Getting Started

College: Education

 (Revised Spring 2019)  

Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting starting with this major and choosing appropriate courses.  More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses. Please refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

The College of Education offers the Education major with three possible concentrations: Early Childhood Education, Special Education and Community Education

Education with a concentration on Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Special Education (SPED): Licensure

The College offers undergraduate degree programs with concentrations in a B.A in Early Childhood Education or a B.A. in Special Education.  Students with a concentration in Special Education or Early Childhood Education must complete a secondary major in the liberal arts or sciences.

Both Early Childhood Education concentration (PreK-2nd grade) and Special Education concentration (Moderate Disabilities in Special Education PreK-8 or 5-12) lead to initial licensure.

How to Declare/Change into the Major

These major concentrations are restricted, which means students must apply through an on-campus process to be accepted into the major. The majors may have criteria for admission/acceptance into the major (e.g., specific courses, GPA).

To be admitted to either concentration (Early Childhood Education/Special Education - Licensure), a student must complete, with a grade of B or better, the following courses: Math 113, Math 114, and HUMDEV 270.  Students interested in Special Education must also complete EDUC 325.  A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 is also required.  To enroll in Math 113 or Math 114, please email the advising center, education@umass.edu

  • Passing scores on the Communication and Literacy Skills MTEL are also required by the time of application. 

Application procedure and recommended time to declare/apply

Students apply for either concentration in their Sophomore Year by January 15th.  Application information is located on the College’s website.

For first-year students: 
See an advisor in the Advising Center as soon as possible. Interested students will be advised regarding prerequisites and the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) requirements for application to the major.

For transfers with sophomore/junior standing:
See an advisor in the Advising Center and meet with the Chief Undergraduate Advisor in their secondary major as soon as possible. Interested students will be advised regarding prerequisites and the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) requirements for application to the major.

Summary of Requirements for Early Childhood Education and Special Education Licensure

For a summary of requirements for licensure, please contact the Advising Center.

  • Students must complete a secondary major in the liberal arts or sciences.
  • Students must apply to the Education major by January 15 of their sophomore or junior years.

The following courses are required for the Early Childhood Education Concentration Required Coursework: EDUC 325, EDUC 393M, EDUC 490A, EDUC 461, EDUC 463, EDUC 370, EDUC 503, EDUC 500, EDUC 598A, EDUC 494EI, EDUC 482E

The following courses are required for the Special Education Required Coursework: EDUC 326, EDUC 327, EDUC 328, EDUC 329, EDUC 350, EDUC 370, EDUC 390E, EDUC 430, EDUC 431, EDUC 429, EDUC 494RI, EDUC 500, EDUC 503

Community Education and Social Change – Non Licensure

The College offers undergraduate degree program with a concentration in a B.A. in Community Education and Social Change.  Students with a concentration in Community Education and Social Change do not need to complete a secondary major and this degree does not lead to licensure. 

This concentration will prepare students to work and provide educational leadership in community-based organizations through a social justice framework. 

How to Declare/Change into the Major

For current & admitted students: This major is unrestricted, which means any student may declare the major. Unrestricted majors may still have an entry process such as meeting with an advisor or attending an informational meeting.

Students may declare the concentration at matriculation or any time after.  To declare, students must fill out a declaration form with the advising center. 

Summary of Requirements for the Concentration

Students will complete 43- 48 credits. 

REQUIRED FOUNDATIONAL COURSES:

  • EDUC 210: Social Diversity in Education OR SOC 224: Social Class and Inequality OR SOC 245: Race and Society OR STPEC 391: STPEC Core 1
  • EDUC 305/PSYCH 305: Educational Psychology OR EDUC 490C: Curriculum Development
  • EDUC 394B S: Leadership in Diverse Communities OR EDUC 393F: Leadership Careers Student Affairs
  • EDUC 390D: Digital Tools & Apps for 21st Century Students

 REQUIRED GENED COURSES (FOR PRIMARY MAJORS)

  • EDUC 240: Introduction to Educational Statistics (or equivalent)
  • EDUC 390A: Research Methods in Education (Junior Year Writing Course)
  • EDUC 494DI: Making Sense of Educational Data (IE) OR EDUC 494RI: Educational Issues in Real World Context (IE)

Courses are taken in each of the following six domains;

Domain 1: Social Justice [TWO Course Requirement: Select ONE of the required courses and ONE of the other courses listed]

  • EDUC 210: Social Diversity in Education Or SOC 224: Social Class and Inequality or SOC 245: Race and Society (one course is required)
  • EDUC 258: Education in Social Justice + Diversity Peer Theater
  • EDUC 291E: S-Theatre for Social Change OR
  • EDUC 258: Education for Social Justice and Diversity Through Peer Theatre
  • EDUC 292A: S-Voices Against Violence
  • EDUC 297A: ST-School to Prison Pipeline
  • EDUC 377: Introduction to Multicultural Education
  • EDUC 390B: Gender and Childhood
  • EDUC 392A-K: Social Issues Workshops (must complete three 1-credit workshops)
  • PUBPAdm 397: Making a Difference: Policies and Strategies for Social Change
  • STPEC 391: STPEC Core 1
  • STPEC 392: STPEC Core 2
  • SRVCLRNG 293H: Learning Through Community Engagement

Domain 2: Interpersonal Skills/Communication; Planning and Facilitating Groups [Select AT LEAST ONE course]

  • EDUC 202: Social Issues; Intergroup Dialogue
  • EDUC 390G/EDUC 302: Intergroup Relations
  • COMM 212: Cultural Codes in Communication
  • COMM 250: Interpersonal Communication
  • COMM 260: Public Speaking

Domain 3: Teaching and Learning/Pedagogy/Curriculum/Assessment [TWO Course Requirement: Select ONE of the Required Courses and ONE of the other courses listed]-

  • EDUC/PSYCH 305: Educational Psychology or EDUC 490C: Curriculum Development (required course)
  • EDUC 351: Foundations of Educ.
  • EDUC 378: Survey of Children’s Literature
  • EDUC 497I: ST-Tutoring in Schools
  • SOC 322: Sociology of Education
  • SOC 382: Sociology of Childhood

Domain 4: Theories and Models of Change/Leadership in Education [TWO Course Requirement: Select ONE of the Required Courses and ONE of the other courses listed]

  • EDUC 394B S: Leadership in Diverse Communities or EDUC 393F: Leadership Careers Student Affairs (required)
  • EDUC 395E: S: Leadership in Action
  • EDUC 494RI: Educational Issues in Real World Context (IE)
  • EDUC 591F: S-Leadership and Organizational Behavior
  • SOC 327: Social Change
  • PUBPAdm 497C: Catalyzing Change: Creating and Operating a Nonprofit

Domain 5: Research and Evaluation in Education [TWO Required Courses; May select additional courses as electives]

  • EDUC 240: Introduction to Educational Statistics (R2) (required)
  • EDUC 390A: Educational Research Design (Junior Year Writing Course) (required)
  • EDUC 495G: Anthropology of Childhood
  • EDUC 490B: Introduction to Evaluation
  • EDUC 494DI: Making Sense of Educational Data (IE)

Domain 6: Digital Technologies in Education [ONE Required Course; May select additional courses as electives]

  • EDUC 390D: Digital Tools & Apps for 21st Century Students (required)
  • EDUC 390F or EDUC 593A: Teaching and Learning with Technology
  • EDUC 597S: ST: Service Learning and Teaching with Computational Media

Internship Domain

  • EDUC 398: Practicum [Required]
  • PH 397Q Special Topics: Professional Development