EdM in Elementary Education

Initial License in Elementary Education (Grades 1–6)

The Elementary Education Program is designed for a candidate with a liberal or professional undergraduate degree who seeks licensure as an elementary education teacher. Our graduate candidates embark on a rigorous course of study while participating in mentored field experiences. This program offers full-time and part-time opportunities.

The pedagogical courses and classroom experiences are designed to induct preservice teachers into the current research and best practices of each subject area in the elementary curriculum.

Prior to practicum, students complete a minimum of 120 hours in the field, planning and teaching lessons across the curriculum as well as completing other field-related assignments. In the spring, candidates student-teach for the entire term, assuming major responsibility for designing and implementing effective instruction and assessing children’s learning.

Learning Outcomes

• Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment: Promotes the learning and growth of all students by providing high-quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an ongoing basis, and continuously refining learning objectives (Well-Structured Lessons; Adjustments to Practice; Reflective Practice).
• Teaching All Students: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency (High Expectations; Meeting Diverse Needs; Safe Learning Environment).
• Family and Community Engagement: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations.
• Professional Culture: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice (Meeting Diverse Needs).
• Demonstrates Subject Matter Knowledge.

Curriculum Requirements (42 units)

Coursework (34 units)

• WED CH 515 Curriculum Methods (1–6) (10 units)
• WED ED 502/503 Analyzing Foundations of Teaching (2 units)
• WED LR 551 Reading Development, Assessment, and Instruction (4 units)
• WED ME 503 Mathematical Reasoning in the Elementary Grades: Number Systems (4 units)
• WED ME 504 Mathematical Reasoning in the Elementary Grades: Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics (4 units)
• WED RS 600 Introduction to Research (4 units)
• WED SE 510 Special Education: Curriculum and Instruction (2 units)
• WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)

Field Experiences (8 units)

Boston University enjoys long-standing relationships with many urban and suburban school systems in greater Boston that offer rewarding field experiences under the guidance of expert teachers and faculty. Students participate in a total of three field placements:

WED CH 655 Student Teaching Practicum: Elementary 1–6 (8 units). The practicum includes a full term of supervised classroom experience, plus 10 seminars.

Add-On License in Teaching English Language Learners (ESL)

The TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Program offers a five-course, 18-unit add-on license pathway for licensure-seeking graduate students pursuing initial certification in another content area. Through this pathway, licensure-seeking students also meet requirements for an initial license in English as a Second Language (ESL) (PreK–6) in Massachusetts.

In this course of study, students are introduced to the key factors affecting second language acquisition, learn techniques for fostering language development through rich academic content, and practice strategies relevant to teaching English as a second language. In addition, they learn how to support students’ literacy skills in their home languages and how to integrate best practices of culturally sustaining teaching into their classrooms. As part of the program, licensure-seeking students complete an ESL practicum.

This pathway consists of the following courses:

• WED BI 504 Seminar: The Student-Teaching Experience—Bilingual (ESL) Language (2 units)
• WED BI 515 Methods in Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) (4 units)
• WED BI 535 Literacy Development for Bilingual Students: Instruction and Assessment (4 units)
• WED LS 658 Second Language Acquisition (4 units)
• WED TL 571 Student-Teaching Practicum: ESL, PreK–6 (4 units)