Education Departments

Childhood Education Department

Professor Clarke Fowler, Chairperson

Professors: Francesca Pomerantz

Associate Professors: Vicky Gallagher, Pamela Ann Halpern, Anneliese Worster

Assistant Professors: Christina Cassano, Megin Charner-Laird, Leigh Rhode

The Childhood Education Department prepares undergraduate students to become educators of early childhood and elementary-aged students. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in early childhood and elementary education leading to teacher licensure. For information about graduate programs, consult the graduate catalog. Top

 Secondary and Higher Education Department

Professor Michelle Pierce, Chairperson

Professor: Mary-Lou Breitborde, Jaime Wurzel

Associate Professors: Allan Shwedel, Jose Salgado

Assistant Professors: Rozana Carducci, Laurie Dickstein-Fischer, Melanie Gonzales, Jacy C. Ippolito, Chad Leith, Mary Ni, Steven Oliver

Faculty Emeriti

Professors: Roda P. Amaria, Stephen J. Clarke, Homer J. Dietmeier, Marjorie Empacher, Edna A. Mauriello, Edwin F. Moran, Jr., Mary E. Kraft Perry, Ellen Rintell, Joseph A. Sullivan, Louise Swiniarski

Associate Professors: Daniel L. Crotty, Geraldine A. Fera, Henry Hovanasian, William R. Stanton, Louis J. Theriault

Assistant Professors: Albert S. Commito, Ruth E. Manghue, Jo-Anne Murphy, Rose Pareti Top 

View Programs and Courses  

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The School of Education at Salem State University continues the proud history of Horace Mann and the establishment of the normal schools in Massachusetts; to provide a high-quality student-centered public education to those who will become the next generations’ leaders. From its beginnings as a small teaching college for women to the large, diverse and comprehensive academic institution it is today, Salem State and its education program remain true to the values of its founders; to serve all of the children and the families in the region, to partner with educational institutions to impact change, and to ensure the vision of excellence and innovation in education envisioned by the founders and now carried forward by the faculty and staff.

Toward this end of excellence and innovation, the School of Education is divided into two departments:  

·         Childhood Education and Care
·         Secondary and Higher Education

 The Childhood Education Department prepares undergraduate students to become educators of early childhood and elementary-aged students. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in early childhood and elementary education leading to teacher licensure. For information about graduate programs, consult the graduate catalog.

In the next couple of years we are planning to implement a 4+1 program leading to license with the option of multiple licenses in ELL, SPED and additional coursework in literacy. In addition we will be offering a B.S. in Early Care and Education for students who are interested in becoming leaders in early childhood education.  

The Secondary and Higher Education Department prepares undergraduate students to be educators in middle and high school settings. Students planning to teach at the middle school level (grades 5-8) or high school level (grades 8-12) complete a major in the School of Arts and Sciences in the field of knowledge for which the teaching license is sought, along with a minor in Secondary Education. Departments offering approved licensure programs for grades 5-12 in conjunction with the secondary education minor are English, History, and Mathematics. Departments offering approved licensure programs for grades 8-12 in conjunction with the secondary education minor are Biology, Chemistry, English, Geological Sciences (Earth Science), History, Mathematics, and Theatre Arts. Additionally, the Department of World Languages and Cultures offers licensure to teach Spanish in grades Pre-K-6 or 5-12 ; the Art Department offers Pre-K-8 or 5-12 licensure programs; and the Sport and Movement Science Department offers options for licensure to teach Physical Education at the Elementary or Secondary level. Please refer to those departmental sections of the catalog for program requirements, as they are concentrations within the major.

 In addition, The Secondary and Higher Education Department houses the higher education program for those seeking a career in student affairs and the leadership program for those students interested in administrative positions in schools In the next year or two we expect to implement not only a 4+1 in secondary education but in addition an educational studies program for students who wish to work as educators and interpreters in non-profit settings such as museums, wildlife sanctuaries and the National Park Service. 

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Science in Education

Concentrations

Early Childhood Education  

Elementary Education  

Teacher Licensure Programs

Early Childhood Education (Grades Pre-K-2)

Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)

Licensure in conjunction with a major in the School of Arts and Sciences:

Subject areas requiring the Secondary Education Minor (30 credits total) :

High School (Grades 8-12) - Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, History, Mathematics, or Theatre Arts

             Middle School (Grades 5-8) - English, History, or Mathematics

Other subject areas available at the graduate level.

Subject areas requiring an education concentration within the major:

Art (Grades Pre-K-8  or5-12 )

Physical Education (Teacher Licensure )

Spanish (Grades Pre-K-6  or 5-12 )

Educational Studies Minor  

The Educational Studies minor consists of five (5) courses (15 credits) in Education, selected with the approval of a chair in the School of Education. The minor is available to students in any major.

