Wellesley Teacher Scholars Program

Wellesley Teacher Scholars Program: Teacher Certification/Licensure

Students may participate in the Wellesley Teacher Scholars Program, a program to attain state teacher licensure. Wellesley Teacher Scholars are prepared to teach full-time upon graduation, and licensure through Wellesley is transferable to most other states. Faculty are available to discuss the many paths into teaching as well as strategies for incorporating the full student teaching program into a student’s existing program of study. Faculty are also available to discuss other options, such as enrolling in graduate teacher preparation programs or other alternative teacher certification programs.

Wellesley Teacher Scholars gain internship experience (and possible licensure) at the high school (grades 8-12) and middle school (grades 5-8) levels. Our elementary school (grades 1-6) level program will be closed to new students as of August 2022. Please consult with Noah Rubin (nrubin@wellesley.edu) about middle and high school education to plan a program of study. Students may also consult Diane Tutin (dtutin@wellesley.edu) with questions about obtaining teacher certification/licensure.

Middle and High School Teacher Certification

To attain teacher licensure, students must complete:

  1. one introductory course from those listed in the first requirement of teaching and learning studies minor; 

  2. arts and sciences coursework appropriate to the specific teaching field (please contact the department for details); 

  3. EDUC 300, EDUC 303, EDUC 325, and EDUC 339. We recommend that, if possible, all those doing secondary certification take EDUC 215, EDUC 234, and/or EDUC 313 before their senior year or senior fall.

We recommend that, if possible, all those doing secondary certification take EDUC 215, EDUC 234, and/or EDUC 313 before their senior year or senior fall and strongly suggest taking the required course EDUC 325 at Wellesley in a fall semester.

Early Childhood Education

Students may also gain internship experience (and a possible certificate) in early childhood education. Issued by the Department of Early Education and Care, the early childhood education Lead Teacher certificate qualifies students to teach in private preschools and child care centers, but not in public kindergartens, and is not transferable directly to other states. For early childhood education, students take required courses and complete their student teaching at the Wellesley College Child Study Center or Wellesley Community Children’s Center. Please consult with Maureen Morgan about early childhood education and courses.