4+ Initial License in Middle School Education

Check out the different education courses waiting for you at Worcester State!

ED-149 Introduction to the Teaching Profession Middle/Secondary School

This course will provide a basic understanding to the teaching aspects in middle and secondary classrooms. It will explore the Massachusetts Department of Educational Professional Standards for Teachers and give students a general orientation to the profession. Principles of the teaching/learning process and related skills will be addressed, in addition to observable behaviors in the classroom setting(s). Students will be required to do 5 fieldwork observation hours in an accredited middle/secondary school.

3 credits

ED-207 The Adolescent in Schools & Society

This course will investigate the educational, psychological, social and environmental factors related to adolescents in school settings.

3 credits

ED-251 Principles of Curriculum, Instruction, And Assessment in Middle and High School

Introduces lesson planning, literacy demands, curriculum development and assessment strategies at the middle and high school level. 10 hours of fieldwork.

3 credits

ED-270 Diversity & Multicultural Ed

Introduction to multicultural education, equity and social justice issues in education including a focus on race, ethnicity, languages, class, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disabilities.

3 credits

ED-909 RETELL: Best Practices for English Language Learners

The course addresses research based institutional and assessment strategies for English language learners. Working with culturally diverse learners 25 hours of pre-practicum experience required.

3 credits

ED-973 Instructional Design and Evaluation for Middle-Secondary School

The course reviews relevant models of instruction and their application in middle and secondary school grades, examines appropriate evaluation strategies and approaches designed to give students the ability to plan and implement overall assessment strategies, including alternative assessment, and the use of technology in instruction and evaluation. Includes 15 pre-practicum hours

3 credits

ES-925 Inclusive Settings: Learning Strategies and management Techniques (5-12)

The course focuses on learning and behavior needs of children with disabilities. Developing strategies to improve teaching and learning for all students in inclusive grade 5-12 classrooms. The course does not meet competencies for license in Moderate Disabilities.

3 credits

ES-905 Methods and Materials for Teaching Humanities

The course focuses on teaching methods and advanced curriculum course for humanities fields including English, World Language, and History/Political Science. Taken concurrently with pre-practicum.

3 credits

ES-906 Methods and Materials for Teaching Science and Math

The course focuses on teaching methods and advanced curriculum course for science and mathematics fields, including Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science and health. Candidates will develop skills in assessment, data collection, and adjustment to practice based on evidence and will apply these skills in the pre-practicum classroom. Taken concurrently with pre-practicum.

3 credits

ES-921 Clinical Experience for Middle-Secondary Grades (5-12)

Pre-practicum experience in the subject area and at the level necessary to meet requirements of license which the candidate is pursuing. Involves planning, implementing, and evaluating learning for every student.

3 credits

ED-981 Advanced Foundations of Education

The course explores historical, philosophical, psychological, legal, and cultural foundations for education and school practices.

3 credits

ED-958 Middle School Curriculum and Instruction: Strategies and Modification

The course is designed to give students the ability to design and present instruction in ways that are commensurate with the developmental needs and readiness of early adolescent learners. The issues of inclusion, cooperative learning, block scheduling, thematic, and integrated curriculum and interdisciplinary curriculum are examined.

3 credits

ED-959 Assessment, Differentiation and Data Analysis in Middle School

Designed to give students the ability to plan and implement overall assessment strategies appropriate for middle school grades including formative, summative, differentiated, performance based, and self assessment strategies. Analysis of assessment data will inform adjustments to practice.

3 credits

ED-963 The Understanding and Teaching of Culture

The course focuses on approaches to cultural analysis and survey of techniques used to teach culture in the classroom.

3 credits

ES-950 Disciplinary, Multimodal and Critical Literacies Across the Content Area

This course examines the language, literacy, and technology demands in history, math, the sciences, English language arts, Spanish and other academic disciplines and guides teachers to develop effective strategies to meet those demands. It focuses on the literacy and technology skills that students in all subjects need to be college, career, and world ready and strategies for effective differentiation and adaptation for English Language Learners and students with learning disabilities.

3 credits

ED-982 Research in Education

The course examines different research methods and designs, including writing hypothesis, reviewing literature, gathering data and preparing research proposals.

3 credits

ED-994 Thesis Seminar

Students work with faculty advisor(s) to design, implement, and evaluate a formal study that seeks to investigate a significant issue, professional and content related in secondary school education. The focus is on the application of research skills and the presentation of research reports.

3 credits

Why Study Education at Worcester State?

Worcester State’s nationally accredited Education program 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
Gamma Chi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi Honors Society

Beta Mu Chapter of Alpha Upsilon Alpha Honors Society
International Phi Delta Kappa Alumni Honors Society
Extensive preparation for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Accreditation
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Approved Program
Association for Advance Quality of Educator Preparation (AAQEP) Accreditation

Early Childhood Education
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
Elementary Education

Middle School Education
Secondary Education
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