Overview | Initial Licensure | Professional License | Programs | Courses | Practicum
Initial Licensure
Students in the Initial License programs will learn how to handle the educational and management aspects of a classroom. The education faculty believe that the only way to learn how to teach is to successfully combine classroom theory with practical experience. For this reason, a large portion of the learning process is on-the-job training.
All students seeking an initial license will earn an M.Ed., as well as recommendation for initial licensure upon completion of all components. A total of 36 credits must be completed as part of the program. An oral exit portfolio review with the education faculty is required for all students seeking the initial license.
Admission Requirements:
Possession of a Bachelor's degree.
Graduation Requirements
Each student in a certification program must fulfill the following requirements:
- Hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. If the undergraduate degree is not in a liberal arts/science major, the student must complete the necessary course work to achieve the equivalency of a liberal arts undergraduate degree before initial license can be granted.
- Complete the Initial License core courses.
- Complete the appropriate license area courses.
- Successfully complete a 300 hour practicum and seminar.
- Successfully complete an oral portfolio review.
- Successfully complete the Communications and Literacy skills component of MTEL before enrolling in the 4th course.
- Successfully meet all state testing requirements.
Students Seeking Licensure at the Initial Level
Students seeking an upgrade from preliminary to initial licensure must complete the appropriate requirements for the additional licensure area listed on the following pages in addition to the initial license core below.
Students Seeking Licensure in an Additional Teaching Area
Students who have a valid teaching license in Massachusetts and desire to obtain initial licensure in a new area need only to complete the appropriate requirements for the additional area listed on the following pages. There is no need to complete the Initial License core if those requirements have been previously satisfied. The student should meet with an advisor to insure that state requirements are met.
Core Courses
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Credits |
| ED502 |
American Foundation of Education |
3 |
| ED503 |
Advanced Educational Psychology & Measurement |
3 |
| SN505 |
Human Exceptionalities |
3 |
| SN540 |
Educational and Psychological Assessment |
3 |
| ED510 |
Educational Technology |
3 |
| |
Total |
15 |
State Testing Requirement
The Massachusetts Department of Education mandates that the student seeking an initial license in any area take and pass the CLSE (Communication and Literacy Skills Examination) and SME (Subject Matter Examination). Initial license candidates may take the CLSE or SME as many times as necessary to demonstrate the proficiency level established by the Department of Education. The CLSE must be taken by the time a student has completed three education courses.
Course Requirements
Early Childhood Education
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Credits |
| EC525 |
Early Childhood Curriculum and Methods I |
3 |
| EC530 |
Early Childhood Curriculum and Methods II |
3 |
| RE541 |
Principles of Teaching Reading and Children's Literature |
3 |
| ED549n |
Practicum-Nursery Level* |
6 |
| EC549k |
Practicum-Kindergarten to Second Grade* |
5.5 |
| EC549z |
Practicum Seminar |
.5 |
| |
Early Childhood Course Total |
21 |
| |
Initial License Core |
15 |
| |
Total |
36 |
*One of the practicums must be in a setting which includes young children with special needs for part of the school day.
Elementary Education
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Credits |
| EL525 |
Elementary Curriculum and Methods I |
3 |
| EL530 |
Elementary Curriculum and Methods II |
3 |
| RE541 |
Principles of Teaching Reading and Children's Literature |
3 |
| EL549 |
Practicum-Elementary |
11.5 |
| ED549z |
Practicum Seminar |
.5 |
| |
Elementary Course Total |
21 |
| |
Initial License Core |
15 |
| |
Total |
36 |
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Credits |
|
Special Needs Core |
|
| RE541 |
Principles of Teaching Reading and Children's Literature |
3 |
| ED520 |
Classroom Management |
3 |
| SN525 |
Special Needs Curriculum and Methods I |
3 |
| |
Special Needs Core Total |
9 |
|
Pre-K through 8 |
|
| SN530 |
Curriculum and Methods for Elementary Special Needs Students II |
3 |
| SN549e |
Practicum-Special Needs, Elementary |
11.5 |
| SN549z |
Practicum Seminar |
.5 |
| |
Pre-K through 9 Total |
15 |
|
Or
5 through 12 |
|
| SN535 |
Curriculum and Methods for Secondary Special Needs Students II |
3 |
| SN549s |
Practicum-Special Needs, Secondary |
11.5 |
| SN549z |
Practicum Seminar |
.5 |
| |
5 through 12 Total |
15 |
| |
Initial License Core |
15 |
| |
TOTAL for Pre-K - 9 or 5 - 12 Certification |
39 |
Middle School Education
A liberal arts degree in the subject area of certification is required.
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Credits |
| ED520 |
Classroom Management |
3 |
| ED562 |
Developing Reading Skills in the Content Areas |
3 |
| MS520 |
General Middle School Curriculum and Methods |
3 |
| MS549s |
Practicum - Middle School, subject area |
11.5 |
| MS549z |
Practicum Seminar |
.5 |
| |
Total Middle School Education |
21 |
| |
Initial License Core |
15 |
| |
TOTAL |
36 |
Secondary Education
A liberal arts degree in the subject area of certification is required.
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Credits |
| ED520 |
Classroom Management |
3 |
| ED562 |
Developing Reading Skills in the Content Areas |
3 |
| SE520 |
General Secondary Education Curriculum and Methods |
3 |
| SE549 |
Practicum - Secondary |
11.5 |
| ED549z |
Practicum Seminar |
.5 |
| |
Total Secondary Education |
21 |
| |
Initial License Core |
15 |
| |
TOTAL |
36 |
