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. Our teacher education programs embrace this vision, Education Leaders Building Inclusive Learning Communities, a vision grounded in our department’s 5 foundational pillars: Critical Engagement with Diversity, Community Building, Social Justice, Scholarship, and Reflection.
Westfield State University’s teacher education programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Westfield State University’s educator preparation program is fully accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Westfield State University was awarded full accreditation for seven years in June 2020. AAQEP also awarded our educator preparation program with a commendation for our work in anti-racist education.
Post-baccalaureate programs leading to teaching licensure are offered through the Office 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.
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), a demonstrated ability to meet program dispositional standards, and completion of a practicum experience.
Program Description
The post-baccalaureate Music Education program leads to initial licensure to teach all grade levels, but does not confer a degree. Applicants to this program must have:
- a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a GPA of 2.6 or greater;
- passed the MTEL Communications and Literacy test; and
- a 2.7 GPA in undergraduate English courses, including English Composition I & II or equivalent
A. Prerequisite coursework or experience
Students wishing to be licensed to teach music must complete all the requirements of a music major as determined by an initial advising meeting with the program director.
Coursework involves music theory, music history, applied music lessons and ensemble participation, but is dependent upon the student’s entrance audition and demonstrated strengths.
Admission to the music teacher licensure program is dependent upon completion of the piano proficiency requirement and completion of an entrance examination to include music education philosophy, major applied area, basic musicianship, and piano.
Students must successfully audition with the music department to demonstrate performance skills and basic musicianship before acceptance.
B. Required Courses for Licensure
- MUSC 0221 Introduction to Music Education
- MUSC 0230 Basic Conducting
- MUSC 0312 Form and Analysis
- EDUC 0221/0540 Foundations of Special Education
- EDUC 0380/0580 Theory of Critical Multicultural Education
- EDUC 0363/0631 Sheltered English Immersion
- PSYC 0101 Introduction to Psychology (prerequisite for PSYC 0206)
- PSYC 0206 Educational Psychology
- MUSC 0328 - Practicum: Music K-12*
Vocal Track
- MUSC 0319 Vocal Technique and Pedagogy
- MUSC 0330 Choral Conducting
- MUSC 0333 Choral Music Education
- Four (4) Instrument classes by advisement
Instrumental Track
- MUSC 0156 Voice Class
- MUSC 0331 Instrumental Conducting
- MUSC 0332 Instrumental Music Education
- Eight (8) Instrument classes by advisement
*Seminar hours will be required during practicum
Additional Requirements
A 30-hour diversity experience is required before or during practicum.
All students preparing for a practicum experience in instrumental music normally take a traditional concert band or orchestral instrument for the applied major. Students planning a practicum experience outside their usual performing area must demonstrate performance experience and proficiency equivalent to MUSC 0172 Applied Music (Minor) III or complete three semesters of minor applied study and ensemble experience in voice, percussion, winds, or orchestral strings, as appropriate.
Students must pass the required MTEL subject matter test (Music), and have a GPA of 2.8, for admission to practicum.
Practicum placements are generally within a 30-mile radius of the university unless otherwise specified and approved.
