M.Ed. Programs for Licensed Teachers

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 teacher education programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). 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.

Professional licensure programs are designed to meet the needs of teachers who already possess an initial level Massachusetts teaching license, and are seeking a master’s degree that will lead to a professional teaching license in the same or related field. In order to be eligible for a professional license, teachers must have taught for three years in the area of their initial license, as well as meet other requirements listed in the licensure regulations.

Candidates in professional licensure programs will demonstrate their commitment to diversity at several points in their program. Each candidate will be required to reflect on his or her beliefs, values, experiences, and/or current practices for developing competencies that support diversity. Decisions about a candidate’s performance in professional licensure programs will be based on multiple assessments.

Specialist Teacher License

The Reading Specialist, Initial, M.Ed.  program is designed for licensed teachers in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Moderate Disabilities who desire initial licensure as a Reading Specialist.

For candidates who have taught for three years in the area of their initial teaching license (Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Moderate Disabilities), and who have met the other requirements listed in licensure regulations, it will also lead to professional licensure in the area of the first 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 teacher education programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). 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.

Program Description

This 34-credit hour program is designed for teachers who hold an initial license and seek Professional Licensure in Elementary Education. Students without the appropriate license may work toward the initial license for elementary education and apply up to six semester hours of graduate work toward the master’s degree.

See Admission   requirements for graduate programs.

Program of Study

A. Prerequisite coursework or experience

Content knowledge in the following areas must be documented in the student’s previous academic record or

professional experience. Any gaps in coverage must be fulfilled as determined by the student’s graduate advisor.

• introductory course in special education
• introductory course in computer applications
• Introductory course in multicultural education
• Introductory course in educational assessment

B. Required Education Courses - 16 Credits

• EDUC 0502 - Instructional Practices: Materials and Classroom Procedures (Elementary and Early Childhood) Credits: 3
• EDUC 0513 - Evaluation Techniques in Education Credits: 3
• EDUC 0629 - Experiential Curriculum Development Workshop: Elementary Credits: 3
• EDUC 0632 - Research in Education Credits: 3
• EDUC 0633 - Social Cultural Theories: Foundations of Education Credits: 3
• EDUC 0653 - Multicultural Theory & Practice: English Language Learners Credits: 0.5
• EDUC 0654 - Multicultural Theory & Practice: Exceptional Learners Credits: 0.5

C. Academic Courses - 18 credits

Students take 18 credits of graduate coursework in any of the following areas:*

• Biology
• Chemistry
• English
• General Science
• Geography
• History
• Mathematics
• Reading

* or pedagogical courses at the graduate level based on the academic discipline, developed or taught in collaboration with experts who hold at least a Master’s degree in that discipline or who hold a full-time faculty position in that discipline in arts or sciences.

Additional Guidelines

Students are required to successfully complete a written comprehensive examination to demonstrate mastery of knowledge gained in coursework and to relate concepts across the curriculum. The comprehensive exam may be taken after completing a minimum of 27 credits.