Academics
![Photo of Senior Lecturer Ray Sharick teaching an education class.](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/hero_full_desktop_xs/public/2023-02/Classroom_Raymond_Sharick.jpg?h=ecf3815a&itok=gVcNj-2-)
About
Education is a highly interdisciplinary field. Our mission is to prepare leaders who will improve education in innovative ways through their professional practice.
The College of Education offers:
- Undergraduate programs leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with specializations in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Community Education & Social Change.
- Graduate programs leading to Master of Education (MEd), Education Specialist (EdS), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
- Programs that lead to earning your initial teaching license.
- Graduate certificate programs.
Programs
Children, Families, & Schools
The Children, Families, & Schools program addresses the need for educators who are able to meet the educational and developmental needs of children.
![A teacher in a classroom.](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-02/children_families.jpeg?h=d1cb525d&itok=-MnOYTTf)
Community Education & Social Change
Provide educational leadership in community-based organizations through a social-justice framework.
![Photo of a student speaking at orientation.](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-03/Student_speaking.jpg?h=67eabc4d&itok=Phso2ygW)
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership is ideal for students who want to transform PreK–12 education, influencing policy and practices in a wide range of educational contexts.
![Photo of a student speaking in a classroom.](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-03/Student_graduate_class.jpg?h=67eabc4d&itok=VNA7evLY)
Elementary Education
The Collaborative Teacher Education Pathway (CTEP) is an ideal program for prospective teachers who want to quickly earn a master's degree and license.
![Photo of a student working with a child in a classroom.](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-03/Student_elementary_education_class.jpg?h=67eabc4d&itok=I63lwQlk)
Exploratory track
Students in the Exploratory Track benefit from working closely with their academic advisors to explore majors within their collegiate unit of interest and acros
![A group of students talking in Furcolo Hall.](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-11/Students%20in%20Furcolo%20Hall.jpg?h=26e5571b&itok=mr-D_vJj)
Higher Education
Aspire to be a leader in higher education. Revolutionize the field by working for social justice and equity in educational institutions.
![Photo of faculty member Kate Hudson](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-03/Faculty_Kate_Hudson.jpg?h=67eabc4d&itok=FUpvla9C)
International Education
The International Education program prepares students for careers in international development building and in strengthening educational systems.
![International students and teacher](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-01/intl_1.jpg?h=17ea040c&itok=rIR30YZI)
Language, Literacy, & Culture
Scholars focus on a wide range of topics, seeking to transform education to better meet the needs of all learners in multicultural and multilingual contexts.
![student speaking in class](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-01/cwe_3803.jpg?h=c354e645&itok=kB6_iS29)
Mathematics, Science, & Learning Technologies
The Mathematics, Science, & Learning Technologies doctoral program prepares students to challenge inequities in STEM by improving learning and instruction.
![A teacher in a computer lab.](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-03/education-math-learning-tech_43.jpg?h=9599a97a&itok=Qx0UFlNF)
Research, Educational Measurement, & Psychometrics
As the demand for testing and assessment has grown in education and beyond, the need for experts has exploded.
![REMP!](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2024-05/IMG_7102.jpeg?h=71976bb4&itok=6LK6c1DW)
School Counselor Education
The School Counselor Education program prepares professionals to create school environments where all students can thrive.
![School counselor giving students high-fives in the hallway](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-01/schoolcounseling-full-20180620028.jpg?h=c354e645&itok=u7jVlYQ4)
School Psychology
Students train to be school psychologists or to work in health-service settings by studying the theoretical foundations of the field for their day-to-day work.
![Students in the School Psychology program at UMass Amherst](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-01/2014_bib_mg_1187_2048px.jpg?h=c354e645&itok=sbLdizZH)
Secondary Teacher Education
The Secondary Teacher Education Preparation program prepares students to become middle or high school teachers.
![Photo of high school teacher Samantha Camera.](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-06/Samantha%20Camera%20high%20school%20teacher.jpg?h=67eabc4d&itok=WSVVP1N4)
Social Justice Education
Social justice education prepares teachers, leaders, and scholars to foster educational environments that are socially just, diverse, inclusive, and equitable.
![Photo of Ximena Zuniga at the Social Justice Education 30th Anniversary Celebration.](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-06/Ximena_SJE.jpg?h=d08f423e&itok=KLgoiHMC)
Special Education
Students become catalysts for change by helping to increase educational opportunities and improve outcomes for children with disabilities and their families.
![Special Education Teacher Program at UMass Amherst](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-01/special-education-teacher-program.jpg?h=73ccac86&itok=BPJDLZ17)
Teacher Education & School Improvement
The Teacher Education & School Improvement program prepares scholars, practitioners, educators, and activists in the teacher education and development fields.
![Teacher Education program at UMass Amherst](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-01/furcolo-presentation.jpg?h=c354e645&itok=Tqw3s5bT)
Undergraduate Minor in Education
Earn a minor in education.
![Photo of a student in the Carney Family Auditorium](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-03/Student_auditorium.jpg?h=67eabc4d&itok=zxDVNHBi)
Departments
In the spotlight
![Nangyalai speaking at a podium](/education/sites/g/files/ijdqth211/files/styles/1_1_l/public/2023-01/nangyalai_attal_banner-01.png?h=6ee6ad36&itok=luotSkru)
The Deconstructivist
Nangyalai Attal seeks to rectify stereotypes in a post-9/11 world.