BW takes aim at teacher shortage with tuition-free master’s degree

Scholarships and grants will bring the cost of BW's accelerated math or science teaching graduate program down to zero for a limited number of students.

Adults ready to heed the call and meet the urgent need for math and science teachers in Ohio can make a career change quickly and with no tuition owed under a new initiative announced by Baldwin Wallace University and partner Meteor Learning.

The program builds on recent funding from the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) "Choose Ohio First STEM" grant program and the ODHE and Ohio Department of Education (ODE) "Addressing the Educator Shortages" scholarship program.

BW and Meteor will add additional scholarships to those state grants, taking tuition to zero for the first 10 students who enroll in BW's graduate degree programs in math or science teaching.

One-year, experiential program

BW's accelerated master's degree for existing bachelor's degree holders is among the state's only yearlong, intensive graduate teaching programs and targets two disciplines - math and science - where the teacher shortage is most acute.

The program prepares students to teach math or science in grades 7-12 and includes mentored field and clinical experiences in local schools.

Extraordinary scholarship opportunities

Under BW's innovative funding model, ODHE and ODE grants bring the tuition for these programs down from $19,980 to just over $7,500, with BW and Meteor scholarships covering that remaining out-of-pocket tuition cost for a limited number of students.

The full scholarship package is available to aspiring teachers who enroll in the program beginning in May 2023.

Beyond the 2023-24 academic year program, BW will continue to offer scholarships that will reduce tuition by more than half.

Attainable transition to teaching

"BW believes there are many college graduates and working professionals with STEM educational backgrounds who may have a calling to become a teacher," said Dr. Stephen Dittmore, dean of the BW College of Education and Health Sciences. "This Ohio-focused program provides a pathway for those individuals to meet both the needs of our students and the future of our workforce."

Adds Dr. Gabriel Swarts, BW associate dean of education, "This scholarship is intended to make the transition into the yearlong focused Master of Education in Science or Math completely attainable for any STEM-educated individual regardless of ability to pay."

Enrollment information

All classes will be offered fully online and can be taken from anywhere in Ohio. The BW team will work closely with enrolled students to find placements for student teaching and clinical work near their homes. However, placements are not guaranteed, and the strongest school district relationships are in Northeast Ohio.

Anyone holding a bachelor's degree in math or science, who aspires to make the transition to teaching, can find more information or begin the enrollment process at:

• BW MAEd in Mathematics Teaching website or
• BW MAEd in Science Teaching website.

Prospective students may also call (440) 210-4129 or email maedadmissions@bw.edu.