others. The university prepares students through flexible academic offerings, including eight majors with teacher preparation in 20 specialty degree programs. 

Students will be equipped with the knowledge to pursue a range of careers across fields like policy-making, educational psychology, counseling, special education, and more. Students also have the opportunity to gain field experience through hands-on learning.

9. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Location: Champaign

Undergrad Enrollment: 33,900

Acceptance Rate: 63%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1210-1470/27-33

One of the first land-grant schools of education, the College of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is known for groundbreaking research, preparation of educator-leaders, community outreach, and a global impact. 

The College creates a diverse community of learners. In 2014, UIUC received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award, recognizing its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Students can pursue licensure and non-licensure pathways, all while engaging with fellow educators, participating in research, studying abroad, and more.

10. Columbia University

Location: New York, NY

Undergrad Enrollment: 8,200

Acceptance Rate: N/A

Columbia’s world-renowned Teachers College has extended well beyond the field of teaching, but the graduate school remains one of the top graduate schools of education in the country, offering a breadth of innovative programs like hip-hop pedagogy and the revival of Inca languages in Latin American schools.

Undergraduates, too, can begin their journeys as educators through programs like the Barnard Education program (currently limited to Barnard students), which offers Educational Studies and an Urban Teaching minor, leading to teacher certification. 

11. Harvard University

Location: Cambridge, MA

Undergrad Enrollment: 9,900 

Acceptance Rate: 5%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1460-1580/33-35

Undergraduates at Harvard are encouraged to pursue the Teaching and Teacher Leadership (TTL) program at the Graduate School of Education, which houses the Harvard Teacher Fellows Program and its residency fieldwork model pathway. This will allow students to complete the courses and field experiences necessary for a Massachusetts teaching license in English, history, math, or science.

On top of their primary field, students may also pursue a secondary field in Educational Studies, allowing them to examine the field of education from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Meanwhile, GSA offers master’s and doctoral degrees, including online options.

12. Arizona State University  

Location: Tempe

Undergrad Enrollment: 42,800 

Acceptance Rate: 88%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1100-1320/21-28

Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College offers degrees that blend subject matter knowledge, classroom techniques, and professional teaching experience — all before graduation. Students can explore topics like childhood education, gifted and special education, and beyond.

Students can pursue 100% online degree options and customize their academic experience with minors as well as majors, as well as certification programs.

13. Florida State University

Location: Tallahassee

Undergrad Enrollment: 32,400 

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1220-1350/27-31

The FSU College of Education offers world-class academics and a close-knit community. Students engage in educational research, all while learning in the classroom and enjoying an engaging student experience.

Faculty are pioneers in their fields — and students can work directly with them, at the forefront of education. They also have access to cutting-edge technology and resources, the most advanced teaching technology for testing and learning. There are many pathways, including combined bachelor’s/master’s degree programs across several disciplines.

14. Stanford University

Location: Stanford

Undergrad Enrollment: 7,000

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1420-1570/31-35

Through Stanford’s renowned Graduate School of Education, undergraduate students can explore pathways in teaching and learning, too. In fact, GSE is the only graduate school at the university with an office dedicated to undergraduates. 

This is an undergraduate minor in education that offers a broad and focused study of research, theory, and practice. The undergraduate Honors program allows students to supplement their majors by applying their studies to education, pursuing independent inquiry under the mentorship of GSE faculty.

15. Indiana University Bloomington

Location: Bloomington, IN

Undergrad Enrollment: 33,300

Acceptance Rate: 80%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1120-1350/24-31

The no. 1 school of education in Indiana, IU offers a bachelor’s degree in areas like Counseling and Student Services, Music Education, Special Education, Visual Arts Education, World Languages, and many others. These pathways prepare you to become a licensed preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, or high school teacher.

Taught by well-known scholars and experts, graduates are routinely named the best teachers in Indiana. Programs are nationally ranked and have a worldwide impact.

16. University of Florida

Location: Gainesville, FL

Undergrad Enrollment: 35,400

Acceptance Rate: 31%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1290-1460/29-33

The College of Education at the University of Florida continues to dominate the rankings, with a top (no. 2) spot as the home of one nation’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs. Meanwhile, UF’s BA in Education Sciences, launched in 2020, is ranked no. 1 in U.S. News ’ list of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.

This program gives students a foundation in education, preparing them to further explore a career in the field. Several options, including remote and in-person, are available.

17. University of Kansas

Location: Lawrence, KS

Undergrad Enrollment: 19,500

Acceptance Rate: 91%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1070-1320/22-29

Offering the no. 1 Special Education Public Program, KU’s School of Education and Human Sciences offers a broad array of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Bachelor’s degree programs span areas like Elementary Education, Foreign Language Education, Music Education, Physical Education, Secondary English, Secondary History & Government Education, STEM, and Visual Art education, ultimately leading to initial licensure.

