Frequently Asked Questions

...About Becoming a Teacher In the School of Education at Northeastern University

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education (Mass DOE) has approved the Teacher Preparation Program in the School of Education at Northeastern University.

*Please Note: Submission of School of Education Application during the sophomore year provides sufficient time for the Education student to successfully complete the Education Minor with State Licensure. Applicants admitted after sophomore year may not allow for the completion within the regular 5 year program; it may require extra time and additional cost.

1. I am thinking of teaching. What do I need to do?
2. I want to be an elementary school teacher. What do I need to know?
3. What majors are not approved for licensure in Elementary Education?
4. I want to be a secondary education teacher. What do I need to know?
5. What majors are not approved for licensure in Secondary Education at Northeastern University?
6. I am thinking of switching majors so I can teach. What do I do?
7. Is co-op required of education students?
8. When should I apply for admission to the School?
9. What is the admissions process?
10. What does the State require for teacher licensure?
11. What do I need to know about the teacher tests (MTEL)?
12. What do I do if I intend to teach in another state?
13. Am I eligible for a combined BA/BS-MAT degree program?
14. Is there a special education license on the undergraduate level?
15. Who is the Advising Team, where are they, and what are their roles?

1. I am thinking of teaching. What do I need to do?
   You begin your exploration by registering for the introductory course in the Education sequence - ED U111 Education in the Community. This course, which includes a fieldwork placement in a community partner setting, examines both issues and perspectives relevant to teaching and learning. ED U111 is offered each semester, except summer II. This course fulfills a Category 2 core requirement for students who are NOT social science majors. ED U111 is a prerequisite course for application to the School of Education.


2. I want to be an elementary school teacher. What do I need to know?
   For Elementary Education, students major in Arts and Sciences disciplines and have State Department of Education content area requirements in the following: Composition, Mathematics, American and world literature, U.S. and world history, Economics, Geography, U.S. government, and Science with a lab, which may be completed through the major and/or core courses.


3. What majors are not approved for licensure in Elementary Education?
   Most Arts and Sciences Majors are approved, however Human Services, American Sign Language, Communications Studies/Concentration in Organizational Communication are not approved majors for students interested in Elementary licensure.


4. I want to be a secondary education teacher. What do I need to know?
   For Secondary Education, students major in a discipline taught at the secondary level. Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, Spanish, History, Mathematics, Physics, and Political Science are majors approved for licensure in the School of Education.


5. What majors are not approved for licensure in Secondary Education at Northeastern University?
   Communications, Sociology, Economics, Journalism, Linguistics, Philosophy and Religion, and Psychology are not approved majors for students interested in pursuing Secondary Education. NU does not have approval for the Art and Music licensure areas at the secondary level.


6. I am thinking of switching majors so I can teach. What do I do?
   There is no Education major, so you may not have to switch majors at all unless you are not in the College of Arts & Sciences. The Department of Education requires that you have clear strengths in an academic discipline for teacher licensure. Meet with your Academic advisor about the compatibility of your major with an education minor program.


7. Is co-op required of education students?
   Education students are required to complete one co-op placement in either your major area (recommended for secondary education program) or in an educational setting (recommended for elementary education program).


8. When should I apply for admission to the School?
   You may apply for admission after the completion of ED U111 Education in the Community. We require a QPA of 2.75 or better and a "C" grade or better in all required Education courses. If you are interested in an elementary license with a combined BA/BS - MAT degree, we recommend that you apply early, during your first year, so we can assist you in the strategic selection of core courses that will fulfill both Northeastern and state requirements. If your interest is secondary license, we suggest you apply no later than the end of your sophomore year. A late admittance means a late decision that may influence and extend your graduation date.


9. What is the admissions process?
   We have a special Admissions process. You can pick up an Admissions Packet from the information desk at 26 Nightingale Hall then return the completed packet to Jackie Ramos in the School of Education. You will receive a decision letter from Joyce Khoury our Coordinator of Admissions. Once accepted you then will meet with an Education advisor to help you with program planning.


