Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Teacher Education, M.Ed.

Minimum number of credits required to complete the program:  36

Minimum cumulative GPA required:  3.0

 

School: School of Education and Social Policy

Learn more about the program

 

The School of Education and Social Policy offers multiple Teacher Education Programs (TEP) that have been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Interstate Certification Compact of the National Association of State Directors of Teachers Education.

Students are able to receive reciprocal teaching licenses in more than 45 states. Please refer to the DESE website and each state’s requirements for exact terms of reciprocity.

The Teacher Education Program prepares students to earn initial licensure in select areas. The program is delivered in several different formats, and applicants must choose a format upon application to the program.

On Campus/Hybrid

  • Full-time through the Teacher Education Fellowship program, which offers a full-tuition fellowship
  • Full-time or part-time as a traditional student, working closely with an academic advisor to plan your program of study and timeline to completion

Online

  • Full- or part-time online, mostly asynchronous.

 

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teacher Education Program Options

  • Early Childhood Education (PreK-2), with initial license
  • Elementary Education (1-6), with initial license
  • Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8), with initial license
  • English as a Second Language (PreK-6), with initial license
  • Middle School Education (5-8) / High School Education (8-12), with initial license
  • Curriculum and Instruction, non-license

Merrimack College also offers non-degree options for those students who do not want, or need, a master’s degree but desire an additional initial license. Candidates must currently possess an active initial or professional license from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. License-only options are available in both the on-campus and online formats.

  • Early Childhood Education (PreK-2) additional license
  • English as a Second Language (PreK-6) additional license 
  • Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) additional license  

Online Education Program

For those students who desire more flexibility, Merrimack College offers an online M.Ed. program in teacher education. This program format combines 100% online courses* with immersion events and in-classroom practicum close to home. Students’ progress at their own pace through the courses, through learning materials and assessments designed to ensure mastery of skills required for teaching excellence and valued by employers. *All field placements and a portion of EDU 5820 Sheltered English Instruction  are conducted in person. Field placements must occur in Massachusetts, and are coordinated within a reasonable distance of the student’s permanent residence. 

Merrimack complies with individual U.S. state regulations before enrolling students in our online degree programs who reside outside of Massachusetts.

In all formats (on-campus or online) the Master of Education in Teacher Education is a 36-credit program.

Practicum Requirements

Licensure candidates who wish to use their current full-time employment for practicum purposes, must receive approval from the Director of the Field Placement office.

Candidates with a teaching license from another state will be considered for admission, however, additional steps may need to occur in order to reciprocate the current teaching license to Massachusetts. The student will be advised of the license requirements for Massachusetts upon matriculation and in consultation with their advisor.

 

Re-Admission to the Teacher Education graduate program

A student who has withdrawn from Merrimack College and the Graduate Education program in good standing may re-apply to complete their program. However, the completed coursework will be reevaluated based on current DESE subject-matter and professional standards, and the student may be required to complete additional coursework to satisfy the requirements for initial licensure.

** If the student re-applies to the program for a different concentration, the application will be reviewed based on the current licensing standards.

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teacher Education Program Options

Early Childhood Education (PreK-2), Master’s plus initial license

Course Sequence

Practicum Requirements

Students who are ready to participate in the practicum experience must:

  • Online application of intent to the Field Placement office, with advisor approval 
  • Attendance at a practicum information session
  • Successfully complete all required coursework for the program, and be in good academic standing in the graduate program (3.0 GPA)

MTEL Requirements for Initial License

  • Communications and Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
  • Early Childhood (72)
  • Foundations of Reading (190)

Early Childhood Education (PreK-2), additional license

Candidates for the add-on license in Early Childhood Education will already possess an initial license in another area, and are interested in the additional coursework to add the Early Childhood Education license to their credentials. *This is not a full master’s option.

Core Sequence

MTEL Requirements for Initial License

  • Communications and Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
  • Early Childhood (72)
  • Foundations of Reading (190)

Elementary Education (1-6), Master’s plus initial license

Course Sequence

Practicum Requirements

Students who are ready to participate in the practicum experience must:

  • Online application of intent to the Field Placement office, with advisor approval 
  • Attendance at a practicum information session
  • Successfully complete all required coursework for the program, and be in good academic standing in the graduate program (3.0 GPA)

MTEL Requirements for Initial License

  • Communications and Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
  • General Curriculum (78) Language Arts and History/Social Science and Mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering subtests
  • Foundations of Reading (190)

Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8), Master’s plus initial license

Course Sequence

Practicum Requirements

Students who are ready to participate in the practicum experience must:

  • Online application of intent to the Field Placement office, with advisor approval 
  • Attendance at a practicum information session
  • Successfully complete all required coursework for the program, and be in good academic standing in the graduate program (3.0 GPA)

MTEL Requirements for Initial License

  • Communications and Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests

  • General Curriculum (78): Language Arts and History/Social Science and Mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering Multi-Subject subtests 

  • Foundations of Reading (190)

Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8), additional license 

Candidates for the add-on license in Moderate Disabilities will already possess an initial license in Elementary Education (1-6), and are interested in the additional coursework to add the Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) license to their credentials.  *This is not a full master’s option.

