Getting Started
College: Education
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
- Community Education/Social Change
Education with a concentration on Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Special Education (SPED) – Licensure
How to Declare/Change into the Major
The College offers undergraduate degree programs with concentrations in a B.A in Early Childhood Education (PreK- 2nd grade) or a B.A. in Special Education (Moderate Disabilities in Special Education PreK-8 or 5-12) which lead to an initial teaching license.
Students with a concentration in Special Education must complete a secondary major in the liberal arts or sciences.
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 higher, 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 at least a 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 Education Advising Center. 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 for Special Education
- Students must apply to the Education major by January 15 of their sophomore year.
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, EDUC 428
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.
Students may declare the concentration at matriculation or any time after. To declare, students should contact the education advising center, education@umass.edu.
Summary of Requirements for the Concentration
Students will complete 54-60 credits
Community Education and Social Change
Entry level course
Choose one
EDUC 101 - Introduction to Education (4 credits)
EDUC 351 - Foundations of Education (3 credits)
Social Justice in Education
Choose one
EDUC 115 - Embracing Diversity (4 credits)
EDUC 167 - Education and Film (4 credits)
EDUC 218 - Hip Hop Nation and Literacy Practices (4 credits)
EDUC 229 - International Education (4 credits)
Choose one
Education 210 Social Diversity in Education (4 credits)
EDUC 202 Social issues in Intergroup Dialogue. (4 credits)
EDUC 377 - Introduction to Multicultural Education - (3 credits)
Foundations of Human Development
Choose one
HumanDev 270 - Child Development (4 credits)
EDUC 306 - Educational Psychology (3 credits)
Technologies Course
Choose One
EDUC 376 (EDUC 390D) - Digital Tools & Apps for 21st Century Students - (3 credits)
EDUC 312 (EDUC 390F) - Teaching and Learning with Tech (3 credits)
EDUC 527 Intro Ed Uses of Computer (3 credits)
EDUC 615G Integrating Tech with Instruction (3 credits)
Statistics or Equivalent course
EDUC 240 - Intro to Ed Stats (4 credits)
Junior Year Writing
EDUC 375 Education Research Design (3 credits)
Early Field Experience
Choose one
EDUC 356 Social Justice Issues in Community Service Learning (3 credits)
EDUC 457I (EDUC 497I) - Tutoring in Schools (4 credits)
Srvclring 293 - Learning Through Community Engagement (4 credits)
Internship
EDUC 398C (6-9 credits)
**Need to attend an internship information session and complete early field experience prior to enrolling.
**Internship can be completed over multiple semesters
Leadership
Choose one
EDUC 393B Leadership in Diverse Communities (3 credits)
EDUC 566 - Ed & Development (3 credits)
EDUC 390K - Education Policy and Inequity (3 credits)
SPP 390 Making a Difference: Policies and Strategies for Social Change (4 credits)
**Need to have completed internship prior to enrolling
Integrative Experience
Choose one
EDUC 494RI - Educational Issues in Real World Contexts (4 credits)
EDUC 494DI - Making Sense of Educational Data (4 credits)
Special Interest Courses
Choose 4
***Students must have completed at least 60 credits towards their degree prior taking these courses
For Further Information, contact:
The Education Advising Center
education@umass.edu
413-545-2231