Education Initial Teacher Licensure

Program Requirements

In order to qualify for the initial teaching license in Massachusetts at Clark, a student must complete the Master of Arts in Teaching program, one of the University’s accelerated degree programs. To prepare for the Master of Arts in Teaching program, undergraduates must demonstrate knowledge of the subjects corresponding to the teaching field of his or her interest. Students usually demonstrate this knowledge by completing an appropriate arts and sciences major and/or taking courses that fulfill state standards, and earning a bachelor’s degree. As part of the accelerated degree program, all students in addition take education courses that meet the state professional standards for teachers, and must pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure prior to the beginning of the fifth year. The initial teaching license in Massachusetts is honored in most other states, as part of a reciprocity agreement.

The Adam Center for Urban Teaching and School Practice and the Education Department offer an intensive program qualifying students for the Massachusetts initial license at the elementary, middle and secondary levels and leading to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree. Undergraduates take EDUC 152  Complexities of Urban Schooling as a prerequisite for the MAT. Students interested in an education minor can combine this course with others, although the minor is not required for the MAT program (interested students should check with Monique Austin, Education Program Administrator). Qualified undergraduates can begin the MAT program in their senior year as accelerated degree students (see Clark Accelerated B.A./M.A. program requirements).

The MAT program integrates course work with field experiences in nearby partner schools under the guidance of education faculty and expert practitioners. All students take a three course sequence in Teaching and Learning, a “Curriculum and Knowing” Summer Institute, and EDUC 361 - Human Development and Learning . Additional required courses are listed below by teaching level:

Elementary (Grades 1-6) Initial Licensure Program:

EDUC 360 - Literacy Development ; EDUC 383 - Ways of Knowing in History (Elementary, Middle/Secondary) ; EDUC 384 - Ways of Knowing in the Humanities (Elementary, Middle/Secondary) ; EDUC 386 - Ways of Knowing in the Physical and Natural Sciences (Elementary, Middle/Secondary) ; EDUC 387 - Ways of Knowing in Mathematics (Elementary, Middle/Secondary) ; EDUC 388 - Practicum: Elementary Teaching/Learning .

Undergraduate students seeking to qualify for the elementary-teaching license should take a range of courses in the arts and sciences that correspond to state subject-matter knowledge requirements. This requirement may affect a student’s choice of liberal-arts major. Students should contact the Education Program Administrator as early as possible to discuss this and other program requirements.

Middle School (Grades 5-8) Initial Licensure Program

(offered in the following areas: biology, English, general science, history, mathematics and physics):

EDUC 308 - Literacy Across the Curriculum ; EDUC 348 Understanding Best Practices  ; EDUC 380 Teaching English Language Learners ; One “Ways of Knowing” course corresponding to teaching field (see courses in the Elementary program listing above); EDUC 378 - Practicum: Middle-School  

Undergraduate students seeking to qualify for the middle school-teaching license normally complete a major in the subject matter area in which they aim to teach.

Secondary (Grades 8-12) Initial Licensure Program

(offered in the following areas: biology, chemistry, English, French, history, mathematics, physics, Spanish and visual arts):

EDUC 308 - Literacy Across the Curriculum ; EDUC 348 Understanding Best Practices ; EDUC 380 Teaching English Language Learners ; One “Ways of Knowing” course corresponding to teaching field (see courses in the Elementary program listing above); EDUC 379 - Practicum: Secondary Education .

Undergraduate students seeking to qualify for the secondary school-teaching license normally complete a major in the subject matter area in which they aim to teach.