18. University of Maryland, College Park

Location: College Park, MD

Undergrad Enrollment: 30,700

Acceptance Rate: 49%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1270-1480/29-34

The College of Education at the University of Maryland offers extensive research opportunities at multiple levels, both graduate and undergraduate, along with practice-oriented programs. Undergraduates can explore majors like Art Education, Elementary Education, Music Education, Secondary Education, and more.

Combined/dual-degree options are available, too, as are several minors and certificate programs, such as Disability Studies, Human Development, Leadership Studies, and others.

19. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Undergrad Enrollment: 34,400

Acceptance Rate: 70%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1240-1460/25-31

The College of Education and Human Development offers teacher education programs that prepare students to be experts in their fields. In some instances, students may earn a bachelor’s degree and teaching license in four years. 

There are several tracks, including Early Childhood, Special Education, and Elementary Education. After obtaining their bachelor’s degree, students may also apply to one of the university’s combined master’s teaching licensure programs. All CEHD students complete an internship, teaching practicum, or experiential coursework.

20. University of Michigan

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Undergrad Enrollment: 30,300

Acceptance Rate: 26%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1340-1560/31-34

Ranked no. 1 in Education & Educational Research by the Center for World University Subject Rankings — and home to several top 10 specialty programs per U.S. News , including a no. 1 ranking in Higher Education — the University of Michigan offers several well-regarded education programs at different levels.

At the undergraduate level, students may pursue a BA or BS in Elementary Teacher Education with Teacher Certification, aimed at developing instructional practices to disrupt inequities in schools. Alternatively, they may pursue a three-year Secondary Teacher Education program. Either way, first-year students should consider applying through the Teacher Education Preferred Admissions Program.

21. University of Pennsylvania

Location: Philadelphia

Undergrad Enrollment: 11,800

Acceptance Rate: 9%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1460-1570/33-35

UPenn’s Graduate School of Education offers several pathways for graduate students, including multiple joint and dual degree offerings. Undergraduates, too, can gain preparation for a career in education. Students can take a number of courses taught by GSE faculty and learn alongside graduate students. There is also an Urban Education Minor for undergraduates, cosponsored with the College of Arts & Sciences.

Another option is submatriculation. Full-time juniors or seniors may take up to four courses in GSE, applying them toward both degrees, beginning their graduate work early.

22. Clemson University

Location: Clemson, South Carolina

Undergrad Enrollment: 19,600

Acceptance Rate: 62%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1210-1390/27-32

A transformative leader in education, Clemson’s College of Education has a particular focus on serving underserved communities, offering award-winning programs in a range of areas. The College equips students for careers that make a difference in South Carolina and beyond and has ranked as the no. 8 Best College for Education Majors for three consecutive years by CollegeMagazine.com.

Students have the opportunity to participate in organizations, study abroad, and collaborate as a part of a close-knit community. Special programs include Call Me MISTER, which helps minority male students prepare for careers in elementary education, and ClemsonLIFE, which provides life skills and a college experience for students with intellectual disabilities.

23. University of Oregon

Location: Eugene, OR

Undergrad Enrollment: 19,100

Acceptance Rate: 83%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1090-1290/22-29

The no. 7 public college of education — home to the no. 3 special education program — Oregon’s College of Education offers an array of programs at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, along with certificates. 

One mission of the College is to close the inequity gap. The school emphasizes research and inclusion, striving to change lives and eliminate barriers. 

24. New York University

Undergrad Enrollment: 26,700

Acceptance Rate: 21%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1370-1540/31-34

Founded in 1890 as the first school of pedagogy in the US, NYU Steinhardt continues its mission of educating educators and fostering innovation and creativity. The school offers a breadth of degrees at multiple levels, including undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

At the undergraduate level, students study in the classroom, while also pursuing internships, study abroad, and other experiential learning opportunities. Dual degree pathways are available as well.

25. University of Alabama

Location: Tuscaloosa

Undergrad Enrollment: 33,000

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1070-1330/23-31

UA’s College of Education’s undergraduate programs focus on teacher education in the various fields of early childhood elementary education, physical education, music education, secondary education, and special education, leading to licensure in Alabama.

Just some of the many pathways include Counselor Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Educational Neuroscience, Educational Psychology, Gifted Education, Music Education, Reading Specialist, Physical Education, and Severe Disabilities. Many online options are available.

26. Texas A&M University

Location: College Station, TX

Undergrad Enrollment: 53,700

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1160-1380/25-32

Offering 21 undergraduate programs and more than 30 graduate programs, the School of Education and Human Development seeks to grow future leaders through four academic areas: Educational Administration and Human Resource Development (EAHR), Educational Psychology (EPSY), Health and Kinesiology (HLKN), and Teaching, Learning and Culture (TLAC).

The school prepares students to become certified school personnel across organizations. It is a leader in certifying teachers in math and science. Students begin their teaching experience in their first semester, starting hands-on experience early.

27. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Location: Chapel Hill

Acceptance Rate: 24%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1270-1470/27-33

Over its 130-year history, UNC’s School of Education has served the state, educating teachers in a range of specialties. Today, the School offers undergraduate degrees in Human and Organizational Leadership Development, Human Development and Family Science, K-12 Music Education, and Education in Science and Teaching. There is also a minor available.

A Pre-Master of Arts in Teaching is an early affiliation option for undergraduates who want to receive graduate credit while pursuing their bachelor’s degrees. Also of note is the NC Teaching Fellows program, designed to encourage students to pursue teaching careers in high-needs STEM areas.

28. University of Missouri

Location: Columbia

Undergrad Enrollment: 22,400

Acceptance Rate: 82%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1110-1320/23-30

Mizzou’s College of Education & Human Development has a number of pride points. For one, it’s ranked no. 4 in the nation among the best online master’s education programs for veterans in U.S. News . 

The College offers bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees in several niches and disciplines, and students engage in research and real teaching beginning sophomore year, completing their coursework in classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Elementary and special education programs culminate in a year-long senior year internship, called Senior Year On-Site Program. There are also Teach Abroad Programs.

29. University of California, Los Angeles

Location: Los Angeles

Undergrad Enrollment:   31,500

Acceptance Rate: 14%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1290-1520/29-34

The UCLA School of Education & Information Studies is “at the forefront of a global transformation in education.” It is the only global public research university that began as a public research university and UCLA’s longest-running school, bringing more than a century of experience in education, emphasizing teaching in urban communities and multi-ethnic environments.

The school offers plenty of opportunities, including research through the centers within the school.

30. University of Virginia

Location: Charlottesville

Undergrad Enrollment: 16,700

Acceptance Rate: 23%

Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1320-1510/30-34

Future teachers and current teachers alike have access to a range of degree and certificate programs at the UVA School of Education and Human Department. Just some of the niches students can pursue include Curriculum & Instruction, ESL Education, Gifted Education, Instructional Technology, and Social and Emotional Learning. Online options allow students the flexibility to learn on their own terms.

The Contemplative Teaching and Learning Lab is home to research projects exploring how practices like mindfulness and yoga can be adapted and applied to improve teaching and learning, collaborating with other organizations within and outside UVA.

What are your chances of getting into the best colleges and universities for education in the country? Find out with our free chancing engine . This tool will estimate your real odds of admission to hundreds of top schools — plus give you tips on how to improve your profile.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Master of Education Program

Elevate your teaching career with SMU's Master of Education program. Gain specialized skills in key areas like ESL, Special Education, or Urban Education and become a leader in educational excellence. Start your journey today and transform your passion for teaching into expertise.

public and private schools in Texas

ranking among private graduate schools of education nationally

To kickstart a transformational journey in education, consider SMU's Master of Education program, crafted for aspiring educators committed to making a difference. With flexible specialization tracks in ESL, Special Education, and Urban Education, our program is designed to adapt to your career goals and schedule. Dive into a curriculum that merges theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing you to meet today's educational challenges with innovative solutions.

By requesting information, you take the first step towards enhancing your educational expertise and leadership skills. This program not only focuses on improving your teaching techniques but also equips you with the tools to influence positive change in educational settings. Connect with a community of dedicated educators and start shaping the future of education today. Unlock exclusive insights into our program and discover how SMU can help elevate your teaching career to new heights.

Request information

Explore our programs.

While our master’s degree programs incorporate various specializations, we also offer non-degree specialization and certification-preparation programs that are designed to satisfy the State Board for Educator Certification’s requirements in specific educational areas. The additional specialization training prepares teachers for the respective certification exams; all SBEC certifications require that a candidate pass a state test.

These advanced credentials are attached to the standard teaching certificate, so as a prerequisite to earning a graduate certification, a candidate must already hold a bachelor's degree and the initial teaching certificate. This degree program is designed for completion within two years. All program requirements for the graduate degree must be completed within six years.

The Urban Education program is designed for teachers of diverse student populations who wish to cultivate more culturally responsive classrooms. Educators explore the historical context of urban education and learn how culturally responsive curricula increase student outcomes, reduce student behavioral infractions, and enhance teacher-student relationships. The 4-course sequence can be taken as standalone professional development. The program's coursework can be applied toward SMU's M.Ed. degree.

The ESL specialization is for practicing educators interested in working with ESL populations. Graduates are prepared to take the TExES (Texas Examination for Educator Standards) English as a Second Language (ESL) supplemental certification exam, a passing score on which qualifies them to work with ESL students populations. The program's coursework can be applied toward SMU's M.Ed. degree.

The Bilingual specialization is designed for teachers who work with students who do not speak English as their native language. Students who succeed in this four-course sequence are qualified to take the TExES (Texas Examination for Educator Standards) supplemental certification exam in bilingual education, a passing score on which qualifies them to work with students who do not speak English as their native language. The program's coursework can be applied toward SMU's M.Ed. degree.

