Education Programs

• Licensure Programs
  • Early Childhood Teacher
  • Elementary Education Teacher
  • Middle School Education Teacher
  • Secondary School Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher
• Non-Licensure Programs
  • Early Learning: Working with Children 0-6 and their Families
  • Education Minor
• Teaching Specializations
  • Early Care and Education
  • Early Intervention
  • Explorations in the Reggio Emilia Approach
  • Individually Designed
  • Mathematics Education
  • Multicultural Education
  • Reading Specializations
  • Science Education
  • Special Education
  • Teaching English Language Learners
  • Technology and Teaching
• Dual Degree Programs
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Middle School Education

Education Programs

Students in Education Programs may concentrate their study toward licensure in one of five areas: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle School Education, Secondary Education, and Special Education; or in a non-licensure area: Early Learning: Working with Children 0 - 6 and Their Families. This study may be extended through various specializations which enhance students' marketability and efficacy in the educational setting. Some students may elect to minor in Education. In addition, students may apply for acceptance in one of several Dual Degree Programs.

The instructional coursework for each program is designed to prepare students for teaching in a multicultural society and it is based upon a process or clinical approach. Throughout the Lesley curriculum, theory is combined with competency-based practical field work with children and adolescents. Various methodologies are used including formal lectures, round table discussions and/or seminars, and cooperative learning groups. These are combined with collaborative student and faculty interaction to find solutions to the daily problems that aspiring teachers may encounter in their work with students. Appropriate field experiences are arranged in the first, sophomore, and junior years culminating in an intensive student teaching practicum during the senior year.* In this capstone experience, viewed as a synthesis of all that has been learned, students assume their greatest responsibility as future teachers.

Students select a program according to their professional interests and, with the exception of the Early Learning program, determine the teaching license for which they plan to qualify.**

• The Early Childhood Education Major leads to licensure as an early childhood teacher, grades PreK-2.
• The Elementary Education Major leads to licensure as an elementary teacher, grades 1-6.
• The Early Learning Major prepares the student to work with young children and their families in a variety of educational settings. This program does not lead to a teacher licensure.
• The Middle School Education Major leads to licensure as a middle school teacher, grades 5-8.
• The Secondary School Education Major leads to licensure as a high school teacher, grades 8-12.
• The Special Education Major leads to licensure as a teacher of students with moderate disabilities, grades PreK-8.

*The college accepts reasonable responsibility for providing accessible field placements for any handicapped students and for ensuring that the cooperating school understands the student's handicap.

**Teaching licenses described in the catalog are based on the initial license requirements of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Licensure Programs

Early Childhood Teacher

This major leads to initial licensure as a teacher of early childhood, grades PreK-2. Students completing the major may qualify for a variety of positions involving work with young children in nursery schools, kindergartens, and grades one through two. Within the major, students study ways of meeting children's special needs in regular early childhood settings.

Students in the Early Childhood Major must choose a liberal arts major to complement their professional study. Students may choose from nine liberal arts fields:

• Art History
• Child and Family Studies
• English
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Studies
• Global Studies: Politics, Culture, and Society
• History
• History and Literature: American Studies or European and World Studies
• Natural Science: Mathematics and Science

This program requires a minimum of 100 hours of practicum work at the preschool/kindergarten level OR a minimum of 200 hours of practicum work in grade 1 or 2 during the junior year. The senior practicum is a semester experience at the level not chosen for the junior practicum.

Students working toward an Early Childhood Education licensure with an Early Intervention specialization should refer to the "Teaching Specializations" section.

Elementary Teacher

This major leads to initial certification as an elementary teacher, grades 1-6. Students will be especially well qualified to serve as teachers in public and private elementary schools. Within the major, the student will consider the mainstreamed special child in the regular classroom.

The senior practicum will be a semester experience at one level within the 1-6 grade range. Coursework in grades 1-6 gives the student experience with children of different ages and a variety of curricula, organizational studies, and grouping strategies characteristic of the elementary school.

Students in the Elementary Major must choose a liberal arts major to complement their professional study. Students may choose from eight liberal arts fields:

• Art History
• English
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Studies
• Global Studies: Politics, Culture, and Society
• History
• History and Literature: American Studies or European and World Studies
• Natural Science: Mathematics and Science

Middle School Teacher

This major leads to initial licensure as a teacher of general science, mathematics, English, history, or political science/political philosophy in grades 5-8. Students may qualify for positions involving work with middle school-aged children in a variety of middle school settings. The education of teachers for middle schools focuses on teaching the whole child- drawing on the psychology of early adolescence to develop teaching techniques, materials, and curricula particularly relevant to children at this stage of development.

