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 Moderate Disabilities 5-12 program leads to initial licensure to teach students with moderate disabilities in grades 5-12 classrooms. The program does not confer a degree. Applicants 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

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 advisor. Courses referenced below are from the Westfield undergraduate program, but equivalent coursework from another institution will be accepted.

Coursework meeting subject matter outcomes: 

PSYC 0202 - Child Development​​​​​​​

US History/Government (3 credits)

One from the following:

HIST 0130 - United States History and Government*

HIST 0131 - United States History and Government to 1865

HIST 0132 - United States History and Government 1865 - Present

POLS 0101 - American National Government

* Is the preferred course.

Social Understanding (9 credits)

HIST 0101 - Western Experience I

PSYC 0101 - Introduction to Psychology

GPS 0101 - World Regional Geography

Math/Analytical Reasoning (9 credits)

MATH 0153 - Foundations: Number Systems

MATH 0250 - Foundations: Patterns, Reasoning and Algebra

MATH 0254 - Foundations: Data Analysis and Geometry

Lab Science (7-8 credits)

GNSC 0101 - Physical Science

One of the following:

BIOL 0102 - Environmental Biology

ENVS 0101 - Principles of Environmental Science

Required Courses for Licensure

• EDUC 0221/0540 - Foundations of Special Education
• EDUC 0222/0577 - Learning Disabilities and Instructional Strategies
• EDUC 0215/0580 - Theory of Critical Multicultural Education
• EDUC 0319/0519 - Methods of Teaching 1 Through Mathematics
• EDUC 0329/EDUG 0525 - Methods of Teaching 2 Through Science
• EDUC 0339/EDUG 0526 - Methods of Teaching 3 Through Social Studies
• EDUC 0320/EDUG 0522 - Field Experience 1: Becoming a Teacher
• EDUC 0330/EDUG 0523 - Field Experience 2: Theory to Practice
• EDUC 0341/EDUG 0524 - Field Experience 3: Advanced Theory to Practice
• EDUC 0314/0514 - Building Classroom Communities
• EDUC 0303/0503 - Foundations of Reading
• EDUC 0305/0505 - Teaching Writing, Children’s Literature, and Disciplinary Literacy
• EDUC 0378/0578 - Behavior Supports for Students with Disabilities
• EDUC 0223/0533 - Critical Roles and Responsibilities of the Special Educator
• EDUC 0376/0576 - Self Determination and Family Advocacy for Students with Developmental Disabilities
• EDUC 0374/0574 - Career Education and Transition for Students with Disabilities
• EDUC 0396/0596 - Technology, Teaching, and Learning
• EDUC 0363/0631 - Sheltered English Immersion
• EDUC 0397/0597 - Practicum: Moderate Disabilities
• EDUC 0300/EDUG 0527 - Practicum Seminar

Additional Requirements

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

Students must pass the required MTEL subject matter tests for Moderate Disabilities 5-12 licensure, 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.