Sample Degree Pathway for Education - Elementary and Moderate Disabilities Option

For students who entered fall 2019 to spring 2022.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing I / FYSH (CW)3
HIST.1050Western Civilization I (AH), (DCA)3
LIFE.1010 /
ENVI.1100
Life Science I /
Global Environmental Studies (SCL)
3
LIFE.1030L /
ENVI.1120L
Life Science I Lab /
Global Environmental Studies Lab (SCL)
1
PSYC.1010Introduction to Psychological Science (SS)3
EDUC.1100Introduction to Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms3
Total16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
HIST.1110United States History to 1877 (DCA)3
MATH.1070Elementary Math for Teaching: Numbers and Operations (MATH)3
PSYC.2600Child and Adolescent Development (SS)3
EDUC.1600Technology and Digital Literacy in the Classroom3
Total15

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
HIST.1080World Civilizations Since 1500 (DCA)3
CHEM.1010Applied Chemistry for Non-Scientists (SCL)3
ENGL.xxxxElective23
EDUC.2000Foundations of Reading3
EDUC.2100Introduction to Moderate Disabilities3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MATH.2270Elementary Math for Teaching: Geometry and Measurement (STEM)3
HIST.1120United States History since 1877 (DCA)3
ENGL.2980Children's Literature (AH)3
EDUC.2500Teaching Elementary Social Studies in the Inclusive3
EDUC.3200Methods of Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities3
EDUC.MTEL1MTEL Requirement 10
Total15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
EDUC.3500Language and Writing Development3
HIST.3/4xxxElective3
ENGL.2/3/4xxxElective13
MATH.1080Elementary Math for Teachers: Algebra and Data Analysis3
EDUC.3600Teaching Science through Inquiry in the Inclusive (IL), (WOC)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Hum. Persp. (AH)3
Total18

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.2/3/4xxxElective23
EDUC.4100Pre-practicum2
EDUC.3400Mathematics and Problem Solving in the Inclusive E (CTPS), (QL)3
EDUC.2200Education Assessment of Students with Moderate D3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3
EDUC.MTEL2MTEL Requirement 20
Total14

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
EDUC.4000Sheltered English Instruction3
EDUC.4200Elementary Education Practicum I3
ENGL.3/4xxxElective13
EDUC.3000Understanding Family and Community Engagement3
Total12

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
EDUC.4300Elementary Education Practicum II6
EDUC.4400Special Education Practicum6
Total12

Total Minimum Credits = 120

1Literature Focus

2Language Focus

The BA Ed. degree pathway shows the courses that are required to complete the degree. The semester in which some courses are offered, may differ and accommodations will be made. Courses with higher numbers (3000 and above) are generally taken in the junior and senior years. The education courses are highly field based and often require additional hours of field work in schools to better prepare you for your career.

Notes:

  • All EDUC courses are required.
  • All courses with prefixes MATH, ENGL, HIST, PSYC are required. If a course is not available in a timely fashion, exceptions may be made providing a course which meets similar subject matter knowledge is taken. This change can only be made with approval of the program coordinator.
  • CHEM.1010 may be replaced by other physical science course with a lab such as PHYS.1210 / PHYS.1210L
  • The three MATH courses (1070, 2270, 1080) may be taken in any sequence.
  • The third Social Science elective may not be in Psychology.

GPA and MTEL

Teacher candidates must have an undergraduate GPA of 2.750 or better in order to proceed to the final practicum, they must also have passed the appropriate Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) for the two teacher licenses (01 Communications and Literacy – Reading and Writing) (03 General Curriculum Multi-Subject Test and Math Test) (90 Foundations of Reading). See MTEL website for more information.

  • Foundations of Reading should be taken immediately after taking EDUC.2000
  • Communications and Literacy must be passed by the end of the sophomore year.
  • General Curriculum Multi Subject Test and Math Test must be taken during the junior year.

Field Experience and Practicum Requirements

Many courses have field experiences in local schools which may requires completion of hours beyond course meeting times. Teacher candidates, when required, must submit materials for criminal background checks and must provide fingerprints. Program coordinators will supply information on these processes.

In order to work in schools during field experiences and the practicum, the teacher candidate must exhibit professional dispositions and behaviors and be of “sound moral character.” The candidate at all times must exhibit good judgment, personal integrity, and exemplary behavior. Candidates must demonstrate that they understand their professional responsibilities and have the integrity to work in schools where they will be responsible for the education and welfare of minors. Further, they must know how to engage in collaborative and collegial professional work with fellow teachers and staff.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate with a BA Ed. degree and teacher license, candidates must complete the approved program including both practica (600 hours in total). The practicum candidate is assessed using the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) instrument and process. Candidates must demonstrate that they have met the Professional Standards for Teaching and are proficient in their ability to:

  • Develop well-structured lessons.
  • Adjust practice based on student assessment data.
  • Meet diverse needs.
  • Create of a safe learning environment for all students.
  • Hold high expectations for student learning.
  • Demonstrate reflective practice.

Breadth of Knowledge

The UMass Lowell Core includes requirements designed to familiarize students with multiple perspectives regarding diverse areas of knowledge and modes of inquiry outside of their major discipline. Students gain insights into these perspectives by taking courses outside of their major discipline. The BA Ed. degree is structured for students to meet this requirement. See Breadth of Knowledge for more information.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

See the catalog policy for details.

Last updated: 12/02/2021.