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Start your master's degree in education as an undergraduate.

Getting a master’s degree is a surefire way to get higher-paying, more specialized teaching positions. Our affordable accelerated master's degree programs for Lesley undergraduate education majors, and BFA students who want to become art teachers, transition you into our nationally acclaimed Graduate School of Education where you'll continue through an M.Ed. program. Choose from several program options and get on track to earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as little as 5 1/2 years of full-time study.

How It Works

Most graduate education programs are 30–45 credits. By knocking out graduate credits as an undergraduate student, you'll save both time and money.

  • Complete 6–12 of the graduate program's 30–45 credits during your junior or senior year, included in your undergraduate tuition. This saves you a semester or two of time.
  • Finish the 24–33 remaining graduate credits after your senior year, at the graduate tuition rate for your program.
  • Earn both degrees—a BA or BFA and an M.Ed.—in about 5 1/2 years.
  • Save an additional $10,200 to $11,700 on graduate tuition with the Lesley Dividend (12 free graduate credits) for a total of about 44 to 70 percent off your graduate tuition, depending on the program.

Eligibility & Applying

You can apply for admission to a dual degree program at the end of your sophomore year. To be considered, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. Early in your undergraduate program, contact your academic advisor to let them know you're interested in this option. They'll connect you to the application process.

Accelerated Master's Programs by Undergraduate Major

In all programs, you'll work with your academic advisor to plan a course sequence.

teacher watching over student

Art & Design Majors

We offer accelerated M.Ed. programs for students who are getting their Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and who want to become a licensed art teacher in grades PreK–8 or 5–12. The programs are open to students enrolled in any BFA program within our College of Art & Design.

BFA & M.Ed. in Art Education PreK-8 or 5-12

  • Our stand-alone master's degree program in art education is 39 credits.
  • You'll take 9 credits as an undergraduate BFA student beginning in your junior year.
  • Complete 30 credits after graduation and finish both degrees in approximately 5 1/2 years.
  • Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits.
  • That means you'll only pay for 18 graduate credits, for a total savings of 54% off of your graduate tuition.
teacher helping students with assignment

Early Childhood Majors

Choose from our two accelerated M.Ed. options for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Early Childhood Education. The Early Childhood Education major leads to initial licensure as a teacher of early childhood, grades PreK–2.

Option 1: Special Education, Moderate

BA in Early Childhood Education & M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8)

  • Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Moderate Disabilities PreK-8 is 41 credits for students starting at Lesley as a grad student.
  • If you're an undergraduate early childhood major at Lesley, the master's portion of the accelerated program is 38 credits (3 fewer credits).
  • You'll take 6 graduate credits in your junior or senior year and complete the remaining 32 credits after graduation, for an initial savings of 9 graduate credits.
  • Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits
  • This means you will only pay for 20 graduate credits, giving you a total savings of ~52% off your graduate tuition.

Option 2: Special Education, Severe

BA in Early Childhood Education and M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Severe Disabilities (All Levels)

  • Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Severe Disabilities (All Levels) is 41 credits for students starting at Lesley as a grad student.
  • If you're an undergraduate early childhood major at Lesley, the master's portion of the accelerated program is 38 credits (3 fewer credits).
  • You'll take 6 graduate credits in your junior year or senior year and complete the remaining 32 credits after graduation, for an initial savings of 9 graduate credits.
  • Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits
  • This means you will only pay for 20 graduate credits, giving you a total savings of ~52% off your graduate tuition.
Ellie Brennan, learning specialist

Early Childhood Studies Majors

Take advantage of our accelerated master's degree program for Early Childhood Studies majors. The Early Childhood Studies program is offered through Lesley's Center for the Adult Learner, both on the Lesley campus and through our off-campus community college partners.

student and teacher working on writing assignment

Elementary Education Majors

We offer two accelerated M.Ed. options for Elementary Education majors with a special education focus.

Option 1: Special Education, Moderate

BA in Elementary Education & M.Ed. in Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8)

  • Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Moderate Disabilities PreK-8 is 41 credits for students starting at Lesley as a grad student.
  • If you're an undergrad elementary education major at Lesley, the master's portion of this accelerated M.Ed. program is 38 credits (3 fewer credits).
  • You'd take 6 graduate-level credits in your junior or senior year and complete the remaining 32 credits after graduation, for an initial savings of 9 credits. 
  • Use your Double Lynx Scholarship for 12 free graduate credits.
  • This means you will only pay for 20 graduate credits, for a total savings of ~52% off your graduate tuition.

Option 2: Special Education, Severe

BA in Elementary Education & M.Ed. in Special Education: Severe Disabilities (All Levels)

  • Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Severe Disabilities All Levels is 41 credits.
  • You'd take 6 graduate-level credits in your junior or senior year and complete the remaining 35 credits after graduation, for an initial savings of 6 credits. 
  • Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits.
  • This means you will only pay for 23 graduate credits, for a total savings of ~44% off your graduate tuition.
Joel Rubin, middle school history teacher

Middle & High School Education Majors

There are two accelerated M.Ed. options for Middle School Education or Secondary Education majors, focusing on special education.

Option 1: Special Education, Moderate

BA in Middle School Education or BA in Secondary Education & M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (Grades 5–12

  • Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (5-12) is 41 credits if you enter Lesley as a graduate student.
  • As an undergraduate at Lesley, the M.Ed. is 38 credits (3 fewer credits).
  • Take 6 credits in your junior or senior year and complete the remaining 32 credits after graduation.
  • Use your Double Lynx Scholarship for 12 free graduate credits.
  • This means you'd pay for only 20 graduate credits, for a total savings of ~52% off your graduate tuition. 

Option 2: Special Education, Severe

BA in Middle School Education or BA in Secondary Education and M.Ed.in Inclusive Special Education: Severe Disabilities (All Levels)

  • Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Inclusive Special Education: Severe Disabilities is 41 credits.
  • You'd take 6 credits in your junior or senior year and complete the remaining 35 credits after graduation.
  • Use your Lesley Dividend for 12 free graduate credits.
  • This means you'd pay for only 23 graduate credits, for a total savings of ~44% off your graduate tuition. 
Andy Mellen working with a student at the Lincoln School

Special Education Majors

As an undergraduate special education major, you can choose a program that will prepare you to teach elementary education (Grades 1–6).

Option 2: Elementary Education

BA in Special Education & M.Ed. Elementary Education

  • Our stand-alone M.Ed. in Elementary Education program for students starting Lesley as a graduate student is 40 credits.
  • If you're an undergrad special education major at Lesley, the master's portion of this accelerated M.Ed. program is 30 credits (10 fewer credits).
  • You'll take 6 graduate credits in your junior or senior year and 24 credits after graduation, for an initial savings of 16 credits.
  • Use your Double Lynx Scholarship for 12 free graduate credits.
  • This means you'll only pay for 12 graduate credits, for a total savings of ~70% off of your graduate tuition.
student painting a community mural

Other BA & BS Majors (Adult Bachelors)

If you're getting any BA or BS through Lesley's Center for the Adult Learner (LCAL), you can continue through to earn your M.Ed. in Arts, Community, & Education in one accelerated program.

Contact Us
Contact us if you're interested in an accelerated master's degree program in education.