M.Ed. in Elementary Education (1-6) 40 credits
This program of study is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Initial Teacher License in Elementary (1-6) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
This program provides participants with the knowledge, skills, experiences, and supports needed to become effective, licensed teachers in 21st century schools. The program, featuring courses delivered in four phases, incorporates Lesley's commitment to culturally responsive teaching, equity, the arts, inclusive classrooms, differentiated instruction, interdisciplinary teaching, a focus on Common Core Standards, and the integration of theory with practice. Candidates build deep relationships with schools as they practice teaching in a variety of settings through coursework, early field experience, and practicum. Candidates are eligible to apply for paid, year-long school-based internships. Appropriate for students with undergraduate degrees who wish to become teachers of children in grades 1-6.
While early field-based experiences are encouraged and courses have field-based assignments, the 75-hour early field experience required for EEDUC 7733 Practicum and Seminar in Elementary Education (1-6) is integrated within the course EEDUC 6635 Theory and Practice: Establishing a Contemporary Context for Teaching.
The pathway to licensure is fully supported through ongoing advising, and a wide range of content and state testing supports. If candidates choose to continue their studies, some courses within the program can count toward additional and/or Professional licenses.
Program Prerequisite: An approved child development course completed with a grade of B or better. Without such a course, students may be accepted into the program but must take EEDUC 5122 Development and Learning: Psycho-social Perspectives in Education in their first semester of study.
Program of Study
Courses may have prerequisites for registration; please check course descriptions before registering.
Program phases parallel the recommended course sequence. Any changes must be approved in consultation with academic advisor. Students meet for an advising support session following each phase, and more often if needed.
Phase I (12 credits):
| EARED 6003 | Equity, Access, and Inclusion through Arts Based Inquiry | 3 |
| EEDUC 5400 | Literacy and Literature: Methods and Materials (1-6) | 3 |
| EEDUC 5102 | Teaching Elementary School Mathematics | 3 |
| ESPED 5037 | Strategies for Inclusive Schooling | 3 |
| EMATH 6108 | Constructing Mathematical Understanding for Number Theory | 3 |
Phase II (7 credits):
| EECLD 6115 | Sheltered English Instruction (PreK-6) | 4 |
| EEDUC 6635 | Theory and Practice: A Contemporary Context for Teaching | 3 |
EECLD 6115 may be waived with documented state approved Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) endorsement, which would reduce total number of program credits to 36.
Phase III (12 credits):
| EEDUC 6173 | Literacy in the Disciplines (1-6) | 3 |
| EEDUC 5135 | STEAM in the Elementary School: Thinking with Evidence | 3 |
| EEDUC 5136 | Integrating Social Studies into the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
Phase IV (9 credits):
| EEDUC 6310 | Designing a New Context for Learning | 3 |
| EEDUC 7733 | Practicum and Seminar in Elementary Education (1-6) | 6 |
EEDUC 7733 Requirements: Before enrolling, students must have passed the appropriate Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). This full-time, full-semester experience is accompanied by a weekly seminar and requires a field experience fee.