Academic Catalog

Education

(413) 662-5505
www.mcla.edu/educ
Chairperson: Nicholas Stroud
Email: n.stroud@mcla.edu

The objective of the education program is to provide a balanced blend of theory and practice so that a student will graduate with a solid foundation from which to begin a teaching career. The Education Department prepares students in the knowledge and skills needed to become effective teachers. A network of mentor teachers and partner schools associated with MCLA provide teacher candidates with the opportunities to apply educational theories in a variety of settings. Students seeking licensure must complete all requirements of our state-approved licensure program.

Students completing the programs will enter the teaching profession able to:

  • Design innovative, challenging, and inclusive curricula;
  • Deliver effective and engaging instruction;
  • Foster positive classroom learning environments;
  • Promote equity and understanding within learning spaces; and
  • Communicate and demonstrate professional ethics and responsibilities.

Early in the program, candidates for teacher licensure decide which of the Initial licensure programs they wish to pursue. Students interested in pursuing Early Childhood (Grades PK-2) or Elementary (Grades 1-6) licenses may choose to major solely in those majors. In the case of Middle School (Grades 5-8), Middle-Secondary (Grades 5-12), or Secondary (Grades 8-12) licenses, students major in the liberal arts curriculum consistent with the content area they wish to teach and have the option of adding an Education Major as well. Students work closely with their Education advisor for professional support and mentorship throughout the program. All licensure candidates will complete a minimum of 96 hours of work in a classroom appropriate to the license prior to the student teaching practicum.

Major Programs

Education Major, B.S.

Early Childhood Education Major, B.S.

Elementary Education Major, B.S.

Teacher Licensure Programs

Initial licensure programs are available in the following areas:

  • Early Childhood (Grades PreK-2)
  • Elementary (Grades 1 – 6)
  • Middle School Humanities (Grades 5 – 8)
  • Middle School Math/Science (Grades 5 – 8)
  • General Science (Grades 5 – 8)
  • Mathematics (Grades 5 – 8)
  • Mathematics (Grades 8 – 12)
  • English (Grades 5-12)
  • History (Grades 5 – 12)
  • Biology (Grades 8 -12)
  • Chemistry (Grades 8 -12)
  • Physics (Grades 8 – 12)

Education Programs

  • Education Major:  MCLA does not offer a free-standing non-licensure Education Major, however, an Education Major is available as an add-on to licensure programs at the 5-8, 5-12, and 8-12 levels.  Students interested in pursuing this option should discuss this with their advisor.  If a student chooses the Teacher Licensure option for Early Childhood or Elementary (as opposed to the B.S. programs) a major in Education will also be required.

