Oldest special education program in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) certification
McKay Campus School—a Fitchburg public school housing Fitchburg State education programs
State-of-the-art multimedia computer lab
Professional development center
Curriculum resource center
Pre-practicum work starts as early as sophomore year
Student teach by senior year
Graduates receive dual certification
If you're interested in becoming a teacher, Fitchburg State College has the programs you'll need. We offer a wide variety of Teacher Education programs, including Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education. We also offer secondary certification in English, mathematics, earth science, history, biology and technology education. Fitchburg State is one of only six colleges in Massachusetts to obtain National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) certification.
Four-Year Undergraduate Program
All students who will be certified in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education are required to carry a double major, completing the academic requirements in a liberal arts and sciences major, as well as those of their education major. In their senior year, students are expected to student teach at least 300 hours between two different school systems at different grade levels. Students interested in secondary certification complete requirements for their liberal arts major, and participate in a three-semester certification program beginning in their junior year.
The Education Department offers a Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood/Preschool through grade 3, Elementary School grades 1 to 6, Middle School grades 5 to 9, and Secondary Education
A Bachelor of Science in Special Education is offered and includes Special Needs for pre-K to 9th grade, Special Needs for grades 5 to 12 and Intensive Special Needs for all levels.
Facilities
Over the past three years, the college has spent nearly $4 million on updating facilities
across campus. Teacher candidates have access to the McKay Campus School, a public elementary school for the City of Fitchburg. The school is home to Education Department facilities, which include a video and test library, a computer lab and conferencing areas. Teacher candidates are able to work in a classroom environment where they can combine educational theory and practice without leaving the campus.
The McKay Campus School also has state-of-the-art multimedia classrooms, a professional development center and a curriculum resource center.
Student Teaching
One of the major reasons for the success of Fitchburg State graduates is the strong network of pre-practicum, practicum and student teaching sites available across the region. Teacher Education students begin pre-practicum work as early as their freshman year in our special education
program, by sophomore year in our early childhood, elementary and middle school programs, and in the junior year for secondary education students. In addition, because our Education students are enrolled in a second major, they also gain hands-on experience in schools, social agencies or private settings related to their second major. Fitchburg State is part of a large network of schools that provide practicum and student teaching opportunities for Teacher Education students. Students are placed in school districts across Massachusetts and New Hampshire such as:
Acton-Boxborough Schools
Concord Area Special Education Collaborative
Cambridge Public Schools
Fitchburg High Schoo
Gardner High School
Lowell Public Schools
Marshfield High School
May Center
Montachusett Regional Vocational High School
Results
While most of our graduates find work in public or private schools, they also find employment in residential programs, rehabilitation facilities, adult services and corporate education
programs. Our students are employed all over the country
because they fulfill the minimum state requirements for certification in most states.
Companies that have hired recent graduates include:
Boston Public Schools
Lowell Public Schools
Fitchburg Public Schools
Children’s Action Corp.
Groton Community Schools
Worcester Public Schools
Petersham School District
Contact
For more information about the Education Department at Fitchburg State College, please contact the Admissions Office for open house and visit options.
