As an education major, you will have the opportunity to earn dual certification to teach elementary school children and children with moderate disabilities in Massachusetts.

What courses will you take?

A male UMass Lowell UTeach student interacts with a student at the Sullivan School in Lowell, Mass.

Approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, UMass Lowell’s B.A. in Education offers vibrant and innovative education courses alongside a rich blend of liberal arts and sciences courses, giving you both the content and teaching knowledge you need to succeed.

Starting in the first year of the program, you’ll have an immediate introduction to teaching. Guided by UMass Lowell’s faculty, who are expert teachers, you’ll teach in our local partner schools in both urban and suburban settings.

As a teacher candidate, you will complete five methods courses (Reading, Language and Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies), and two courses focused on family and community engagement and working with emergent bilingual students. In the senior year, you will complete two teaching practica, requiring 600 hours of class-time experience. 

The B.A. in Education has two options:

  • Disability Studies for Educational and Community Organizations Option (a non-licensure program)
  • Elementary and Moderate Disabilities Option (with endorsement for licensure)
We also offer the STEM Teaching minor (UTeach), an innovative undergraduate teacher preparation program designed to give STEM majors the opportunity to investigate and prepare for a career in teaching math, science or engineering in high school.

Visit the Academic Catalog for a complete course listing and to learn about the Education minor.

Degree Pathways are a semester-by-semester sequence of courses recommended for successful completion of a degree, diploma, credential or certificate from the university. The most current degree pathways are:

Visit the Academic Catalog for all degree pathways, including those from prior enrollment years.

Students who successfully complete the BA Ed. degree will have fulfilled the Massachusetts Subject Matter Knowledge and Pedagogical Content Knowledge standards as well as the Professional Standards for Teaching. As a result of completing the degree, teacher candidates will have achieved the following pedagogical learning outcomes listed below.

The ability to: 

  • Draw on appropriate content knowledge and student data to plan curricula that provide high quality instruction for all students.
  • Assess student learning and provide feedback to improve performance and inform instruction.
  • Choose appropriate strategies for teaching all learners, including students who are English learners and students with moderate disabilities
  • Create a learning environment which is fair, equitable and conducive to learning for students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Manage classroom materials and student behaviors effectively.
  • Reflect on one’s own practice to enhance the classroom experience and learning of students.
  • Collaborate with families, to create and implement strategies for supporting student learning and development both at home and at school.

Additionally, through liberal arts and sciences course work, students will:

  • Demonstrate their ability to examine and evaluate credibility of sources, and synthesize information effectively and persuasively.
  • Express their ideas in writing and orally with clarity.
  • Interpret numerical information accurately and use it to inform decisions.
  • Apply their content knowledge accurately in classroom settings.

Important information specific to teaching:

In order to demonstrate their learning and be eligible for teaching licenses in Massachusetts, students will be required to pass the appropriate MTELs (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure). All MTEL examinations must be passed in order to receive licenses in Elementary Education (grades 1-6) and Moderate Disabilities (grades PK-8).
  • Communications and Literacy (composed of Reading and Writing sub-tests) 
  • General Curriculum (composed of Multi-Subject and Math sub-Tests) 
  • Foundations of Reading

Why study education at UMass Lowell?

First-year education majors at UMass Lowell Angela Messina and Mykala Guzman practice teaching on Mursion avatars. Image by K. Webster

Advanced Facilities

Learn to teach using our facilities and technologies, including:

women collaborating around a table

Expert Faculty

Through outreach and research, our faculty brings real change to schools, ultimately improving the lives of students. Research areas include:

  • Working with English learners
  • Early literacy
  • Instructional leadership
  • STEM education 
A UMass Lowell education student sits at a table with two young students in a school classroom

Professional Growth & Scholarships

Throughout the program, you will have opportunities to meet with teachers and principals and attend professional development sessions to learn about your chosen career.

In addition, all teacher candidates are eligible to apply for a variety of UMass Lowell scholarships and to work in schools as tutors, for which stipends are available.

A UMass Lowell UTeach student interacts with students in a classroom.

Bachelor’s-to-Master's Program

Get on the fast track to an advanced degree with our combined bachelor's-to-master's program.

  • Available to juniors and seniors with a grade point average of 3.000 or better
  • Offers a continuous, coordinated sequence of courses
  • Reduced credit-hour requirements can save you time and money

What can you do with a degree in education?

UMass Lowell's education program produces successful teacher candidates who are endorsed to teach elementary education (1-6) and moderate disabilities (PK-8) in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts has reciprocal agreements with many states for candidates who wish to teach elsewhere in the U.S. 

A UMass Lowell teaching student shows a chart to a young student as others look on

Graduates of our program have worked in diverse roles, including:

  • Biology teacher, Andover Public Schools
  • Elementary special education teacher, Lawrence Public Schools
  • Grade 1 teacher, Chelmsford Public Schools
  • Grade 1 teacher, Wilmington Public Schools
  • Special education teacher, Lowell Public Schools

Meet Our Alumni and Students

Ryan Descheneaux talks with another student in front of a project poster board.
Ryan Descheneaux '24
Education

Ryan Descheneaux was inspired to teach by his uncle.

