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 Visual Arts Education, Initial (PreK-8 or 5-12) licensure program leads to initial licensure to teach art, 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 & II or equivalent.

Program of Study

A. Prerequisite coursework or experience

Art Education Program of Study 

Students wishing to be licensed to teach visual art, must complete:

• All the requirements of the Art major.
• An additional 36 credit teacher preparation sequence for either Elementary (Pre-K to 8) or Secondary (5-12) licensure, as follows:

Requirements for Art Majors:

Note: If you requested admission to the Visual Arts Education, Initial PreK-8 or 5-12, Post-baccalaureate Licensure Program, applicants must successfully pass a portfolio review by the Art Department’s faculty.  The Art Department will notify GCE when your portfolio has been approved.  Please go to the Art Department’s Website to submit your portfolio.

    ART 0101 - First-Year Seminar Credits: 1

    ART 0103 - Drawing I Credits: 3

    ART 0104 - Design Fundamentals Credits: 3

    ART 0105 - Three-Dimensional Design Credits: 3

    ART 0106 - Art Survey: Prehistoric to Middle Ages Credits: 3

    ART 0107 - Art Survey: Renaissance to Present Credits: 3

    ART 0109 - Writing for Art and the Artist Credits: 3

    ART 0201 - Printmaking I Credits: 3

    ART 0204 - Pottery I Credits: 3

    ART 0205 - Sculpture I Credits: 3

    ART 0209 - Color Theory and Practice Credits: 3

    ART 0214 - Drawing II Credits: 3

    ART 0216 - Painting I Credits: 3

    ART 0311 - Painting II Credits: 3

    One Art elective** Credits: 3

    Two 300-level Art History Courses Credits: 6

One of the following:

    ART 0303 - Printmaking II Credits: 3

    ART 0304 - Pottery II Credits: 3

    ART 0305 - Sculpture II Credits: 3

Note: 

** Students completing Visual Arts Teacher Licensure Programs must take ART 0108 Introduction to Computer Graphics as their Art elective in the Art major

Education Licensure Requirements:

Elementary Preparation Sequence*:

    EDUC 0221/0540 - Introduction to Students with Exceptional Learning Needs Credits: 3

    PSYC 0202 - Child Development Credits: 3

    EDUC 0363/0631 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3   

    EDUC 0380/0580 - Critical Multicultural Education Credits: 3

    ART 0323 - Introduction to Art Education Credits: 3

    ART 0324 - Art Methods and Materials Credits: 3

    ART 0322 - Art Education Curriculum Credits: 3 (Elementary)

    ART 0331 - Practicum (Art Teaching Pre-K-8) Credits: 12

    ART 0326- Practicum Seminar Credits: 3

Secondary Preparation Sequence*:

    EDUC 0221/0540 - Introduction to Students with Exceptional Learning Needs Credits: 3

    PSYC 0203 - Adolescent Development Credits: 3

    EDUC 0363/0631 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3   

    EDUC 0380/0580 - Critical Multicultural Education Credits: 3

    ART 0323 - Introduction to Art Education Credits: 3

    ART 0324 - Art Methods and Materials Credits: 3

    ART 0322 - Art Education Curriculum Credits: 3 (Secondary)

    ART 0351 - Practicum (Art Teaching 5-12) Credits: 12

    ART 0326- Practicum Seminar Credits: 3

*If any questions arise concerning sequence, time of student teaching, etc., please contact the Program Coordinator, Art Education Licensure. 

Additional Requirements

A 30-hour diversity experience is required before or during practicum.

Students must pass the required MTEL subject matter test (Visual Art) and have a GPA of 2.8 for admission to practicum.

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