Teacher Preparation Programs
Programs
- Early Childhood (Pre K-2)
- Elementary Education (1-6)
- Middle School Education (5-8)
- Post-Baccalaureate Undergraduate Licensure
Endorsement Certificate
- Secondary Education
Biology (8-12)
Earth Science (5-12)
English (8-12)
History (8-12)
Mathematics (8-12)
Technology Education (5-12)
- Special Education
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8)
Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All Levels)
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (5-12)
- Technology Education
The professional education programs at Fitchburg State College are under the broad coordination of an Education unit that includes the following licensures and degree areas:
- Undergraduate and Graduate
Teacher Preparation Programs
- Graduate Guidance Counseling Program
- Graduate Educational Leadership and Management Programs.
Numerous partnerships with schools, educational organizations and the private sector are a hallmark of the college's commitment to supporting the preparation of school professionals. For more detailed information about educational partnerships, contact the office of the dean of Education at (978) 665-3239.
Stages of the Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program
Students interested in graduation with a Massachusetts educator's license from Fitchburg State College must complete a comprehensive program, working closely with their advisor to ensure all requirements for licensure have been met. There are three "stages" in the process toward licensure upon entrance to the college. At each stage, a student's credentials are reviewed to determine their readiness and qualifications to move forward in the teacher preparation program and to ensure their success in schools. Students who are unable to meet all requirements at any stage may not move forward and should meet with their advisor to determine whether or not to continue in the teacher preparation program.
Stage 1-Formal Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program
All students interested in becoming teachers must be formally admitted to the program of their choice, usually by the end of sophomore year. At Fitchburg State College, we prepare future teachers in the context of a liberal arts and sciences education. Students begin their career at Fitchburg State College, indicating their interest in becoming a teacher and selecting majors that will provide the appropriate foundation for meeting the rigorous standards required for success.
The first 44 credits of the undergraduate program is devoted to acquiring a broad understanding of subject matter across the liberal arts and sciences, and demonstrating a command of rigorous content in the language arts, mathematics, sciences and social sciences.
Students interested in teaching at all fields and levels (Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, Secondary and Special Education) are admitted to a teacher preparation program only after they have completed the following requirements by the end of their sophomore year:
- 44 credits of specified content and subject area courses,
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 overall,
- Successful completion of the designated "core course" for their program,
- Successful completion of pre-practicum experience(s) designated for their program,
- A passing score on the communication and literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure,
- Successful completion of at least two disposition assessment reviews (one from a faculty member and one from a supervisor in a pre-practicum course),
- Completion of the college's math and reading
readiness requirements,
- Completion of the freshman course EDUC 1021 Orientation to Education,
- Preliminary review of portfolio or equivalent (equivalents are defined by the program),
- Completion of a pre-candidacy philosophy statement,
- Recognition of a list of requirements to be completed prior to student teaching, including a criminal background check, and
- Recommendation for admittance to the teacher preparation program by the teacher candidate's advisor with approval from the dean of Education.
Students denied formal admission to a teacher preparation program can appeal to the appropriate department chair and the dean of Education.
Additional course work required for graduation from individual programs and certificates
Initial teacher licensure requires knowledge of the Federal Constitution and that of the Commonwealth. Candidates may fulfill it by successfully completing one of the following courses:
HIST 1400 United States History I
HIST 1500 United States History II
POLS 1500 State and Urban Government
POLS 1000 U.S. Government
Stage 2-Admission to the Practicum
Students seeking to enroll in student teaching must successfully complete the following prior to the completion of their junior year (75 credits):
- A minimum GPA of 2.75 overall and 3.0 in the major,
- Successful completion of at least four disposition assessment reviews (one from a faculty member and one from a supervisor in pre-practicum course),
- A passing score on the appropriate content tests of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure,
- Positive evaluations of 75 hours of
pre-practicum experiences,
- Review of portfolio or equivalent (equivalents are defined by the program), and
- Positive recommendation by the faculty of the department or program.
Application to the Practicum
In October and April of each year, the Fitchburg State College placement coordinator conducts a meeting to explain the practicum application process for teacher candidates who have been approved to participate in the practicum. Candidates are provided with a list of schools that have entered into a formal partnership with Fitchburg State College and who have identified mentors who have been approved by the dean of education for supervising teachers. Supervising teachers must minimally hold a Massachusetts educator's licensure in the area that the candidate is seeking and have professional status or equivalent in the school/district. Candidates submit their top three choices from the list of qualified schools however, at least one placement for teacher candidates in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School or Special Education must be in an urban district. Mentors are selected in collaboration with the administration of the partnership schools.
Students' selections are submitted to the appropriate program for approval. Contracts are then sent to the approved schools confirming the teacher candidate's assignment. The teacher candidate then must contact the supervising practitioner for an interview. If the supervising teacher approves the candidate's placement, the candidate is notified by the Educator Licensure Office. If the supervising teacher objects to the assignment, the placement coordinator assists the candidate in making a second selection. During the practicum experience the candidate is expected to follow the schedule of the school, not the Fitchburg State College schedule.
Stage 3-Recommendation for licensure
Students who have successfully completed the following requirements will be recommended for licensure by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
- Final review of dispositions assessments (at least two to have been completed in the practicum, one by college supervisor and one by supervising practitioner),
- Successful completion of the practicum and recommendation for licensure by the college supervisor and the supervising practitioner,
- Completion and review of credentials folder,
- Final review of portfolio or equivalent,
- Completion of exit survey by candidate,
- Endorsement for licensure by the Dean of Education,
To apply for licensure, the candidate should follow the procedure outlined on the Fitchburg State College Web site, www.fsc.edu/edcert which includes:
- Submission of a Preservice Performance Assessment form for each practicum experience
- Print out of a completed online application form with the Department of Education and
- Request for a formal transcript from the Registrar's office which will verify completion of The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education approved program
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