Licensure Only, Elementary Education

This program is designed for those seeking initial licensure in elementary education but not a master’s degree. Typically, people with a master's degree and many education credits will apply for this program. 

Elementary school teachers must demonstrate knowledge and excitement about content across the curriculum. Let your passion for learning lead your students to develop the skills they need to be successful learners and people.

Apply Now
Program Requirements

Program Overview

Program Features

  • Flexible pacing options: Students can select full-time or part-time plans based on work-life commitments to best meet their needs.
  • Online modality: All online programs, with synchronous and asynchronous coursework
  • Exciting full-year teaching practicums: where students gain experience working in public schools under the supervision of a supervising practitioner. Students can complete the full-year practicum by applying to our fellowship program (the sponsoring school district pays the candidate's tuition and fees for the fall/spring terms), being employed as a paraprofessional, or being placed in a traditional student teaching role.
  • Faculty: Internationally renowned faculty focused on co-constructing educational experiences contextualized in transformational learning of educational theory, content, pedagogy, and practice.
  • Culturally sustaining practices: Our teacher candidates are trained to create equitable learning environments for children in public schools. They learn how to design and implement culturally responsive lessons, manage classrooms of diverse learners, respond to the needs of all students and increase equitable access to learning for all students. Our dedicated faculty are committed to promoting social justice and equitable access to learning for all students.

Curriculum

Students admitted to this program will meet with the program coordinator to develop a tailored program of study of 12-27 credits that will fulfill the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) license requirements*.

Most online courses are synchronous and meet after 4:30 pm on weekdays. Some online courses are asynchronous and do not have set meeting times. Professors have weekly online office hours for real-time meetings.

*Please be aware that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may change licensure requirements. Students are advised to contact the state for specific, current licensure requirements. Students may access that information at the Department for Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Full-Time Experiential Placement Options

There are three options for fulfilling your full-time placement.

Existing Job

An existing job as a para, emergency hire teacher, or a full-time teacher position.

Placement Without Pay

A placement without pay, where we find a full-time position for the teacher candidate in an elementary classroom. 

Fellowship

A limited number of fellowships, funded by partner school districts, may be available each year to qualified applicants. Fellowships pay a comparable stipend to para positions. Few teaching fellowships pay a salary. 

Fellowships applications are due March 1 prior to the full-time fall-spring on-site placement. Paid fellowships are competitive. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for entry into a fellowship.

Careers

The program is designed to prepare teacher candidates to become successful, culturally responsive, and reflective elementary school educators for grades 1-6 in the diverse public schools of the state of Massachusetts. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Massachusetts elementary school teachers earn an average annual salary of $71,309. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development projects 141 average annual job openings due to growth and 573 average annual job openings due to replacements for elementary school teachers.

Explore Pathways to a Career in Elementary Education

Salem State offers three unique pathways to prepare you for the next steps in your career as an elementary school teacher.
 

Elementary Education Program Options

  • Licensure only, elementary education: This program is designed for those seeking initial licensure in elementary education but not a master’s degree.
  • MEd, elementary education, initial licensure: This program is designed for career changers or recent graduates from undergraduate school who wish to pursue teaching grades 1-6 in Massachusetts.
  • MEd, elementary education, advanced studies: This program is designed for those who already have an initial license or are not seeking a license and are seeking graduate-level expertise in elementary education.

If you have any questions about which program would be the best fit for you, please reach out to graduate admissions.

Take the Next Step

Have Questions?

Whether you want to learn more about courses, faculty members or general program information, contact the graduate program coordinator, Anneliese Worster, to see what this program can offer you.

Ready to Apply?

Your future is waiting. Take the next step by learning about program-specific admissions requirements, and apply today!

Back to top