Post-baccalaureate Program Leading to an Initial Teaching License
Westfield State University has a history and abiding commitment of preparing educators who serve the educational needs of prekindergarten through secondary school students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The shared vision of Westfield’s education programs is articulated as “Educators as Leaders Building Learning Communities.” Themes that support this vision are community building, reflective practice, diversity, and social justice.
Westfield State University teacher education programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Westfield is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Westfield State is working toward accreditation of its educator preparation programs under AAQEP standards with an anticipated Quality Assurance Review in 2020.
Post-baccalaureate programs leading to teaching licensure are offered through the Department of Graduate and Continuing Education, and are designed for individuals holding a baccalaureate degree who wish to obtain an initial teaching license, without obtaining an additional degree. Post-baccalaureate initial licensure programs are offered in
Biology 8-12, Initial Post-baccalaureate Licensure
Early Childhood PreK-2, Initial, Post-baccalaureate Licensure
Elementary 1-6, Initial, Post-baccalaureate Licensure
English 5-12, Initial, Post-baccalaureate Licensure
History 5-12 Initial, Post-baccalaureate Licensure
Mathematics 5-8* or 8-12, Initial, Post-baccalaureate Licensure
Moderate Disabilities PreK-8, Initial, Post-baccalaureate Licensure
Moderate Disabilities 5-12, Initial, Post-baccalaureate Licensure
Music Education, All Levels, Initial, Post-baccalaureate Licensure
Physical Education PreK-8 and 5-12, Initial, Post-baccalaureate Licensure
*Programs marked with an asterisk are not accepting new candidates as of spring 2016.
Applicants may be required to take additional courses and/or document professional experiences in the cognate area of the license, in addition to the pedagogical and professional courses required for licensure. See Programs of Study for individual programs.
Students who satisfactorily complete program requirements leading to a teaching license are recommended for licensure to the Massachusetts Department of Education. Program requirements include completion of all coursework, passage of Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTELs) and completion of a practicum experience.
A. Prerequisite coursework or experience
Art Education Program of Study
Students wishing to be licensed to teach visual art, must complete:
- All the requirements of the Art major.
- An additional 36 credit teacher preparation sequence for either Elementary (Pre-K to 8) or Secondary (5-12) licensure, as follows:
Requirements for Art Majors:
Note: If you requested admission to the Visual Arts Education, Initial PreK-8 or 5-12, Post-baccalaureate Licensure Program, applicants must successfully pass a portfolio review by the Art Department’s faculty. The Art Department will notify CGCE when your portfolio has been approved. Please go to the Art Department’s Website to submit your portfolio.
ART 0101 - First-Year Seminar Credits: 1
ART 0103 - Drawing I Credits: 3
ART 0104 - Design Fundamentals Credits: 3
ART 0105 - Three-Dimensional Design Credits: 3
ART 0106 - Art Survey: Prehistoric to Middle Ages Credits: 3
ART 0107 - Art Survey: Renaissance to Present Credits: 3
ART 0109 - Writing for Art and the Artist Credits: 3
ART 0201 - Printmaking I Credits: 3
ART 0204 - Pottery I Credits: 3
ART 0205 - Sculpture I Credits: 3
ART 0209 - Color Theory and Practice Credits: 3
ART 0214 - Drawing II Credits: 3
ART 0216 - Painting I Credits: 3
ART 0311 - Painting II Credits: 3
One Art elective** Credits: 3
Two 300-level Art History Courses Credits: 6
One of the following:
ART 0303 - Printmaking II Credits: 3
ART 0304 - Pottery II Credits: 3
ART 0305 - Sculpture II Credits: 3
Note:
** Students completing Visual Arts Teacher Licensure Programs must take ART 0108 Introduction to Computer Graphics as their Art elective in the Art major
Education Licensure Requirements:
Elementary Preparation Sequence*:
EDUC 0221/0540 - Introduction to Students with Exceptional Learning Needs Credits: 3
PSYC 0202 - Child Development Credits: 3
EDUC 0363/0631 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3 Pending approval
EDUC 0380/0580 - Critical Multicultural Education Credits: 3
ART 0323 - Introduction to Art Education Credits: 3
ART 0324 - Art Methods and Materials Credits: 3
ART 0322 - Art Education Curriculum Credits: 3 (Elementary)
ART 0331 - Practicum (Art Teaching Pre-K-8) Credits: 12
ART 0326- Practicum Seminar Credits: 3
Secondary Preparation Sequence*:
EDUC 0221/0540 - Introduction to Students with Exceptional Learning Needs Credits: 3
PSYC 0203 - Adolescent Development Credits: 3
EDUC 0363/0631 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3 Pending Approval
EDUC 0380/0580 - Critical Multicultural Education Credits: 3
ART 0323 - Introduction to Art Education Credits: 3
ART 0324 - Art Methods and Materials Credits: 3
ART 0322 - Art Education Curriculum Credits: 3 (Secondary)
ART 0351 - Practicum (Art Teaching 5-12) Credits: 12
ART 0326- Practicum Seminar Credits: 3
*If any questions arise concerning sequence, time of student teaching, etc., please contact the Program Coordinator, Art Education Licensure.