Education Courses

EDUC 150 Infant/Toddler Internship3 cr
Provides the daycare certification student with practical experience needed for Office for Children certification. The intern will complete an individualized learning contract, sponsored and approved by an education department faculty member. The intern will work under close supervision of both the cooperating teacher and departmental personnel.
Prerequisite: EDUC 230 or concurrent enrollment in EDUC 230, department approval  
EDUC 151 Preschool Internship3 cr
Provides the daycare certification student with practical experience needed for Office for Children certification. The intern will complete an individualized learning contract, sponsored and approved by an education department faculty member. The intern will work under close supervision of both the cooperating teacher and departmental personnel.
Prerequisite: EDUC 305 or concurrent enrollment in EDUC 305, department approval  
EDUC 230 Program Development: Infants & Toddlers3 cr
Examines theory and practice of daycare for infants - up to age 3. Age-appropriate activities, program/curriculum development and special issues in daycare will be discussed. Working with parents, assessment, individual difference and multicultural appreciation will also be discussed.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
EDUC 302 Assessment and Evaluation3 cr
Provides participants with a repertoire of assessments for classroom use including formal, informal, formative, summative, authentic and standardized. Participants will also engage in discussions about reporting student progress to parents. Students will learn a process by which to assess themselves in their role as teacher.
Prerequisite: Junior status  
EDUC 305 Early Childhood Curriculum and Design3 cr
Investigates a range of theoretical and pedagogical practices for the early childhood learning environment that focus on child-centered practices which are inclusive, compassionate, responsive, and developmentally appropriate for all children from three to eight years of age. Students will design a portfolio of curricula that includes learning experience plans, classroom designs, and methods for partnering and communicating with families and caregivers.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
EDUC 307H Honors: Queer Childhoods3 cr
Explores queer theory in discussion with popular and scholarly ideas about childhood and development. We examine the lived experiences of intersectional queer children and families in a US context, with a particular focus on educational encounters. We also look more broadly at queer theories of development, and lean into children’s and adolescent literature by and about LGBTQ+ individuals and communities as a legitimate source for understanding queer childhoods.
Attributes: Honors Program (HONR)  
EDUC 324 Teaching Math/Science K-83 cr
Supports the preservice and in-service teacher in planning for the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in the K-8 classroom. Major concepts, curriculum theory and instructional strategies appropriate to math and science education are explored in a hands-on workshop format. Current topics, issues and movements in science and math education are examined.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
EDUC 336 Reading in the Content Area3 cr
Examines effective strategies to support middle school and secondary students' ability to use language to learn. In addition to reading and writing text, alternative modes of demonstrating learning will be explored. Technology will be included through online assignments. Reflection and professional growth are concurrent goals.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
EDUC 338 Reading and Language Arts (ECHE/ELEM)3 cr
Emphasizes an integrated, constructivist approach to teaching the language arts based on cognitive, psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic theories about how children learn language. Teaching strategies are introduced that help children learn to communicate effectively using listening, talking, reading and writing. Organizational patterns of instruction that emphasize literature, theme cycles and workshop approaches are explored.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
EDUC 340 Field Placement I2 cr
Acquaints each student with the contemporary setting of public schools. In this pre-practicum, students will be expected to be in a classroom for 48 hours. This will be the first experience in the schools for each education student. The on-campus component includes five seminar sessions. Students may be waived from hours in the school setting if appropriate documentation is provided but not from the seminars.
Prerequisite: CCSS 269, department approval, 2.5 GPA  
Corequisite: EDUC 336 or EDUC 338 or EDUC 430  
EDUC 341 Field Placement II ECHE/ELEM2 cr
Requires that pre-service teachers will assume a broader variety of instructional responsibilities in an early childhood/elementary classroom. Students will be expected to be in a classroom for 48 hours. The on-campus component includes four seminar sessions. Students may be waived from hours in the school setting but not from seminars.
Prerequisite: CCSS 269, EDUC 340, department approval, 2.5 overall GPA, passing score on Communication/Literacy MTEL  
Corequisite: EDUC 409 or EDUC 412  
EDUC 342 Field Placement II 5-122 cr
Requires that pre-service teachers will assume a broader variety of instructional responsibilities in a middle or secondary level classroom. Students will be expected to be in a classroom for 48 hours. The on-campus component includes four seminar sessions. Students may be waived from hours in the school setting if appropriate documentation is provided but not from seminars.
Prerequisite: CCSS 269, EDUC 340, department approval, 2.5 overall GPA, passing score on Communication/Literacy MTEL  
Corequisite: EDUC 414  
EDUC 404 Sheltered English Instruction ECHE/ELEM3 cr
Focuses on preparing undergraduate level ELEM and ECHE pre-service teachers to shelter academic content and English language instruction for ELLs. Topics include salient differences among ELLs; language structure; second language acquisition; and effective practices based on the SEI model. Students will learn to differentiate instruction for ELLs at different English proficiency levels, focusing on English Language arts, literacy skills, and academic vocabulary in various content areas.
Prerequisite: EDUC 338, department approval  
EDUC 405 Sheltered English Instruction MDSC/SECE3 cr
Focuses on preparing undergraduate level Middle and Secondary pre-service teachers to shelter academic content and English language instruction for ELLs. Topics include salient differences among ELLs; language structure; second language acquisition; and effective practices based on the SEI model. Students will learn to differentiate instruction for ELLs at different English proficiency levels, focusing on language and literacy skills, and academic vocabulary in relevant content areas.
Prerequisite: EDUC 336, department approval  
EDUC 409 Curriculum and Instruction ECHE3 cr
