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 Biology 8-12, Initial licensure program leads to initial licensure to teach high school biology, 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.

Program of Study

A. 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.

General curriculum coursework meeting subject matter outcomes:

• Environmental
  BIOL 0201 General Ecology

Cellular/Molecular
BIOL 0203 Genetics I
and one of the following:

• BIOL 0205 Cell Biology (preferred)
  BIOL 0223 Microbiology
• Organismal
  BIOL 0211 Plant Biology
  BIOL 0237 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
  BIOL 0230 Evolution
  BIOL 0289 Biology Seminar: History & Nature of Scientific Knowledge
  CHEM 0109 General Chemistry I
  CHEM 0111 General Chemistry II

B. Required Courses for Licensure

• EDUC 0220 Schools in American Culture OR
  EDUC 0633 Social Cultural Theories
• EDUC 0221/0540 Introduction to Students with Exceptional Learning Needs
• EDUC 0380/0580 Critical Multicultural Education
• EDUC 0354/0554 Educational Planning & Evaluation
• EDUC 0363/0631 Sheltered English Immersion
• PSYC 0203 Adolescent Development
• PSYC 0101 Introduction to Psychology (Required as prerequisite to PSYC 0203)
• BIOL 0390/0590 Methods of Teaching Secondary School Biology
• EDUC 0569 Practicum: Secondary*

* Seminar hours will be required during practicum.

Additional Requirements

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

Students must pass the required MTEL subject matter test (Biology) 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.