
We offer a variety of specialized teacher education area programs including Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle School Education, Special Education and Educational Studies.
Our curriculum is only one of seven of the sixty colleges or universities in Massachusetts that have earned recognition by some of the largest professional organizations of educators for children and youth that promote excellence in the content of teacher preparation programs.
Majors and Concentrations
Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
Elementary Education (1-6)
Early Education and Care (Non-licensure)
Develop skills and competencies to foster the growth and development of young children, infancy to 8 years.
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8)
Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All levels)
Educational Studies
For people interested in working with children and families, but don't plan to become a licensed teacher.
Middle School Education General Science (5-8) Initial Licensure
Combines core courses in general science, 5-12 education, and licensure specific coursework with multiple field-based experiences in middle school settings.
Certificates of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)
- Educational Leadership and Management (Non-licensure)
- Educational Leadership and Management - School Principal
- Educational Leadership and Management - Supervisor/Director
- Interdisciplinary Studies - Reading Specialist
Graduate Degrees
- MEd, Arts Education: Art (Non-licensure)
- MEd, Arts Education: Music (Non-licensure)
- MEd, Curriculum and Teaching (Non-licensure)
- MEd, Curriculum and Teaching (Non-licensure - Online)
- MEd, Early Childhood Education (PreK-2) (Initial Licensure)
- MEd, Education (5-12) (Initial Licensure)
- MEd, Education (5-12) (Non-licensure)
- MEd, Educational Leadership and Management (Non-licensure - Online)
- MEd, Educational Leadership and Management: School Principal (Initial Licensure)
- MEd, Educational Leadership and Management: Supervisor/Director (Initial Licensure)
- MEd, Elementary Education (1-6) (Initial Licensure)
- MEd, Special Education: Guided Studies - Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
- MEd, Special Education: Guided Studies - Dyslexia Specialist (Hybrid - Non-licensure)
- MEd, Special Education: Guided Studies - Individualized (Hybrid)
- MEd, Special Education: Reading Specialist (Initial Licensure)
- MEd, Special Education: Reading Specialist (Non-licensure)
- MEd, Special Education: Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 or 5-12) (Initial Licensure)
- MEd, Special Education: Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (Initial Licensure)
Graduate Certificates
- Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (Online)
- Reading Specialist (Initial Licensure - Hybrid)
Minors
Accreditation
Course Rotation, Plan of Study, and University Catalog
Meet Our Faculty
Department Welcome and Licensure Information
Welcome from the Department Chair
Education Unit & Educator Licensure Office
Beyond the Classroom
Field Experience
Education Club
KAPPA DELTA PI
Student Support
Questions? Get in touch!
Education Department
FALL 2020 UPDATE: The Department of Education will provide in person assistance Monday - Friday from 8am to 4:30pm, located at McKay Complex, Room B226. If you should require immediate assistance please email Carolyn Hughes at chughes@fitchhburgstate.edu by phone at 978-665-3193 or Lael Lavery at llavery@fitchburgstate.edu or by phone at 978-665-3308.
More Information
One of the more impressive facilities at the University is the McKay Arts Academy, a PreK-8 Innovation school. This school, located right on the campus, provides students in teacher preparation programs access to classrooms where they can observe and teach. Without leaving the campus, teacher candidates can combine what they are learning in their courses with what occurs in public school classrooms and, thus, enhance their understanding of educational theory and practice.
The Education Department offers state-of-the-art multimedia classrooms. All classrooms are equipped with computer technology and have been recently renovated. Our teacher candidates enjoy small class sizes and learn in inviting, comfortable classrooms.
We have also earned distinction from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation CAEP/NCATE. We are most proud that our high quality programs have met their rigorous national standards and that our programs and teacher candidates can be favorably compared nationwide.
As a pre-service teacher candidate, you will also have numerous opportunities to work in a variety of real-life settings including the Fitchburg Arts Academy. Our local public schools and varied community childcare centers will provide you additional enrichment opportunities. We believe these specially designed yearlong field experiences will better prepare you for the realities of your teaching career.
All teacher education candidates in the Education Department who will be endorsed for licensure in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education carry a double major. They complete academic requirements in a liberal arts and sciences major, titled Interdisciplinary Studies (IDIS) and those of their education major. In addition to the dual major, students choose a minor to complete in English, mathematics, history, or social sciences. Teacher candidates begin their education courses and fieldwork in their freshman year and student-teach in their senior year.