The senior practicum will be a semester experience in one setting within the 5-8 grade range. Course work within grades 5-8 gives the student experience with both children of different ages and a variety of curricula, organizational structures, and grouping strategies characteristic of the middle school.

Students must choose a liberal arts major to complement this major. Students may choose from five liberal arts fields:

• English
• Environmental Science
• Global Studies: Politics, Culture, and Society
• History
• Natural Science: Mathematics and Science

Secondary School Teacher

This major leads to initial licensure as a teacher of English, history, or political science/political philosophy in grades 8-12. Students may qualify for positions involving work with high school students in a variety of secondary school settings. The education of teachers for secondary school draws on the psychology of adolescence to develop teaching techniques, materials, and curricula particularly relevant to students at this stage of development.

The senior practicum will be a semester experience in one setting within the 8-12 grade range. Coursework within grades 8-12 gives the student experience with both adolescents of different ages and a variety of curricula, organizational structures, and grouping strategies characteristic of the secondary school.

Students must choose a liberal arts major to complement this major. Students may choose from three liberal arts fields:

• English
• Global Studies: Politics, Culture, and Society
• History

Special Education Teacher

This major leads to initial licensure as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8). This program focuses on the development of students' potential in an inclusive learning community. Prospective teachers in this major develop expertise in assessment, curriculum design, and instructional techniques that provide access to the learning environment. There is an emphasis on the development of skills that lead to the successful collaboration between special and general education.

The senior practicum will be a full semester experience at one level within a PreK-8 setting serving students with special needs.

Students in the Special Education major must choose a liberal arts major to complement their professional study. Students may choose from eight liberal arts fields:

• Art History
• English
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Studies
• Global Studies: Politics, Culture, and Society
• History
• History and Literature: American Studies or European and World Studies
• Natural Science: Mathematics and Science

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Non-Licensure Programs in Education

Early Learning: Working with Children 0-6 and Their Families

This major is designed for students seeking to work with young children 0-6 years old and their families in educational settings that do not require licensure from the Massachusetts Department of Education. Such settings may include early care and education programs, private schools, early intervention programs, and other specialized education settings such as Early Head Start, Even Start, Healthy Families program, Early Intervention, or museums.

Education Minor

This minor provides students with the opportunity to explore the field of education by combining coursework with experiences in a variety of educational settings. A variety of Education specializations are available to Education minors.

Minors which complement the major

If a student decides to complete a specialization in Early Intervention, Explorations in the Reggio Emilia Approach, Early Care and Education, or Emergent Literacy, s/he must choose a minor in Psychology. If a student chooses to complete any other specialization or chooses not to pursue a specialization, s/he may choose any liberal arts minor.

Teaching Specializations

The following specializations allow students opportunities for in-depth study in the teaching of a particular subject or population. Individual courses may be taken by any student as long as prerequisites are met. Although specializations enhance a student's professional qualifications, specializations do not lead to additional teacher licenses.

Early Care and Education

This specialization is open to students majoring or minoring in Early Childhood Education or majoring Early Learning. As part of their work, students will focus on curriculum planning in daycare with infants and toddlers, or preschoolers or school-age children. Included in the administration course is a one-day-a-week practicum with a daycare administrator, advocate, or policy planner. In completing this specialization, the student will have completed the coursework to be Director I qualified (Massachusetts Office of Child Services Regulations).

Early Intervention

This specialization is open to students majoring in Early Childhood Education, Early Learning, or Child and Family Studies who wish to work as developmental therapists with infants and toddlers with special needs and their families in early intervention/home-based settings. Pending program approval from the Department of Public Health, students may apply for certification with advanced standing as Early Intervention Specialists.

Explorations in the Reggio Emilia Approach

This specialization is open to students majoring or minoring in Early Childhood Education or majoring in Early Learning. Students develop a deeper understanding of long-term investigations, documentation, and the use of symbolic materials in learning through the Reggio approach.

Individually Designed

This specialization provides students with the opportunity to explore areas of teaching not covered by more prescribed specializations. Students directly integrate field work with coursework and draw upon the expertise of a particular faculty member.

