McDonogh School and McDaniel College announced a partnership providing full tuition coverage at McDaniel for McDonogh faculty pursuing their first graduate degree. The program will begin in January 2026.
McDonogh will still help teachers who pursue degrees at other institutions, but if they attend McDaniel, their tuition will be fully covered. This will help faculty early in their careers who might have debt from undergraduate school or other financial obligations.
At McDonogh, 67% of faculty hold advanced degrees. As of 2023, 41% of private school teachers nationwide held master’s degrees. In Maryland, the rate is higher, with Private School Review estimating that the average percentage of private school faculty with advanced degrees is 56% as of the 2025-2026 school year.
“At McDonogh, we believe deeply in the transformative power of education,” said Dave Farace, McDonogh’s Head of School, in a statement. “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to lifelong learning for our students and faculty alike. By removing financial barriers to graduate education, everyone benefits: our faculty, our students, and our community.”
McDaniel offers more than 20 graduate degree and certificate programs, many available online or in a hybrid format. The college has similar partnerships with other schools and school systems in Maryland and Pennsylvania. This agreement with McDonogh, though, is the only one where a school will cover all tuition and fees for their employees.
“McDaniel College is proud and excited to partner with McDonogh to expand access to graduate education for their educators,” said Vickie Mazer, dean of graduate and professional studies at McDaniel, in a statement. “Teachers change lives, and this initiative reflects our shared belief that investing in their professional development strengthens entire learning communities. We look forward to welcoming McDonogh faculty into our graduate programs and supporting them as they advance their skills, careers, and impact.”
McDaniel’s Westminster campus is located conveniently near to McDonogh, and the college has served the region for nearly 160 years since its founding in 1867. McDonogh is an independent, coeducational day and five-day boarding school with students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade. It was founded in 1873.