The Special Education specialization is for practicing educators interested in working with students with special needs. Content mastery equips graduates to work with special-needs students; they are able to employ evidence-based practices, monitor response to intervention, individualize intervention based on assessed needs, understand special education law and policy, deliver positive-behavior support, and collaborate with the colleagues and families of special-needs individuals. The program's coursework can be applied toward SMU's M.Ed. degree.

The Mathematics specialization is for practicing educators who wish to advance their content knowledge or pedagogical skills for the purpose of teaching mathematics. Those who successfully complete the 4-course sequence will have to the skills and knowledge to model effective mathematics instruction, translate evidence-based research into classroom teaching, differentiate with diverse learners, and instill creative problem solving. The program’s coursework can be applied to SMU’s M.Ed. degree.

The Literacy Studies specialization is ideal for teachers who desire to advance their knowledge of literacy instruction and assessment specifically for early literacy and late literacy and for those who desire to pursue Reading Specialist certification. Those who successfully complete the program will be more effective teachers, improving student outcomes in literacy. The program's coursework can be applied toward SMU's M.Ed. degree.

The STEM specialization is designed for practicing educators who wish to advance their content knowledge or pedagogical skills for the purpose of teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content. Those who successfully complete the program are equipped to be more effective STEM educators. The program's coursework can be applied toward SMU's M.Ed. degree.

The Educational Diagnostician specialization  is designed for practicing educators who who desire to possess the critical knowledge and skills to identify and make a positive impact on the individual learning needs of students. Those who successfully complete the program will be able to apply their advanced knowledge of assessment and instruction to improve the outcomes of students with special learning needs. After successful completion of the program as part of an M.Ed. degree, candidates will be eligible for the Texas Educational Diagnostician Certificate.

The Learning Therapy specialization is ideal for individuals interested in working with children or adults who have dyslexia or related language learning disorders. Those who successfully complete the specialization are qualified to take the Alliance National Registration Exam for Multisensory Structured Language Education at the therapy level, a passing score on which qualifies the individual for membership in ALTA as a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). The program's coursework can be applied toward SMU's M.Ed. degree.

Primary navigation menu

Search the smu website, popular searches.

• Current Students
• Undergraduate Admission
• Graduate Admission
• Faculty & Staff
• Majors & Minors
• Graduate School

COVID-19 Information (Mustang Strong)

Did you know?

SMU's singular approach to integrating rigorous learning with hands-on experience will prepare you to achieve your educational goals and expand your world in ways you never imagined. Ours is a community of people forging their own paths. We'd like to help you shape yours.

Big Data for Social Good

Big social problems require big data solutions.

Using real-world data and policy interventions as applications, this Harvard Online course will teach core concepts in data science, economics, and statistics and equip you to tackle some of the most pressing social challenges of our time.

What You'll Learn

The American Dream—the idea that through hard work any child can rise up and achieve a higher standard of living than their parents—is fading: only half of kids today will go on to earn more than their parents did. Why has this happened? And, how can we reverse the fading of the American Dream?   “Big data” is often associated with corporations seeking to improve products by collecting data on customers. What if we could use big data for social good—to address problems such as the fading American Dream, growing income inequality, or persistent racial disparities?   Big Data for Social Good will teach you how to use big data, coupled with the tools of data science and economics, to solve some of the most important social problems of our time. Big data can help us cut through politically charged debates and find out what policies actually work from a scientific perspective, making the often-discussed notion of “evidence-based policymaking” a reality. Using big data, we can see how the specific neighborhoods in which we grow up and the schools we attend shape our life outcomes—and how we can take these insights to create better opportunities for all. 

The course will be delivered via  HBS Online’s course platform  and immerse learners in real-world examples from experts at industry-leading organizations. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Examine historical income, education and family support, and geography to understand how these economic factors lead to upward mobility
• Understand how big data is used to identify the causes of socioeconomic disparities and how data can lead to evidence-based action and outcomes
• Explore economic methodologies, such as statistical models, regression analysis, and quasi-experiments in data set combinations
• Utilize economic frameworks and apply them to your work
• Use evidence to engage and gain support of communities and constituents to drive systemic policy developments and changes

Your Instructor

Raj Chetty, PhD,  is the William A. Ackman Professor of Public Economics at Harvard University and Director of Opportunity Insights. His research uses “big data” to understand how we can give children from disadvantaged backgrounds better chances of succeeding. Chetty's research combines empirical evidence and economic theory to help design more effective government policies. His work on topics ranging from tax policy and unemployment insurance to education and affordable housing has been widely cited in academia, media outlets, and Congressional testimony. He has received numerous awards for his research, including a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship and the John Bates Clark medal, given to the economist under 40 whose work is judged to have made the most significant contribution to the field.

Real World Case Studies

Affiliations are listed for identification purposes only.

