HBCUs for Education Majors
Photo by Katerina Holmes
There is a strong need for Black educators. There are over 75 HBCUs with education programs, according to HBCU-College.com! The list below focuses on HBCUs for Education majors with Master's degrees, fellowship opportunities, or teacher residencies attached.
Teacher residencies are vital because they give future educators hands-on experience, improving the quality of their teaching skills and providing teachers of color an advantage when they head into the workforce.
Delaware State University - Dover, Delaware
Delaware State offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle Level Education, and Physical Education. Their Master of Arts in Teaching program concludes with a full-year teacher residency experience.
The Dr. Carter G. Woodson Black Male Teacher Fellowship offers a program that allows students to experience the benefits of mentorship, coaching, professional development and form bonds with other men of color who are educators. A significant advantage of the program is that participants can get one-on-one advice on their career choices and feedback based on real-world experience.
Elizabeth City State University - Elizabeth City, North Carolina
ECSU has an expansive Educator Preparation Program. One benefit of the program is its residency partnership with Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools through the National Center for Teacher Residencies. The program offers concentrations in Birth through Kindergarten, Elementary Education K-6, and Special Education. This HBCU also offers a Master of Education in Elementary Education. ECSU has partnered with the North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children to develop a teacher cadet program for high school students. The program allows high schoolers to begin training early to create a more diverse educator pool. ECSU also allows students to earn their license or participate in a Residency License Option.
Howard University - Washington, DC
Howard offers a BS major in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. major in Elementary, Secondary, and Special Education. Howard provides a one-year teacher residency program where candidates can earn their District of Columbia teacher certification and a Master's degree in special education. Residents are placed in DC public schools under the mentorship of well-trained teachers and are supported for three full years. Residents also earn a tuition discount and a stipend in exchange for a 3-year teaching commitment.
Jackson State University - Jackson, MS
Jackson State's College of Education and Human Development offers undergraduate education degrees in:
Childcare and Family
Elementary
Health, Physical Education and Recreation
Social Science
Special Education
The Computer Science Teacher Fellowship is designed to increase the number of certified computer science teachers (K-5) in the Jackson metro area. JSU is listed as partnering with NCTR, the Mississippi Department of Education, and the school districts of Choctaw Country and Jackson Public.
Winston-Salem State University - Winston-Salem, NC
This HBCU Educator Preparation Program includes Bachelor's degrees in Birth through Kindergarten, Elementary, Music, Physical Education, Middle Grades (English, Math, Science, Social Studies), Secondary (English, Math) and Special Education, and Master's of Arts in Teaching degrees in many of the above concentrations. Individuals who want to pursue a North Carolina Residency License may apply for enrollment through WSSU's Master of Arts in Teaching or a Second-Degree Program. The license is a one-year pathway that can be renewed twice.
Xavier University of Louisiana - New Orleans, LA
Xavier offers a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and discipline-specific education degrees for grades 6-12 (Biology, Chemistry, English, French, Mathematics, Music, Social Studies). This HBCU also offers a Master of Arts in Teaching for all levels.
Xavier's Norman C. Francis Teacher Residency program is for people who have recently graduated from college or are career changers. Candidates will pursue their Master's Degree and receive on-the-job training and coaching. The cohort of residents will commit to at least four years in a partner charter school across New Orleans.