Department of Teaching and Learning

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UMass Dartmouth offers both licensure and professional certificates and degree programs for teachers.

Three certificates offer the sequences of courses approved by the Education Department of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for initial teaching licensure.

A Masters of Art in Teaching (MAT) is a degree program approved by the Education Department of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for professional teaching licensure.

Teacher candidates who already hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited four year institution may earn an initial license by following a sequence of courses at the post baccalaureate level in preparation for the initial teaching license. To prepare for an initial license at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, Post-Baccalaureate students must successfully pass state tests and complete the sequence of education courses. The Post-Baccalaureate program includes content courses that require prepracticum assignments in local area schools and one full semester of student teaching. For those already teaching, a supervised practicum equivalent may be arranged.

Note to current UMass Dartmouth undergraduate students:

As of September 2004, UMass Dartmouth’s Teacher Preparation Program for the Initial License is offered just at the post-baccalaureate level. Thus,the Education Department no longer offers 300 level courses, instead offering the 500 level courses that make up the post-baccalaureate program. The “old” undergraduate-level program will be phased out in a manner that maintains commitment to present students. See the current General Catalogue for details. Education department advisors will assist students in making the decision that is best for them.

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Maureen Hall Assistant Professor of Education (2003), BA University of Massachusetts Amherst, MEd 1990 Keene State College, MA 1999, PhD 2003 University of Virginia Charlottesville. Specializations: English education, middle and secondary education, literacy, developmental teaching and language arts, K-12 curriculum design, professional development, community-making, innovation, and reform.

Cynthia Kruger Professor of Education (1970), BS 1964 Bridgewater State College, MA 1965 Clark University, PhD 1971 Fordham University. Specializations: middle and secondary education, curriculum development, methodology, social studies, reading, inclusive education.

Dr. Joao J. Rosa Assistant Professor (2006), BA 1993 University of Massachusetts Boston; MA 1999 University of Massachusetts Boston, Ph.D. 2006 University of Wisconsin Madison Professor Specialization: Curricular theory, sociolinguistics, bilingual education and literacy.

Kerri Ullucci Assistant Professor of Education (2005), BA 1997 Carnegie Mellon University, MA 1998 University of Pittsburgh. Specializations: multicultural education, urban schooling. elementary education, language arts, instruction for English language learners.

Teresa C. Nelson Director of Licensure and Placement.  Teacher certification and licensure, special education, urban education, early childhood and public school pre-k-12 administration.

MAT Advisors

All students will have an academic advisor appropriate to their teaching specialty.

Biology
Professor Brenda Berube
Interim Chair, STEM
508-999-8330
brenda.berube@umassd.edu

Chemistry
Professor Brenda Berube
Interim Chair, STEM
508-999-8330
brenda.berube@umassd.edu

English
Dr. William Nelles, Professor of English
508 999-8284
wnelles@umassd.edu

French, Spanish
Dr. Christina Biron, Professor of Foreign
Literature and Languages (Spanish)
508 999-8743
cbiron@umassd.edu

General Science
Professor Brenda Berube
Interim Chair, STEM
508-999-8330
brenda.berube@umassd.edu

History
Dr. Gerard Koot, Chairperson and Chancellor
Professor of History
508 999-8305
gkoot@umassd.edu

Mathematics
Dr. Maria Blanton, STEM Department
508 999-9154
mblanton@umassd.edu

Political Science/Political Philosophy
Dr. Gerard Koot, Chancellor Professor of History
508 999-8305
gkoot@umassd.edu

Portuguese
Dr. Glaucia Silva, Associate Professor, Portuguese Department
gsilva@umassd.edu
508-999-8271

MTEL Prep Assistance

Offered through Professional and Continuing Education regularly throughout the year is a short course to help one prepare for the MTEL test. For more information go to the PCE website: www.umassd.edu/pce or call 508-999-9202.

Post-Baccalaureate Program Initial License Content Areas

Because future teachers’ undergraduate majors provide much of the content and specialization knowledge that they will use as teachers, the choice of a specific major can be important for the prospective teacher. This is another reason why current undergraduate students considering a teaching career should contact the Education Department for individual advisement.

Certification areas offered through the UMass Dartmouth program are:

• Elementary Education Teacher (1-6)
• Teacher of Biology (8-12)
• Teacher of English (5-8) (8-12)
• Teacher of Foreign Languages-French (5-12)
• Teacher of General Science (5-8)
• Teacher of Foreign Languages-Portuguese (5-12)
• Teacher of Foreign Languages-Spanish (5-12)
• Teacher of History (5-8) (8-12)
• Teacher of Mathematics (5-8) (8-12)
• Teacher of Political Science /Political Philosophy (5-8)/(8-12)
• Teacher of Physics (8-12)
• Teacher of Visual Art (PreK-8) (5-12)

The above programs are offered by departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, with the following exceptions. Teacher of Physics licensure is offered through the Department of Physics in the College of Engineering. The College of Visual and Performing Arts offers Teacher of Visual Art licensure through academic programs at both bachelor’s and master’s levels and Teacher of Music licensure through an option in the Music BA program. (For Music and the BFA in Art Education, see the UMass Dartmouth General Catalogue; for the MAE in Art Education, see elsewhere in this catalogue.)

Admission Requirements

Requirements for admission to the teacher preparation program 

• All post baccalaureate candidates must have an appropriate bachelor’s degree and apply through the Graduate Admissions Office.
• All candidates must submit a completed application, have a 2.7 GPA and a personal interview with a member of the Teaching and Learning Department.
• Official transcripts showing date of graduation must be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office.
• All candidates must pass the Communication and Literacy Skills Test, and appropriate content MTEL. The appropriate content for Elementary Education candidates is the General Curriculum.  Elementary Education candidates must also pass the Foundation of Reaching MTEL. Middle and high school candidates must pass the appropriate content area exam.
• At the conclusion of the program students completing the Initial Licensing Program will receive a University certificate; endorsed by UMass Dartmouth. 

 Requirements charts are shown for Elementary Education Initial License, Post Baccalaureate Students, Middle School Education Licensure, Post Baccalaureate Students or Secondary School Education Licensure, Post Baccalaureate Students.

Note: When fewer than 10 persons took the test, scores are not shown.

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