3+1 Education Program with John Carroll University
At Earlham, aspiring teachers have an accelerated path to teaching licensure. In just four years, you can earn:
Spend your first three years building a strong liberal arts foundation at Earlham. Then, during your fourth year, begin student teaching and complete all coursework online through John Carroll University’s School-Based Master of Education program.
Because up to 18 credits of graduate-level education coursework can count toward both your Earlham bachelor’s degree and your John Carroll master’s degree, the 3+1 pathway can reduce the time and cost required to earn both degrees separately.
Start your adventure
Sign up for more information about Earlham College.
Choose the teaching path that fits you
John Carroll’s School-Based M.Ed. program offers several pathways to teaching licensure:
Students pursuing primary licensure can pursue any Bachelor of Arts degree at Earlham, with their coursework aligned with John Carroll’s program requirements.
Middle Childhood Education (Grades 4–9)
With support from their advisor, students prepare at Earlham in two content areas from among:
Adolescent / Young Adult Education (Grades 7–12)
With support from their advisor, students build a strong concentration in a single content area aligned with John Carroll’s program requirements.
Why start at Earlham?
Teaching is about more than knowing your subject. Great teachers need to think critically, communicate clearly, understand different perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with their students.
At Earlham, you’ll learn across disciplines, work closely with professors, and gain the experience and perspective to become the kind of thoughtful, engaged educator who can make a difference in a changing world.
Then John Carroll’s School-Based M.Ed. program builds on that foundation with professional preparation, mentorship, coursework, and hands-on classroom experience.
Build your future where you want to teach
Your fourth year doesn’t have to mean leaving everything behind.
John Carroll’s School-Based M.Ed. program combines online graduate coursework with student teaching in an approved placement. That means you can complete your professional preparation in a community where you hope to begin your teaching career.
Planning to teach near home? You may be able to complete your student teaching there.
Want to experience a new community? You can work with John Carroll’s program advisors to identify an approved placement.
Plan early. Go further.
The 3+1 program is designed for students who know early that teaching is part of their future.
To stay on track, students should indicate their interest when applying to Earlham or during their first semester and work closely with academic advisors from the beginning.
During your third year, you’ll apply for admission to John Carroll University’s Master of Education program.
A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required when you apply to John Carroll. Students must also remain in good financial and disciplinary standing at both institutions.
Frequently asked questions
Earlham College and John Carroll University have announced a new articulation agreement that creates an accelerated pathway for Earlham students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Education with teaching licensure in just four years.
Following the decision to discontinue Earlham’s Graduate Programs in Education due to low enrollment at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year, the College sought a new pathway that would allow students to continue preparing for careers in education. This partnership with John Carroll University enables Earlham to sustain education as an area of study while offering a more flexible model that allows students to complete their fourth year online while pursuing licensure and a master’s degree.
This is a hybrid pathway. Students complete their first three years on Earlham’s campus. The fourth year is completed through John Carroll University’s School-Based M.Ed. program, which includes online coursework alongside student teaching in a location approved by John Carroll’s program advisors.
Students in the 3+1 program may pursue teaching licensure in the following areas: Primary (PreK–5), Middle Childhood (grades 4–9), and Adolescent/Young Adult (grades 7–12). Each pathway aligns with specific academic preparation requirements and leads to eligibility for teacher licensure through JCU.
Your licensure area determines how your undergraduate coursework is structured:
- Primary (PreK–5) licensure: Students may pursue any Bachelor of Arts degree from Earlham. All majors can be aligned with JCU’s program requirements.
- Middle Childhood (grades 4–9) licensure: Students must complete coursework in two of the following content areas: English, science, or social studies.
- Adolescent/Young Adult (grades 7–12) licensure: Students must demonstrate a strong concentration in a single content area aligned with JCU’s program requirements.
This is an intentional, accelerated four-year pathway designed for students who plan early for a career in teaching. Students should indicate interest when they enroll at Earlham — or during their first semester — and work closely with advisors to stay on track. Because the program allows students to complete both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Education in four years, careful planning from the beginning is essential.
Yes. Students must apply for admission to John Carroll University’s Master of Education program during their third year at Earlham and complete all required application materials. Applicants should indicate their participation in the 3+1 pathway when applying to Earlham. John Carroll University reserves the right to request additional documentation if needed and will make final admission decisions based on its standard review process.
In some cases, yes. Students may be able to change between majors within the pathway, but doing so may affect their ability to stay on track for timely degree completion.
Because the program is designed to be completed in a three-year timeframe for the major plus general education requirements, changes of major are generally limited. In rare cases, a switch may be possible between closely related fields, but this would be evaluated individually.
Students considering a change of major should consult closely with their academic advisor to understand any implications for their academic plan and graduation timeline.
No. Students do not apply to John Carroll University until their third year at Earlham, but the 3+1 pathway is designed as an integrated program. In this agreement, students apply up to 18 credits of graduate-level education coursework taken at John Carroll University toward both their Earlham bachelor’s degree requirements and the Master of Education degree at John Carroll University.
Transfer students may be able to enter the program if they transfer after their first year and have completed sufficient coursework that can be applied toward major requirements and general education. This would be less feasible for students transferring after their sophomore year. Coordination with JCU would be required, including review of transfer credit policies), and they may request additional transcripts from the sending institution.
Students pay Earlham tuition, room and board for their first three years and John Carroll University graduate school tuition in their fourth year. Because students earn both a Bachelor of Arts from Earlham and a Master of Education from John Carroll in four years — rather than the five or more years if these degrees are pursued separately — this pathway can reduce overall time-to-degree and save on an additional year of tuition and living expenses such as room and board.
Yes. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the time of applying to JCU in the program’s third year. Students must also remain in good financial and disciplinary standing at both institutions to continue participating in the program.
Students in the 3+1 program may participate in NCAA intercollegiate athletics as Earlham students all four years, provided they meet standard eligibility requirements (including enrollment in at least 12 credit hours per semester, except in a certified final semester before graduation). Please note: In year four of this program, athletics eligibility for Earlham students ends after the fall semester.
Students complete their first three years living on Earlham’s campus. During the fourth year, students enroll at John Carroll University and can reside in a location where they plan to complete student teaching and online coursework. John Carroll’s licensure program is designed to meet Ohio requirements and holds national accreditation; students planning to complete their student teaching in other states should work with program advisors to confirm licensure requirements specific to the state in which they intend to pursue licensure.
Yes. Students in the fourth year of the program may apply for campus housing at Earlham. If approved, they would be responsible for the standard costs of room, board, and student fees.
During the fourth year, students complete online coursework through John Carroll University while student-teaching in a placement location they select. Because this year is designed to offer flexibility in where students live and teach, most students choose housing arrangements that are closer to their placement. Campus housing remains available for students whose circumstances make it the best option.
Students are eligible to participate in Earlham’s Commencement as early as the May ceremony following their third year, after completing the 102 credits that apply toward their bachelor’s degree through the partnership. Students may also choose to participate after completing the fourth year.
Students earn a Bachelor of Arts from Earlham College, and a Master of Education and teaching licensure from John Carroll University.
Financial aid is awarded separately by each institution. Students receive Earlham financial aid during their first three years and John Carroll financial aid during their fourth year, based on each institution’s policies for enrolled students at that time.
Yes. Graduates become alumni of Earlham College and John Carroll University.
Happening at Earlham
Recent News
Upcoming Events
Sep
26
Oct
12
Oct
30
Nov
14