Geoffrey Canada

Hear from Geoffrey Canada, an educator, social activist, and author, about his pioneering work in helping children and families in Harlem and about place-based innovations.

Sarah Oppenheimer

Learn how Sarah Oppenheimer’s work bridges research with applied policy and practice to address poverty and support families’ outcomes.

Nathaniel Hendren

Explore research based on the core question “Do markets provide opportunity?”

Available Discounts and Benefits for Groups and Individuals

Experience Harvard Online by utilizing our wide variety of discount programs for individuals and groups. 

Past participant discounts.

Learners who have enrolled in at least one qualifying Harvard Online program hosted on the HBS Online platform are eligible to receive a 30% discount on this course, regardless of completion or certificate status in the first purchased program. Past Participant Discounts are automatically applied to the Program Fee upon time of payment.  Learn more here .

Learners who have earned a verified certificate for a HarvardX course hosted on the  edX platform  are eligible to receive a 30% discount on this course using a discount code. Discounts are not available after you've submitted payment, so if you think you are eligible for a discount on a registration, please check your email for a code or contact us .

Nonprofit, Government, Military, and Education Discounts

For this course we offer a 30% discount for learners who work in the nonprofit, government, military, or education fields. 

Eligibility is determined by a prospective learner’s email address, ending in .org, .gov, .mil, or .edu. Interested learners can apply below for the discount and, if eligible, will receive a promo code to enter when completing payment information to enroll in a Harvard Online program. Click here to apply for these discounts.

Gather your team to experience Data Privacy and Technology and other Harvard Online courses to enjoy the benefits of learning together: 

• Single invoicing for groups of 10 or more
• Tiered discounts and pricing available with up to 50% off
• Growth reports on your team's progress
• Flexible course and partnership plans 

Learn more and enroll your team ! 

Who Will Benefit

Community activists and nonprofits

Use big data and economic principles to gain support and advocate for change in underserved communities.

Policy advocates and public sector employees

Serve the needs and requests of your communities better through evidence-based research and defined policy outcomes.

Students and Recent Graduates

Learn how to combine disparate data sets that lead to key findings, insights, and solutions for addressing economic societal problems.

Course Syllabus

Learning requirements: In order to earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Online and Harvard Business School Online, participants must thoughtfully complete all 8 modules, including satisfactory completion of the associated assignments, by stated deadlines.

Download Full Syllabus

• Study The Opportunity Atlas and Brownsville, Brooklyn cases
• Recognize some of the statistical techniques used to measure and map opportunity
• Explore granular variation in levels of upward mobility
• Study the moving to opportunity experiment
• Consider the ethical and societal impacts of social experiments
• Explore two methods for causal inference
• Interpret methods for establishing statistical significance
• Study cases like Creating Moves to Opportunity and the Harlem Children's Zone
• Describe the factors that are correlated with differences in upward mobility across places
• Understand the relationship between supply and demand
• Explain the distinction between constraints and barriers
• Study the American Dream and social capital 
• Understand the concept of social capital
• Understand how economic policies can "pay for themselves" in the long terms
• Identify different statistical approaches to measuring upward mobility
• Investigate both redistributive policies and policies that invest in human capital
• Study the effect of mentorship
• Explain the relationship between economic growth and equality of opportunity
• Identify data sources for studying innovation
• Explore innovation as a potential path for increasing both equality of opportunity and economic growth
• Understand how to use propensity score reweighting
• Study college mobility rates
• Explore the extent to which colleges and universities in the US either promote or hinder upward mobility
• Understand how to measure the causal effect of college on a student’s outcomes
• Recognize the importance of both access and outcomes in determining a college’s Mobility Rate
• Understand methods for standardizing data from across different sources
• Study the importance of class size and teacher quality in determining students’ outcomes
• Understand dynamic models and steady states
• Explore differences in upward mobility by race/ethnicity and gender
• Explain that differences in upward mobility lead to the persistence of mobility gaps in “steady state”

Earn Your Certificate

Enroll today in Harvard Online's Big Data for Social Good course.

Still Have Questions?

Are there discounts available for this course? What are the learning requirements? How do I list my certificate on my resume? Learn the answers to these and more in our FAQs.

Related Courses

Reducing racial disparities in health care.

In partnership with the Disparities Solutions Center at MGH, this course will help you deliver high-quality health care to all through organizational change.

Data Privacy and Technology

Explore legal and ethical implications of one’s personal data, the risks and rewards of data collection and surveillance, and the needs for policy, advocacy, and privacy monitoring.

Outsmarting Implicit Bias

Designed for individuals and teams, this Harvard Online course taught by preeminent Harvard Professor Mahzarin Banaji teaches the science of implicit bias and strategies to counter the impact of bias in the workplace.

What you need to know about education for sustainable development

What is education for sustainable development  .

