September 15, 2025
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is accepting applications for the Spring 2026 semester for the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program, a flexible and affordable graduate degree designed to equip teachers with the advanced knowledge and skills needed to meet today's educational challenges.
Grounded in the College's mission of access, equity, and innovation, the M.Ed. program serves working educators across Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont. Graduates emerge with a blend of classroom and fieldwork experiences that prepare them to make a meaningful impact in their school communities. Programs include M.Ed. with initial licensure, professional teacher licensure with M.Ed., M.Ed. with individualized plan of study non-licensure, and accelerated 4+1 bachelor's degree with M.Ed.
“When you finish our program here, you will be licensed as a public school teacher in Massachusetts,” said Maggie Clark, Associate Professor of Education. “That means, upon graduation, you can immediately go into the field. This is a license that you can bring anywhere. So many states are looking for educators from states like Massachusetts, because they know we’ve done it well.”
MCLA’s Education Department also provides essential support to emergency license holders within Massachusetts public school districts. The mission is to guide and assist educators in transitioning from emergency licenses to provisional or initial licenses, ensuring stability and excellence in our educational system.
Designed for working professionals, the program offers a convenient online format. MCLA is a fully approved educator prep program through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for Initial Licensure in early childhood, elementary, middle school, secondary education, and moderate disabilities.
Information Sessions:
Students can complete the degree in as few as five semesters with fulfillment of many subject matter knowledge areas. The program welcomes applications from well-qualified candidates who have evidence of academic success and a bachelor’s degree. Applications for the Spring 2026 semester are due by December 1, 2025, for priority consideration.
MCLA’s commitment to community and culture extends to its graduate students, who benefit from connections with regional school districts and professional development opportunities across Berkshire County and beyond.
About MCLA Graduate and Continuing Education
MCLA’s Division of Graduate and Continuing Education offers accessible, high-quality
programs that prepare educators and professionals for leadership in their fields.
The M.Ed. program continues this tradition, providing a supportive environment that
values diversity, collaboration, and lifelong learning.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 130-year commitment to public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence. MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Top Ten Public Colleges for 10 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for 2025, after earning the No. 7 spot the prior three years. The College’s focus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in additional 2025 U.S. News rankings: No. 5 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 2 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants.
