Education Specialist Programs

Build on 145+ years of excellence.

Guide the next generation of changemakers.

Whether you want to become a teacher or explore an alternative career path, as a student at Worcester State University you will be joining a distinguished 150-year legacy of professionals in Massachusetts.

From the first moment of your first class, you will be immersed in hands-on learning. Through critical classroom learning, strategic partnerships with Worcester Public Schools, and extensive preparation for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), Worcester State students will be ready to make a difference as outstanding professional educators. Led by renowned and diverse faculty, you will develop the skills to build a curriculum, plan daily instruction, and confront modern classroom challenges.

VIEW THE CATALOG

Education Specialist in Secondary Education

Education Specialist in School Psychology

Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction

Why study at Worcester State?

Worcester State offers enriching extracurriculars, holistic curriculum and hands-on, practical classroom experience in almost every class.

Hands-on student-teaching programs in local school districts
Practical experiences starting the first year in the program
Kappa Delta Pi Honors Society

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Approved Program
Extensive preparation for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure

Classroom Management and Child Guidance
Educator & Cultural Diversity
Assessment and Adjustment
Family and Community Engagement
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Exceptionalities and Accommodating Diverse Learners
Children’s Literature

Language Arts & Literacy
Social Studies and Multiculturalism
Children And Youth With Disabilities
History and Philosophy of Ed
Educational Psychology
Emergent Literacy
Integrating Science, Social Studies and the Fine Arts
Typical and Atypical Children

School Psychology
Moderate Disabilities
Teaching English as Second Language
Sheltered English Immersion
Curriculum and Instruction
Leadership and Administration
The Teaching of Reading

The mission of the WSU/WPS Professional Development Schools Partnerships is to uphold a learning community with the shared goals of improving and enriching the professional preparation of teacher candidates, providing ongoing professional development of teachers, enhancing faculty development, applying inquiry directed at the improvement of practice, and improving P-12 student achievement and learning.

Our Professional Development Schools (PDS) partnerships are collaborative endeavors between 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools in Worcester, Massachusetts and Worcester State University. The stakeholders in the partnerships share a commitment to enhancing education and student achievement in the region through quality teacher education, in-service teacher training, shared inquiry, and innovative methodologies. Worcester State University established its first PDS partnership with Chandler Magnet School in 1995 and the partnerships have evolved and expanded to include 12 schools in the Worcester Public Schools. These partnerships were developed based on recommendations from the Holmes Group, a consortium of teacher preparation universities, in 1995 and now follow guidelines established by the National Association of Professional Development Schools.
Belmont Street Community School
Chandler Elementary Community School
Chandler Magnet School
Columbus Park Preparatory Academy
May Street School
Norrback Avenue School
Tatnuck Magnet School
Woodland Academy
Forest Grove Middle School
Dr. Arthur F. Sullivan Middle School
South High Community School
North High School

See the diverse career paths that this degree can prepare you for.

Explore a wide range of rewarding professional opportunities with your degree from Worcester State.

Daycare Center Administrator

Special Education Teachers

Daycare Provider

English as a Second Language Teacher

Program Director

Reading Specialist

Special Needs Teacher

PreK-12 Teacher

Where will your Worcester State degree take you?

Map your path to a rewarding career.

Education student at Worcester State Nick Giovino

Through Education, I've had the chance to explore ways that I can impact people and change lives.

— Nick Giovino, Education

From day one, we are observing in classrooms, and working alongside real teachers and students to gain that practical knowledge and experience.

— Ellie Poitras-Cote, Early Childhood Education

Black Excellence Academy educator Amari Greggs

At the Black Excellence Academy, we teach our students to love and respect themselves and others while also teaching them the importance of teamwork...[I] get to watch my students as well as myself grow as we learn from each other.

— Amari Greggs, Math for Elementary Education, Black Excellence Academy Teacher

Meet Your Faculty

Kristine Camacho

Assistant Professor

I am currently an assistant professor in the School Psychology program at Worcester State. Prior to joining the faculty at WSU, I worked for 10 years as a school psychologist and special education coordinator in a public school setting. My research [...]

Read Bio

Susan Monaghan

Associate Professor

Read Bio

Meet All Faculty

Education News

Innovative new child care center with early childhood education lab school announced

The Guild of St. Agnes will open a state-of-the-art, 155-seat child care center this fall that will feature an innovative early childhood education lab school through a new partnership with Worcester State University.

Read Story

University announces new Executive Director for Latino Education Institute

After a nationwide search, the University has announced the appointment of Maria Juncos-Gautier, Ph.D., as the new executive director for the Latino Education Institute – LEI.

Read Story

Black Excellence Academy aims to highlight culture, close academic gaps

WORCESTER – A new after-school program for local students is trying to erase the learning gaps for Black students that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, while also celebrating their history and culture.

Read Story

Teacher Tim McCrohon ’96 Repaired 300+ Bikes to Keep Students Active

When the pandemic closed public schools last March, elementary school teacher Tim McCrohon ‘96 knew what to do to help students who found themselves suddenly sequestered at home. He would use his bicyclerepair skills so they could get safely outside and pedal away some of their restlessness and frustration.

Read Story

More Info

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education publishes data on all state-approved education preparation programs. You can access each of the reports on our department’s program-completion and post-graduation performance data via the following links:
Candidate Enrollment Data
Program Completion Data
MTEL Pass Rates
Employment Rates (post-graduation)
Employment Rates by Program (post-graduation)

Take the Next Step

Apply

Request Information

Visit

Education Specialist Programs

Guide the next generation of changemakers.

Whether you want to become a teacher or explore an alternative career path, as a student at Worcester State University you will be joining a distinguished 150-year legacy of professionals in Massachusetts.