Elementary Education

Program Overview

A major in elementary education provides graduates with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to successfully enter the field with initial licensure from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE): Teacher: Elementary: grades 1-6. 

Comprehensive and Career-Focused

The three pillars of the Early Elementary program include:

1. a comprehensive curriculum focused on research-based, best-practices for students in first through sixth grade
2. a comprehensive pre-practicum / practicum sequence including opportunities for field-based experiences beginning as early as their first semester in the program
3. career-focused mentoring from a dedicated faculty and staff with decades of experience across the PreK-12 spectrum, as classroom teachers, educational leaders and researchers.  

Career-focused Mentoring

Stonehill’s small class sizes allow licensure candidates to receive career-focused mentoring. Through experiences both inside and outside the classroom, dedicated faculty and staff with decades of experience across the PreK-12 spectrum work with licensure candidates to individualize their program to meet their interests and future career goals. 

Faculty teaching in the Elementary Education program have extensive teaching experience in public and private PreK-12 settings; deliver professional development to  teachers, schools and districts across the Commonwealth and across the nation; present their research at local, regional and national conferences; work in the field in places such as Boston Children’s Hospital; and serve on the boards of several professional organizations. This wealth of experience and connection to PreK-12 schools and teachers enables the faculty to provide high quality, practical educational experiences to Stonehill students.  

Bolstering Professional Experience, Making an Impact

Elementary education students also have access to other opportunities that bolster their professional experience before they even graduate. The Stonehill Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) is an opportunity for students who have completed their first year at Stonehill to perform significant, publishable full time research under the guidance of and in collaboration with an experienced faculty researcher.

The experience helps to solidify and define students' career choices, both through graduate school decisions and in post-college employment. All SURE Scholars and faculty mentors receive a stipend for an 8- or 10-week full-time summer session.

Career Development Resources for Students

The Stonehill Career Development offers extensive assistance to students seeking employment, pursuing advanced studies or participating in postgraduate service opportunities. By working with our mentors, students are empowered to build lifelong career management skills.

Education Studies Specific Career Resources

• Education Mock Interview Week – Alumni in administrative positions in school districts prepare students for job interviews.
• Externships and internships in New York; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles (weeklong and semesterlong programs) give students critical field experiences.
• Career Development staff members regularly work with Education Department faculty to present programs on preparing for teaching jobs from resume and cover letters to interviewing.