Biology Degree (B.S.) with Teacher Licensure Program

The Biology Department, in collaboration with the Education Department, offers a program of study leading to licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Education as a Teacher of Secondary School Biology. 

Requirements

Program Description

Westfield State University's educator preparation programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). The Biology Department, in collaboration with the Education Department, offers a program of study leading to licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Education as a Teacher of Secondary School Biology. The Biology Teacher Education Program at Westfield State University has been recognized by the National Science Teachers Association.

Students wishing to be licensed to teach Biology at the High School level must complete the following:
  • The Professional Sequence for the Secondary (8-12) Specialist
  • The Introductory Biology/Math Courses (11-12 Credits)
  • Biology Seminars
  • Required Chemistry Courses for the Biology Major (16 Credits)
  • CAIS 0101 - Computers in Society (3 Credits)
  • Additional Licensure Requirements listed below
Professional Sequence: Middle and Secondary (Grades 5-12)

The Professional Sequence for Middle and Secondary must be completed by students intending to teach an academic subject area in the Middle or Secondary School. Students must complete an academic major in the subject area in which the licensure is sought.

Professional Sequence Core:

Professional Sequence Courses Middle and Secondary:

Practicum

Appropriate academic Practicum and Seminar, such as the following:

General Education and Common Core Courses

BIOL 0102 - Environmental Biology for a Changing World, BIOL 0104 - Human Biology, and BIOL 0106 - Practical Biology for the World Today each satisfy General Education and Common Core requirements, however they DO NOT satisfy requirements for the Biology Major and should not be taken by students within the major. MATH 0105 - Calculus I and MATH 0108 - Elementary Statistics each satisfy General Education and Common Core requirements. BIOL 0237 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 0278 - Biostatistics each satisfy Common Core requirements, but do not satisfy General Education requirements. Courses should be selected with guidance from faculty advisor.

Introductory Biology/Math Courses
Biology Seminars

Three 1-credit seminars as follows:

Note:

The first-year seminar serves as an introduction to the field of biology, research methods, and career opportunities; assists students in integrating the knowledge gained in individual biology and cognate courses; and helps document the student's progress toward meeting the departmental learning goals. A topical seminar (BIOL 0280-0289) is typically taken during the junior or senior year and focuses on specific topics, while the Senior Seminar requires the presentation of a portfolio documenting the student's progress toward meeting the departmental learning goals.

Required Chemistry Courses
Additional Licensure Requirements:

 

Note:

Students progress toward meeting Advanced Standing in Teacher Education is monitored at the end of the sophomore year (57 credits).  All students must meet the requirements for Advanced Standing to achieve teacher candidacy.   Please see section on Licensure for Teaching under Academic Policies.

In order to be eligible for student teaching, a student must have completed all required course and field work, have an overall GPA of 2.8 (including transfer work), a GPA of 3.0 in all pedagogy coursework, and have a passing grade in the appropriate Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (i.e., Communication and Literacy and the Biology subject area tests).

Pedagogical Coursework

An overall 2.8 GPA plus a 3.0 GPA in the pedagogical sequence specific to your licensure program prior to practicum is required. Consult with the department on which courses are classified as part of the pedagogy requirements.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate a comprehension of the following core concepts from the molecular to ecosystem level:

  • Evolution: Change over time and mechanisms involved
  • Structure and function: How the shape of something affects performance
  • Energy transformation: Energy capture, use and transfer
  • Information flow: Transmission and interpretation of biological information
  • Systems: Interaction and organization of components
Westfield State student teacher with students