Best Teaching Schools and Degrees in Washington DC

Becoming a teacher in Washington DC requires attending an approved teacher preparation program. In fact, all teachers are required to complete a program from an accredited school in order to work in the public education system. There are several colleges and universities that offer approved teaching degrees in Washington DC. Scroll down to find lists of top-rated teaching programs, a table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs, and student reviews. Whether you are just entering college or looking to change careers, this guide can serve as an informative starting point for your new career as a teacher.

Table of Contents

Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs
Select Schools with Teacher Preparation Degrees
Schools with Associate Degrees in Education
Student Reviews

Quick Facts

There are 9 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in Washington DC.¹
3 schools offer an associate’s degree in education.¹
6 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in education.¹
9 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.¹
No schools ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2022.²
3 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2023.³
1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs 2022.⁴
7 educator preparation providers (EPPs) are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP.⁵

For not-for-profit schools with teacher degree programs.

Comparison of Washington DC Schools with Teacher Preparation Programs

We have designed the following table to help you compare teacher preparation programs in Washington DC according to various factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the DC State Board of Education (DCSBOE) for the preparation of teachers. Completing a state-approved teacher preparation program is an important step towards earning licensure.

While accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is not a requirement for licensure, it is included in the following table as CAEP provides a highly-regarded accreditation that is accepted in many states.

You will also find data on teacher preparation program enrollment, completion, and licensing exam pass rates by institution, for both traditional and alternative programs, for the 2019-2020 academic year in this table. These data points are collected from annual US Department of Education reports under Title II (Teacher Quality) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which holds institutions and state departments of education accountable for increasing academic achievement through improvements in teacher quality. Traditional teacher preparation programs are usually completed as part of a bachelor’s degree program. Alternative certification programs are typically designed for career changers looking to enter the field and lead to a postgraduate certificate or a master’s degree. Many schools in our table offer both traditional and alternative programs. Take a look at our Washington DC traditional and alternative certification guides for more information.

Finally, we have provided the net price per year for undergraduate tuition, based on the cost of attendance (tuition, books, room and board, and related expenses) for students who qualify for in-state tuition and fees, less the average financial aid award (including grants and scholarships).

State-Approved School	CAEP Accred.?⁵	Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment⁶	Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers⁶	Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate⁶	Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment⁶	Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers⁶	Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate⁶	Net Price¹
American University	Yes	194	73	87%	—	—	—	$37,319
Catholic University of America	Yes	59	23	100%	—	—	—	$36,228
Gallaudet University	Yes	51	5	N.Av.	—	—	—	$18,410
George Washington University	Yes	84	26	83%	16	5	N.Av.	$40,308
Georgetown University	No	—	—	—	3	3	N.Av.	$30,710
Howard University	Yes	91	13	59%	—	—	—	$23,233
Trinity Washington University	Yes	75	14	N.Av.	—	—	—	$15,295
University of the District of Columbia	Yes	37	27	68%	—	—	—	$16,125

— indicates none or not applicable.
N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.

Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs in Washington DC

US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2023

George Washington University (#51)
Howard University (#71 tie)
Gallaudet University (#178 tie)

US News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs 2022

George Washington University (#46 tie)

Select Washington DC Schools with Teacher Preparation Degrees

Georgetown University

The nation’s capital is home to Georgetown University. Georgetown does not confer undergraduate degrees in education, but the School of Continuing Studies does offer a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Liberal Studies, which is a highly customizable degree with several concentrations offered. There is also an undergraduate minor in Education, Inquiry, and Justice offered by Georgetown College. For graduate students, Georgetown’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers a Master of Arts in Educational Transformation (MAET) with concentrations in Teaching & Learning or Advocacy & Policy. Those interested in careers in Higher Education may pursue the Master’s in Learning, Design, and Technology, or the Master’s in Higher Education Administration, both offered on campus or fully online. For those not seeking a degree, there is a graduate certificate program in Education Policy & Program Evaluation.

Howard University

Howard University is an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) located in the nation’s capital of Washington DC. Howard offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Elementary Education and an undergraduate minor in Secondary Education, which prepares students majoring in English, French, History, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, Spanish, Theater Arts, or Music Education for teacher certification in grades 7-12. For graduate students seeking initial certification, Howard offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education, a Master of Arts (MA) in Secondary Education, and an M.Ed. in Special Education. Students who are not seeking or already have certification may pursue an M.Ed. or Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies.

Schools with Associate Degrees in Education

While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate’s degree can be the first step towards a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred towards a bachelor’s degree. The following Alabama schools offer associate’s degrees in education.¹ Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.

Catholic University of America*
620 Michigan Ave NE
Washington, DC 20064
(202) 319-5000
www.catholic.edu

Trinity Washington University*
125 Michigan Ave NE
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 884-9000
www.trinitydc.edu

University of the District of Columbia*
4200 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 274-5000
www.udc.edu

Student Reviews

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

George Washington University
2121 I St NW
Washington, DC 20052
(202) 994-1000
https://www.gwu.edu/

Student Review: “The George Washington University was a wonderful experience. It was really great living in the heart of DC – the area was safe, the dorms were really nice, and there was never a lack of stuff to do! Bars, clubs, go to the monuments. Due to the overwhelming presence of government agencies, business headquarters, startups, and non-profits, there are opportunities galore no matter what your interest is in. The only major complaint is the cost of the education and the cost of living in DC – quite high. I would not recommend the school if your money is tight, it’s just not worth it these days. It was a great experience but I’m incredibly grateful for my scholarships.” -Gabriel Y., student at The George Washington University

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. The Princeton Review. The Best 385 Colleges, 2022 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2021.
3. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2023: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings
4. US News & World Report Best Online Graduate Education Schools 2022: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/rankings
5. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): http://caepnet.org/provider-search
6. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx

Washington DC Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide