Program Description

The primary goal of the Education Department is to prepare undergraduate students to become teachers. The department offers concentrations in PK-2, PK-8 and 5-12.  These concentrations are designed for those wishing to focus on teaching students at these grade levels. In order to complete the education major, students must complete the core requirements and one of the concentrations.    

In addition the department offers several Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) approved teacher licensure tracks (programs) and an early childhood certification track for Massachusetts residents through our Regional, Online, and Continuing Education division that can lead to a Massachusetts Early Education and Care (EEC) certificate. Completion of these tracks is optional.

DESE teacher licensure is available in the following areas: early childhood (PreK-2); elementary (1-6); moderate disabilities/special education (PreK-8) or secondary (5-8 and/or 8-12) in biology, English, history, or mathematics. Additional teacher licensure programs offered by the College include health/family and consumer sciences (all grades), physical education (PreK-8 and/or 5-12), and visual arts (PreK-8 and/or 5-12). Students seeking teacher licensure should begin their program upon their admission to the College. To be considered teacher candidates and to complete the professional preparation requirements, they must apply for official admission to the teacher preparation program and be accepted. Application to the teacher preparation program typically occurs before the junior year.

To comply with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations, students seeking teacher licensure must either earn a bachelor’s degree that includes an arts and sciences major or additional coursework (beyond the education major) to meet the subject matter knowledge requirements.  All students (teacher candidates) must also successfully complete coursework that meets the DESE professional standards for teachers.

Major Offerings

• Education: Grades PK-2, B.S.  
• Education: Grades PK-8/Early Childhood, B.S.  
• Education: Grades PK-8/Elementary and/or Special Education, B.S.  
• Art & Design and Education: Grades 5-12, B.A. (Secondary Education)  
• Biology and Education: Grades 5-12, B.S. (Secondary Education)  
• English and Education: Grades 5-12, B.A. (Secondary Education)  
• History and Education: Grades 5-12, B.S. (Secondary Education)  
• Mathematics and Education: Grades 5-12, B.S. (Secondary Education)  

For students enrolled through our online and regional campuses outside of the state of Massachusetts, there is also an Early Childhood Education concentration in the Human Services, B.S.  program that is available through blended and online classroom coursework.