Students who are preparing for careers in education will find a variety of opportunities at the college. Each program integrates understanding of learning processes, professional skills, and broad-based knowledge of content in the specific field.

Lasell University's Connected Learning approach is incorporated throughout the education curriculum based on current practice and research, diverse field-based experiences, and supportive faculty-student relationships. Students in licensure programs take many courses that embed service-learning and culturally relevant teaching, beginning with ED 110, Teaching and Learning in American Schools, and culminating in the practicum/student teaching experience in the senior year. Students complete practicum experiences all four years in suburban and urban school settings through our partner school district sites. Each program culminates in a capstone experience, full practicum, that features practice-based research with problems arising from and explored in classroom teaching in public school settings.

Students in the Education Curriculum and Instruction (non-licensure) program work with leading faculty to create an unique multidisciplinary teaching and learning plan with career preparation in and out of schools.  Students in this program complete internships in a variety of settings including behavior analysis agencies, private school teaching, non-profit organizations, early childhood centers, Headstart, Edtech companies, etc.   Each program culminates in a capstone experience that features practice-based research with problems arising from and explored in teaching in the variety of contexts to prepare to seek professional opportunities with children and youth.

Lasell offers state-approved licensure programs at early childhood, elementary, and secondary levels, as well as a non-licensure curriculum & instruction option. Majors offered in the department include the following:

A. Licensure Programs

1. Early Childhood Education (Pre-Kindergarten-Grade 2)
2. Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)
3. Secondary Education (Grade 5-12) with English Major
4. Secondary Education (Grade 5-12) with History Major

B. Non-Licensure Program

1. Interdisciplinary Studies: Education, Curriculum and Instruction 

Students in any of the education programs must meet department standards for progress in their major. To enter and continue in any education program, students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 and earn at least a B- in each ED course required for the major or concentration. In addition to the GPA and grade requirements, students must fulfill the prerequisite of passing both Communication & Literacy subtests of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) prior to enrollment in any junior-level courses required for an education program. Prior to enrollment in all senior-level ED courses, licensure students must meet the GPA and minimum grade requirements and pass all required MTEL tests. (Some individual courses have additional pre-requisites.)

*Your program may lead to licensure which is valid in the state of Massachusetts. Licensure may be valid in other states but may require additional steps and cannot be guaranteed. To learn more about other state licensure reciprocity please visit https://www.nc-sara.org/professional-licensure-directory

The Education Department also offers a Master of Education Degree with two areas of concentration: Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) and Moderate Disabilities. Students may be eligible to earn a master's degree in one of these fields through a fifth-year program.  Additionally, Graduate Certificate Programs in Teaching English Learners with Disabilities is also available for Graduate credit and Professional Development Points. The Graduate Program is described elsewhere in the catalog.