Education for sustainable development (ESD) gives learners of all ages the knowledge, skills, values and agency to address interconnected global challenges including climate change, loss of biodiversity, unsustainable use of resources, and inequality. It empowers learners of all ages to make informed decisions and take individual and collective action to change society and care for the planet. ESD is a lifelong learning process and an integral part of quality education. It enhances the cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural dimensions of learning and encompasses learning content and outcomes, pedagogy and the learning environment itself. 

How does UNESCO work on this theme?  

UNESCO is the United Nations leading agency for ESD and is responsible for the implementation of ESD for 2030 , the current global framework for ESD which takes up and continues the work of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) and the Global Action Programme (GAP) on ESD (2015-2019). 

UNESCO’s work on ESD focuses on five main areas: 

• Advancing policy
• Transforming learning environments
• Building capacities of educators
• Empowering and mobilizing youth
• Accelerating local level action

UNESCO supports countries to develop and expand educational activities that focus on sustainability issues such as climate change, biodiversity, disaster risk reduction, water, the oceans, sustainable urbanisation and sustainable lifestyles through ESD. UNESCO leads and advocates globally on ESD and provides guidance and standards. It also provides data on the status of ESD and monitors progress on SDG Indicator 4.7.1, on the extent to which global citizenship education and ESD are mainstreamed in national education policies, curricula, teacher education and student assessment.  

How does UNESCO mobilize education to address climate change?   

Climate change education is the main thematic focus of ESD as it helps people understand and address the impacts of the climate crisis, empowering them with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to act as agents of change. The importance of education and training to address climate change is recognized in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change , the Paris Agreement and the associated Action for Climate Empowerment agenda which all call on governments to educate, empower and engage all stakeholders and major groups on policies and actions relating to climate change. Through its ESD programme, UNESCO works to make education a more central and visible part of the international response to climate change. It produces and shares knowledge, provides policy guidance and technical support to countries, and implements projects on the ground. 

UNESCO encourages Member States to develop and implement their  country initiative  to mainstream education for sustainable development. 

What is the Greening Education Partnership?

To coordinate actions and efforts in the field of climate change education the  Greening Education Partnership  was launched in 2022 during the UN Secretary General's Summit on Transforming Education. This partnership, coordinated by a UNESCO Secretariat, is driving a global movement to get every learner climate-ready. The Partnership addresses four key areas of transformative education: greening schools, curricula, teachers training and education system's capacities, and communities.

How can I get involved?   

Every single person can take action in many different ways every day to protect the planet. To complement the ESD for 2030 roadmap , UNESCO has developed the ESD for 2030 toolbox to provide an evolving set of selected resources to support Member States, regional and global stakeholders to develop activities in the five priority action areas and activities in support of the six key areas of implementation. 

UNESCO also launched the Trash Hack campaign in response to the 2 billion tons of waste that the world produces every year, waste which clog up the oceans, fill the streets and litter huge areas. Trash Hacks are small changes everyone can make every day to reduce waste in their lives, their communities and the world.   

Related items

• Education for sustainable development
• Environmental education

Florida revises school library book removal training after public outcry

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida is moving forward with a revised training program for local public school officials in charge of policing library and classroom bookshelves, including language changes that free speech advocates said misrepresented state law and led to unnecessary book removals.

"Based on some stakeholder input, we'd like to provide some clarifying language," State Board of Education K-12 Chancellor Paul Burns said this week before the board approved. The board's vote came after more than a half-year of questions and concerns from advocacy groups and others, prompted by the Florida Department of Education's October memorandum instructing school leaders to remove any book that contained "sexual conduct." That's due to a Gov. Ron DeSantis-signed law.

Advocates like Stephana Ferrell, co-founder and director of research and insight for the Florida Freedom to Read Project , applauded the state's action but said there are still some issues in the training that could cue up more removals. She was disappointed it took so long to make the change, believing action wasn't taken until another group, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, mentioned litigation.

FIRE, a First Amendment watchdog, said Florida's guidance ignored a carveout specifying that materials with sexual conduct must be removed "for any grade level or age group for which such use is inappropriate or unsuitable," an elevated evaluation expectation.

The organization also says the provision was meant for book challenges, not to require proactive removals of other titles. Sexual conduct is a broad term in Florida law encompassing various sexual acts.

"Some books that reference sex, including many classic works of literature, may be suitable for an 18-year-old high school senior but not for a ten-year-old fourth grader," FIRE wrote in a news release , adding its voice to the opposition a week before the vote when it learned the originally proposed training contained similar language to the memorandum.

That proposal was amended to make the distinction clearer.

"We appreciate the adoption of the last-minute amendment that resolves the confusing language and advises districts to conduct a thorough review of materials rather than permanently removing based on a single excerpt," the Florida Freedom to Read Project wrote in a statement released on social media. The group has been one of the loudest critics of the law and the state's guidance.

As reported by the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida , the training revision controversy went beyond its contents. The Florida Department of Education created a workshop group to help out, half of which were members of Moms for Liberty, the loudest advocates for public school book removals.

