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 | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
409 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
263 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
249 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Master's
|
223 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| Alliant International University |
Master's
|
215 | San Diego, California | Private | alliant.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Master's
|
204 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Master's
|
193 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Public | uscupstate.edu |
| American College of Education (ACE) |
Master's
|
174 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | ace.edu |
| Valdosta State University (VSU) |
Master's
|
173 | Valdosta, Georgia | Public | valdosta.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
|
162 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Seattle Pacific University (SPU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Postbac Cert.
|
157 | Seattle, Washington | Private | spu.edu |
| Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) |
Master's
|
153 | Americus, Georgia | Public | gsw.edu |
| University of North Carolina (UNCP) |
Master's
|
141 | Pembroke, North Carolina | Public | uncp.edu |
| Georgia Southern University |
Master's
|
113 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | georgiasouthern.edu |
| California State University |
Master's
|
111 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Southern Arkansas University (SAU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
107 | Magnolia, Arkansas | Public | saumag.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
100 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Temple University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
85 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Master's
|
80 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
78 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Viterbo University |
Master's
|
77 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Private | viterbo.edu |
| California State University (CSUEB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
76 | Hayward, California | Public | csueastbay.edu |
| Eastern Oregon University (EOU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
72 | La Grande, Oregon | Public | eou.edu |
| University of Central Arkansas (UCA) |
Master's
|
67 | Conway, Arkansas | Public | uca.edu |
| Carson-Newman University |
Master's
|
67 | Jefferson City, Tennessee | Private | cn.edu |
| Fayetteville State University (FSU) |
Master's
|
66 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Public | uncfsu.edu |
| Lander University |
Master's
|
65 | Greenwood, South Carolina | Public | lander.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Master's
|
64 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Mercer University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
63 | Macon, Georgia | Private | mercer.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
63 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
62 | North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| Duke University |
Postbac Cert.
|
58 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Mount St. Joseph University (MSJ) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
58 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | msj.edu |
| Pepperdine University |
Master's
|
53 | Malibu, California | Private | pepperdine.edu |
| Western Illinois University (WIU) |
Master's
|
51 | Macomb, Illinois | Public | wiu.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Master's
|
50 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
|
50 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Shorter University |
Master's
|
45 | Rome, Georgia | Private | shorter.edu |
| Emporia State University (ESU) |
Master's
|
44 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
44 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Master's
|
43 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Master's
|
42 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
40 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Jefferson College (JeffCo) |
Associate's
|
38 | Hillsboro, Missouri | Public | jeffco.edu |
| Augsburg University |
Master's
|
37 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | augsburg.edu |
| Belhaven University |
Post-Master's
|
37 | Jackson, Mississippi | Private | belhaven.edu |
| Rider University |
Master's
|
37 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) |
Master's
|
37 | Tacoma, Washington | Private | plu.edu |
| William Jessup University |
Master's
|
36 | Rocklin, California | Private | jessup.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWL) |
Master's
|
36 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | uwlax.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Lebanon Valley College (LVC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
34 | Annville, Pennsylvania | Private | lvc.edu |
| Christopher Newport University (CNU) |
Master's
|
34 | Newport News, Virginia | Public | cnu.edu |
| Missouri Baptist University (MBU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
33 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | mobap.edu |
| Southern Oregon University (SOU) |
Master's
|
33 | Ashland, Oregon | Public | sou.edu |
| Concordia University (CUC) |
Master's
|
31 | River Forest, Illinois | Private | cuchicago.edu |
| Bellarmine University |
Master's
|
31 | Louisville, Kentucky | Private | bellarmine.edu |
| Henderson State University (HSU) |
Master's
|
30 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Public | hsu.edu |
| Humphreys University |
Master's
|
30 | Stockton, California | Private | humphreys.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Master's
|
28 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Master's
|
28 | Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Superior |
Master's
|
27 | Superior, Wisconsin | Public | uwsuper.edu |
| Georgia College & State University |
Master's
|
26 | Milledgeville, Georgia | Public | gcsu.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
26 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| National Louis University (NLU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
25 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | nl.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
25 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Master's
|
24 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania | Private | gmercyu.edu |
| Columbus State University |
Master's
|
23 | Columbus, Georgia | Public | columbusstate.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Postbac Cert.
|
22 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
22 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
21 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Plymouth State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
21 | Plymouth, New Hampshire | Public | plymouth.edu |
| The University of Tennessee (UTC) |
Master's
|
21 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | Public | utc.edu |
| Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
21 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Private | emu.edu |
| Marshall University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
21 | Huntington, West Virginia | Public | marshall.edu |
| Concordia University Texas (CTX) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Austin, Texas | Private | concordia.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Post-Master's
|
19 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
19 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| John Carroll University (JCU) |
Master's
|
19 | University Heights, Ohio | Private | jcu.edu |
| Immaculata University |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Immaculata, Pennsylvania | Private | immaculata.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Master's
|
19 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Wheaton College |
Master's
|
18 | Wheaton, Illinois | Private | wheaton.edu |
| Norfolk State University (NSU) |
Master's
|
18 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | nsu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Master's
|
18 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
| California State University |
Master's
|
17 | Chico, California | Public | csuchico.edu |
| Whittier College |
Master's
|
16 | Whittier, California | Private | whittier.edu |
| Morningside University |
Master's
|
16 | Sioux City, Iowa | Private | morningside.edu |
| Cairn University |
Master's
|
16 | Langhorne, Pennsylvania | Private | cairn.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Master's
|
15 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Roanoke College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Salem, Virginia | Private | roanoke.edu |
| Marian University |
Master's
|
15 | Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin | Private | marianuniversity.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Master's
|
14 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Loyola University Maryland |
Master's
|
14 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | loyola.edu |
| California State University |
Master's
|
13 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) |
Master's
|
13 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Public | wssu.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Bob Jones University (BJU) |
Master's
|
13 | Greenville, South Carolina | Private | bju.edu |
| Furman University |
Other Award
|
13 | 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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