Graduate Teacher Education Program Director: Marie Galinski, Ed.D.
Director, Competency-Based Education Program (CBE): Stacey Klasnick, M.Ed.
The School of Education & 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:
- 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 through the competency-based education (CBE) model
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
- Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) add-on license only
- English as a Second Language (PreK-6), with initial license
- Middle School Education (5-8), with initial license
- High School Education (8-12), with initial license
- Curriculum & Instruction, non-license
For those students who desire more flexibility, Merrimack College offers a competency- based M.Ed. program in teacher education. This competency-based education (CBE) format program 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.
Merrimack complies with individual U.S. state regulations before enrolling students in our online degree programs who reside outside of Massachusetts.
The master of education programs available in CBE (online) format:
- Elementary Education (1-6), with initial license
- Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8), with initial license
- Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8), add-on license only
- English as a Second Language (PreK-6)
- Curriculum & Instruction, non-licensure
In all formats (on campus or online) the master of education in teacher education is a 36-credit program.
Admission Requirements
- Merrimack College application
- Official copy of all college transcripts, including any graduate courses completed at another institution.
- Current resume
- Personal statement (500-1000 words) that answers the question, “What is your interest in pursuing a career in PreK-12 education in Massachusetts, and what have you done to prepare for this career?”
- Two letters of recommendation from a professional or academic reference. Letters should speak to your capacity for completing a graduate program, and interest in pursuing a career in education. References from education related organizations and/or experience are highly recommended, and should be from separate organizations. Letters should be on professional letterhead, signed by the recommender, and in PDF format.
- Copy of current teaching license, if applicable.
Evidence of passing the Communications & Literacy (01) MTEL is highly recommended.
Candidates who indicate they possess a current teaching license, MUST provide evidence of the license upon application. Applications without this information, will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed until a copy of the license is provided to the Graduate Admission 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.
Matriculation in a License Concentration
Applications to the teacher education licensure program are reviewed at two levels:
- Academic ability to succeed in the master of education (M.Ed.) program
- Eligibility for acceptance into a license concentration based on undergraduate course work.
If the Communications & Literacy MTELs have not been passed upon application to the program, student will be assigned to the Curriculum & Instruction concentration. When the student has successfully passed the Communications & Literacy MT, they will be matriculated into their licensure concentration.
*Please note: Students accepted into the Curriculum & Instruction non-licensure concentration will still enroll in courses that are applicable to their intended license, as well as the master’s degree. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor as soon as possible to outline their academic program, as well as a timeline for completion of the MTELs.
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.
Upon re-enrollment in the program, the student will be assigned an academic advisor (new, if necessary) and must meet with their advisor before registering for classes. The student and their advisor will develop an academic plan to guide the student toward completion of the program.
Please refer to the Graduate Academic Policy for additional information about re-applying to the graduate program.
Program Requirements
|
ED5740G
|
Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Classrooms
|
4
|
|
|
Co-requisite: ED 6500G Pre-Practicum Field-Experience I
|
0
|
|
ED5710G
|
Challenges in Learning and Development
|
4
|
|
ED5750G
|
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
|
4
|
|
ED5370G
|
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in Early Childhood Reading and Language Arts
|
4
|
|
ED5380G
|
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in Early Childhood Math
|
4
|
|
ED5300G
|
Teaching Early Childhood STEAM
|
4
|
|
ED5010G
|
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in Social Studies
and World Geography
|
4
|
|
ED6505G
|
Pre-Practicum Field Experience II
|
0
|
|
ED5820G
|
Sheltered English Instruction
|
4
|
|
ED5660G
|
Practicum: Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
|
4
|
|
|
Co-requisite: ED 6510G Practicum Seminar
|
0
|
Students who are ready to participate in the practicum experience must:
- Submit an application of intent to the Field Placement office, with advisor approval.
- Successfully complete all required coursework for the program, and be in good academic standing in the graduate program (3.0 GPA).
- Attend a practicum information seminar.
- Complete all required MTELs for the license.