The move drew criticism from book access advocates and demonstrated the state’s willingness to cater to the conservative group, which has long supported DeSantis.

Advocacy groups still have concerns

FIRE said it was "very pleased" to see the change. It had warned the state of a potential First Amendment lawsuit had that not happened.

"This change is a win for Florida's students," said Aaron Terr, its director of public advocacy, in an emailed statement. "It should help stop the rampant censorship in Florida school libraries, many of which have removed hundreds of classic and contemporary books without evaluating their suitability for students."

Burns said the changes "strengthen the learning environment by making sure we continue to have great materials."

But the Florida Freedom to Read Project still had issues with the confirmed training, not liking that it keeps a slide warning educators to "err on the side of caution" with book removal decisions.

Ferrell, in a follow-up phone interview, added that she still doesn't think there's enough context in the training presentation slides that cite a preexisting criminal statute preventing the distribution of " harmful " materials to minors and warning about felonies if it's violated. The threshold to meet that standard is high, and any book that does so also couldn't be sold in a bookstore to a minor.

But those mentions alarmed and confused educators when the first version of the training was launched last year, contributing to a surge in school library and classroom book removals.

Data released by the American Library Association in March showed that Florida had more books challenged for removal  than any other state in 2023. The group documented nearly 2,700 titles targeted for censorship in Florida.

Overall, 4,240 works in school and public libraries had been targeted in the U.S. in 2023 — a significant increase from the then-record in 2022 with 2,571 books.

Some counties have removed LGBTQ titles from shelves

Ferrell said the training was also fine-tuned to make clear that laws focused on regulating "instructional material" don't apply to library books. Some counties, for example, have removed LGBTQ titles following the passage of a law restricting classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation.

But she recommended the state remove slides on "instructional materials" altogether to remove "all possibility of confusion or conflation and take out the completely irrelevant section in the training."

In addition, the revised training references 2024 legislation DeSantis called for and signed that limits how many books someone can challenge if they're not a student's parent or guardian. Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, said he appreciated some of the changes, but added that confusion wasn't just caused by the training slides.

"When the training was first implemented, I heard from a lot of media specialists around the state with concerns not just about the presentation, but what was being said in those (training) meetings," he told the State Board of Education on Wednesday.

"And so I want to, again, encourage you all to come out into the schools to work with us and making sure that what the intent of the law is is what is clearly being communicated and that there's not so much confusion."

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA TODAY Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at  [email protected] .

TechRepublic

Account information.

Share with Your Friends

The 5 Best Udemy Courses That Are Worth Taking in 2024

Your email has been sent

Udemy is an online course platform where professionals and aspiring workers can find training on a wide variety of subjects. Here are five of the best Udemy courses for workers in the tech field who want to start new careers or add new skills to their existing job. These are beginner or beginner-to-advanced courses, but Udemy offers a wide variety of jumping-on points for all skill levels.

I chose these courses based on their potential to result in practical applications at work, user reviews and popularity based on Udemy’s Bestselling leaderboard .

• Best for starting a career in Python: The Complete Python Developer
• Best for enhancing your spreadsheet skills: Microsoft Excel - Excel from Beginner to Advanced
• Best for learning how to make the most of AI: ChatGPT Masterclass - The Guide to AI & Prompt Engineering
• Best for learning web development: The Complete 2024 Web Development Bootcamp
• Best for learning data science: The Data Science Course - Complete Data Science Bootcamp 2024

Best Udemy courses: Comparison table

The complete python developer: best for starting a career in python.

With Python consistently ranking as one of the most popular programming languages , using it could open up a lot of developer career options. Udemy’s Complete Python Developer course is about 31 hours, including a hands-on coding exercise and downloadable resources. This comprehensive course teaches you how to use Python in web development, machine learning, automation and more. You don’t need prior experience in Python to take it.

The Complete Python Developer course costs $199.99.

Microsoft Excel - Excel from Beginner to Advanced: Best for enhancing your spreadsheet skills

Mastering Excel enables you to create dynamic reports with PivotTables, automate some work tasks, run dynamic formulas in VLOOKUP and more. Knowing how to take advantage of Excel beyond just filling in fields can make your job more efficient and secure your place in the organization as the Excel wizard. Udemy’s 21-hour course includes downloadable resources for you to keep after the curriculum is done.

Learners who took Microsoft Excel – Excel from Beginner to Advanced praise the instructor, Kyle Pew, for his engaging teaching style. Some students noted in reviews that, while the course is listed as a beginner class, the sections involving the Microsoft programming language VBA might best serve people who already have a background in VBA.

Learners who take this course are recommended to have Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2013, 2019 or Microsoft 365 Excel on their computer in order to work along with the material shown in the course.

The Microsoft Excel – Excel from Beginner to Advanced course costs $129.99.