Mathematics Education

This specialization is designed to provide future classroom teachers with particular preparation in the teaching of mathematics. A graduate with this specialization is well-qualified to serve as a building resource person and to assume a leadership role in the development of instructional activities in school mathematics.

Multicultural Education

This specialization is designed for students wishing additional preparation in addressing the challenges and opportunities involved in teaching in a diverse society. Aspiring teachers will have the chance to deepen their knowledge and develop strategies to examine significant issues. These include class, culture, ethnicity, gender, language, sexual orientation, and religion.

Reading Specializations

1. Emergent Literacy- This specialization is open to students majoring or minoring in Early Childhood Education or majoring in Early Learning who wish to gain more in-depth knowledge about young children's oral language development and their interactions with reading and writing.

2. Teaching Reading- This specialization provides in-depth training in the teaching of reading. Graduates in this area are well qualified to assume instructional responsibilities for the teaching of reading and language arts in self-contained classrooms or in team teaching situations. Students must achieve a grade of B or higher in all coursework taken for this specialization.

Science Education

This specialization is designed to provide future classroom teachers with particular preparation in the teaching of science. A graduate with this specialization is well-qualified to serve as a resource person and to assume a leadership role in the development of instructional activities in school science.

Special Education

The specialization in Special Education is open to all students majoring or minoring in general education. Students choose a track dependent on their licensure program. The coursework in this specialization strengthens the general educator's ability to meet the diverse learning needs of students in today's inclusive classrooms. The required courses provide in-depth study in alternative assessment, curriculum adaptation, and instructional strategies for students with special learning needs.

Teaching English Language Learners

This specialization provides students with more focused study in the issues faced by English language learners and specific ways to better address their learning needs.

Technology and Teaching

This specialization is designed for students wishing to gain further expertise in the use of technology. As part of their work, students will gain additional technical skills as well as knowledge in how to integrate these skills in the classroom.

Dual Degree Programs

The dual degree programs provide opportunities for students to meet requirements for a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in an accelerated program that prepares them to teach in early childhood; elementary education; and middle school: English, general science, history, or political science/political philosophy. Full-time students can usually complete a dual degree program in five years. The dual degree programs are designed for students who demonstrate a high degree of maturity and academic potential. They require students to meet high standards of academic achievement in both their undergraduate and graduate level coursework. Students admitted to Lesley College may apply for admission to the dual degree programs in their sophomore or junior years. Specific requirements for admission are set by each one of these programs. Students interested in pursuing a dual degree should contact the advisor for the program of his/her choice in order to obtain further information.

Early Childhood Education

In order to be accepted into this program, the student must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher during the first four semesters of college. Formal application involved creating a portfolio application which is reviewed by a team of undergraduate and graduate faculty. This formal portfolio application is due at the end of sophomore year. Transfer students should consult the program's advisor about application.

Elementary Education

In order to be accepted into this program, the student must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher during the first four semesters of college. Formal application involves creating a portfolio application which is reviewed by a team of undergraduate and graduate faculty. This formal portfolio application is due at the end of sophomore year. transfer students should consult the program's advisor about application.

Middle School Education

In order to be accepted into this program, the student must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher during the first four semesters of college. Formal application involves creating a portfolio application which is reviewed by a team of undergraduate and graduate faculty. This formal portfolio application is due at the end of sophomore year. Transfer students should consult the program's advisor about application.

Field Experiences and Practicum

Lesley offers its students the opportunity to gain classroom experience prior to their senior student teaching. This component of the Education Program is an essential way to integrate coursework with actual application. During the Freshman and Sophomore years, students will be in the field one day per week for one semester. This early field experience is integrated into CEDUC 1352 Education: Teaching, Learning and Social Responsibility and CEDUC 2351 Early Childhood Education, CEDUC 2352 Elementary Education, CEDUC 2353 Middle School Education, CEDUC 2353 Middle and High School Education, or CEDUC 2354 Special Education. Field experiences may also occur for designated periods of time as part of assignments given in other classes.

The Education program's faculty enjoys a cooperative and collegial relationship with a number of schools and districts in Massachusetts. Lesley College acknowledges the cooperation of many schools, agencies, and public and private institutions that have provided training for students in our Education programs.

Learn more about the Education major requirements