MISSION STATEMENT 
The Department of Education at Assumption University prepares its students to teach effectively in a safe classroom environment. The department also strives to educate its students to exemplify good character and integrity in their professional lives. 

LEARNING GOALS 
By the conclusion of their studies in the Education major, Assumption University students will demonstrate: 

• conceptually sound lesson planning derived from research-based methods 
• effective instructional strategies to meet the needs of all students 
• competent subject matter knowledge  
• the ability to improve practice based upon self-evaluation of teaching 
• a commitment to professional obligations and responsibilities.

PROGRAM INFORMATION 
To achieve excellence in teacher preparation, Assumption programs emphasize liberal arts and science study; an array of preprofessional courses; and guided field experience and supervised teaching practice [practicum] in area schools. This combination provides a mutually reinforcing program of study designed to prepare teachers who are knowledgeable, competent, and reflective. 

Assumption University offers state approved teacher preparation programs for the Massachusetts Initial license in the following areas: 

• Elementary [grades 1–6] 
• Biology [grades 8–12] 
• Chemistry [grades 8–12] 
• English [grades 5–12] 
• General Science [grades 5–8] 
• History [grades 5–12] 
• Mathematics [grades 5–8 or 8–12] 
• Spanish [grades 5–12]

For undergraduate students interested in Special Education, the Education Department offers a special, five-year program enabling a student to complete both a Bachelor of Arts degree in a liberal arts or science and the Master of Arts degree in Special Education. Students who successfully complete the program will be eligible for a Massachusetts Initial license as an elementary, middle, or secondary teacher as well as a Massachusetts Initial license as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities [grades PreK-8 or 5–12].

ADVISING AND BECOMING AN EDUCATION MAJOR
It is recommended that students meet with the Licensure Program Coordinator (LPC) in the Education Department as early as their first year, if they have any interest in teacher licensure. After a student meets with the LPC, their name is placed on the PRE-EDU major list which is sent to the Registrar’s Office. Students begin by taking Stage 1 courses, which are open to all undergraduate students, but preference is given to PRE-EDU majors. 

Students meet with the LPC each semester for advising about course selection, program requirements, and their progress in the Education major. 

Students interested in teacher licensure apply to the Education major during their sophomore year. Once accepted into the Education major (Stage 2), students subsequently declare their major in elementary (1–6), middle (5–8), middle/secondary (5– 12), or secondary (8–12) education. Students who successfully apply to the Education major are permitted to take Stage 2 courses within their respective chosen licensure option. The Stage 3 courses, Practicum and Seminar, are open only to Education majors who have met the retention criteria specified in the catalog. 

Individuals who complete approved programs under the Education major are eligible for licensure reciprocity with the approximately 45 other states that are parties to the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement. 

Note: Assumption University responds to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in matters of teacher licensure. The University reserves the right to modify its major in Education programs accordingly. All Assumption students are alerted to changes in the education program as is appropriate.

TEACHER LICENSURE AREAS 

• Elementary, grades 1-6: Teacher candidates must choose a content major in biology, chemistry, English, environmental science, history, mathematics or Spanish 
• Middle, grades 5-8: Teacher candidates must choose a content major in general science, mathematics 
• Middle/Secondary, grades 5-12: Teacher candidates must choose a content major in English, history, Spanish
•  Secondary, grades 8-12: Teacher candidates must choose a content major in biology, chemistry, mathematics.

The curricular requirements that pertain to each of the licensure areas are found below. Students interested in one of the options should plan accordingly when selecting courses of study as early as the Stage 1 courses (prior to applying to the major).

Students planning to seek licensure as elementary teachers (1–6) should meet with the Licensure Program Coordinator during their first year for program advising and declare their intent to apply by the fall of the sophomore year. Students must apply to the major during their sophomore year. Prior to formal admission into the major, students may enroll in introductory Education courses (Stage 1) during the first year and sophomore year.  

Students wishing to pursue the Elementary Education Major must complete the following REQUIRED COURSES and must obtain a concurrent major of study in one of the following core academic disciplines: English, Spanish, history, math or science, following the Elementary Education Track within that discipline (where indicated), as listed in the Academic Catalog and Advising Guide. 

