Chemistry, Teacher Licensure, B.S.

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). The Chemical and Physical Sciences Department, in collaboration with the Education Department, offers a program of study leading to licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Education as a Teacher of Secondary School Chemistry.

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

Required Foundation Courses - 25 Credits

CHEM 0109 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 0111 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4
MATH 0105 - Calculus I Credits: 4 *
MATH 0106 - Calculus II Credits: 4
PHSC 0125 - Physics I Credits: 4
PHSC 0127 - Physics II Credits: 4
GNSC 0139 - Current Topics in Science Seminar I Credits: 1

Required Upper-Level Courses - 30 Credits

CHEM 0201 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 0203 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 4
CHEM 0211 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
GNSC 0239 - Current Topics in Science Seminar II Credits: 1
CHEM 0305 - Physical Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHEM 0307 - Physical Chemistry II Credits: 4
CHEM 0311 - Instrumental Analysis Credits: 4
CHEM 0315 - Biochemistry Credits: 4
GNSC 0349 - Research Methods for the Physical Sciences Credits: 1
CHEM 0350 - Research Experience Credits: 2

Note:

* A student who does not feel sufficiently prepared for calculus should take MATH 0104 - Pre-Calculus prior to enrolling in Calculus I.

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.

Professional Sequence Core:

EDUC 0208 - Teaching in U.S. Secondary Schools Credits: 3 (preferred)
or EDUC 0220 - Schools in US Society Credits: 3 (*FB)
EDUC 0215 - Theory of Critical Multicultural Education Credits: 3

Professional Sequence Courses Secondary

EDUC 0221 - Foundations of Special Education Credits: 3 (*FB)
EDUC 0341 - Field Experience 3: Advanced Theory to Practice Credits: 1 (*FB)
EDUC 0354 - Teaching Middle and High School Students Credits: 4 (*FB)
EDUC 0363 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3
PSYC 0203 - Adolescent Development Credits: 3
GNSC 0373 - Methods of Chemistry Education Credits: 3
*FB indicated Field Based Course

Practicum

The following courses must be taken concurrently:

EDUC 0369 - Practicum: Secondary School Credits: 10
EDUC 0300 - Practicum Seminar Credits: 2

Note:

Students progress toward meeting Advanced Standing in Teacher Education is monitored at the end of the sophomore year (57 credits). All students must meet the requirements for Advanced Standing to achieve teacher candidacy. Please see section on Licensure for Teaching under Academic Policies.

In order to be eligible for student teaching, a student must have completed all required course and field work, have an overall GPA of 2.8 (including transfer work), a GPA of 3.0 in all pedagogy coursework, and have a passing grade in the appropriate Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (i.e., Communication and Literacy and subject matter tests).

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 .