Teacher Education and Professional Development: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Teacher Education and Professional Development encompasses advanced academic and practical training designed to prepare individuals for effective teaching careers and ongoing professional growth in educational settings. This multidisciplinary field integrates pedagogical theory, classroom application, and leadership development to foster skilled, reflective educators capable of meeting diverse learning needs.
- Curriculum Design and Development: The process of planning, creating, and evaluating educational content to align with learning standards, student needs, and instructional goals.
- Instructional Strategies and Methods: Evidence-based techniques for delivering content, including differentiated instruction, active learning, and technology integration.
- Assessment and Evaluation: Systematic approaches to measuring student learning outcomes, providing feedback, and informing instruction through formative and summative assessments.
- Classroom Management and Behavior Support: Techniques for establishing positive learning environments, managing student behavior, and promoting social-emotional development.
- Professional Growth and Leadership: Pathways for continuous learning, mentorship, instructional coaching, and leadership roles within educational institutions.
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Education: Frameworks for addressing systemic inequities, fostering inclusive classrooms, and supporting learners from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Educational Technology Integration: The strategic use of digital tools and platforms to enhance teaching effectiveness, student engagement, and administrative efficiency.
Teacher Education and Professional Development Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Teacher Education and Professional Development Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees, including . These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements.
Career salary data is not available for this program.
Top Universities for Teacher Education and Professional Development by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Teacher Education and Professional Development programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Teacher Education and Professional Development is found at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte (409 graduates), Portland State University (PSU) (263 graduates), Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (249 graduates), San Diego State University (SDSU) (223 graduates), and Alliant International University, San Diego (215 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 6,063 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
409 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 21-27 |
Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
263 | N/A | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
249 | N/A | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Master's
|
223 | N/A | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| Alliant International University |
Master's
|
215 | N/A | San Diego, California | Private | alliant.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Master's
|
204 | N/A | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Master's
|
193 |
SAT: 1000-1170 ACT: 19-25 |
Spartanburg, South Carolina | Public | uscupstate.edu |
| American College of Education (ACE) |
Master's
|
174 | N/A | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | ace.edu |
| Valdosta State University (VSU) |
Master's
|
173 |
SAT: 950-1130 ACT: 17-23 |
Valdosta, Georgia | Public | valdosta.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
|
162 |
SAT: 1310-1480 ACT: 27-31 |
Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Seattle Pacific University (SPU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Postbac Cert.
|
157 |
SAT: 1050-1320 ACT: 20-28 |
Seattle, Washington | Private | spu.edu |
| Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) |
Master's
|
153 |
SAT: 900-1130 ACT: 16-21 |
Americus, Georgia | Public | gsw.edu |
| University of North Carolina (UNCP) |
Master's
|
141 | N/A | Pembroke, North Carolina | Public | uncp.edu |
| Georgia Southern University |
Master's
|
113 |
SAT: 980-1160 ACT: 18-23 |
Statesboro, Georgia | Public | georgiasouthern.edu |
| California State University |
Master's
|
111 | N/A | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Southern Arkansas University (SAU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
107 |
SAT: 920-1180 ACT: 17-23 |
Magnolia, Arkansas | Public | saumag.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
100 |
SAT: 1080-1290 ACT: 24-30 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Temple University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
85 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Master's
|
80 |
SAT: 1030-1180 ACT: 19-25 |
Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
78 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 29-33 |
Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Viterbo University |
Master's
|
77 |
SAT: 1040-1380 ACT: 22-27 |
La Crosse, Wisconsin | Private | viterbo.edu |
| California State University (CSUEB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
76 | N/A | Hayward, California | Public | csueastbay.edu |
| Eastern Oregon University (EOU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
72 | N/A | La Grande, Oregon | Public | eou.edu |
| University of Central Arkansas (UCA) |
Master's
|
67 |
SAT: 940-1120 ACT: 19-25 |
Conway, Arkansas | Public | uca.edu |
| Carson-Newman University |
Master's
|
67 |
SAT: 940-1130 ACT: 19-25 |
Jefferson City, Tennessee | Private | cn.edu |
| Fayetteville State University (FSU) |
Master's
|
66 |
SAT: 855-1045 ACT: 15-20 |
Fayetteville, North Carolina | Public | uncfsu.edu |
| Lander University |
Master's
|
65 |
SAT: 960-1160 ACT: 17-24 |
Greenwood, South Carolina | Public | lander.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Master's
|
64 |
SAT: 1300-1460 ACT: 28-32 |
Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Mercer University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
63 |
SAT: 1180-1350 ACT: 25-31 |
Macon, Georgia | Private | mercer.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
63 |
SAT: 990-1220 ACT: 19-25 |
Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
62 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 22-27 |
North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| Duke University |
Postbac Cert.
