Undergraduate Programs

Elementary and Special Ed or Middle and Secondary Education

This five-year program prepares you to teach a specific discipline. You gain in-depth knowledge in that discipline as you earn a bachelor’s degree and develop strong teaching skills as you earn a master’s degree in secondary education.

Students select a major for their bachelor's degree from among the following disciplines:

“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” 

— Marian Wright Edelman

English (5-8)(8-12) ;
History (5-8)(8-12);
Math (5-8)(8-12);
General Science (5-8);
Biology (8-12);
Chemistry (8-12) and Physics (8-12)
French (8-12)
Spanish (8-12)
Portuguese (8-12)

After completing your senior year, you receive a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in your chosen major. Your graduate work begins your junior year, as you will take four additional, advanced courses in education, content, or special education, with these credits applied to both your bachelor's and master's degrees.

The current program of study allows you to obtain your initial license prior to obtaining your master’s degree. This is advantageous because:

It allows you to begin teaching with an initial license after 18 credits making our program highly competitive with alternative teacher education programs.
It provides flexibility if you are a student with a particular focus in mind
It allows for students who have been teaching to couple the requirements for Initial and Professional licensure in one program making it a highly efficient model if you have experience in the classroom and have a basis in pedagogy as provided by your current district.
It allows teacher candidates who are working full time to complete their graduate programs on a part time basis.

The program prepares you to get your initial licensure through the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and includes students who are currently teaching on preliminary licenses and need to get their initial license in order to remain in teaching.

Initial licensure involves passing several of the Massachusetts Tests for Educators Licensure (MTEL), which include: the Communication and Literacy Skills (Reading and Writing), and Content /Subject MTEL tests. In addition, you are required to complete an approved educator preparation program that includes both pre-practicum experiences and a full-semester practicum that addresses the state Subject Matter standards (SMK) and Professional Standards for Teachers (PST).

Program Goals

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Teacher Educator program seeks to develop thoughtful and responsive educators who serve the needs of a diverse student population. In particular, we follow the mission of the University and SEPPCE as well as the conceptual framework for the unit, which is to prepare "thoughtful and responsive educators" (See Student Teacher Handbooks). The program outcomes include knowledge, skills, and dispositions noted in that document. The expectation is that students demonstrate:

COMMITMENTS (by upholding ethical behaviors, pursuing lifelong learning, dedicating oneself to serve others, and by acknowledging human resiliency and capability to learn)
UNDERSTANDINGS (by possessing breadth and depth in content and pedagogical knowledge, assessment practices, and the use of technology in practices)
PRACTICES (by demonstrating caring behavior and by collaborating productively with others, reflecting on how to improve professional practices, and promoting social justice as a social change agent)

The Post-Baccalaureate Licensure Option

If you already possess a master's degree, this option is for you. You take only the courses needed for Initial Licensure and the practicum (18 credits). During your student teaching/practicum, you complete a portfolio, which involves a number of assignments including