2015-16 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Education Departments
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Childhood Education and Care Department
Professor Clarke Fowler, Chairperson
Professor: Francesca Pomerantz
Associate Professors: Pamela Ann Halpern, Anneliese Worster
Assistant Professors: Christina Cassano, Melanie Gonzalez, Youn Jung Huh, Megin Charner-Laird, Cami Condie, Dennis Rosemartin, Leigh E. Rohde
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.
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Secondary and Higher Education Department
Professor Michelle Pierce, Chairperson
Professors: Mary-Lou Breitborde, Jaime Wurzel
Associate Professors: Jacy C. Ippolito, Mary Ni, Allan Shwedel
Assistant Professors: Rozana Carducci, Laurie Dickstein-Fischer, Melanie Gonzales, Chad A. Leith, Steven T. Oliver
School of Education - Faculty Emeriti
Professors: Roda P. Amaria, Marjorie Empacher, Edna A. Mauriello, Edwin F. Moran, Jr., Mary E. Kraft Perry, Ellen Rintell, Louise Swiniarski
Associate Professors: Geraldine A. Fera, Henry Hovanasian, Louis J. Theriault
Assistant Professors: Jo-Anne Murphy, Rose Pareti
The Secondary and Higher Education Department also offers an integrated bachelor’s/master’s degree program with an application process occurring in the second year. Students planning to teach a specific content area complete a major in the College of Arts and Sciences in the field of knowledge for which the teaching license is sought, along with a minor in Teacher Education.
Approved licensure programs in conjunction with the teacher education minor are English (8-12), History (5-8 or 8-12), Mathematics (5-8 or 8-12), Spanish (PK-6 or 5-12), Physical Education (Elementary or Secondary), Theatre Arts (PK-12), and Visual Arts (PK-8 or 5-12).
In Fall 2016 the department expects to launch a new concentration within the Educational Studies major with a focus on community education.
Finally, the Secondary and Higher Education Department houses M.Ed. programs in School Counseling and Higher Education-Student Affairs, along with MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) programs in English, Chemistry, History, Mathematics, and Spanish. A CAGS (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study) program in Educational Leadership is available to students who have already completed a master’s degree and wish to seek licensure as school administrators.
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 and Care Department prepares undergraduate students to become educators of early childhood and elementary-aged students. Beginning Fall 2015, we are implementing a 4+1 program leading to a public school teaching license in early childhood (pre-k to 2nd) or elementary education (grades 1-6) with the option of earning a second license in Teaching English as a Second Language or special education through summer coursework. The 4+1 programs are competitive and require a separate eligibility process during the second year.
The second program offered in the Childhood Education and Care Department is the B.S. in Early Care and Education. This is the major for students who are interested in pursuing a career in daycare and private preschool programs. Graduates will earn their EEC lead teacher certification. They will also have the option to complete their Director 1 certification. Focus areas on topics such as early intervention or leadership will be available in the next year or two.
The Secondary and Higher Education Department prepares undergraduate students to be educators in middle and high school settings. This is also a 4+1 program with a separate eligibility process occurring in the second year. 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 in conjunction with the secondary education minor are Art, Biology, Chemistry, English, Geological Sciences (Earth Science), History, Mathematics, Spanish and Theatre Arts. Each major leads to licensure for specific grade levels.
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 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 Education and Care, BS
The School of Education also offers an integrated bachelor’s/master’s degree program in Education with an application process occurring in the second year. Students seeking initial licensure to teach in the public schools must apply to the combined program and complete an approved minor in Teacher Education. Students will apply to the licensure program in the spring of their second year and will begin the licensure program in their third year. Students who successfully complete the undergraduate portion will continue to a fifth year and will graduate with a Master of Education with eligibility for initial licensure at the conclusion of the fifth year of study, assuming all academic and licensure standards are met.
Admissions requirements to the licensure program include, but are not limited to:
- A passing score on the Communication and Literacy portions of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL);
- 3.0 minimum GPA in prior college course work;
- Demonstrated work with children;
- Interview;
- Recommendation form from EDC115 Exploring Education instructor (if class was taken at SSU);
- In-person writing sample from a prompt.
Exceptions may be made to the above-referenced requirements at the discretion of the admissions committee. Retention in the program is based on satisfactory academic progress (maintenance of a 3.0 GPA) and the passing of specific MTEL tests required for licensure in the chosen field. Students who do not meet these retention guidelines must exit the program and complete a degree without licensure.
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 EDU@SSU the education student service center in Sullivan Building 304.
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 career in 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 or Secondary Education minors. 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
Upon completing 45 credit hours (60 for transfers) students must apply for the licensure program. In order to be eligible to apply, students must have done the following:
- Met with an education advisor.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
- Have declared and made appropriate progress in the arts and sciences major.
- Passed the Communication and Literacy Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL), both the reading and writing subtests.
- Obtained a recommendation from a faculty member speaking to the student’s work habits (the recommendation form can be accessed by emailing edussu@salemstate.edu)
- Participated in an on-demand writing sample and interview with education faculty.
Step II
To remain eligible to continue in the licensure program, students must:
- Maintain the cumulative 3.0 GPA.
- Pass the remaining required MTELs (tests vary by licensure area*) on schedule.
- Meet all stated professional attributes.
- Successfully complete all benchmark assessments.
Step III
Students are admitted to a Student Teaching Practicum if they have met the following requirements:
- A 3.0 overall grade point average.
- Successful completion of all prerequisite coursework, including pre-practica field experiences.
- Passing scores on all relevant MTELs*.
- Meet all stated professional attributes.
- Recommendation of methods faculty and supervising classroom teachers from partner schools.
* 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.
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