Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: Education

 (Revised Spring 2018)  

Education with a concentration on Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Special Education (SPED)

The College offers undergraduate degree programs with concentrations in a B.A in Early Childhood Education or a B.A. in Special Education.  All Education majors with a concentration in Special Education or Early Childhood Education must complete a secondary major in the liberal arts or sciences.

Both Early Childhood Education concentration (PreK-2nd grade) and Special Education concentration (Moderate Disabilities in Special Education PreK-8 or 5-12) lead to initial licensure.

Recommended General Education Courses: Content Knowledge Requirements and Advice

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has identified several areas of Content Knowledge as being important to those planning to teach elementary age children. By planning carefully, students can cover Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Content Knowledge Recommendations and Requirements as they complete their general education, college, and major requirements

Under the new UMass guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

Suggested and Prerequisite Courses for First- and Second-Year Students

Students should start to fulfill gen ed and/or secondary major requirements, but NOT take global education or language-related requirements before consulting with an advisor in the Educator Licensure Office

How to Apply to the Major

To be admitted to either major, a student must complete, with a grade of B or better, the following courses: Math 113, Math 114, and HUMDEV 270.  Students interested in Special Education must also complete EDUC 325.  A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 is also required.

  • To enroll in Math 113 or Math 114, call 413-545-2701 or stop by the Educator Licensure Office in W114 Furcolo

Passing scores on the Communication and Literacy Skills MTEL are also required by the time of application. 

Application procedure and recommended time to declare/apply:
During their first year at UMass, interested students should seek advising through the Educator Licensure Office (ELO) in W144 Furcolo Hall. Application information is available through the ELO and the College of Education website. Students must apply to the Education major by February 15 of their sophomore year.

Special Instructions:
For first-year students:
See an advisor in the Educator Licensure Office as soon as possible. Interested students will be advised regarding prerequisites and the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) requirements for application to the major.

For transfers with sophomore/junior standing:
See an advisor in the Educator Licensure Office and meet with the Chief Undergraduate Advisor in their secondary major as soon as possible. Interested students will be advised regarding prerequisites and the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) requirements for application to the major.

Summary of Requirements for Special Education Licensure

For a summary of requirements for licensure, please contact the Educator Licensure Office.

  • Students must complete a secondary major in the liberal arts or sciences.
  • Students must apply to the Education major by February 15 of their sophomore or junior years.

For further information, contact:
Kim Drake
Educator Licensure Office
W144 Furcolo Hall; 413-545-2701
Email: eio@educ.umass.edu