Inspire, Educate, Lead: Your Journey to Teaching Starts Here!
Pursuing a career in education offers the opportunity to inspire future generations and make a lasting impact on society. Our undergraduate teaching licensure programs provide comprehensive preparation for students passionate about becoming educators. Through a blend of academic coursework, hands-on experiences, and professional development, students gain the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to succeed in diverse educational settings.
Internship Opportunities
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Approved and Accredited Educator Preparation
All our education programs have earned national Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) accreditation that includes a special 2020 commendation for excellence in antiracist education, as well as approval by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Choose a teaching program that fits your passion and career goals.
Students can choose from a variety of subject areas that align with their interests and career goals, including options for teaching specific subjects in middle school (grades 5-8) and/or high school (grades 8-12). Available programs include:
Award Winning Degree.
Colleges of Distinction, an esteemed organization celebrating colleges and universities that provide exceptional undergraduate experiences, has honored Westfield State University for its outstanding programming in the field of Education.
As a recognized College of Distinction, Westfield State has already earned acclaim for its commitment to well-rounded education. This latest recognition specifically highlights the institution's excellence in Education, emphasizing its effectiveness in preparing students for the demands of the field.
How to Obtain a Subject Area Teaching License in Massachusetts
In order to teach in a specific subject area (Art, Chemistry, History, etc.) at a school in Massachusetts, you need an Initial License. This involves three major steps:
As you work toward your initial license, you will have two home departments: your subject-area department (see the above links) and the education department. For information about specific licensure programs offered at Westfield, you should talk with the subject-area department. You can also consult the education department, which will then connect you with the subject-area department.
The initial license is valid for five years of teaching. The next step is a professional license, which teachers typically pursue by taking continuing education courses while teaching during the day.
