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
- 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
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 initial license from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.) License-only options are available in both the on-campus and online formats.
- English as a Second Language (PreK-6) add-on license
- Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) add-on license
What is CBE?
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
- Moderation Disabilities (PreK-8), with initial license
- English as a Second Language (PreK-6), with initial license
- Curriculum & Instruction
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 for each license program are listed below.
Early Childhood Education (PreK-2), Master’s plus initial license
|
ED 5740G
|
Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Classrooms
Co-requisite: ED 6500G Pre-Practicum Field Experience I
|
4
0
|
|
ED 5710G
|
Challenges in Learning and Development
|
4
|
|
ED 575G
|
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
|
4
|
|
ED 537G
|
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in Early Childhood Reading and Language Arts
|
4
|
|
ED 538G
|
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in Early Childhood Math
Co-requisite: ED 6505G Pre-Practicum Field Experience II
|
4
0
|
|
ED 5300G
|
Teaching Early Childhood STEAM
|
4
|
|
ED 501G
|
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in Social Studies and World Geography
|
4
|
|
ED 582G
|
Sheltered English Instruction
Co-requisite: ED 6507G Pre-Practicum Field Experience III
|
4
0
|
|
ED 566G
|
Practicum: Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
Co-requisite: ED 6510G Practicum Seminar
|
4
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)
Elementary Education (1-6), Master’s plus initial license
|
ED 5740G
|
Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Classrooms
Co-requisite: ED 6500G Pre-Practicum Field Experience I
|
4
0
|
|
ED 5720G
|
Foundations of Language and Reading
|
4
|
|
ED 5200G
|
Reading Strategies and Interventions
|
4
|
|
GRAD 519
|
Core Math
|
4
|
|
ED 5730G
|
Math Methods for Elementary
Pre-requisite: GRAD 519
Co-requisite: ED 6505G Pre-Practicum Field Experience II
|
4
0
|
|
ED 501G
|
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in Social Studies and World Geography
|
4
|
|
ED 502G
|
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in Science, Health and Physical Education
|
4
|
|
ED 582G
|
Sheltered English Instruction
Co-requisite: ED 6507G Pre-Practicum Field Experience III
|
4
0
|
|
ED 550G
|
Practicum: Elementary Education (1-6)
Co-requisite: ED 6510G Practicum Seminar
|
4
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)
Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8), Master’s plus initial license
|
ED 5740G
|
Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Classrooms
Co-requisite: ED 6500G Pre-Practicum Field Experience I
|
4
0
|
|
ED 5710G
|
Challenges in Learning and Development
|
4
|
|
ED 5200G
|
Reading Strategies and Interventions
|
4
|
|
GRAD 519
|
Core Math
|
4
|
|
ED 5730G
|
Math Methods for Elementary
Pre-requisite: GRAD 519
Co-requisite: ED 6505G Pre-Practicum Field Experience II
|
4
0
|
|
ED 5810G
|
Assessment and Instruction for Moderate Disabilities Teacher
Pre-requisite: ED 5710G
|
4
|
|
ED 6120G
|
Teaching Science and Social Studies for Moderate Disabilities Teachers
|
4
|
|
ED 582G
|
Sheltered English Instruction
Co-requisite: ED 6507G Pre-Practicum Field Experience III
|
4
0
|
|
ED 551G
|
Practicum: Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8)
Co-requisite: ED 6510G Practicum Seminar
|
4
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.
|
ED 5710G
|
Challenges in Learning and Development
|
4
|
|
ED 5200G
|
Reading Strategies and Interventions
|
4
|
|
ED 5810G
|
Assessment and Instruction for Moderate Disabilities Teacher
Pre-requisite: ED 5710G
|
4
|
|
ED 655G
|
Internship: Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8)
|
4
|
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 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)
English as a Second Language (PreK-6), Master’s plus initial license
|
ED 5740G
|
Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Classrooms
Co-requisite: ED 6500G Pre-Practicum Field Experience I
|
4
0
|
|
ED 5910G
|
Foundations for ESL Education
|
4
|
|
ED 5900G
|
Linguistic Foundations
|
4
|
|
ED 555G
|
Teaching Reading and Writing Skills to English Language Learners
|
4
|
|
ED 553G
|
Assessment of English Language Learners
Co-requisite: ED 6505G Pre-Practicum Field Experience II
|
4
0
|
|
ED 558G
|
Literature in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classroom
|
4
|
|
ED 556G
|
Teaching Content to English Language Learners
Co-requisite: ED 6507G Pre-Practicum Field Experience III
|
4
0
|
|
ED 559G
|
Current Issues and Trends in ELL
|
4
|
|
ED 560G
|
Practicum: English as a Second Language (PreK-6)
Co-requisite: ED 6510G Practicum Seminar
|
4
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 English as a Second Language (PreK-6):
- Communications & Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
- English as a Second Language (54)
English as a Second Language (PreK-6), add-on 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.
|
ED 5910G
|
Foundations for ESL Education
|
4
|
|
ED 5900G
|
Linguistic Foundations
|
4
|
|
ED 553G
|
Assessment of English Language Learners
|
4
|
|
ED 556G
|
Teaching Content to English Language Learners
|
4
|
|
ED 655G
|
Internship: English as a Second Language (PreK-6)
|
4
|
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 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 (PreK-6):
- Communications & 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 must 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.
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 (5-12)
- Math (5-8)
- Math (8-12)
- Math/Science (5-8)
- Physics (8-12)
|
ED 5740G
|
Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Classrooms
Co-requisite: ED 6500G Pre-Practicum Field Experience I
|
4
0
|
|
ED 5800G
|
Design and Managing Curriculum for Middle and Secondary Classrooms
|
4
|
|
ED 5850G
|
Information Technology in Education
|
4
|
|
ED 5860G
|
Adolescent Psychology
|
4
|
|
ED 5880G
|
Literacies Across the Content Areas
Co-requisite: ED 6505G Pre-Practicum Field Experience II
|
4
0
|
|
ED 605G
|
Methods of Teaching at the Middle/High School Level
|
4
|
|
ED 6100G
|
Research and Emerging Topics in Education
|
4
|
|
ED 582G
|
Sheltered English Instruction
Co-requisite: ED 6507G Pre-Practicum Field Experience III
|
4
0
|
|
ED 650G
|
Practicum: Middle School Education (5-8) or High School Education (8-12)
Co-requisite: ED 6510G Practicum Seminar
|
4
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) or High School (8-12):
- Communications & Literacy Skills (01): Reading and Writing subtests
- Subject Area
Curriculum & 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 & 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 640G
|
Diversity and Social Justice
|
4
|
|
ED 6100G
|
Research and Emerging Topics in Education
|
4
|
|
GRAD 590
|
Capstone
|
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 for ESL Education
|
4
|
|
ED 553G
|
Assessment of English Language Learners
|
4
|
|
ED 559G
|
Current Issues and Trends in ELL
|
4
|
Leadership and Community Studies
|
ED 607G
|
Advanced Leadership and Policy and Education
|
4
|
|
CME 525G
|
School, Family and Community Partnerships
|
4
|
|
CME 530G
|
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.
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 nonmatriculated 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 (ESE).
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.
| ED 582G |
Sheltered English Instruction |
0 |
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