Course Sequence

MTEL Requirements for Initial License

  • Communications and Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests

  • General Curriculum (78): Language Arts and History/Social Science and Mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering Multi-Subject subtests 

  • Foundations of Reading (190)

English as a Second Language (PreK-6), Master’s plus initial license

Course Sequence

Practicum Requirements

Students who are ready to participate in the practicum experience must:

  • Online application of intent to the Field Placement office, with advisor approval 
  • Attendance at a practicum information session
  • Successfully complete all required coursework for the program, and be in good academic standing in the graduate program (3.0 GPA)

MTEL Requirements for Initial License

  • Communications and Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
  • English as a Second Language (54)

English as a Second Language (PreK-6), additional license

Candidates for the add-on license in English as a Second Language will already possess an initial license and are interested in the additional coursework to add the English as a Second Language (PreK-6) license to their credentials.  *This is not a full master’s option.

Course Sequence

MTEL Requirements for Initial License

  • Communications and Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
  • English as a Second Language (54)

Middle School Education (5-8) and High School Education (8-12), Master’s plus initial license

Candidates for a Middle or High School initial license should have obtained the appropriate undergraduate content and/or major prior to enrolling in the graduate teacher education program. A transcript review for appropriate content will occur during the graduate application review process. Students may be advised to take additional content courses prior to obtaining the license.

Content concentrations available for the Middle School (5-8) and High School (8-12) initial license:

  • Biology (8-12)
  • Chemistry (8-12)
  • Earth and Space Science (8-12)
  • English (5-12)
  • General Science (5-8)
  • History (5-12)
  • Humanities (5-8)
  • Math (5-8)
  • Math (8-12)
  • Math/Science (5-8)
  • Physics (8-12)

Course Sequence

Practicum Requirements

Students who are ready to participate in the practicum experience must:

  • Online application of intent to the Field Placement office, with advisor approval 
  • Attendance at a practicum information session
  • Successfully complete all required coursework for the program, and be in good academic standing in the graduate program (3.0 GPA)

MTEL Requirements for Initial License

  • Communications and Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
  • Subject Area

Curriculum and Instruction, Master’s only (non-license)

This program covers an array of education-related topics and situations, and candidates participate in a self-designed capstone project. The graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction is for candidates who:

  • have a strong interest in education or are pursuing a career in an education setting that does not require formal licensing or certification
  • already hold an initial license in Massachusetts, and want to earn a master’s degree (M.Ed.)
  • already hold an initial license in Massachusetts, and want to earn a master’s degree (M.Ed.) PLUS an additional license

The Curriculum and Instruction program is non-licensure and MTELs are not required for program completion. The Curriculum and Instruction program is not designed to advance a license to professional status. For more information on professional licensure, visit the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.

Core Requirements

All students will complete a self-designed capstone projects - an original research project that can be practice - or policy-focused. Each student will choose an area of interest related to their career goals, and focused on creating change in Education. The capstone course is the culminating experience of the master’s program in Curriculum and Instruction.

Areas of Concentration

Students may choose from any of the following concentrations, or consult with their academic advisor to create a track based on individual personal and professional goals. Concentrations can be in any of the licensure areas, or a self-designed concentration, and customized based on the student’s professional and academic goals. The listing below provides several examples of concentrations.

Early Childhood Education, with add-on license
English as a Second Language, with add-on license
Moderate Disabilities, with add-on license
Electives

Students may choose electives from other graduate programs within the School of Education and Social Policy in consultation with their academic advisor.

Sheltered English Instruction (SEI) - Endorsement Only

Merrimack College offers Sheltered English Instruction (SEI) coursework and endorsement as part of our full bachelor’s and master’s teacher education programs in the School of Education and Social Policy. In addition, Merrimack College has been approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to offer the course for endorsement only. SEI for endorsement only is offered through our teacher education graduate program as a 0-credit, pass/fail course. Students will be enrolled as non-matriculated graduate students, and will receive an official transcript from the College upon request. Once the course is successfully completed, the School of Education and Social Policy will provide the necessary endorsement to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Eligibility Requirements

  • Students must hold an active teaching license through the DESE.
  • Students must have completed an undergraduate program and hold a bachelor’s degree (any discipline).
  • Students must not be currently enrolled in a teacher-education graduate program at Merrimack College.

The graduate-level course is offered for 0-credits, and a pass/fail option.