|
58 |
SAT: 1510-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Mount St. Joseph University (MSJ) |
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
58 |
SAT: 880-1083 ACT: 17-24 |
Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | msj.edu |
| Pepperdine University |
Master's
|
53 |
SAT: 1250-1450 ACT: 26-32 |
Malibu, California | Private | pepperdine.edu |
| Western Illinois University (WIU) |
Master's
|
51 | N/A | Macomb, Illinois | Public | wiu.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Master's
|
50 |
SAT: 1220-1360 ACT: 24-28 |
Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
|
50 |
SAT: 1240-1420 ACT: 27-32 |
Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Shorter University |
Master's
|
45 |
SAT: 900-1130 ACT: 17-23 |
Rome, Georgia | Private | shorter.edu |
| Emporia State University (ESU) |
Master's
|
44 | ACT: 18-24 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
44 | N/A | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Master's
|
43 |
SAT: 1370-1530 ACT: 30-34 |
Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Master's
|
42 |
SAT: 1020-1240 ACT: 20-27 |
Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
40 |
SAT: 1100-1270 ACT: 24-28 |
West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Jefferson College (JeffCo) |
Associate's
|
38 | N/A | Hillsboro, Missouri | Public | jeffco.edu |
| Augsburg University |
Master's
|
37 | N/A | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | augsburg.edu |
| Belhaven University |
Post-Master's
|
37 | ACT: 18-23 | Jackson, Mississippi | Private | belhaven.edu |
| Rider University |
Master's
|
37 |
SAT: 1100-1310 ACT: 22-29 |
Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) |
Master's
|
37 |
SAT: 988-1258 ACT: 21-27 |
Tacoma, Washington | Private | plu.edu |
| William Jessup University |
Master's
|
36 | N/A | Rocklin, California | Private | jessup.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWL) |
Master's
|
36 | ACT: 21-27 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | uwlax.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
35 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 21-27 |
Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Lebanon Valley College (LVC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
34 | SAT: 1093-1300 | Annville, Pennsylvania | Private | lvc.edu |
| Christopher Newport University (CNU) |
Master's
|
34 |
SAT: 1100-1300 ACT: 23-29 |
Newport News, Virginia | Public | cnu.edu |
| Missouri Baptist University (MBU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
33 |
SAT: 910-1170 ACT: 14-19 |
Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | mobap.edu |
| Southern Oregon University (SOU) |
Master's
|
33 | N/A | Ashland, Oregon | Public | sou.edu |
| Concordia University (CUC) |
Master's
|
31 | N/A | River Forest, Illinois | Private | cuchicago.edu |
| Bellarmine University |
Master's
|
31 |
SAT: 1075-1243 ACT: 22-28 |
Louisville, Kentucky | Private | bellarmine.edu |
| Henderson State University (HSU) |
Master's
|
30 | N/A | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Public | hsu.edu |
| Humphreys University |
Master's
|
30 | N/A | Stockton, California | Private | humphreys.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Master's
|
28 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 22-27 |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Master's
|
28 |
SAT: 1050-1260 ACT: 20-26 |
Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
27 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 23-29 |
Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Superior |
Master's
|
27 | ACT: 18-24 | Superior, Wisconsin | Public | uwsuper.edu |
| Georgia College & State University |
Master's
|
26 |
SAT: 1060-1240 ACT: 21-26 |
Milledgeville, Georgia | Public | gcsu.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (R)
|
26 | N/A | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| National Louis University (NLU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
25 | N/A | Chicago, Illinois | Private | nl.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
25 | N/A | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Master's
|
24 |
SAT: 960-1190 ACT: 16-22 |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
24 | SAT: 1048-1180 | Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania | Private | gmercyu.edu |
| Columbus State University |
Master's
|
23 |
SAT: 860-1100 ACT: 17-24 |
Columbus, Georgia | Public | columbusstate.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Postbac Cert.
