Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education, B.S.E.

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 (grades PreK-2), Elementary Education (grades 1-6), and Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (grades PreK-8) or Moderate Disabilities (grades 5-12). Specific WSU University courses are required for Education students to address state Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK) requirements.

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 overall and the 3.0 in the pedagogical sequence or because they have not passed all required Massachusetts Tests for 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.

Westfield State University’s educator preparation programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). The Westfield State University teacher licensure program for Early Childhood Teacher 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.

Special Education

In general, the Special Educator is trained in educational, social, emotional, and vocational interventions, identification, assessment and programming processes; adaptation and development of curriculum materials; analysis of behavior; and the development and implementation of individual educational programs.

Massachusetts State Law requires that children with special needs be served within the least restrictive environment. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act guarantees an appropriate education and due process for individuals with disabilities. Regulations designed to implement these laws clearly state the need for special education teachers to provide services to children who exhibit a wide range of special needs at all grade levels.

Professional Special Education PreK-8 Pedagogical Coursework

• EDUC 0207 - Philosophy of Education Credits: 3
• EDUC 0221 - Introduction to Students with Exceptional Learning Needs Credits: 3
• EDUC 0222 - Learning Disabilities and Instructional Strategies Credits: 3
• EDUC 0319 - Foundations of Teaching and Learning Credits: 3
• EDUC 0329 - Applications to Teaching and Learning Credits: 3
• EDUC 0339 - Advanced Applications in Teaching and Learning Credits: 3
• EDUC 0320 - Field Experience 1: Becoming a Teacher Credits: 1
• EDUC 0330 - Field Experience 2: Theory to Practice Credits: 1
• EDUC 0341 - Field Experience 3: Advanced Theory to Practice Credits: 1
• EDUC 0314 - Building Classroom Communities Credits: 3
• EDUC 0303 - Foundations of Reading Credits: 4 **
• EDUC 0305 - Teaching Writing, Children’s Literature, and Disciplinary Literacy Credits: 3
• EDUC 0377 - Learning Disabilities and Instructional Strategies Credits: 3
• EDUC 0378 - Behavior Supports for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Credits: 3
• EDUC 0223 - Critical Roles and Responsibilities of the Special Educator Credits: 3
• EDUC 0376 - Self Determination and Family Advocacy for Students with Developmental Disabilities Credits: 3
• EDUC 0381 - Early Intervention: Birth to Five Credits: 3
• EDUC 0396 - Technology, Teaching, and Learning Credits: 3
• EDUC 0363 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3
• EDUC 0397 - Practicum: Moderate Disabilities Credits: 10
• EDUC 0300 - Practicum Seminar Credits: 2

Additional Required Coursework:

The state of Massachusetts has specific Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK’s) competencies expected of Elementary, Early Childhood and Special Education Majors. To address these needs, the following University Common Core courses are required to meet these requirements. Should the University Common Core requirements change, the courses with the SMK designation will still be required of Elementary, Early Childhood, and Special Education Majors.

• PSYC 0202 - Child Development Credits: 3 (SMK)
• ENGL 0202 - Composition II: Rhetoric and Research Credits: 3

Area of Focus

Special Education students must declare an Area of Focus with their Education Advisor (6 credits).

Note:

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

Total Major: 104-105 credits

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 .