Academic Catalog

Teacher Licensure for Elementary (1-6)

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
CCSS 269Education and Society3
EDUC 324Teaching Math/Science K-83
EDUC 338Reading and Language Arts (ECHE/ELEM)3
EDUC 340Field Placement I2
EDUC 341Field Placement II ECHE/ELEM2
EDUC 404Sheltered English Instruction ECHE/ELEM3
EDUC 412Curriculum and Instruction ELEM3
EDUC 420Classroom Management/Teaching Strategies (ECHE & ELEM)3
EDUC 430Teaching in an Inclusive Classroom3
EDUC 570Student Teaching Practicum 1-6 19
EDUC 571Student Teaching Seminar ELEM3
Total Hours37

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.