Plan, develop and assess instructional units designed for understanding. Link designs to state standards and create a continuum of assessment methods. Pre-service teachers will be active learners as they participate in designing developmentally appropriate lessons, units and assessments.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
EDUC 412 Curriculum and Instruction ELEM3 cr
Plan, develop and assess instructional units designed for understanding. Link designs to state standards and create a continuum of assessment methods. Pre-service teachers will be active learners as they participate in designing developmentally appropriate lessons, units and assessments.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
EDUC 414 Curriculum and Instruction 5-123 cr
Plan, develop and assess instructional units designed for understanding. Link designs to state standards and create a continuum of assessment methods. Pre-service teachers will be active learners as they participate in designing developmentally appropriate lessons, units and assessments.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
EDUC 420 Classroom Management/Teaching Strategies (ECHE & ELEM)3 cr
Prepares one to design educational environments that support all learners and to see classrooms from the learner's perspective including the learner whose cultural, linguistic, social, psychological, or economic background is different from the teacher or from the mainstream. Demonstrates that managing classrooms requires attention to physical, social, temporal, auditory, and visual dimensions. Provides strategies to build the social competence of learners who present behavior difficulties.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
EDUC 422 Classroom Management/Teaching Strategies (MDSC/SECE)3 cr
Prepares one to design educational environments that support all learners and to see classrooms from the learner's perspective including the learner whose cultural, linguistic, social, psychological, or economic background is different from the teacher or from the mainstream. Demonstrates that managing classrooms requires attention to physical, social, temporal, auditory, and visual dimensions. Provides strategies to build the social competence of learners who present behavior difficulties.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
EDUC 430 Teaching in an Inclusive Classroom3 cr
Introduces values, laws and principles underlying special education, including the rights of parents/guardians. Identifies the role of general educators in securing supports and services for individual students, and in developing and implementing IEPs. Highlights strength-based assessment, peer supports, assistive technology, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), promoting social competence, and collaboration with families, paraeducators, special educators, and clinicians.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
EDUC 460 Special Topics in Education3 cr
Studies problems, concepts, issues, topics, or themes that are of particular importance in the field of education. Special topic seminars may explore any of a variety of topics concerning academic freedom, affirmative action, basics, compensatory education, computers in teaching, multicultural education, values, learning styles and human rights, among others, as they relate to the field of education.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits  
EDUC 473 Contemporary Educational Issues3 cr
Examines contemporary issues in education on ideological grounds and on national and local levels (e.g., bilingual education, multiculturalism, general-liberal education). These issues will be explored from interfacing viewpoints (i.e., political, educational, economics, social) so that students can formulate their own views based on careful consideration of the arguments.
Prerequisite: Junior status, department approval  
EDUC 500 Independent Study1-3 cr
Open to juniors and seniors who wish to read in a given area or to study a topic in depth. Written reports and frequent conferences with the advisor are required.
Prerequisite: Junior status, department approval  
Repeatable: Maximum of 12 credits  
EDUC 530 Student Teaching Practicum 5-129 cr
Provides the culminating field experience for teacher licensure. Students spend five full days per week in a school classroom. In the role of classroom teacher, the practicum student works with individual children, teaches both small and large group lessons, plans and implements several units of instruction, and carries out a variety of other responsibilities. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores on all MTELs, grades of C or better in all licensure courses, 2.8 GPA  
Corequisite: EDUC 581  
EDUC 535 Student Teaching Half Practicum 5-121-9 cr
Provides the culminating field experience for teacher licensure. Students spend five half days per week in a school classroom. In the role of teacher, students work with individual children, teach small and large group lessons, plan and implement several units of instruction. This half-practicum is designed to be used on very rare occasions when a student needs to do a practicum over a 2 semester period of time. Student will register for 4 credits one semester and 5 credits the second. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores on all MTELs, grades of C or better in all licensure courses, 2.8 GPA  
Corequisite: EDUC 581  
Repeatable: Maximum of 9 credits  
EDUC 540 Education Internship3-15 cr
Interning in a public or private organization or agency such as higher education, hospital, recreational or elderly centers will occur. Completion of an individualized learning contract sponsored and approved by an education department faculty member. Internship may involve, but is not limited to, education-related tasks such as training, organizational development, computer-based learning and human resource development.
Prerequisite: Junior status, department approval  
Repeatable: Maximum of 15 credits  
EDUC 550 Student Teaching Practicum PK-K3 cr
Provides the culminating pre-K to K field experience for teacher licensure. Students spend five days per week in a preschool classroom for approximately one third of the semester and the remainder of the semester in a grade 1 or 2 classroom. In the role of classroom teacher, the practicum student works with individual children, teaches both small and large group lessons, plans and implements several units of instruction, and carries out a variety of other responsibilities. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores on all MTEL's, grades of C or better in all licensure courses, 2.8 GPA  
Corequisite: EDUC 560, EDUC 561  
EDUC 560 Student Teaching Practicum 1-26 cr
Provides the culminating field experience for teacher licensure. Students spend five full days per week in a school classroom for approximately two thirds of the semester. In the role of classroom teacher, the practicum student works with individual children, teaches both small and large group lessons, plans and implements several units of instruction, and carries out a variety of other responsibilities. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores on all MTEL's, grades of C or better in all licensure courses, 2.8 GPA  
