UMA Undergraduate Guide 2018-2019 Academic Departments and Programs Education Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies The Major
The Major
The College of Education offers an undergraduate degree program in Early Childhood Education or Special Education that leads to a B.A. in Education. Students completing the Early Childhood Education program are eligible for the Massachusetts Teacher License in Early Childhood: Students (PreK-2). Students completing the Special Education program are eligible for the Massachusetts Teacher License (Moderate Disabilities in Special Education K-8 or 5-12)Students in the Education Major must also complete a secondary major related to the field of early childhood education or special education including majors within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (e.g. Psychology, Sociology), School of Public Health and Health Sciences (e.g. Nutrition), College of Natural Sciences (e.g. Biology, Mathematics), and College of Humanities and Fine Arts (e.g. English, History). Students apply for admission to the Early Childhood or Special Education program during their sophomore year. Prior to admission into the Education Major, students should seek advising through the Educator Licensure Office (eio@educ.umass.edu). Students will also need to work with the undergraduate departmental advisers of their secondary major to ensure that all secondary major requirements are met. Requirements Admission to the Major Career Opportunities In Massachusetts, there is a significant shortage of teachers for Moderate Disabilities. The UMass Special Education Concentration strives to prepare individuals to fulfill this educational need through an innovative evidence-based teacher training program with an accompanying Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) approved license for Pre-K-8 or 5-12. In this program, you will learn to be a catalyst for change, helping to increase educational opportunities and outcomes for children with disabilities and their families. Concentration: Collaborative Teacher Education Pathway*Steps toward initial licensure for grades 1-6* The Minor in Education prepares students for CTEP, the Collaborative Teacher Education Pathway. CTEP is a graduate program during which students earn a Master’s degree and initial licensure in Elementary Education. How to Explore / Get StartedSuggested General Education CoursesThe Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has identified several areas of Content Knowledge as being important to those planning to teach elementary age children. By planning carefully, students can cover Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Content Knowledge Recommendations and Requirements as they complete their general education, college, and major requirements. Students planning to enter CTEP must complete a major in the liberal arts or sciences. For a complete list of appropriate majors, please see an advisor in the Educator Information Office in W120A Furcolo. Suggested Major and Pre-requisite CoursesHighly recommended courses:
Required courses for admission to CTEP:
*To enroll in MATH 113 and 114, call 413-545-2701 or stop by the Educator Licensure Office in W144 Furcolo. How to DeclareAdmission to the CTEP Master’s program is competitive and requires a minimum GPA of 3.0. Passing scores on state-mandated tests are required prior to starting the CTEP program. Students who apply to CTEP should do so by January 02 of their senior year in order to meet the UMass Graduate School application deadline. See an advisor in the Educator Information Office every semester before registration. Transfer Student:See an advisor in the Educator Information Office and meet with the Chief Undergraduate Advisor in their major as soon as possible. Summary of Requirements for Initial Elementary Teacher Education Licensure
For further information, contact: Concentration: Secondary Teacher Education (STEP)*Steps toward initial licensure for grades 5-8 or 8-12* How to Explore/ Get StartedSuggested General Education CoursesUnder the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus. For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track. Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened. Whenever possible, students should take courses that satisfy General Education requirements and are prerequisites to upper level courses in the subject area they would like to teach. Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses
How to DeclareStudents interested in STEP should have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applications are due by February 1st of the student’s junior year. Applications are available on the College's website. To complete the application, students will need to fill out the form, obtain transcripts, write a personal statement, obtain at least two letters of recommendation, and provide a copy of notification of his or her score on the Communication and Literacy Skills portion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). A passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test is required prior to admission to STEP. Students can find out more about the MTEL at www.mtel.nesinc.com. Students should contact an EIO (Educator Information Office) advisor as soon they decide they would like to become licensed to teach middle or high school. Consulting an EIO advisor early on will enable students to take necessary steps and meet deadlines. Licensure in each subject area requires the fulfillment of specific subject matter requirements; lists of University courses that satisfy state requirements in each subject area are available at the Educator Information Office in W120A Furcolo, or may be downloaded from the EIO website. (See address below.) Transfer Student:
Summary of Requirements for Initial Secondary Teacher Education LicensureFor a summary of the requirements for this initial licensure program, please contact the staff in the Educator Information Office, or visit our website. Is there an Education minor? If so what are the requirements? For further information, contact: |