|
22 |
SAT: 1400-1540 ACT: 31-34 |
Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
22 |
SAT: 1145-1350 ACT: 22-29 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
21 |
SAT: 1530-1580 ACT: 34-35 |
Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Plymouth State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
21 | N/A | Plymouth, New Hampshire | Public | plymouth.edu |
| The University of Tennessee (UTC) |
Master's
|
21 |
SAT: 1005-1185 ACT: 20-25 |
Chattanooga, Tennessee | Public | utc.edu |
| Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
21 | N/A | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Private | emu.edu |
| Marshall University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
21 |
SAT: 890-1130 ACT: 18-24 |
Huntington, West Virginia | Public | marshall.edu |
| Concordia University Texas (CTX) |
Doctorate (R)
|
20 |
SAT: 860-1100 ACT: 15-24 |
Austin, Texas | Private | concordia.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Post-Master's
|
19 |
SAT: 1130-1320 ACT: 22-28 |
Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
19 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 21-28 |
Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| John Carroll University (JCU) |
Master's
|
19 |
SAT: 1190-1350 ACT: 25-30 |
University Heights, Ohio | Private | jcu.edu |
| Immaculata University |
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 1050-1260 ACT: 26-28 |
Immaculata, Pennsylvania | Private | immaculata.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Master's
|
19 |
SAT: 940-1170 ACT: 17-24 |
Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Wheaton College |
Master's
|
18 |
SAT: 1260-1440 ACT: 27-32 |
Wheaton, Illinois | Private | wheaton.edu |
| Norfolk State University (NSU) |
Master's
|
18 |
SAT: 840-1100 ACT: 16-21 |
Norfolk, Virginia | Public | nsu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Master's
|
18 | ACT: 18-24 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
| California State University |
Master's
|
17 | N/A | Chico, California | Public | csuchico.edu |
| Whittier College |
Master's
|
16 | N/A | Whittier, California | Private | whittier.edu |
| Morningside University |
Master's
|
16 | ACT: 12-22 | Sioux City, Iowa | Private | morningside.edu |
| Cairn University |
Master's
|
16 |
SAT: 1050-1260 ACT: 23-27 |
Langhorne, Pennsylvania | Private | cairn.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Master's
|
15 |
SAT: 860-1210 ACT: 20-26 |
Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Roanoke College |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 1090-1270 ACT: 22-30 |
Salem, Virginia | Private | roanoke.edu |
| Marian University |
Master's
|
15 | N/A | Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin | Private | marianuniversity.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Master's
|
14 |
SAT: 1190-1350 ACT: 25-29 |
Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Loyola University Maryland |
Master's
|
14 |
SAT: 1180-1350 ACT: 27-32 |
Baltimore, Maryland | Private | loyola.edu |
| California State University |
Master's
|
13 | N/A | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) |
Master's
|
13 |
SAT: 820-1050 ACT: 14-18 |
Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Public | wssu.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 |
SAT: 1330-1480 ACT: 29-32 |
Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Bob Jones University (BJU) |
Master's
|
13 | N/A | Greenville, South Carolina | Private | bju.edu |
| Furman University |
Other Award
|
13 |
SAT: 1260-1425 ACT: 28-32 |
Greenville, South Carolina | Private | furman.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Teacher Education and Professional Development programs
Which universities have the largest Teacher Education and Professional Development programs?
Currently 202 accredited institutions offer Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte (409 graduates), Portland State University (PSU) (263 graduates), and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (249 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Teacher Education and Professional Development growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 6,090 in 2010 to 6,573 in 2023-24. This represents a 8% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
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