School of Education and Child Life

• Arts and Sciences | 
• Education and Child Life | 
• Social Work and Family Studies

The School of Education and Child Life embodies Wheelock’s mission — to improve the lives of children and families — by educating and supporting prospective and current teachers, child life specialists, and other professionals who work effectively in schools, child care settings, hospitals and health care organizations, governmental programs, and community settings. Our students learn in the classroom and in the field, integrating theory with practice in ways that enable them to effectively work with, serve and advocate for people in need across the life span.

We prepare professionals who are extremely knowledgeable, critical thinkers, and who promote social justice in their daily practice. We prepare teachers who work effectively to enable all children to learn, and who meet the needs of diverse learners through inclusive practice. We prepare child life specialists who respond to the psycho-social needs of children and families who must deal with medical or other health circumstances.  

All Wheelock graduates possess a strong understanding of human development and how children learn, family structures and interactions, the socio-cultural contexts in which children and families function and develop, and specific skills to work in multicultural and diverse environments. They are highly regarded for their professional expertise, leadership abilities, compassion, advocacy, and effectiveness, which accounts for why they are sought after around the country and the globe.

Education

At Wheelock, our education programs provide extensive supervised and supported real-life experience and paid internships in Pre-Kindergarten through Middle School educational settings within neighboring communities, especially urban communities. Through these practical experiences and classroom learning interwoven with Wheelock’s Standards for Teachers, students learn to design, implement, and assess the effectiveness of curriculum in relation to the developmental and cultural needs of children, families, and society. Experienced teachers engage in programs designed to advance their professional development, extend their expertise and credentials, and further their mastery of the complex, demanding, and rewarding process of helping children learn. A hallmark of the Wheelock experience is the combination of practical experience, cutting-edge theory and research, and reflection and growth supported by faculty who are themselves experts in both classroom practice and scholarly inquiry in their fields.

Our programs in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Language and Literacy, and Special Education lead to the licensure, credentials, and master's degrees to make your career goals a reality.

Wheelock College is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE) and has held national accreditation since the 1980’s.  All educator preparation programs offered by the School of Education and Child Life are nationally recognized and state approved.  Wheelock College is the only private institution of higher education in Massachusetts with national accreditation for teacher education.

Child Life

At Wheelock, our Child Life programs also provide extensive supervised and supported real-life experience in hospitals and other health care settings within the larger Boston metropolitan area. Students learn how to work with children and families during hospital visits and longer hospitalizations, and also learn how to use play and other therapeutic tools to support children’s development and emotional well-being. Child Life faculty are all certified by the Child Life Council, have extensive working experiences in hospitals settings, and combine practical experiences with theories and research in their classes. Students graduating from the Child Life programs are eligible to take the Child Life Certification exam offered by the Child Life Council. Students who are already Certified Child Life Specialists can advance their knowledge and career while getting a master’s degree.