Your Tuition-Free Path to a Teaching Career
Earn your M.Ed. and be eligible for an Initial teaching license tuition-free in 13 months through online and on-campus coursework and a year-long field placement in a partner school district in Massachusetts.
Tell us about yourself.
Gain access to a program brochure, connect with an enrollment advisor and get a head start on your application.
Study Tuition-Free
Our Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education-accredited (DESE) teaching fellowship program empowers you to achieve your goal of becoming an educator without the burden of paying for tuition.
Gain Essential Teaching Experience
You’ll complete a year-long field placement in one of many partner school districts across Massachusetts, engaging in a variety of classroom activities and receiving invaluable mentorship.
Earn Your M.Ed. and Be Eligible for an Initial Teaching License
In our program, you’ll graduate with a master’s degree and be eligible for Initial licensure in your area of specialization, enabling you to start your teaching career immediately.
Complete in 13 Months
Merrimack’s full-time program offers a streamlined and efficient path to the classroom, allowing you to transition from learning to teaching in just over a year.
Overview
Merrimack’s highly competitive PreK–12 Teacher Education Fellowship combines graduate study with a calendar school year-long field placement in a PreK–12 partner school, allowing you to earn your Master of Education (M.Ed.) and be eligible for an Initial teaching license tuition-free in just 13 months. Our full-time, cohort-based program consists of 36 credits of coursework completed online and on campus — and includes a nine-month placement in a Massachusetts school district, where you’ll engage in classroom-based activities and receive mentoring and feedback from experienced teachers.
Choose From Five Concentrations
Our program fulfills the requirements for Initial license endorsement in several areas of education, permitting you to pursue the discipline that aligns with your goals. Your options are:
- Early Childhood (PreK–2)
- Elementary (1–6)
- Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8)
- English as a Second Language (PreK–6)
- Middle School (5–8) and High School (8–12) content areas:
- Biology (8–12)
- Chemistry (8–12)
- English (5–12)
- General Science (5–8)
- History (5–12)
- History/Social Science (5–12)
- Math (5–8) or (8–12)
- Math/Science (5–8)
- Physics (8–12)
Hone Your Skills in the Classroom
You’ll spend a full academic year working at a partner school, gaining essential real-world experience under the guidance of experienced mentors. You’ll engage in various classroom-based activities that progressively grow in responsibility, including small group instruction, co-teaching and eventually, independent classroom instruction. While most placements are in the Merrimack Valley area, Merrimack partners with school districts across Massachusetts and offers distance fellowships. Fellows enrolled in distance fellowships can complete their coursework 100 percent online.
“I’ve become much more confident in my abilities to stand in front of a classroom and teach young learners. This year has truly taught me how to work in a professional role, and the staff and mentors I had the privilege to work with this year are truly exceptional. I would not be the teacher that I am today if it weren’t for them.”
– Kayla A., M.Ed., Class of 2023
Application Requirements
A complete application to the PreK–12 Teacher Education Fellowship includes the following:
- Official transcripts from your undergraduate program
- Resume
- Essay describing your interest in the fellowship
- One letter of recommendation
Key Dates and Deadlines
Our teacher fellowship program enrolls once a year, and we strongly encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as field placements are limited. The priority placement application is due Jan. 9, 2026, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis beginning in August 2025 until May 2026 or until all fellowship placements are filled.
No. 8
Most Innovative Schools
Merrimack College was named No. 8 in Most Innovative Schools, Regional Universities North, by U.S. News & World Report (2026).
No. 38
Regional Universities North
Merrimack College was named No. 38 in Best Regional Universities North by U.S. News & World Report (2026).
NECHE-Accredited
Merrimack College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! We work with partner school districts across Massachusetts. You can complete your coursework online, and we’ll do our best to match you with a school district within commuting distance from your home.
Yes, upon completing Merrimack’s teaching fellowship program, you’ll earn your M.Ed. and be eligible for an Initial teaching license, making you eligible to pursue a teaching career after you have passed your MTELs (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure). Many fellows are offered teaching positions from their placement district.
Connecting with an enrollment advisor will help you:
- Understand the program admissions criteria and know whether you’re eligible to apply
- Gain insight into application best practices and how to submit a strong application
- Know what to expect in your online classroom and field placement, including the level of faculty interaction, program outcomes and more
- Have an immediate line of support for questions
Are You Ready To Achieve Your Goals as an Educator?
No matter how you envision your career taking shape, our program can equip you with the skills to succeed. Apply now and take the next step toward making a meaningful impact on students in the classroom.
Get Started Now