salemstate.edu/graduate
PROGRAMS
Salem State offers three programs to prepare participants to become licensed elementary school (1-6) teachers in Massachusetts public schools and/or practicing teachers looking to strengthen their professional knowledge and skill.
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PATHWAYS
Master of Education in Elementary Education, Initial Licensure
This program is designed for career changers or recent graduates from undergraduate school who wish to pursue teaching grades 1-6 in Massachusetts.
Master of Education in Elementary Education, Advanced Studies
This program is designed for those who already have an initial license or are not seeking a license and are seeking graduate-level expertise in elementary education.
Initial Licensure Only, Elementary Education
This program is designed for those seeking initial licensure in elementary education but not a master’s degree.
Optional Special Education License, Add-On
Students interested in a license in both elementary general education (grades 1-6) and special education contexts (grades PK-8) can do so.
PROGRAM FEATURES
• All online program, with synchronous and asynchronous coursework.
• Cohort model to study with a group of students throughout the year.
• Students can select full-time (1-2 years) or part-time (3-6 years) plans based on work-life commitments to best meet their needs.
• Internationally renowned faculty focused on co-constructing educational experiences contextualized in transformational learning of educational theory, content, pedagogy, and practice.
Initial Licensure Programs
• Full-year, full-time on-site placement in an elementary classroom that can be completed in an existing or new classroom job, by available paid fellowships, or in an unpaid on-site placement.
Advanced Studies Programs
• The program of study includes 12 subject matter knowledge credits that could be applicable for your professional license.
MEd ELEMENTARY EDUCATION INITIAL LICENSURE
The coursework provides a strong foundation in theoretical, pedagogical and conceptual knowledge and practice. A majority of the online courses are offered in a synchronous modality, with a few that are asynchronous.
MULTIPLE PATHWAYS EXPERIENTIAL CURRICULUM
ONE-YEAR PROGRAM
• Beginning in May and completing the program by the following May.
• Summer: Stage 1 foundation courses
• Fall and Spring: Stage 2 and 3 coursework (methods and seminars) and experiential portion (full-year, full-time on-site placement pre-practicum and practicum)
TWO-YEAR PROGRAM
• Begin in September or January and complete the program at the end of the second spring term.
• First Fall/Spring/Summer: Stage 1 foundation courses
• Second Fall and Spring: Stage 2 and 3 coursework (methods and seminars) and experiential portion (full-year, full-time on-site placement pre-practicum and practicum)
THREE-YEAR (+) PROGRAM
• You can take the program slowly, and your full-year experiential/ on-site placement would be your last year.
MEd ELEMENTARY EDUCATION ADVANCED STUDIES
The elementary years are about more than classroom instruction. Pursue this program to learn about societal elements that impact elementary schooling and elementary-aged children. A majority of the online courses are offered in a synchronous modality, with a few that are asynchronous.
MULTIPLE PATHWAYS
Students can select either full-time or part-time plans to best meet their needs based on work-life commitments.
ONE-YEAR PROGRAM
Beginning in May and completing the program by the following May.
TWO-YEAR PROGRAM
Begin any semester and complete the program at the end of your 6th semester.
SELF-PACED (THREE-YEAR+) PROGRAM
Begin any semester and complete the program in three to six years.
LICENSURE ONLY ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Typically, individuals with a master’s degree and many education credits will apply for this program.
Elementary school teachers must demonstrate knowledge and excitement about content across the curriculum. Let your passion for learning lead your students to develop the skills they need to be successful learners and people.
CURRICULUM
Students admitted to this program will meet with the program coordinator to develop a tailored program of study of 12-27 credits that will fulfill the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) license requirements.
A limited number of fellowships may be available each year to qualified applicants and funded by partner school districts. Fellowships pay a comparable stipend with para positions. There are few teaching fellowships paying a teaching salary.
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for entry into a fellowship. 3. PLACEMENT WITHOUT PAY
A placement without pay, where we find a full-time position for the teacher candidate in an elementary classroom.
MTEL EXAMS AND THEIR ROLE IN LICENSURE
MTELs are not currently required for admission. The successful completion of the state-accredited initial licensure program in elementary education will lead to an initial license endorsement. To obtain your initial license, you need an endorsement for an initial license from an accrediting institution and passing scores on your MTELs.
LICENSURE: INITIAL LICENSURE PROGRAM + MTEL = GETTING YOUR INITIAL LICENSE
Successfully completing a licensure program, obtaining an endorsement for licensure, and passing the required MTELs will lead to an initial license.
LICENSURE PROGRAM ENDORSEMENT
Successful completion of the initial licensure program at Salem State will lead to an endorsement for licensure.
MTEL
Pass the required MTEL exams for your licensure area.
INITIAL LICENSE IN MA
To obtain your license in MA, you need to successfully complete a licensure program, and get your endorsement PLUS pass the required MTEL exams.
The required MTELs for elementary education can be found at the MTEL website: www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/testrequire.html
• Communication and Literacy (often referred to as Reading and Writing and often taken on the same day)
• Foundations of Reading (Reading (62) will also meet this requirement))
General curriculum, including two subtests, typically taken on different days:
• Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science (178)
• Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering (278)
Visit the MTEL website for information on approved alternatives.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE ELIGIBILITY
To obtain your professional license, you must have taught under your initial license for a minimum of three years, completed a relevant graduate degree and documented 12 credits of graduate-level courses in the subject matter taught. The 12 credits may be included within the graduate degree or taken separately.
You may self-select to choose 12 credits of our subject matter courses as part of the MEd Elementary Education Advanced Studies program and apply for preapproval from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for these courses to count as your 12 SMK credits.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts may change licensure requirements. Students are advised to contact the state for specific, current licensure requirements. Students may access that information at the Department for Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
CAREERS
The program is designed to prepare teacher candidates to become successful, culturally responsive and reflective elementary school educators for grades 1-6 in the diverse public schools of the state of Massachusetts. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate that Massachusetts elementary school teachers earn an average annual salary of $71,309. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development projects 141 average annual job openings due to growth and 573 average annual job openings due to replacements for elementary school teachers.
For Massachusetts residents, each credits costs $478.30* which includes tuition and fees. For non-Massachusetts residents, each credit costs $576.20.* The program is 30 credits (excluding prerequisites).
For assistance funding your graduate education, options such as financial aid, graduate assistantships, employer reimbursement and tuition remission and veteran’s benefits may be available. *Tuition and fees subject to change.
ADMISSIONS
References
References are an important supplement to your academic background, so carefully manage your references. Salem State accepts professional (supervisors, etc.) or academic (professors, etc.) references; family/ friends are not appropriate sources of references.
Letters of recommendation are preferred from (in order of preference) a) professors, b) supervisors in related professions.
Full-time experiential learning can be fulfilled by a paid fellowship.
Fellowships applications are due March 1 prior to the full-time fall-spring on-site placement. Paid fellowships are competitive and the following will be taken into account when reviewing applications: Work experience, undergraduate GPA and grades in any graduate courses taken prior to fellowship application.