ChatGPT Masterclass - The Guide to AI & Prompt Engineering: Best for learning how to make the most of AI

How to get the most out of ChatGPT continues to be a hot topic. Organizations across fields are exploring which generative AI product is right for them and how generative AI can change the way they work.

This course is a thorough exploration of how to use prompt engineering to make ChatGPT produce the right answers for you. The course explains how to use ChatGPT to help build websites in WordPress, write resumes and generate content.

Some reviews pointed out the presenters’ opinions can find their way into the course and that the website building section is longer than the other sections.

The ChatGPT Masterclass: The Guide to AI & Prompt Engineering course costs $124.99.

The Complete 2024 Web Development Bootcamp: Best for learning web development

This thorough course covers everything from the very basics (“How does the internet actually work?”) to the details of advanced CSS, JavaScript, APIs and more. Graduates of this course will have completed building websites, which they can show to potential employers. The last 12 hours or so of the course are devoted to Web3 and cryptocurrency, which may not be relevant to a wider web development audience. Participants praised the instructor, Dr. Angela Yu, and the visual aids used throughout the course.

The Complete 2024 Web Development Bootcamp costs $109.99.

The Data Science Course - Complete Data Science Bootcamp 2024: Best for learning data science

The Data Science Course: Complete Data Science Bootcamp 2024 includes hands-on exercises and teaches you how to pre-process data, plus the basics and details of machine learning, deep learning, statistical analysis, Python and NumPy and neural networks.

Reviewers praised the instructor for the course’s thoroughness; however, some reviewers noted the evaluation tool in the hands-on coding sections does not work well.

Data science covers a wide swath of topics, making it a good branching-off point to other topics you might want to explore, such as statistical techniques, deep learning and regression analysis. This course teaches calculus and linear algebra as they apply to programming in data science, providing a solid foundation for a future career in machine learning.

Data Science Course: Complete Data Science Bootcamp 2024 costs $119.99.

Free Courses on Udemy

Udemy sometimes offers brief tutorials for free, such as the Python lessons at the bottom of this page . Some other free tutorials — which are excerpts from paid courses — include:

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Software Testing
• What is Normal Distribution?
• What is Ethical Hacking?

Subscribe to the Daily Tech Insider Newsletter

Stay up to date on the latest in technology with Daily Tech Insider. We bring you news on industry-leading companies, products, and people, as well as highlighted articles, downloads, and top resources. You’ll receive primers on hot tech topics that will help you stay ahead of the game. Delivered Weekdays

• Udemy Report: Which IT Skills Are Most in Demand in Q1 2024?
• Get 9 Courses on Ethical Hacking for Just $50
• The 10 Best AI Courses That Are Worth Taking in 2024
• 5 Best Online Course Platforms for 2024
• Best Software for Businesses and End Users

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

* - indicates required fields

Sign in to TechRepublic

Lost your password? Request a new password

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support .

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

You're all set.

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Golfweek just named the best golf courses in Massachusetts. Check them out.

Golfweek just listed the best golf courses for each state in the U.S. for 2024.

And if you want to play in Massachusetts, they recommend making a trip to the Cape and Islands.

The pre-requisites to be included on this list is as follows: the course must be publicly accessible in some fashion, whether through standard daily green fees or staying at a resort or a hotel.

The second pre-requisite is that there be no membership required to play on the course, with the exception being if the course also allows for hotel guests to play as well.

Now, let's see which courses made it onto the list.

Cape Cod National in Brewster

The number one spot for top golf courses in Massachusetts, according to Golfweek, is the Cape Cod National , which was also ranked as the best in state by Golf Digest as well.

It boasts a par 72 championship course that is 6954 championship quality yards-long with smooth and speedy fairways as well as a plethora of varied tee-shot landing areas. The course was designed by Brian Silva.

To play without a membership, you have to be staying as a hotel guest at the Wequassett Resort.

Miacomet in Nantucket

Taking the number two spot on the list is the Miacomet .

The Miacomet is a modern golf course with a driving range and practice facility, and it has been called one of the best golf courses by Golf Digest.

It is Nantucket Island's only 18-hole public golf facility. The course features lush rolling fairways of green that range from 3,000 to 6,000 square feet.

You can play by reserving a tee time on the Miacomet's website.

Farm Neck in Oak Bluffs

The Farm Neck golf course is the third best golf course in Mass., according to Golfweek, a course that former presidents have been known to play on.

The first thing that sticks out with the Farm Neck golf course is the variety of environments this course provides.

Golfers will be traversing through woodlands, open meadows, salt marshes and vivid overlooks.

The course also has a well-known reputation for championship-caliber golf.

You can play on this course by paying a seasonal fee or reserving a tee time .

The rest of the top golf courses in Massachusetts in order

• Red Tail in Devens
• The Ranch in Southwick
• Crumpin-Fox in Bernardston
• George Wright Municipal in Boston
• Cranberry Valley Golf Course in Harwich
• Pinehills (Nicklaus) in Plymouth
• Granite Links in Quincy

Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].