Joseph Cambone, Dean
Nicole Harris-Sealey, Associate Dean
The School of Education offers a wide variety of programs for individuals eager to have careers in public schools, early care and education centers, colleges and universities, and nonprofit, community-based education enterprises. Students range from “traditional” students coming directly from high school, transfer students, career-changers, and veterans, and among each of these groups are people who are first in their families to attend college.
The School of Education continues to seek out and educate engaged students who are as diverse in their backgrounds, beliefs, and goals as are the citizens of the Commonwealth they will eventually serve.
Departments
Childhood Education and Care
Secondary and Higher Education
Our Mission
The mission of the School of Education is to develop inquisitive, reflective and culturally responsive teachers and leaders who value collaborative professional communities and whose practice engages students in transformative learning.
Programs Offered
Bachelor of Science in Education
- Early Education and Care
- Educational Studies
Combined Undergraduate/Graduate Teacher Licensure Degrees (4+1)
The 4+1 program offers education majors a joint bachelor’s and master’s degree with initial licensure to teach in Massachusetts public schools in either:
- Early Childhood Education (grades prek-2)
- Elementary Education (grades 1-6)
This program offers the option of earning a second initial license in Special Education or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages by completing additional courses which may require summer coursework.
Combined Undergraduate/Graduate Programs with the Teacher Education Minor (4+1)
Students who major in the listed content areas also have 4+1 program options leading to a joint bachelor’s and master’s degree with initial licensure to teach in Massachusetts public schools in:
- English
- History
- Mathematics
- Physical Education
- Theater Arts
- Spanish
This path also offers the option of earning a second initial license in Special Education or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages by completing additional courses which may require summer coursework
Educational Studies Minor
Students in any major outside of education can choose educational studies as a minor to explore an interest in our varied systems of education. The minor requires 15 credits of education electives. Students interested in pursuing a teaching license at the graduate level should speak with an education advisor about using the education minor as a bridge to a graduate initial licensure teacher preparation program.
School of Education Student Support Office
In 2014, the School of Education opened the doors to its Student Services Center. This office, located in the Sullivan Building, room 304, serves the needs of students affiliated with School of Education. From advising and licensure questions, to MTEL (Massachusetts test for educator licensure) preparation, and a comfortable place to study between classes, the staff of this office is there day and evening to support students in their programs.
Programs in the School of Education
The Early Education and Care concentration is a four year program that leads students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree that can include Early Education and Care Lead Teacher and Director I certification. The program incorporates extensive workplace experience across a range of early childhood settings. Upon graduation students will be ready to teach in private daycare and preschool settings, to take on leadership roles in early childhood contexts, or to work at the state or national level on policy or advocacy.
Students who enter Salem State already EEC lead teacher qualified can design their program to document expertise in leadership, literacy, early intervention, family integration and involvement, or early childhood policy.
The Educational Studies concentration is a four year program that leads students to pursue a chosen career path in areas such as community education, international education, out-of-school programming, or higher education. With a heavy internship focus and coursework in grant writing, recruiting participant interest, and educational planning graduates are ready to pursue work in education oriented for- and non-profit venues or to move on to graduate programming.
The 4+1 programs offer a joint bachelor’s and master’s degree for students in a variety of concentrations and content areas.
The combined bachelors and masters 4+1 in elementary and early childhood programs are designed to send expertly prepared, experienced teachers into our public school classrooms. Our programs combine intensive, early experiences in our partner schools with rigorous academic expectations.
During their first two years at the university, potential 4+1 early childhood and elementary education candidates are advised to complete their general education requirements, their required education support courses, and to make headway into their mandatory content major.
Prior to February 1, spring of their sophomore year, all candidates for the 4+1 programs must pass the Communication & Literacy MTEL and elementary candidates must also pass the math subtest of the General Curriculum MTEL, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, and obtain a work habits recommendation from a faculty member. Students who meet these standards will be invited to complete a proctored writing sample and to interview before a faculty panel. Students who are found eligible for the program will be informed prior to spring advising of their sophomore year.
4+1 programs are also available for students planning to teach a specific content or specialized area. Candidates seeking a teaching license in English, history math, physical education, Spanish, or theatre will complete a major in the in the field of knowledge for which the teaching license is sought, along with the minor in teacher education.
Students in the 4+1 programs also have the option to take additional coursework to obtain a second license in special education or English as a second language.
Students accepted into the 4+1 program will, as part of their program, after passing all required MTELs, complete a full year of student teaching practicum experience.
Lifespan of Licensure Courses
No education courses that are part of or required for a teacher licensure course sequence may be more than seven years old at the start of a student teaching practicum.
Students who wish to appeal this policy may file an appeal with the chair and/or coordinator of their program. Students who file an appeal should provide a course-by-course explanation of how they have kept current in the content area of each course (e.g., by working in a classroom that employs specific curricular approaches, taking professional development workshops, attending lectures, etc.).
Policy for Students Who Do Not Complete the Fifth Year of the 4+1 Program in Education
In unusual circumstances, a student enrolled in the combined BS/MEd program in education may petition the Dean of the School of Education to be awarded a BS in Education without the MEd and licensure endorsement. If the student’s petition is successful, course substitutions in lieu of field-based courses may be recommended and selected in consultation with the student’s program coordinator or chairperson. In such cases, the minimum number of education major credits for the BS in Education is 36.
Childhood Education & Care
Concentration/Option
Secondary & Higher Education
Major
Minor
