Education
The Education Programs at Bay Path College prepare you to be teachers and leaders in the elementary schools. You will prepare for licensure granted by the Massachusetts Department of Education. The goals of the Education Program are to ensure that our graduates are of excellent academic caliber and become exemplary teachers.
The Education Program has a strong liberal arts base as its foundation. This foundation provides the student with in-depth knowledge of the academic disciplines necessary for successful teaching.
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies/Early Childhood Education (Public School)
(Licensure: Massachusetts Department of Education)
The licensure program in Early Childhood Education consists of a liberal studies major combined with appropriate education courses. Students are required to take the Bay Path College core, a liberal studies core, and an early childhood education core.
This program has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education. Students earn an initial license, grades PreK-2, issued by the Massachusetts Department of Education. The PreK-2 teaching license qualifies for reciprocity with states that participate in the Interstate Agreement and endorse similar licensure. This allows Bay Path College education graduates to teach in states other than Massachusetts.
Accreditation: The Elementary Education Program is fully approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education for Initial licensure.
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies/Early Childhood Education (Private School Director)
(Licensure: Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care)
The Early Childhood Education Leadership program consists of a liberal studies major combined with appropriate education courses. Students are required to take the Bay Path College core, a liberal studies core, and an early childhood education core specific to the needs of leadership in private preschool administration. Admissions and retention criteria are the same as for the general population of Bay Path College.
Students who complete the program have the opportunity to earn a professional certificate as a director, issued by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies/Elementary Education (grades 1-6)
(Licensure: Massachusetts Department of Education)
The licensure program in Elementary Education consists of a liberal studies major combined with appropriate education courses. Students are required to take the Bay Path College core, a liberal studies core, and an elementary education core.
This program has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education. Students earn an initial teaching license in Elementary Education, grades 1-6, issued by the Massachusetts Department of Education. The Elementary Education license qualifies for reciprocity with states that participate in the Interstate Agreement and endorse similar licensure. This allows Bay Path College education graduates to teach in states other than Massachusetts.
Accreditation: The Elementary Education Program is fully approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education for Initial licensure
The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)
Effective as of February 21, 1998, candidates applying for their first teaching credential (initial licensure) will be required to pass The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). The purpose of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) is to help ensure that a licensed educator has the knowledge and skills essential to teach in Massachusetts public schools. Bay Path education students must pass the entire MTEL prior to entering the senior year.
Massachusetts regulations for initial licensure in Early Childhood and Elementary Education require candidates to pass three exams:
- Communication and Literacy (a test of reading and writing),
- A subject test in either Early Childhood Education or General Curriculum,
- Foundations of Reading (a test on the subject of reading).
Students who wish to become certified in states outside of Massachusetts must also pass any additional examinations given by that state.
It is the student’s responsibility to register for the tests and to be aware of registration deadlines and rules of test participation. Students must designate Bay Path College as the institution of higher education to receive the score report. It is the student’s responsibility to submit all necessary documentation for alternative testing arrangements should she feel they are warranted. Decisions on alternative testing arrangements are made by the MTEL, not Bay Path College.
Exit from the Education Program:
To exit from the Education Program and be considered a program completer, the student must successfully complete all paper and performance requirements as stipulated by the Education Department. As part of completion of practicum requirements, the student must demonstrate teaching competency through successful completion of a Preservice Performance Assessment developed by the Massachusetts Department of Education. The student’s performance on this instrument is evaluated primarily by the supervising practitioner (teacher) in cooperation with the program supervisor from the College.
