State hub

How to become a teacher in Maryland

Prep providers

Completers

1,511

Newly licensed

3,630

Colleges (IPEDS)

Credential rules change. Confirm current requirements with Maryland State Department of Education.

Steps drawn from the state's data

Earn a bachelor's degree. At least one initial credential requires one.
Complete clinical experience such as student teaching.
Pass the tests the state requires (Title II reports that tests are required, not which ones).
Complete a background check or fingerprinting.
Apply to Maryland State Department of Education for an initial credential, such as Initial Professional License; Montessori Professional License; Professional License.
Career changers can use one of 1 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.

Maryland teacher certification Alternative routes

Teacher preparation providers in Maryland

Provider	Program types	Enrollment	Completers
AACPS/NDMU	Alternative, not IHE-based	13	7
Anne Arundel Community College	Alternative, not IHE-based	38	12
Baltimore City Teaching Residency	Alternative, not IHE-based	47	12
Bard College	Alternative, not IHE-based	5	0
Bowie State University	Traditional	465	36
Coppin State University	Traditional	41	6
Frostburg State University	Traditional	345	91
Goucher College	Traditional	123	16
Hood College	Traditional	58	27
Johns Hopkins University School of Education	Traditional	45	9
Loyola University Maryland	Traditional	215	40
Maryland Institute College of Art	Traditional	17	16
McDaniel College	Traditional	149	28
MCPS-Montgomery College (Title 2 Only)	Alternative, not IHE-based	19	12
MCPS-Montgomery College Early Child Ed	Alternative, not IHE-based	36	36
Morgan State University	Traditional	60	55
Mount St. Marys University	Traditional	237	56
Notre Dame of Maryland University	Traditional	1,052	115
PGCPS/Notre Dame of MD University (Title 2 Only)	Alternative, not IHE-based	7	1
PGCPS/Resident Teacher Program (Title 2 Only)	Alternative, not IHE-based	16	5
Salisbury University	Traditional	467	161
St. Marys College MD	Traditional	10	10
Stevenson University	Traditional	162	39
Teach for America-Baltimore	Alternative, not IHE-based	110	38
Towson University	Traditional	1,279	397
University of Maryland Baltimore County	Traditional	164	38
University of Maryland College Park	Traditional	681	153
University of Maryland Eastern Shore	Traditional	38	5
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)	Traditional	129	32
Urban Teachers-MD	Alternative, not IHE-based	94	50
Washington College	Traditional	18	8

About teacher preparation in Maryland

Maryland colleges and universities play a major role in preparing highly qualified teachers to have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are essential for all Maryland children to learn. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) recommends that all readers recognize that each of the Maryland teacher preparation programs is unique. Program data should be read within the context of institutional characteristics, which are provided in this report as institutional profiles.

Program Approval and Performance:

Maryland colleges and universities’ educator preparation programs have been approved by the MSDE by meeting the requirements outlined in The Blueprint for Maryland's Future, the Institutional Performance Criteria, and demonstrating readiness to align with the proposed regulations governing State approval. Programs need to follow MSDE’s Traditional and Alternative Proposal Guidelines to seek the State’s approval for new or modified programs. The Guidelines include clear proposal elements mapping standards to program curriculum, and requiring programs to provide curriculum mapping and align curriculum to national standards. The new highlights reflect performance assessment linkages, alignment to address program goals and outcomes, descriptions of how programs will use data to self-assess for continuous improvement, and the processes by which data-driven changes are implemented.

Maryland law allows programs the choice of being approved by the State or by a national accrediting agency recognized jointly by the MSDE and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). Programs that choose to be nationally accredited shall operate in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of the national accrediting agency and submit to the MSDE proof of accreditation with supporting documentation or any change in a program’s accreditation status. The MSDE may investigate complaints regarding any aspect of a program separate from any review conducted by the national accrediting agency. It is important to note that currently, no national accrediting agencies are recognized by MSDE and MHEC, and the regulations governing program approval are in the process of being repealed and replaced. Until amended regulations are adopted, Maryland educator preparation programs are not required to participate in the State renewal process.