Work toward teacher licensure in Ohio on a schedule that meets your needs.

Are you inspired to spark a love of learning in the next generation? Whatever you studied at the undergraduate level — and wherever you are in your career — earning a master of education can lead you to the rewarding profession of teaching. 

John Carroll University offers two pathways to the M.Ed. with initial licensure in Ohio. Our professional teacher option is the most flexible, allowing you to balance school with your work, family, and home responsibilities. You’ll learn from expert educators and gain practical experience — all on a completion timeline that works for you.

Career-Friendly Timeline

Earn your M.Ed. degree on a schedule that fits your life circumstances. Attend full-time or part-time; you have up to five years to complete the program.

Specialization Options

Focus in either primary, middle childhood, adolescent/young adult, or multi-age world language education.

Clinical Teaching Experience

Gain real-world classroom experience through observation and student teaching. Our dedicated placement coordinator will match you with a mentor teacher at one of our partner schools.

Program Overview & Outcomes

The professional teacher M.Ed. program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and wish to obtain teacher licensure while working toward their master’s degree. You’ll get to choose an area of teaching focus, including: 

  • Primary Education (grades P-5)
  • Middle Childhood (grades 4-9)
    • Language Arts
    • Social Studies
    • Science
    • Mathematics
  • Adolescent/Young Adult (grades 7-12)
    • Integrated Language Arts
    • Integrated Social Studies
    • Integrated Sciences
    • Mathematics
  • Multi-Age World Languages (K-12)
    • Latin
    • Spanish

Our master of education programs are grounded in JCU’s Jesuit values. Whichever licensure pathway you choose, you’ll develop into an empathetic, reflective professional who strives for social justice, inclusion, and classroom excellence.

Program Accreditation

Initial Licensure programs are Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) through 2026. These programs include: Undergraduate, Graduate-Professional Teacher, and Graduate-School-Based programs in Adolescent/Young Adult Education Licensure (all content areas), Middle Childhood Education Licensure (all content areas), and Early Childhood Education Licensure.

Advanced Licensure programs are Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) through 2022. Including: M.Ed. Educational Leadership/Principal Licensure program.

All programs are Approved by the Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education. 668.43(a)(5)(v) Disclosure Statement: We have determined that all licensure programs offered by our educator preparation program satisfy the state-specific education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Ohio (OH). While our educator preparation program holds national accreditation, we have not made a universal determination regarding the individual licensure programs offered by our educator preparation program meeting state-specific educational requirements for licensure or certification in the States of: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VI, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY. For a list of state-by-state determination disclosures for each individual licensure program offered by the educator preparation program provider, please visit this document.

Admission & Aid

Learn more about applying to the Master of Education with Initial Licensure - Professional Teacher program at John Carroll University.

To apply to the M.Ed. with Initial Licensure at JCU, you need:

  • an undergraduate degree in education (or equivalent) from an accredited institution
  • an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)

The following documents are required for a complete application: 

  • Online application
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
  • Resume/CV, which includes work and volunteer experience
  • Two letter(s) of recommendation 
  • Statement of Purpose - in 400-600 words, explain your career objectives and goals 
  • Personal interview with program faculty

Applicants are admitted on a rolling basis.

However, for best consideration, applications for specific terms should be received by the following dates:

Tuition & Financial Aid

Graduate students may be eligible for federal financial aid programs as well as JCU scholarships and graduate assistantships. Explore all options and get program tuition information at our financial aid website.

Teaching Careers: Where Our Alumni Go

JCU alumni make a difference in the lives of students of all ages in the Cleveland area, across Ohio, and around the country.

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