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Elementary 1-6, Initial, Post-baccalaureate Licensure

Overview

This program affords many students who have completed a bachelor's degree the opportunity to earn initial licensure.

Our vision is the outgrowth of community discussions among education faculty, liberal arts and science faculty, students, and prek-12 teachers. Central to all conversations has been the tenet of building learning communities, including the desire to strengthen the ability of teachers to advocate for their students and their profession. At a time of increased accountability, the larger Westfield State University learning community continues its commitment to prepare graduates to educate the children of the Commonwealth. Consequently, all our Teacher Education Programs embrace a vision of Teachers as Leaders Building Learning Communities.

Requirements for a Teaching Licensure in Elementary (1-6)

Decisions regarding coursework in the academic major are based on a student's academic record, performance on the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), previous college coursework or other related professional experience reflective of the student having met state and national standards.

It is important for a student to meet with an academic advisor as early as possible to determine a program of study.

Program Requirements

Post-baccalaureate Program Leading to an Initial Teaching License

 

Westfield State University has a history and abiding commitment of preparing educators who serve the educational needs of prekindergarten through secondary school students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our teacher education programs embrace this vision, Education Leaders Building Inclusive Learning Communities, a vision grounded in our department's 5 foundational pillars: Critical Engagement with Diversity, Community Building, Social Justice, Scholarship, and Reflection. 

Westfield State University's teacher education programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Westfield State University's educator preparation program is fully accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Westfield State University was awarded full accreditation for seven years in June 2020. AAQEP also awarded our educator preparation program with a commendation for our work in anti-racist education.

Post-baccalaureate programs leading to teaching licensure are offered through the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education, and are designed for individuals holding a baccalaureate degree who wish to obtain an initial teaching license, without obtaining an additional degree.  

Students who satisfactorily complete program requirements leading to a teaching license are recommended for licensure to the Massachusetts Department of Education. Program requirements include completion of all coursework, passage of Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTELs), a demonstrated ability to meet program dispositional standards, and completion of a practicum experience.

 

Program Description

The post-baccalaureate Elementary Education program leads to initial licensure to teach grades 1-6, but does not confer a degree. Applicants to this program must have:

  • a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a GPA of 2.6 or greater;
  • passed the MTEL Communications and Literacy test; and
  • a 2.7 GPA in undergraduate English courses, including English Composition I & 2 or equivalent.
Prerequisite coursework or experience

Content knowledge in the following areas must be documented in the student's undergraduate academic record. Any gaps in coverage must be fulfilled as determined by the student's graduate advisor.  Courses referenced below are from the Westfield undergraduate program, but equivalent coursework from another institution will be accepted.

Coursework meeting subject matter outcomes:

  • PSYC 0202 - Child Development

US History/Government (3 credits)

One from the following:

  • HIST 0130 - United States History and Government*
  • HIST 0131 - United States History and Government to 1865
  • HIST 0132 - United States History and Government 1865 - Present
  • POLS 0101 - American National Government

* Is the preferred course.

Social Understanding (9 credits)

  • HIST 0101 - Western Experience I
  • PSYC 0101 - Introduction to Psychology
  • GPS 0101 - World Regional Geography

Math/Analytical Reasoning (9 credits)

  • MATH 0153 - Foundations: Number Systems
  • MATH 0250 - Foundations: Patterns, Reasoning and Algebra
  • MATH 0254 - Foundations: Data Analysis and Geometry

Lab Science (7-8 credits)

  • GNSC 0101 - Physical Science

One of the following:

  • BIOL 0102 - Environmental Biology​​​​​​​
  • ENVS 0101 - Principles of Environmental Science
Required Courses for Licensure

EDUC 0221/0540 - Foundations of Special Education

EDUC 0222 /0577- Learning Disabilities and Instructional Strategies

EDUC 0215/0580 - Theory of Critical Multicultural Education

EDUC 0325/0565 - Practices of Critical Multicultural Education

EDUC 0319/0519 - Methods of Teaching 1 Through Mathematics

EDUC 0329/EDUG 0525 - Methods of Teaching 2 Through Science

EDUC 0339/EDUG 0526 - Methods of Teaching 3 Through Social Studies

EDUC 0320/EDUG 0522 - Field Experience 1: Becoming a Teacher

EDUC 0330/EDUG 0523 - Field Experience 2: Theory to Practice

EDUC 0341/EDUG 0524 - Field Experience 3: Advanced Theory to Practice

EDUC 0314/0514 - Building Classroom Communities

EDUC 0303/0503 - Foundations of Reading​​​​​​​

EDUC 0305/0505 - Teaching Writing, Children's Literature, and Disciplinary Literacy

EDUC 0317/0548 - Apprenticeship in Literacy Practices

EDUC 0396/0596 - Technology, Teaching, and Learning

EDUC 0363/0631 - Sheltered English Immersion

EDUC 0338/0538- Practicum: Elementary Education

EDUC 0300/EDUG 0527 - Practicum Seminar

Additional Requirements

Required field placements must accommodate a range of characteristics including range of grade level and types of settings. Also teacher candidates must complete either one 30-hour pre-practicum placement or student teaching with students from diverse backgrounds.

Students must pass the required MTEL subject matter tests (General Curriculum and Foundations of Reading) and have a overall GPA of 2.8 and pedagogical GPA of 3.0 for admission to practicum.

Practicum placements are generally within a 30-mile radius of the university unless otherwise specified and approved.