REQUIRED COURSES for the Elementary Education Major

Assumption College currently offers state-approved programs in the following fields and at the following levels:  

• biology (8-12)
• chemistry (8-12)
• English (5-12)
• general science (5-8)
• history (5-12)      
• mathematics (5-8; 8-12)
• Spanish (5-12)

Students planning to seek licensure as a subject-specific middle/secondary teacher should meet with the Licensure Program Coordinator during their first year for program advising and declare their intent to apply by the fall of the sophomore year. Students must apply to the major during their sophomore year. Prior to formal admission into the major, students may enroll in introductory Education courses (Stage 1) during the first year and sophomore year.

Students wishing to pursue the Middle/Secondary Education major must complete the following REQUIRED COURSES and must also complete a major of study in their chosen academic discipline: biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, or Spanish, as listed in the Academic Catalog and Advising Guide. 

REQUIRED COURSES for the Middle/Secondary Education Major 

Fifth Year Option for the Master of Arts in Special Education 

Initial License

The Special Education program offers a special five-year program that enables an Assumption University undergraduate student to complete requirements for both the Bachelor of Arts degree in an area of the liberal arts and sciences and the Master of Arts in Special Education degree leading to eligibility for the Massachusetts Initial License for Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 or 5-12). Students enrolled in this program will be eligible for Massachusetts licensure as an elementary, middle, or secondary teacher and teacher of students with moderate disabilities.

Undergraduate students who are admitted to the graduate program on early decision must be eligible for an Initial License as an elementary, middle, or secondary teacher. If admitted to the program, they may begin taking graduate courses during the senior year and complete the master's degree requirements in the fifth year of study at the University.

Assumption undergraduate students who are considering early admission for the fifth-year master's program should consult with the 5th year program advisor during the spring semester of the junior year to discuss eligibility and application procedures and to plan a course of study.

Admission Requirements for Fifth Year Option

Assumption University undergraduates who seek early admission to the Master of Arts in Special Education program must meet the following standards:

• Have at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA in their major field of study.
• Have a major in one of the core academic subjects taught in 5-8 or 8-12 for which the Massachusetts Department of Education issues a license and for which the College has a state-approved program.

Students interested in deepening their content and pedagogical knowledge of science, technology, and mathematics beyond the elementary education major are encouraged to consider concentrating in Elementary STEM. Students completing this program will equip themselves with specific knowledge of the STEM subjects they will teach as elementary school teachers, as well as the capability to spark the interest and ability of future STEM students. 

Required Courses for the Concentration in Elementary STEM (6) 

• BIO 140 Inquiry Biology for Educators 
• MAT 150 Numbers and Operations for Educators 
• MAT 151 Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis for Educators 
• EDU 221 Science in the Elementary Curriculum 
• EDU 222 Technology Integration Across the Curriculum 
• EDU 324 Mathematics in the Elementary Curriculum

A minor in education is a good option for those students interested in studying the broader social and foundational dimensions of education, without the requirements for teacher licensure. A minor in Education is available in consultation with the Licensure Program Coordinator. The student who declares the minor in education must take a total of six courses (18 credits) in education and related disciplines. The following four courses are required in addition to two elective courses selected in consultation with the Licensure Program Coordinator and approved by the Education Department Chairperson.

Required Courses for the Minor in Education (4):

• EDU 101 Teachers and Teaching in American Schools
• EDU 260 Teaching Students with Special Needs

One of the following sets of courses:

• EDU 120 Teaching and Learning in the Elementary School AND
• PSY 290 Psychology of Development: Infancy and Childhood

OR

• EDU 140 Teaching and Learning in Middle/ Secondary School AND
• PSY 281 Psychology of Adolescence and Maturity

Possible Elective Courses for the Minor in Education (2):

• ABA 350: Applied Behavior Analysis: Evidence-based Interventions 
• ABA 450: Applied Behavior Analysis: Implications for Practice
• BIO 140 – Inquiry Biology for Educators 
• EDU 265 – Effective Classroom Management
• ENG 263 – Children’s Literature
• HRS 119 – Introduction to Human Rehabilitation Services
• HRS 121 – Human Development and Disability Across 
• MAT 150 – Numbers and Operations for Educators
• MAT 151 – Algebra, Geometry and Data Analysis for Educators
• PSY 290 or PSY 281 (if not used to satisfy an above requirement)
• PSY 210 – Social Psychology
• PSY 253 – Psychology of Learning
• PSY 392 – Raising Happy and Successful Children 
• SOC 121 – Principles of Sociology

*Note: No more than 2 PSY courses will be counted towards the Minor in Education.