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Education

Secondary Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Be more than a teacher—be a mentor.

You probably have a mentor. Someone who pointed out your strengths, pushed your limits, and cheered you on. At Lesley, you’ll learn how to become that inspiration for high school and middle school students.

As a secondary education major, you’ll challenge your boundaries and explore your strengths while working with different age groups and all types of learners. Expand your content knowledge and build confidence in your teaching skills.

You'll blaze a trail as a leader and teacher in the world of education as your grow into your career as an educator, principal, special educator, community center director, or publisher. Our reimagined general education curriculum will ensure you're ready to succeed in an increasingly complex, diverse, and global world.

As a Lesley graduate, you'll join the largest network of educators in New England, with more than 4,500 Lesley education graduates in the last five years alone. Become one of our amazing education alumni, who include Teachers of the Year and MacArthur “Genius” Fellows.

Take a hands-on approach to learning. While studying in Cambridge—an epicenter of education—you’ll put your knowledge into action in a range of suburban and urban classrooms throughout Greater Boston. With hands-on guidance and support from our expert faculty and mentoring practitioners in the schools, you’ll be immersed in diverse public and private schools in Cambridge, Boston, and surrounding towns including private schools such as the Lesley Ellis School in Arlington, and the public schools in Belmont, Watertown, and Medford.

You’ll be guided by our faculty—practicing teachers with a pulse on the latest developments in the field. From their example, you’ll learn models for teaching that foster creativity while supporting students in grades 8–12 and 5–8 with diverse learning styles and needs. Become a content expert in English, history, or math.

Receive unmatched coaching and connections. With our support throughout the teacher licensure process and field placement, you’ll have all the career resources you need to become the teacher you’ve always wanted to be.

Lesley graduates have a reputation for being confident and equipped educators from day one. With a Lesley education, you’ll be one of the most sought-after teachers in New England and beyond.

Gain an initial teaching license

Our secondary education major leads to initial licensure as a secondary teacher, grades 8–12, with an option to apply for licensure in grades 5–8. Learn more about licensure.

Undergraduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

120 Credits
Thinking about transferring here?

Log in to Transferology, add the courses you've taken, and see how they'll transfer to Lesley University.

Important Licensure Information

All Lesley University educator licensure programs comply with current Massachusetts educational requirements, as specified. In addition, Massachusetts participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement, which makes it possible for an educator to have their Massachusetts license/s recognized across the United States. Depending on your professional goals, where you reside or plan to teach, and the licensure structures that exist within that state, there are diverse pathways to licensure that may be relevant. In accordance with Lesley University’s institutional participation in SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) and with federal regulations, Lesley University strongly encourages prospective applicants who intend to pursue licensure in a state other than Massachusetts review the Lesley University Licensure and Credentialing page for more information.

“I learned how to effectively teach others, how to be a professional, and how to succeed.”
Patrick Grondin ’14, Math Teacher
2 female students studying in classroom at Bunker Hill Community College

Choose a second major in the liberal arts.

In addition to your education major, you'll go in-depth in a content area in one of these majors:

Close-up of student reading a textbook

Choose an optional specialization.

Make your education program an even better fit by choosing one of our optional specializations. With specific knowledge in one of these areas, there’s no stopping you.

$81,070
Average salary for secondary school teachers in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is the third highest paying state in the country for secondary school teachers. Massachusetts is also among the states with the highest employment for secondary school teachers, with 27,120 people employed in these roles. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2019)
Craft Creative Combinations
As a Secondary Education major at Lesley, you'll need to choose a second major from the approved list of liberal arts majors. You can also pursue an optional specialization, or one of our 45+ minors, to become a more empathetic and informed teacher.

Forge your own path with a creative combination:
Gain Skills and Expertise
Here’s a taste of what you’ll do in our Secondary Education program:
Students and a teacher crowding around a computer and circuit boards, finalizing their coding project

Small College, Big University

Within the dynamic environment of a larger university, you'll receive the personalized education of a small liberal arts college of 1,300 students and hands-on attention from specialized faculty. You'll also benefit from Lesley's reputation for providing the best teacher preparation in Massachusetts, where school principals prefer to hire our graduates.

Internships & Careers
Get Classroom Experience
Through field placements that begin your first year, we help you connect with the places that fit. These connections will launch you into your teaching career. All internships are guided by expert faculty and mentoring practitioners in the schools. Theory will come alive as you develop your professional self in the classroom. You'll be immersed in diverse public and private schools in Cambridge, Boston, and surrounding towns:
doble campus during the fall

Cambridge is our campus. Boston is our neighbor.

As an education major at Lesley, you'll take classes on our three beautiful Cambridge campuses. You'll explore passions to then weave into your teaching. You'll discover the Cambridge and Boston area—a dynamic hub of internships, professional opportunities, service work, culture, and fun that few other cities can match.

Faculty

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program.
Secondary Education
Housing Options
Compare the cost of the program for students who live on campus in a residence hall with the cost for commuter students.
  • Tuition
    Fall Tuition
    $15,945
    Spring Tuition
    $15,945
  • Fees
    Software Fee
    $200
    Fall Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    Spring Comprehensive Fee
    $445
  • Room & Board
    Fall Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Spring Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Fall Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Spring Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Fall Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Spring Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Housing Deposit (one-time fee)
    $300
  • Total cost before financial aid
Estimated Cost

Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s our goal at Lesley to break down financial barriers so that students who want to learn here, can learn here. That’s why we offer generous, customized aid packages for students based on their individual needs. In fact, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Tuition & Fees

Other fees may apply. Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Housing Options
Compare the cost of the program for students who live on campus in a residence hall with the cost for commuter students.
  • Tuition
    Fall Tuition
    $15,945
    Spring Tuition
    $15,945
  • Fees
    Software Fee
    $200
    Fall Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    Spring Comprehensive Fee
    $445
  • Room & Board
    Fall Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Spring Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Fall Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Spring Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Fall Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Spring Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Housing Deposit (one-time fee)
    $300
  • Total cost before financial aid
Estimated Cost

Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s our goal at Lesley to break down financial barriers so that students who want to learn here, can learn here. That’s why we offer generous, customized aid packages for students based on their individual needs. In fact, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Tuition & Fees

Other fees may apply. Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal, state, and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.