UMass Lowell has shaped me to become an educator who is flexible and willing to teach all age groups.
Read More About Ryan Descheneaux 
Angela Messina stands with another woman in a classroom
Angela Messina '22
Education

Until her senior year of high school, Angela Messina assumed she couldn’t afford college. But thanks to scholarships and work, she’s pursuing her dream of being a public school teacher.

Lowell gave me the best opportunities financially to be able to succeed in college.
Read More About Angela Messina 
Declan Burke reads a book to students via laptop
Declan Burke '23
Education

Declan Burke struggled in school as a child. Now he plans to become a special education teacher.

I want to help these students realize their talents and potential.
Read More About Declan Burke 
Ralph St. Louis in front of his classroom
Ralph Saint-Louis ’18, ’20
Biology and UTeach

Ralph Saint-Louis ’18, ’20 was recognized by Time Magazine as one of its 2022 Innovative Teachers.

I always knew that I wanted to teach.
Read More About Ralph Saint-Louis 
Headshot of Leslie Marrero.
Leslie Marrero '21
Education

Leslie Marrero says schools are already inviting her to apply for teaching jobs because she’s earning dual certification in teaching students with moderate disabilities.

The professors here are so great. They have their doors open at all times, and you can talk to them about anything.
Read More About Leslie Marrero 
Assoc. Prof. Iman Chahine with some of her mathematical creations
Iman Chahine
Education

Assoc. Prof. Iman Chahine helps teachers understand how different systems of mathematics serve different cultures. Her research focuses on how indigenous and techno-literate societies engage in mathematics through daily practices.

My main focus is to help students understand what counts as mathematics from a global and cultural perspective.
Read More About Iman Chahine 
Christina Sirignano seated at a desk in an office
Christina Sirignano '20, '21
History and Education

A scholarship endowed in memory of the late English teacher and lecturer Socrates Lagios helped Christina Sirignano complete her master’s degree in education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I was very happy when I got the scholarship. I took three classes the summer of COVID because I was unemployed, and I was able to not worry about money quite as much.
Read More About Christina Sirignano 
Edward Morante (left) stands with Benjamin McEvoy in front of their poster at a DifferenceMaker event, talking to a student
Edward Morante '21
English

Edward Morante says his studies in education and English, and his participation in the DifferenceMaker program, are preparing him to teach children of all ages.

I want to become a teacher because I want kids to succeed and enjoy life.
Read More About Edward Morante 
Karin Loach teaching in classroom
Karin Loach '11 '20
Education – STEM

Science teacher Karin Loach says UMass Lowell’s well-paced and structured online Doctor of Education program was a perfect fit.

I chose it because they had a STEM option in the Ed.D. program.
Read More About Karin Loach 
Bob Manseau
Bob Manseau ’72, ’85
Education

Bob Manseau was named Principal of the Year for his work in New Hampshire, but its his education from UMass Lowell that made the difference for him.

The teacher training I received was practical and real-world oriented.
Read More About Bob Manseau 
Headshot of Varsha Perkins.
Varsha Perkins '23
Education

Varsha Perkins loves both her teaching and honors classes.

It’s rewarding helping students to understand something. It’s not just teaching – it’s a connection.
Read More About Varsha Perkins 
Martha Mayo.
Martha Mayo 92'
Education

Retired special collections librarian Martha Mayo ’92 collects art – and supports art at UMass Lowell (UML).

I just buy art. I feel like it’s my job.
Read More About Martha Mayo 
Woburn superintendent Matthew Crowley stands in front of artwork a kindergarten student did after reading the book "Cat's Colors"
Matt Crowley '15
Education

Matt Crowley, part of a team that led a radical turnaround in Brockton High School, is bringing his literacy campaign to the Woburn public schools.

The professors are top-notch, and available and willing to be helpful to public schools.
Read More About Matt Crowley 
Education major Sydney Fugundes works with student at Girls Inc.
Sydney Fagundes '21
Education

Sydney Fagundes has found her calling: teaching young children, with a focus on science and math.

For every education course we have taken, we have been in a classroom observing or giving lessons since the very first class of freshman year.
Read More About Sydney Fagundes 
Janelle Christopher and her mom, Lorainne.
Janelle Christopher '22
Education

Janelle Christopher started studying at UMass Lowell at the same time as her mom, Lorraine.

We were both first-gen college students at the same time.
Read More About Janelle Christopher 
Roberta Rivera in his middle school classroom.
Roberto Rivera '18, '20
English, Spanish and Italian & Education

Roberto Rivera combined a B.A. in English literature and Spanish and Italian with a master’s degree in education to become an ESL teacher in the Lawrence schools.

My professors didn’t just make me an English teacher. They made me a teacher: someone who can work with children and teach them properly, whatever they need.
Read More About Roberto Rivera 
Education Asst. Prof. Robai Werunga
Robai Werunga
Early Intervention and Special Education

Asst. Prof. Robai Werunga works on providing early intervention to students who may have learning or behavioral disabilities. She says cultural factors play a part in determining which children get timely help – and which ones get unnecessary services.

