Elementary Education
The Collaborative Teacher Education Pathway (CTEP) has two options for students: one for UMass undergraduates (4+1) and one for students coming from other educational institutions, current teaching professionals who want to earn an MEd, or career changers.
- 4+1 program: The 4+1 option is designed for UMass undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing elementary licensure at the graduate level at the end of their undergraduate work. This option allows potential students to apply to CTEP in their junior year and complete up to 9 credits of coursework toward their master's degree as an undergraduate. The 4+1 application is now open for students wishing to apply. The application deadline is January 15.
- 10-month program: The 10-month full-time program blends intensive academic study with carefully supervised field experiences. It is designed as a fifth year for students from other institutions who join the 4+1 cohort for some classes and are on a separate timeline for graduation.
Explore our programs
Undergraduate
Graduate
kindergarten and elementary school teacher jobs (2021)
average number of job openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers annually
Benefits list
Social justice–based coursework
Elementary Education students take courses that address multicultural and social-justice education from a wide array of perspectives and theoretical lenses.
Hands-on experience
Elementary Education students complete an immersive urban and suburban/rural teaching placement. You'll spend three full days in the classroom in the Fall and five full days in the Spring.
Earn your bachelor's + master's degree in 5 years
Beginning your junior year, complete up to 9 credits toward your master's degree.
In the news
EDUC and CNS faculty host workshop on Creative Play in Elementary STEM Teaching
Jeanne Brunner and Darrell Earnest (TECS) joined with Shubha Tewari (Physics) to host a workshop on Creative Play in Elementary STEM Teaching.