Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education

The Bachelor of Science in Education major with licensure and licensure only programs are designed to prepare outstanding teacher candidates at the Massachusetts initial licensure level. Students may choose to major in Education (with licensure) or choose the licensure only program. These programs include Early Childhood Education for Students with or without Disabilities (grades Pre-K-2), Elementary Education (grades 1-6), and Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (grades PreK-8) or Moderate Disabilities (grades 5-12). Specific WSU core courses are required for Education students. Students who choose to major in Education must also complete a second major in liberal arts, sciences, or an interdisciplinary major. To meet licensure requirements within four years, the Department of Education encourages students to discuss the selection of the second major with their advisor.  Most education majors select Liberal Studies as their second major.

Students who are not eligible to advance to practicum (student teaching) because they have not attained a grade point average of 2.8 or higher or because they have not passed all required Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure (MTELs) may complete their Education major by replacing the practicum requirement within their programs of study. The replacement of practicum involves taking additional Education coursework or comparable courses under the advisement of the Chair of the Education Department. Students who do not complete practicum will not be endorsed for the licensure; however, they may graduate from WSU with their Education major and second major.

The Westfield State University teacher licensure program for Early Childhood Teacher of Students With and Without Disabilities has been recognized by the National Association of the Education of Young Children. The teacher licensure program in Elementary Education has received recognition by the Association for Childhood Education International. The teacher licensure program in Special Education has been recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children.

Common Core Coursework for Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education Majors

The following core course work is required for students completing the major programs in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education:

University Core Coursework in Education:

• EDUC 0380 - Critical Multicultural Education Credits: 3

Professional Education Coursework:

• EDUC 0221 - Introduction to Students with Exceptional Learning Needs Credits: 3 (*FB)
• EDUC 0201 - Learning and Assessment Credits: 3
• EDUC 0319 - Principles of Teaching and Learning Credits: 3 (*FB)
• EDUC 0308 - Early Childhood Curriculum Credits: 3 (*FB)
• EDUC 0314 - Classroom Management Credits: 3
• EDUC 0381 - Early Intervention: Birth to Age Five Credits: 3 (*FB)
• EDUC 0305 - Literature and the Language Arts Credits: 3
• EDUC 0303 - Early Literacy and Reading Credits: 3 **
• Education Elective (for the major only) Credits: 3
• EDUC 0363 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3
• EDUC 0336 - Practicum I: Early Childhood Pre K-2 Credits: 6
• EDUC 0337 - Practicum II: Early Childhood Pre K-2 Credits: 6

Additional Required Coursework:

• PSYC 0202 - Child Development Credits: 3
• GARP 0101 - World Regional Geography Credits: 3
• GNSC 0360 - Methods of Science Education for Pre-K-6 Credits: 2
• EDUC 0302 - Methods of Teaching Mathematics, Early Childhood PreK-2 Credits: 2

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• MOVP 0303 - Health Education in the Elementary School Credits: 3 or
• MOVP 0301 - Physical Education in the Elementary School Credits: 3

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• EDUC 0220 - Schools in American Culture Credits: 3 (*FB)
• EDUC 0396 - Seminar Recent Developments: Computers in Education Credits: 3 or
• Other ISTE Standards-based technology course Credits: 3

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• EDUC 0309 - Children’s Literature Credits: 3 or
• Other approved children’s literature course Credits: 3

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• Mathematics or Science Elective Credits: 3-4

Note:

*FB indicates field-based course.
**Take course prior to MTEL Foundations of Reading Test (Field-#90).

Pedagogical Coursework

A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required in pedagogical coursework specific to your licensure program prior to practicum.  Consult with the department on which courses are classified as part of the pedagogy requirements.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements  and complete a common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in the Common Core  .