Corequisite: EDUC 550, EDUC 561  
EDUC 561 Student Teaching Seminar ECHE3 cr
While engaged in the practicum semester, student teachers have a need to be reflective of this experience. Under the guidance of an experienced Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts mentor, this seminar provides students with opportunities to share and to reflect on their efforts to successfully merge theory and practice. The seminar will require students to conduct action research in their classes.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores on all MTEL's, grades of C or better in all licensure courses  
Corequisite: EDUC 550, EDUC 560  
EDUC 570 Student Teaching Practicum 1-69 cr
Provides the culminating field experience for teacher licensure. Students spend five full days per week in a school classroom. In the role of classroom teacher, the practicum student works with individual children, teaches both small and large group lessons, plans and implements several units of instruction, and carries out a variety of other responsibilities. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores on all MTEL's, grades of C or better in all licensure courses, 2.8 GPA  
Corequisite: EDUC 571  
EDUC 571 Student Teaching Seminar ELEM3 cr
While engaged in the practicum semester, student teachers have a need to be reflective of this experience. Under the guidance of an experienced Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts mentor, this seminar provides students with opportunities to share and to reflect on their efforts to successfully merge theory and practice. The seminar will require students to conduct action research in their classes.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores in all MTEL's, grades of C or better in all licensure courses  
Corequisite: EDUC 570  
EDUC 575 Student Teaching Half Practicum 1-61-9 cr
Provides the culminating field experience for teacher licensure. Students spend five half days per week in a school classroom. In the role of classroom teacher, they work with individual children, teach small and large group lessons, plan and implement several units of instruction. This half-practicum is designed to be used on very rare occasions when a student needs to do a practicum over a two-semester period of time. Students will register for 4 credits one semester and for 5 credits the second semester. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores on all MTEL's, grades of C or better in all licensure courses, 2.8 GPA  
Corequisite: EDUC 571  
Repeatable: Maximum of 9 credits  
EDUC 580 Student Teaching Practicum 5-89 cr
Provides the culminating field experience for teacher licensure. Students spend five full days per week in a school classroom. In the role of classroom teacher, the practicum student works with individual children, teaches both small and large group lessons, plans and implements several units of instruction, and carries out a variety of other responsibilities. The course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores on all MTEL's, grades of C or better in all licensure courses, 2.8 GPA  
Corequisite: EDUC 581  
EDUC 581 Student Teaching Seminar 5-123 cr
While engaged in the practicum semester, student teachers have a need to be reflective of this experience. Under the guidance of an experienced Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts mentor, this seminar provides students with opportunities to share and to reflect on their efforts to successfully merge theory and practice. The seminar will require students to conduct action and research in their classes.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores on all MTEL's, grades of C or better in all licensure courses  
Corequisite: EDUC 530 or EDUC 580 or EDUC 590  
EDUC 585 Student Teaching Half Practicum 5-81-9 cr
Provides the culminating field experience for teacher licensure. Students spend five half days per week in a school classroom. In the role of classroom teacher, they work with individual children, teach small and large group lessons, plan and implement several units of instruction. This half-practicum is designed to be used on very rare occasions when a student needs to do a practicum over a two-semester period of time. Students will register for 4 credits one semester and for 5 credits the second semester. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores on all MTEL's, grades of C or better in all licensure courses, 2.8 GPA  
Corequisite: EDUC 581  
Repeatable: Maximum of 9 credits  
EDUC 590 Student Teaching Practicum 8-129 cr
Provides the culminating field experience for teacher licensure. Students spend five full days per week in a school classroom. In the role of classroom teacher, the practicum student works with individual children, teaches both small and large group lessons, plans and implements several units of instruction, and carries out a variety of other responsibilities. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores on all MTEL's, grades of C or better in all licensure courses, 2.8 GPA  
Corequisite: EDUC 581  
EDUC 595 Student Teaching Half Practicum 8-121-9 cr
Provides the culminating field experience for teacher licensure. Students spend five half days per week in a school classroom. In the role of classroom teacher, they work with individual children, teach small and large group lessons, plan and implement several units of instruction. This half-practicum is designed to be used on very rare occasions when a student needs to do a practicum over a two-semester period of time. Students will register for 4 credits one semester and for 5 credits the second semester. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite: Department approval, passing scores on all MTEL's, grades of C or better in all licensure courses, 2.8 GPA  
Corequisite: EDUC 581  
Repeatable: Maximum of 9 credits  

Teacher Licensure by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

MCLA has been approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to offer twelve Initial licensure programs at the undergraduate level. Massachusetts requires that individuals who want to obtain teacher licensure in the state must pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

Initial licensure is granted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to individuals who have completed approved programs of study (such as those offered at MCLA) and received passing scores on the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure. MCLA, through the Education Department, offers at the undergraduate level programs that license regular classroom teachers in:

  • Early Childhood  PK-2
  • Elementary 1 - 6
  • Middle School Humanities 5 - 8
  • Middle School Math/Science 5 - 8
  • General Science 5 - 8
  • Mathematics 5 - 8
  • English 5-12
  • History 5 - 12
  • Biology 8 -12
  • Chemistry 8 -12
  • Mathematics 8 - 12
  • Physics 8 - 12

Upon seeking a teaching position in the public schools, students should be aware that most school districts require a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sexual Offender Record Information) check as well as evidence of inoculations and fingerprinting.