2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Oct 12, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Chemistry, Teacher Licensure, B.S.


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Westfield State University’s educator preparation programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

Requirements for Chemistry Licensure


Students seeking Initial Licensure in Chemistry (8-12) must satisfy the following requirements prior to practicum placement:

  • Completion of all courses required for the Chemistry Majors
  • Overall GPA of 2.8, plus a 3.0 is all pedaogical course work
  • Completion of the appropriate professional sequence of education courses for the Secondary Specialist, including the academic methods course: GNSC 0373 - Methods of Chemistry Education  (see details below)
  • Achievement of a passing mark on both the Communications and Literacy and the Chemistry portions of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL)
  • Students attempt the Communications and Literacy portion of the MTEL during their first year, and the subject matter portion of the MTEL during the fall of their junior year

Students enter Advanced Standing in the Education Department’s licensure programs as juniors, after they have passed the Communications and Literacy portion of the MTEL and have met all other requirements. In addition to on-campus work, the professional sequence also includes an extensive student teaching practicum, completed in the spring semester of the senior year. Please refer to the Licensure for Teaching  section of the Academic Policies for specific requirements pertaining to (1) attaining Advanced Standing and (2) practicum placement.

Requirements for the Chemistry Major - 55 Credits


Professional Sequence: Secondary Licensure


The Professional Sequence for Secondary Licensure must be completed by students intending to teach an academic subject area in the Secondary School. Students must complete an academic major in the subject area in which the licensure is sought.

Practicum


The following courses must be taken concurrently:

Additional Graduation Requirements


All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements  and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE  or Common Core .

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