Degree Pathway for Education, Elementary and Moderate Disabilities Option
For students who entered fall 2026 and beyond.
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 15 | |
| ENGL.1010 / HONR.1100 | College Writing I / First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW) | 3 |
| EDUC.1100 | Introduction to Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUC.2400 | Teaching Elementary Social Studies I | 3 |
| PSYC.1010 | Introduction to Psychological Science (SS) | 3 |
| SCIE.2200 | Integrated Sciences: Biology, Ecology, and Earth Systems (SCL) | 3 |
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 16 | |
| EDUC.2600 | Language and Reading Development (SS) | 3 |
| EDUC.3000 | Understanding Family and Community Engagement (SS) | 3 |
| SCIE.2400 | Integrated Sciences: Astronomy, Physics, and Technology (SCL) | 4 |
| EDUC.3200 | Methods of Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities | 3 |
| EDUC.2001 | Education Field Experience Sophomore I | 0 |
| HIST.2001 | United States History to 1877 (AH), (DCA) | 3 |
Spring Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 18 | |
| ENGL.2980 / EDUC.2030 | Children's Literature / Multicultural Children's Literature in the Classroom (AH) | 3 |
| ENGL.2/3/4xxx | ENGL Literature Focus Elective2 | 3 |
| MATH.1080 | Elementary Math for Teachers: Algebra and Data Analysis | 3 |
| EDUC.2800 | Collaborative Approaches in IEP Design | 3 |
| EDUC.1600 | Technology and Digital Literacy in the Classroom | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Free Elective (AH) | 3 |
| EDUC.2002 | Education Field Experience Sophomore II | 0 |
Junior Year
Fall Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 18 | |
| EDUC.3300 | Classroom Management and Behavior Supports (SS) | 3 |
| EDUC.3500 | Language and Writing Development | 3 |
| EDUC.3600 | Teaching Science through Inquiry in the Inclusive (IL), (WOC) | 3 |
| ENGL.xxxx | English Language Focus Elective1 (AH) | 3 |
| MATH.2270 | Elementary Math for Teaching: Geometry | 3 |
| EDUC.3800 | Designing Instruction for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| EDCU.3001 | Education Field Experience Junior I | 0 |
Spring Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 14 | |
| EDUC.4100 | Pre-practicum (AIL) | 2 |
| EDUC.3400 | Mathematics and Problem Solving in the Inclusive E (CTPS), (QL) | 3 |
| EDUC.2200 | Education Assessment of Students with Moderate D | 3 |
| ENGL.2/3/4xxx | Language Focus Elective1 | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Social Sciences Perspective (SS) | 3 |
| EDUC.3002 | Education Field Experience Junior II | 0 |
Senior Year
Total Minimum Credits = 120
Minimum [major] Credits: 36
Maximum [major] that can be counted toward graduation: 54
1Language Focus. Students should see their advisement report in SIS for a list of approved electives.
2Literature Focus. Students should see their advisement report in SIS for a list of approved electives.
The BA Ed. degree pathway shows the courses that are required to complete the degree. The semester in which some courses are offered may differ and accommodations will be made. Courses with higher numbers (3000 and above) are generally taken in the junior and senior years. The education courses are highly field based and often require additional hours of field work in schools to better prepare you for your career.
Notes:
- All EDUC courses are required.
- All courses with prefixes MATH, ENGL, HIST, PSYC are required. If a course is not available in a timely fashion, exceptions may be made providing a course which meets similar subject matter knowledge is taken. This change can only be made with approval of the program coordinator.
- HIST, ENGL, and SCIE courses can be taken in any order.
GPA and MTEL
Teacher candidates must maintain an undergraduate GPA of 2.750 or better.
To receive their teaching licenses, they must also have passed the appropriate Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) for the two teacher licenses (Communication and Literacy – Reading and Writing, General Curriculum Multi-Subject Test and Math Test, Foundations of Reading). See MTEL website for more information.
Consult your advisor on the best timing for completing each MTEL and for test preparation resources.
Field Experience and Practicum Requirements
Many courses have field experiences in local schools which may requires completion of hours beyond course meeting times. Teacher candidates, when required, must submit materials for criminal background checks and must provide fingerprints. Program coordinators will supply information on these processes.
In order to work in schools during field experiences and the practicum, the teacher candidate must exhibit professional dispositions and behaviors and be of “sound moral character.” The candidate at all times must exhibit good judgment, personal integrity, and exemplary behavior. Candidates must demonstrate that they understand their professional responsibilities and have the integrity to work in schools where they will be responsible for the education and welfare of minors. Further, they must know how to engage in collaborative and collegial professional work with fellow teachers and staff.
Students enrolled in practicum courses EDUC.4110 and EDUC.4120 should expect to be in their school placements five full days per week for the duration of each semester, or 15 weeks, even if hours required by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education have been met.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate with a BA Ed. degree and teacher license, candidates must complete the approved program including both practica (600 hours in total). The practicum candidate is assessed using the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) instrument and process. Candidates must demonstrate that they have met the Professional Standards for Teaching and are proficient in their ability to:
- Develop well-structured lessons.
- Adjust practice based on student assessment data.
- Meet diverse needs.
- Create of a safe learning environment for all students.
- Hold high expectations for student learning.
- Demonstrate reflective practice.
Breadth of Knowledge
The UMass Lowell Core includes requirements designed to familiarize students with multiple perspectives regarding diverse areas of knowledge and modes of inquiry outside of their major discipline. Students gain insights into these perspectives by taking courses outside of their major discipline. The BA Ed. degree is structured for students to meet this requirement. See Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) for more information.
No more than two BOK courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.
Current UMass Lowell students should be using their advisement report in SIS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.
Restriction on off-campus study:
Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.
See the catalog policy for details.