Information for Prospective Students
Thank you for your interest in the College of Education!
Our mission is to prepare leaders who will improve education through their professional practice.
Join us to gain the knowledge and skills you need to become an educator who works to create a more socially just world. You will work with faculty and practitioners who promote best practices and are on the forefront research into the next wave of more effective and inclusive instructional practices. Our programs cover a range of educational roles: from becoming a licensed classroom teacher, to being a change agent who uses educational practices to be an effective advocate and community organizer. If you share our vision of education for a socially just world, we want you to be a part of our learning community.
Get started by exploring our programs listed below. The information on this site will help answer your questions and get you started.
Education Major
Students entering the College of Education either enter as a Community Education and Social Change major or as an Education Exploratory Track Student (Undeclared). Students interested in one of our teaching programs, (Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Secondary Education or Elementary Education) would need to apply to those programs. Explore our each programs below to help answer your questions and get you started with the process of becoming a teacher or future leaders, change agents, social justice advocates & community organizers.
Community Education and Social Change
Community Education & Social Change (B.A.)
- Open major, declare anytime (if not already declared when entering UMass)
- Non-licensure
- Designed for future leaders, change agents, social justice advocates & community organizers in the field of Education
- 45-credit workload including 6 credit internship experience (approx. 250 hours)
- Flexible major with room for double majoring and/or minoring in other fields
- Fits well for students pursuing Elementary 4+1 program
For more information, watch the video and follow along with these slides.
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education (B.A.)
- Initial license to teach grades PreK-2 in Massachusetts
- Closed major, apply into the program mid-sophomore year
- 2 year program starting in junior year
- Student teaching in senior year
For more information, watch the video and follow along with these slides
Special Education
- Initial license to teach students with moderate disabilities in grades PreK-8 or 5-12 in Massachusetts
- Closed major, apply into the program mid-sophomore year
- 2 year program starting in junior year
- Student teaching in senior year
For more information, watch the video and follow along with these slides!
Elementary Education
- *NOT an undergraduate major
- Accelerated path to the Master’s program in Elementary Education
- Initial license to teach grades 1-6 in Massachusetts
- Closed program, apply mid-Junior year
- Graduate level classes in senior year
- Student teaching in the 5th year
- In 5 years you’ll obtain bachelor’s in chosen major, master’s in Elementary Education and initial license
Secondary Education
- *NOT an undergraduate major
- Accelerated path to the Master’s program in Secondary Education
- Initial license to teach grades 5-12 (depending on content area) in Massachusetts
- Content area focus can be either English, Math, History or one of the Sciences
- Major in content area while pursuing education minor
- Connect with faculty subject coordinators for direct guidance through program