The elementary education initial licensure MEd program prepares students to become Massachusetts state licensed elementary school teachers for grades 1-6.
The program is designed for both people new to the education profession as well as for people who have previously worked in school settings (e.g., paraprofessionals).
The coursework provides a strong foundation in theoretical, pedagogical, and conceptual knowledge and practice. A majority of the online courses are offered in a synchronous modality, with a few that are asynchronous.
MULTIPLE PATHWAYS EXPERIENTIAL CURRICULUM
ONE-YEAR PROGRAM
Beginning in May and completing the program by the following May.
Summer: Stage 1 foundation courses
Fall and Spring: Stage 2 and 3 coursework (methods and seminars) and experiential portion (full-year, full-time on-site placement pre-practicum and practicum)
TWO-YEAR PROGRAM
Begin in September or January and complete the program at the end of the second spring term.
First Fall/Spring/Summer: Stage 1 foundation courses
Second Fall and Spring: Stage 2 and 3 coursework (methods and seminars) and experiential portion (full-year, full-time on-site placement pre-practicum and practicum)
THREE-YEAR (+) PROGRAM
You can take the program slowly, and your full-year experiential/ on-site placement would be your last year.
FULL-TIME EXPERIENTIAL PLACEMENT OPTIONS
THERE ARE THREE OPTIONS FOR FULFILLING YOUR FULL TIME PLACEMENT.
1. Existing Job
An existing job as a para, emergency hire teacher, or a full-time teacher position
2. Fellowship
A limited number of fellowships may be available each year to qualified applicants and funded by partner school districts. Fellowships pay a comparable stipend with para positions. There are few teaching fellowships paying a teaching salary.
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for entry into a fellowship.
3. Placement Without Pay
A placement without pay, where we find a full-time position for the teacher candidate in an elementary classroom.
ONLINE COURSE FLOW
Most of our online courses are synchronous and meet after 4:30 on weekdays. A portion of the online courses are asynchronous and do not have set meeting times. Professors have weekly online office hours for real-time meetings.
Stage 1: Foundation courses (available fall, spring and summer, depending on the pathway chosen)
Stage 2: Methods/pre-practicum full-time in a real classroom setting (fall)
Stage 3: Methods/practicum (spring)
IF ELECTING TO ADD ON A SPECIAL EDUCATION LICENSE:
Second Summer: Special education coursework
Second Fall 2: Special education practicum and seminar
MTEL EXAMS AND THEIR ROLE IN LICENSURE
MTELs are not currently required for admission. The successful completion of the state-accredited initial licensure program in elementary education will lead to an initial license endorsement. To obtain your initial license, you need an endorsement for an initial license from an accrediting institution and passing scores on your MTELs.
LICENSURE: PROGRAM + MTEL = GETTING YOUR LICENSE
Successfully completing a licensure program, obtaining an endorsement for licensure, and passing the required MTELs will lead to an initial license.
LICENSURE PROGRAM ENDORSEMENT
Successful completion of the initial licensure program at Salem State will lead to an endorsement for licensure.
MTEL
Pass the required MTEL exams for your licensure area.
INITIAL LICENSE IN MA
To obtain your license in MA, you need to successfully complete a licensure program, and get your endorsement PLUS pass the required MTEL exams.
The required MTELs for elementary education can be found at the MTEL website: www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/testrequire.html .
• Communication and Literacy (often referred to as Reading and Writing and often taken on the same day)
• Foundations of Reading (Reading (62) will also meet this requirement))
General curriculum, including two subtests, typically taken on different days:
• Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science (178)
• Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering (278)
Visit the MTEL website for information on approved alternatives.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• All online program, with synchronous and asynchronous coursework.
• Cohort model to study with a group of students throughout the year.
• Internationally-renowned faculty focused on co-constructing educational experiences contextualized in transformational learning of educational theory, content, pedagogy, and practice.
• Full-year, full-time on-site placement in an elementary classroom that can be completed in an existing or new classroom job, by available paid fellowships, or in an unpaid on-site placement.
• Unique experiential learning opportunities to bring educational theory into practice within the context of elementary schools.
• Spiraling curriculum designed to best meet the needs of teacher candidates building their teaching skill set.
• A course sequence designed to obtain an initial license and a master’s degree in one year, with available options for two or more years.
CAREERS
The program is designed to prepare teacher candidates to become successful, culturally responsive, and reflective elementary school educators for grades 1-6 in the diverse public schools of the state of Massachusetts. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate that Massachusetts elementary school teachers earn an average annual salary of $71,309. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development projects 141 average annual job openings due to growth and 573 average annual job openings due to replacements for elementary school teachers.
ADMISSION
Deadline and Timeline
Full-time experiential learning can be fulfilled by a paid fellowship.
Admissions is rolling. The cohort program begins in late May each year and is planned to be completed within the year. Students can begin on foundation courses earlier if they plan to start at a different time in the year. Additionally, students may pace their progress and complete the program in 2-3 years.
Fellowships applications are due March 1 prior to the full-time fall-spring on-site placement. Paid fellowships are competitive and the following will be taken into account when reviewing applications: Work experience, undergraduate GPA and grades in any graduate courses take prior to fellowship application.
References are an important supplement to your academic background, so carefully manage your references. Salem State accepts professional (supervisors, etc.) or academic (professors, etc.) references; family/friends are not appropriate sources of references.
• Enter the reference information into your online application first, so they can work on the reference while you are filling out the other sections of the online application.
• School-related email addresses especially K-12 should not be used for reference communication given the firewalls at educational institutions.
• You can submit your application even if your references have not yet been submitted.
COST
For Massachusetts residents, each credits costs $464.30*, including tuition and fees. For non-Massachusetts residents, each credit costs $559.40.* The program is 30-39.5 credits depending on which competencies they have met prior to admission. For assistance funding your graduate education, options such as financial aid, graduate assistantships, employer reimbursement and tuition remission, and veteran’s benefits may be available.