Resources for Learning and Educational Practice

Students are encouraged to use the many resources supporting their learning and development as future educators. These include the Office of Licensure and Field Placement, the Education Resource Library (part of the University Library), the SELECT Children’s Literature Review Center, the MTEL Teacher Preparation Center, and the Classroom for Technology-Enhanced Pedagogy.

The School of Education supports two student societies: the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta, an international honor society in education; and the Future Educators Association, open to all students considering a teaching career.

Salem State University Laboratory Schools

The University hosts four laboratory schools on or near campus where Education students may complete field work at any level of their program, from introductory observation experiences to full-time student teaching. The Salem State Pre-School, offering a Reggio Emilia-style curriculum and the literacy-themed Horace Mann Laboratory School are located on campus. The Saltonstall School, a year-round, multiple-intelligence-based school, is a few blocks away. The Robert Ford School in nearby Lynn provides an opportunity for students to experience an urban multicultural community school with extended services for children and families. Students may request placements at these schools depending on course and teacher licensure requirements.

Student Teaching in England

Students who qualify may elect to do one-half of their student teaching Practicum in Yorkshire, England. Supervision of the experience is under the direction of faculty from both Salem State University and Bradford College in the U.K. This program meets all requirements for licensure programs in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, or Secondary Education. 

Licensure Program Requirements

Acceptance into an Education major, minor, or concentration does not automatically enroll a student in a licensure program. Admission into and completion of licensure programs require minimum grade point averages, passing scores on Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), completion of a major in the School of Arts and Sciences, and completion of professional course sequences, including a full semester of student teaching. 

Admission to licensure programs and student teaching practica is a multi-step process. These requirements apply to all students wishing to be accepted into the licensure program, whether they be Education majors, Secondary Education minors, or concentrators within an Arts or Sciences major. Transfer students will complete the requirements according to the number of credit hours accepted for credit upon acceptance in the major.

Additionally, Massachusetts law requires that all schools conduct criminal background checks on current and prospective employees, volunteers, school transportation providers, and others who may have “direct and unmonitored contact with children.” Students must meet the Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI) requirements set by local school districts in order to complete pre-practicum field work and student teaching practica. Students unable to meet those requirements will be unable to complete School of Education licensure programs.

Step I

By the completion of 30 credit hours students should:

1. Meet with their advisor.
2. Complete a practice test for the Communication and Literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

Step II

By the completion of 60 credit hours students are eligible to apply for the licensure program. Admission requirements include:

1. Grades of “C” or better in Composition I and II  and a Speech Communication course.
2. A 2.75 overall grade point average.
3. A passing score on the Communication and Literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL).
4. Successful completion of at least one course in Education.

Step III

By the completion of 75 credit hours students are admitted to the curriculum/methods courses if the previous requirements have been satisfied. Additional requirements include:

1. 3.0 G.P.A. in the Education major or minor and their second major.
   Please note: Students should prepare for remaining portions of MTEL and speak to their advisor about a schedule forcompleting test requirements at this time.*

Step IV

Students are admitted to a Student Teaching Practicum if they have met the following requirements:

1. A 2.75 overall grade point average.
2. A 3.00 grade point average in the Education major or minor, and a 3.00 grade point average in their major in the School of Arts and Sciences.
3. Completion of all prerequisite coursework, including pre-practica field experiences.
4. A passing score on the subject matter content portions of the MTEL.*

 * One or more tests may be required at Step IV, including completion of the Foundations of Reading Test for candidates in Early Childhood and Elementary Programs. Students are encouraged to consult their advisors on a regular basis.  Please note: Teacher Licensure in Massachusetts is subject to regulations by the Massachusetts Department of ESE, and those regulations are subject to change by that Department.

Teacher Licensure-Only Program (TLP)

The post-baccalaureate, non-degree, TLP program allows students who have bachelor’s degrees without licensure the opportunity to obtain endorsement for license by completing a series of professional courses and fieldwork. Requirements for admission to this program are similar to those above; including, 

1. Grades of “C” or better in Composition I and II and a Speech Communication course.
2. A 2.75 overall grade point average in the bachelor’s program.
3. A passing score on the Communication and Literacy portionof the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure.

Particular licensure programs may have additional requirements for admission. Students apply to the Office of Licensure and Field Placement for admission to the TLP program, indicating which teaching license they would like to pursue. Faculty from the appropriate Education or Arts and Sciences department review applicants’ transcripts to assess their background knowledge and experience and to advise them in their plan of study.