10. What does the State require for teacher licensure?
    The State requires licensure in order to teach in a public school.
    Secondary teacher candidates must successfully complete our education minor, along with the desired content major, and pass the appropriate Massachusetts Test for Teacher Licensure (MTEL) to qualify for licensure.
    Elementary teacher candidates must complete our education minor, in conjunction with an Arts and Sciences major, pass the appropriate Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and demonstrate a distribution of 36 SH credits of general coursework covering the following content areas to qualify for licensure:
    Composition, Child Development, American and World Literature, US and World History, Geography, Economics, US Government, Laboratory Science, Mathematics
    Students may satisfy this 36 SH requirement through their careful selection of core requirements, electives, and major courses: Your advisors will assist in identifying appropriate courses.


11. What do I need to know about the teacher tests (MTEL)?
    The MTEL (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure) tests basic skills as well as proficiency in subject matter, knowledge of teaching and learning, and specific knowledge in the teaching of reading (Elementary Licensure only). These tests are scheduled repeatedly throughout the year. You may take any test more than once. Learn more at the Department of Education web site www.doe.mass.edu/mtel. You must pass all MTEL tests and complete licensure requirements successfully before you apply for your student teaching experience. At the School of Education, we offer MTEL Workshops to help students, alumni and non-students pass the state licensure tests. For more information regarding our workshop schedule, call x4216.


12. What do I do if I intend to teach in another state (reciprocity)?
    Our School of Education will require that you complete Massachusetts requirements for licensure, but you may take these credentials to any state Department of Education and apply for licensure in that state. Licensure is reciprocal among many states and Massachusetts, but it is wise to check with the Department of Education in your home state to see if there are any distinctive requirements. Visit the Department of Education website at www.doe.mass.edu.


13. Am I eligible for a combined BA/BS - MAT degree program?
    The BA/BS-Master of Arts in Teaching program is a newly approved program that combines three (3) years undergraduate study with (2) years advanced graduate study. Students formally accepted into the School of Education are eligible for the BA/BS-MAT program. The admission criteria BA/BS-MAT are: a) QPA of 3.000, by the end of the fall semester/middler year, b) completion of 80 semester hours of undergraduate course work, c) successful completion of MTEL (01) and appropriate subject matter MTEL. d) written recommendation from your Major Advisor and e) written recommendation from an external community and/or school site. If you meet these requirements, then you are eligible to apply for the graduate phase of the program. Within this combined degree program, students seeking licensure at the elementary level may pursue an additional license in Early Childhood (Pre K-2) which requires a Pre K- K half practicum experience.


14. Is there a Special Education license on the Undergraduate Level?
    No, we do not offer a special education license on the undergraduate level. However, the School of Education does offer The Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities licensure, as a separate initial license within a Master's Degree Program.


15. Who is the Advising Team, where are they, and what are their roles?
    MICKY COKELY is the Head Advisor. Ms. Cokely is located in 59 LA, at x5667, and her office hours are posted on her door. Her email is m.cokely@neu.edu.
    CLAUDIA GROSE is the Director of Field Placement. She organizes field placements in public schools for eligible students. Ms. Grose is located in 37 NI, at x7081. Her email is c.grose@neu.edu.
    JOYCE KHOURY is the Coordinator of Admissions & Recruitment in the School of Education. Dr. Khoury answers general questions about the teacher preparation programs and holds Information Sessions for students interested in the School's programs. She is also the Director of Elementary Education. Ms. Khoury is located in 61 LA, at x7347 and office hours are posted on her door. Her email is j.khoury@neu.edu.
    SECONDARY EDUCATION students in the Secondary Education program are assigned to various education faculty at the time of acceptance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NANCY GEOFFRION is Co-op Faculty Coordinator. Ms. Geoffrion coordinates Co-op placements. Office: 43 LA, at x3453, and her office hours are posted weekly on line, on office door, and at reception desk at 26 NI. Her email is n.geoffrion@neu.edu.