MTEL Requirements for Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
- Communications & Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
- Early Childhood (02)
- Foundations of Reading (90)
|
ED5740G
|
Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Classrooms
|
4
|
|
|
Co-requisite: ED 6500G Pre-Practicum Field Experience I
|
0
|
|
ED5720G
|
Foundations of Language and Reading
|
4
|
|
ED5200G
|
Reading Strategies and Interventions
|
4
|
|
GRAD519
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Core Math: Numbers and Operations, Function, Geometry and Algebra
|
4
|
|
ED5730G
|
Math Methods for the Elementary School
|
4
|
|
|
Prerequisite: GRAD 519
|
|
|
ED5010G
|
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in Social Studies and World Geography
|
4
|
|
ED5020G
|
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in Science, Health and Physical Education
|
4
|
|
ED6505G
|
Pre-Practicum Field Experience II
|
0
|
|
ED5820G
|
Sheltered English Instruction
|
4
|
|
ED5500G
|
Practicum for Elementary Education (1-6)
|
4
|
|
|
Co-requisite: ED 6510G Practicum Seminar
|
0
|
Students who are ready to participate in the practicum experience must:
- Submit an application of intent to the Field Placement office, with advisor approval.
- Successfully complete all required coursework for the program, and be in good academic standing in the graduate program (3.0 GPA).
- Attend a practicum information seminar.
- Complete all required MTELs for the license.
MTEL Requirements for Elementary Education (1-6):
- Communications & Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
- General Curriculum (03): Math and Multi-Subject subtests
- Foundations of Reading (90)
|
ED5740G
|
Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Classrooms
|
4
|
|
|
Co-requisite: ED 6500G Pre-Practicum Field Experience I
|
0
|
|
ED5710G
|
Challenges in Learning and Development
|
4
|
|
ED200G
|
Reading Strategies and Interventions
|
4
|
|
GRAD519
|
Core Math: Numbers and Operations, Function, Geometry and Algebra
|
4
|
|
ED5730G
|
Math Methods for the Elementary School
|
4
|
|
|
Prerequisite: GRAD 519
|
|
|
ED5810G
|
Assessment and Instruction for Moderate Disabilities Teachers
|
4
|
|
|
Prerequisite: ED 5710G
|
|
|
ED6120G
|
Teaching Science and Social Studies for Moderate Disabilities Teachers
|
4
|
|
ED6505G
|
Pre-Practicum Field Experience II
|
0
|
|
ED5820G
|
Sheltered English Instruction
|
4
|
|
ED5510G
|
Practicum for Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8)
|
4
|
|
|
Co-requisite: ED 6510G Practicum Seminar
|
0
|
Students who are ready to participate in the practicum experience must:
- Submit an application of intent to the Field Placement office, with advisor approval.
- Successfully complete all required coursework for the program, and be in good academic standing in the graduate program (3.0 GPA).
- Attend a practicum information seminar.
- Complete all required MTELs for the license.
MTEL Requirements for Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8):
- Communications & Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
- General Curriculum (03): Math and Multi-Subject subtests
- Foundations of Reading (90)
Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8), add-on 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.
|
ED5710G
|
Challenges in Learning and Development
|
4
|
|
ED5200G
|
Reading Strategies and Interventions
|
4
|
|
ED5810G
|
Assessment and Instruction for Moderate Disabilities Teachers
|
4
|
|
|
Prerequisite: ED 5710G
|
|
|
ED5510G
|
Internship for Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8)
|
4
|
|
|
Co-requisite: ED 6510G Practicum Seminar
|
0
|
Students who are ready to participate in the internship must:
- Submit an application of intent to the Field Placement office, with advisor approval.
- Successfully complete all required coursework for the program, and be in good academic standing (3.0 GPA).
- Attend a practicum information seminar.
- Complete all required MTELs for the license.
MTEL Requirements for Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8):
- Communications & Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
- General Curriculum (03): Math and Multi-Subject subtests
- Foundations of Reading (90)
|
ED5740G
|
Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Classrooms
|
4
|
|
|
Co-requisite: ED 6500G Pre-Practicum Field Experience I
|
0
|
|
ED5910G
|
Foundations for ESL Education
|
4
|
|
ED5900G
|
Linguistic Foundations
|
4
|
|
ED5550G
|
Teaching Reading and Writing Skills to English Language Learners
|
4
|
|
ED5530G
|
Assessment of English Language Learners
|
4
|
|
ED5580G
|
Literature in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classroom
|
4
|
|
ED5560G
|
Teaching Content to English Language Learners
|
4
|
|
ED5590G
|
Current Issues and Trends in ELL
|
4
|
|
ED6505G
|
Pre-Practicum Field Experience II
|
0
|
|
ED5600G
|
Practicum for English as a Second Language (PreK-6)
|
4
|
|
|
Co-requisite: ED 6510G Practicum Seminar
|
0
|
Students who are ready to participate in the practicum field-experience must:
- Submit an application of intent to the Field Placement office, with advisor approval.