A couple of workshops on cultural responsiveness isn’t enough. We need to embed it in everything we teach.
Read More About Robai Werunga 
UMass-Lowell-Matthew-Olson
Matthew Olson '07
Education

Matthew Olson, dean of humanities and social science at Middlesex Community College, says there is a direct connection between the doctorate he earned in Leadership in Schooling and his current job.

My courses at UMass Lowell have been so useful to me in my career.
Read More About Matthew Olson 
Payal Patel sits in front of laptop
Payal Patel '21
Biology, UTeach

When Payal Patel started college as an engineering major, she missed tutoring and teaching – so she decided to make education her career.

At UMass Lowell, you have that flexibility to change your career path.
Read More About Payal Patel 
Michael Aloisi on a laptop at his kitchen table
Michael Aloisi '22
Education

Michael Aloisi always knew that he wanted to teach. The College of Education is helping him discover all the ways that he can do it – even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You get that knowledge and that immediate hands-on education. That’s what I really love about the program.
Read More About Michael Aloisi 
Melanie Carignan with her Student Alumni Ambassador certificate pictured with her parents and Prof. Anita Greenwood
Melanie Carignan '21
Education

Melanie Carignan is so enthusiastic about the undergraduate education major that she volunteered to be the College of Education’s first alumni ambassador.

It’s way better than I ever expected. Compared to other colleges, we’re going into the classroom right away.
Read More About Melanie Carignan 
Neil Oliveria pictured with his family after being inducted into history honors society, Phi Alpha Theta
Neil Oliveria '18, '19
History & Education

Neil Oliveria, already a grandfather, is pursuing degrees in history and education so he can embark on a new career as a teacher.

Coming to UMass Lowell is the best decision I’ve made in the past 20 years.
Read More About Neil Oliveria 
Gertrude Bailey at a luncheon at UMass Lowell's ICC
Gertrude Bailey '48
Elementary Education

A Lowell elementary school is named for Gertrude M. Bailey ’48, who taught countless Lowell schoolchildren and mentored a generation of student teachers.

I loved teaching because I loved the children.
Read More About Gertrude Bailey 
Tom Heywosz writes formulas on a white board
Thomas Heywosz '18, '19
Math and UTeach

Thomas Heywosz’s experiences in the UTeach program and in Haiti have made him a successful high school math teacher.

You just know when it’s a good fit, like when I toured UMass Lowell: I just knew it was the right choice.
Read More About Thomas Heywosz 
Amanda Baptiste in cap and gown
Amanda Baptiste '21, '22
Exercise Physiology and Education

Through leadership opportunities as a student-athlete, exercise physiology graduate Amanda Baptiste found her voice — and discovered her calling to become a high school biology teacher.

Teachers had a great impact on me growing up, and I just knew I wanted to be in that position where I could impact the youth in the next generation.
Read More About Amanda Baptiste 
Education Alumnus Matthew Beyranevand
Matthew Beyranevand '03, '10
Education

Matthew Beyranevand produces and hosts “Math with Matthew,” a public access cable television show that combines comedy and music to help pre-teen children understand mathematics without even realizing it.

My time at UMass Lowell was nothing short of excellent.
Read More About Matthew Beyranevand 
Normand M. Bazin is the current head coach of the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks men's ice hockey team. In 2013 he led the team to their first Hockey East Championship and their first appearance in the Frozen Four. Contents.
Norm Bazin ’94, ’99
Men's Ice Hockey Coach

As an alum and a coach, Norm Bazin makes the River Hawks proud on and off the ice.

We intend to make the Tsongas a very tough place to get points for opposing teams.
Read More About Norm Bazin 
Morgan Tierno in her classroom
Morgan Tierno '20
Biology and UTeach

Biology teacher Morgan Tierno’s student teaching and first year on the job were complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic and major social issues. But, she says, UTeach prepared her for those challenges.

Sometimes, the most important thing to do as a teacher is just to listen and be there for your students.
Read More About Morgan Tierno 
Joyce Vega works in with students at different tables
Joyce Vega '21
Education

Joyce Vega is grateful for all of the scholarships she was able to apply for through UML’s scholarship portal.

My scholarships made it easier for me to focus on my education. They really provided me with mental sanity.
Read More About Joyce Vega 
John Martin sits at a table with three students in a classroom.
John Martin '10, '13
English, Education

John Martin ’10 ’13 went from ho-hum high school student to Teacher of the Year in the Connecticut district where he teaches high school English.

When you hear something enough, you start to believe it yourself.
Read More About John Martin 
Eleanora Peters and Education Prof. Patricia Fontaine
Eleanora Peters '23
Education

Eleanora Peters fell in love with teaching at the Boston Museum of Science.

I tried it, I loved it, and I haven’t looked back.
Read More About Eleanora Peters 
Duc Vu doing a chemistry experiment in his bathroom
Duc Vu '23
Chemistry, UTeach

Duc Vu discovered his ability to teach in high school, so he signed up for the UTeach program in STEM education.

I have a knack for presenting a lesson or a project, so I thought I’d try UTeach and see where it takes me.
Read More About Duc Vu