English, with Initial Teaching Licensure, M.A.

The M.A. with initial license programs offers students an initial license in middle or secondary English Language Arts as well as advanced courses in English language, rhetoric and literature. Students gain competency in both the pedagogy and subject matter required for successful teaching in English Language Arts.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites for Admission to the Program:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
Minimum of 18 hours in English above Composition at the undergraduate level.*
A 3.0 (B) average in all English courses is required, as is a 2.8 overall G.P.A.
Graduate Record Examination or Miller Analogies Test scores should be above the 50^th percentile.
A writing sample, preferably a literary essay, is required.

*Students may be required to fulfill undergraduate prerequisites as determined by the Graduate Advisor.

Procedures for Admission to the Program:

Apply for admission to the Westfield State University Graduate Program.
Obtain a Graduate Program of Study form from the Office of Graduate Studies.
Schedule an appointment with the English Department Advisor to complete the Graduate Program of Study form. Secure the signatures of the Advisor, the Department Chair or Program Director, and the Dean of Graduate Studies after completion of the form. Submit this form within the first semester after you have been accepted in the program.

M.A. in English with Initial Licensure (5-8)(8-12) - 34-46 Credits

All requirements for the M.A. in English in addition to the practicum must be completed before the candidate can receive an initial license to teach English.

Prerequisites:

B.A. in English or Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 18 credits in literature courses
(Students may be required to fill undergraduate prerequisites as determined by the graduate advisor)
3.0 (B) average in all English courses is required, as is a 2.8 overall G.P.A.
Graduate Record Examination or Miller Analogies Test scores above the 50th percentile
Passing grade on MTEL Communication and Literacy Test
A course in Adolescent Development
A course in History of the English Language or Structure of the English Language
A course in Sheltered English Immersion EDUC 631 (Consult with advisor before enrolling. This course is Field Based)

Requirements:

A. Courses - 34 Credits

EDUC 0540 - Introduction to Students with Exceptional Learning Needs Credits: 3
EDUC 0554 - Educational Planning and Evaluation: Middle and Secondary Schools Credits: 3
ENGL 0527 - Contemporary Cross-Cultural Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 0538 - Young Adult Literature in the ELA Classroom Credits: 3
ENGL 0550 - Methods of Teaching English in Middle/Secondary Schools Credits: 3
ENGL 0583 - Issues in Rhetoric and Composition Credits: 3
12 additional credits in 600-level Literature Courses

Including 1 600-level course in American Literature

               1 600-level course in British Literature

               1 500-level or 600-level course in Diverse Literature

               1 600-level course in Literature

B. Capstone

ENGL 0646 - Pre-Capstone Course Credits: 1
ENGL 0647 - Research Folio/Capstone Experience Credits: 3

C. Practicum - Credits 6 or 12

EDUC 0564 - Practicum: Middle School Credits: 6 (one semester) or
EDUC 0569 - Practicum: Secondary School Credits: 6 (one semester) or
EDUC 0564 & EDUC 0569 Practicum: Middle school & Secondary

Note:

(Students must complete a district practicum experience for each level of licensure).

Students must have passed the MTEL English subject area exam and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in English graduate classes before beginning the practicum. Students seeking licensure for English at the middle school level must also take EDUC 0321 The Middle School and its Students. A 30-hour diversity experience is required before or during practicum. Practicum placements are generally within a 30-mile radius of the university unless otherwise specified and approved.

C. Foreign Language Competence

Competence in one foreign language (e.g., French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian) is required. This competence may be demonstrated in one of these ways:

Grades of C or better in two semesters of intermediate level undergraduate foreign language study, within 10 years; or
acceptable performance in a national reading competence examination.