- Successfully complete all required coursework for the program, and be in good academic standing in the graduate program (3.0 GPA).
- Attend a practicum information seminar.
- Complete all required MTELs for the license.
MTEL Requirements for English as a Second Language (54):
- Communications & Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
- English as a Second Language (54)
Candidates for a Middle or High School initial license must have obtained the appropriate undergraduate content and/or major prior to enrolling in the graduate teacher education program.
Content concentrations available for the Middle School (5-8) and High School (8-12) initial license are Biology (8-12), Chemistry (8-12), Earth and Space Science (8-12), English (8-12), General Science (8-12), History (8-12), Math (5-8) (8-12), Humanities (8-12), Math/Science (5-8), and Physics (8-12).
|
ED5740G
|
Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Classrooms
|
4
|
|
|
Co-requisite: ED 6500G Pre-Practicum Field Experience I
|
0
|
|
ED5800G
|
Design and Managing Curriculum for Middle and Secondary Classrooms
|
4
|
|
ED5850G
|
Information Technology in Education
|
4
|
|
ED5860G
|
Adolescent Psychology
|
4
|
|
ED5880G
|
Literacies Across the Content Areas
|
4
|
|
ED6050G
|
Methods of Teaching at the Middle/Secondary Level
|
4
|
|
ED6100G
|
Research and Emerging Topics in Education
|
4
|
|
ED6505G
|
Pre-Practicum Field Experience II
|
0
|
|
ED5820G
|
Sheltered English Instruction
|
4
|
|
ED6500G
|
Practicum for Middle School or High School
|
4
|
|
|
Co-requisite: ED 6510G Practicum Seminar
|
0
|
Students who are ready to participate in the practicum experience must:
- Submit an application of intent to the Field Placement office, with advisor approval.
- Successfully complete all required coursework for the program, and be in good academic standing in the graduate program (3.0 GPA).
- Attend a practicum information seminar.
- Complete all required MTELs for the license.
MTEL Requirements for Middle School (5-8) and High School (8-12) Education:
- Communications & Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
- Subject Area (based on licensure concentration)
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 & 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 a teaching license, but want to earn a master’s degree (M.Ed.)
The Curriculum & Instruction program is non-licensure and MTELs are not required for program completion. The Curriculum & Instruction program is not designed to advance a license to professional status.
Core Courses (16 credits)
The core of our program emphasizes social justice and the role that education plays in a democratic, pluralistic, and complex society.
|
ED 5000G
|
Critical Issues in Education
|
4
|
|
ED 6400G
|
Diversity & Social Justice
|
4
|
|
ED 6100G
|
Research Topics in Education
|
4
|
|
GRAD 590
|
Capstone in Education
|
4
|
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 & Instruction.
Areas of Concentration (12 credits)
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.
Literacy
|
ED 5720G
|
Foundations of Language and Reading
|
4
|
|
ED 5200G
|
Reading Interventions and Strategies
|
4
|
|
ED 5880G
|
Literacies Across the Content Areas
|
4
|
English as a Second Language
|
ED 5910G
|
Foundations of ESL
|
4
|
|
ED 5530G
|
Assessment of ESL
|
4
|
|
ED 5590G
|
Issues and Trends in ESL
|
4
|
Leadership and Community Studies
|
ED 6070G
|
Advanced Leadership and Policy in Education
|
4
|
|
CME 5250G
|
School, Family and Community Partnerships
|
4
|
|
CME 5300G
|
Social Policy for Children and Families
|
4
|
Electives (8 credits)
Students may choose electives from other graduate programs within the School of Education & Social Policy in consultation with the academic advisor.