After Williams

Teacher Certification

Students who wish to gain teacher certification may engage in a unique parternship Williams maintains with nearby Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), a school with a long tradition of preparing public schoolteachers. Students interested in this opportunity should consult with Susan Engel, Class of 1959 Director of the Program in Teaching, before the end of their sophomore year in order to discuss how to fulfill the requirements of this program.

In broad outline, students wishing to earn teacher certification must:

  1. Fulfill the requirements for a Liberal Arts major at Williams College
  2. Complete the following Williams courses (many of which may be taken during the Winter Study semester):
    • Psychology 334: The Psychology of Education
    • A 30-hour prepracticum in teaching
    • A course on reading in a specific content area
    • A course on classroom management
    • A course on adolescent development
  3. Make a formal application to the MCLA teaching program. This is easily done with the guidance of their advisor and Susan Engel. Acceptance into the MCLA program entitles students to enroll for a required post-BA semester at MCLA, during which time they will fulfill the supervised teaching practicum necessary to earn certification.

In addition, students who want to study teaching and possibly pursue a career in teaching, but who do not wish to seek certification should contact Susan Engel to find out more about student teaching options, regular semester courses, winter study opportunities and special events sponsored by the Program in Teaching.

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Contact Us

Susan Engel
Class of 1959 Director of the Program in Teaching
Read Biography »

Bronfman Science Center
Room 304
Williams College
18 Hoxsey Street
Williamstown, MA 01267

Phone: (413) 597-4522
Fax: (413) 597-2085
E-Mail: Susan.L.Engel@williams.edu