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Teacher Education

The teacher education minor prepares students to become classroom teachers, at the preschool, elementary or secondary level. It includes a set of required courses, plus a semester of student teaching. Successful completion of the minor, together with a passing grade on the state exams, leads to a license to teach in Massachusetts, which has reciprocal licensing arrangements with 42 states and the District of Columbia.

Candidates for a teaching license at the elementary or secondary level must achieve a grade of at least B-minus in all required Education Program courses. Satisfactory grades and permission of the education program adviser (elementary) or director (secondary) are required in order to proceed to the final semesters of the program. Students must pass specified portions of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) prior to student teaching.

Students pursuing a license at the secondary level must choose a major in the area of their license. Students pursuing a license at the elementary level must choose a major appropriate to the instructional field and must also be able to demonstrate subject knowledge in American and world literature, American and world history, geography, economics, child development, science, and mathematics. 

Preschool

Practice teaching at the Lemberg Children's Center is possible (ED 112e). Prerequisites are PSYC 33a and ED 103a. These courses, plus two others, will fulfill the Department of Early Education and Care requirements for lead teachers in infant/toddler and/or preschool. For further information, consult the director of the Lemberg Children's Center.

Elementary

 PSYC 33a (note that PSYC 1a is a prerequisite for PSYC 33a); ED 100a followed by ED 107a (sophomores  who have taken ED 100a are advised to take ED 107a as juniors); ED 101a and b and ED 105a, always taken in the semester before student teaching; and ED 111e (student teaching); MATH 3a, unless waived upon education program and math department review. Students must consult the education program faculty adviser for elementary candidates regarding these and other program requirements.

It is strongly recommended that, whenever possible, students consult the adviser during the freshman year. The education program Web site lists significant additional liberal arts courses required for licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Education. Students must pass specified portions of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) before enrolling in ED 111e (student teaching).

Secondary

PSYC 36b (note that PSYC 1a is a prerequisite for PSYC 36b), ED 100b and ED 102a are prerequisites for practice teaching. ED 104a and ED 110e are taken in the senior year or ninth semester. Students must consult the director of the program for other requirements, including recommended courses in their major. It is recommended that students take ED 100b in their sophomore year and ED 102a in their junior year. Students must pass the Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Skills Test before enrolling in ED 110e (student teaching).