MCLA requires a major in Education or Elementary Education for students seeking teacher licensure. The elementary licensure program prepares students to become educated and competent elementary school teachers. The curriculum emphasizes a well-rounded education, early field experiences, and the study of research and knowledge related to effective teaching and learning.

Students must apply for, and be accepted into, the Student Teaching Practicum. Acceptance requires the student to have met all requirements, including passing scores on the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). Please see the Education Department for all requirements. Students must have departmental approval to enroll in more than 12 credits during the Student Teaching Practicum. Upon completion of the elementary licensure program, the student is eligible for Initial licensure (1-6).

To fulfill the requirements for the elementary licensure program, students may enroll in either the Elementary Education B.S. degree program, or they may major in both a liberal arts & science degree program as well as the Education B.S. degree program. Candidates for Initial licensure must also complete specific coursework in the following subject matter areas:

• English Language Arts (9 credits)
• Mathematics (9 credits)
• Science, Technology, and Engineering (8 credits)
• History and Social Science (9 credits)
• Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
• First Aid/CPR (1 credit)
• Art (3 credits)

Students should meet with an Education Department advisor during their first semester to discuss the requirements for the licensure program, including learning how subject matter courses may also fulfill MCLA core curriculum requirements.

Choice of Liberal Arts/Science Major for Elementary Education:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• English
• Environmental Studies
• History
• Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST)
• Mathematics
• Performing Arts
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Psychology
• Sociology

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
CCSS 269	Education and Society	3
EDUC 324	Teaching Math/Science K-8	3
EDUC 338	Reading and Language Arts (ECHE/ELEM)	3
EDUC 340	Field Placement I	2
EDUC 341	Field Placement II ECHE/ELEM	2
EDUC 404	Sheltered English Instruction ECHE/ELEM	3
EDUC 412	Curriculum and Instruction ELEM	3
EDUC 420	Classroom Management/Teaching Strategies (ECHE & ELEM)	3
EDUC 430	Teaching in an Inclusive Classroom	3
EDUC 570	Student Teaching Practicum 1-6 1	9
EDUC 571	Student Teaching Seminar ELEM	3
Total Hours		37

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Application, interview, and passing scores on all MTELs for this license are required for admission to the Student Teaching Practicum.

All licensure courses (including subject matter knowledge) require a minimum grade of C in order to proceed through the program and be admitted to the Student Teaching Practicum.

Note:  Field Placement I requires attendance at the Communication and Literacy MTEL Prep course.

Note: All Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK) courses required for the license must also be completed.  A list of all SMK courses is kept and maintained by the Coordinator of Curriculum and the Education Department and is incorporated into each student's degree audit (Degree Works), dependent upon their individual combination of programs.