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Degree Pathway for the Bachelor of Arts in Education, Elementary and Moderate Disabilities Option, 2023

Sample Degree Pathway for Education - Elementary and Moderate Disabilities Option

For students who entered fall 2023 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)
3
EDUC.1100Introduction to Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms3
HIST.1050Western Civilization I (AH), (DCA)3
PSYC.1010Introduction to Psychological Science (SS)3
SCIE.2200Integrated Sciences: Biology, Ecology, and Earth Systems (SCL)3
Total15

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
EDUC.2000Foundations of Reading3
EDUC.2010Book Love (SS)3
EDUC.2100Introduction to Moderate Disabilities3
SCIE.2400Integrated Sciences: Astronomy, Physics, and Technology (SCL)4
Total16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
HIST.1120United States History since 1877 (DCA)3
ENGL.2980 /
EDUC.2030
Children's Literature /
Multicultural Children's Literature in the Classroom (AH)
3
ENGL.2/3/4xxxFree Elective13
EDUC.2500Teaching Elementary Social Studies in the Inclusive3
EDUC.3200Methods of Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities3
MATH.1080Elementary Math for Teachers: Algebra and Data Analysis3
Total18

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
EDUC.3300Classroom Management and Behavior Supports (SS)3
EDUC.3500Language and Writing Development3
EDUC.3600Teaching Science through Inquiry in the Inclusive (IL), (WOC)3
ENGL.xxxxFree Elective1 (AH)3
MATH.2270Elementary Math for Teaching: Geometry (STEM)3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
EDUC.4100Pre-practicum2
EDUC.3400Mathematics and Problem Solving in the Inclusive E (CTPS), (QL)3
EDUC.2200Education Assessment of Students with Moderate D3
ENGL.3/4xxxFree Elective23
HIST.3/4xxxFree Elective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total17

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
EDUC.3000Understanding Family and Community Engagement3
EDUC.4110 /
EDUC.4120
Elementary Education Practicum and Seminar /
Special Education Practicum and Seminar
9
Total12

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
EDUC.4000Sheltered English Instruction3
EDUC.4110 /
EDUC.4120
Elementary Education Practicum and Seminar /
Special Education Practicum and Seminar
9
Total12

Total Minimum Credits = 120

1Language Focus

2Literature 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.
  • HIST, ENGL, and SCIE courses can be taken in any order.

GPA and MTEL

Teacher candidates must maintain an undergraduate GPA of 2.750 or better.

To receive their teaching licenses, they must also have passed the appropriate Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) for the two teacher licenses (Communication and Literacy – Reading and Writing, General Curriculum Multi-Subject Test and Math Test, Foundations of Reading). See MTEL website for more information.

Consult your advisor on the best timing for completing each MTEL and for test preparation resources.

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.

Students enrolled in practicum courses EDUC.4110 and EDUC.4120 should expect to be in their school placements five full days per week for the duration of each semester, or 15 weeks, even if hours required by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education have been met.

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 (BOK) for more information.

No more than two BOK 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.