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| Program Goals |
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The Educator Preparation Program is committed to developing excellent middle and secondary school teachers who:
• Think critically and are open-minded towards different perspectives
• Are both knowledgeable and passionate about their subject specialty
• Are caring towards their students and are dedicated to helping each student reach his or her potential
• Consider the diverse nature of learners as they plan lessons and units of study
• Can facilitate the learning of diverse students effectively
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, administrators, parents, and community members
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Areas of Educator Licensure
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Students can qualify for an initial educator license in the State of Massachusetts by completing the Nichols College Business, English, History, or Mathematics Middle or Secondary School Educator Preparation Program and passing all parts of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure.
Each of these programs has a list of required courses and an official admissions process. When applying for the Teaching Practicum, students must decide whether they will be applying for a middle or secondary school license and complete a practicum at the appropriate grade level (5-8 or 8-12).
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| Requirements |
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All interested students are required to:
- Meet with the Chair of the Educator Preparation Program, as well as an advisor in your
subject area, for advising each semester.
- Enroll in Education 245, Foundations and Philosophies of Education. Complete all fieldwork
hours and assignments. Earn a minimum grade of C and receive a positive teacher evaluation.
- Apply for initial admission into the program. Complete a written application and interview.
Have a 2.75 overall grade point average and a 3.0 in the potential subject area for licensure.
- Successfully complete all required courses in the Business, English, History, or Mathematics
Educator Preparation Program.
- Successfully complete all required pre-practicum fieldwork.
- Maintain a 2.75 overall grade point average, a 3.0 in the subject area for licensure, and a 2.7
average in all education courses. Education courses with less than a C average must be
retaken.
- Qualify for the Teaching Practicum by:
a. Earning a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the subject area for licensure and a 2.7 average in all education courses.
b. Receiving positive evaluations by cooperating teachers during pre-practicum fieldwork.
c. Completing 80 hours of pre-practicum fieldwork in Partnership Schools.
d. Receiving a recommendation from a faculty member in the subject area for potential licensure.
e. Passing the Communications and Literacy Skills subtest of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure by March to student teach in the fall, or by August to student teach in the spring.
f. Submitting a portfolio to the Educator Preparation Committee.
g. Completing an interview with the Educator Preparation Committee.
h. Completing interviews with prospective cooperating teachers and administrators.
- Successfully complete the Teaching Practicum, complete a portfolio documenting growth in
each of the Professional Standards for Teachers, and receive positive mid-semester and final
evaluations.
- Apply for licensure in Massachusetts, which will be reciprocal with many other states.
Students may petition to waive any program requirements by completing a form from the
Registrar’s office, obtaining the advisor’s signature, and submitting the request to the Vice
President for Academic Affairs. Each decision will be made on a case-by-case basis. Only
comparable coursework will be considered for substitutions of requirements.
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| Curriculum |
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Each specialization (general business, English, history, and mathematics) has a list of required courses. Please refer to these under the subject area majors. The following is a recommended semester by semester plan for taking the required educator preparation courses in education, psychology and the Professional Development Seminar program.
Second Year
Fall: EDUC 245 Foundations and Philosophies of Education (3 credits)
Required weekly pre-practicum fieldwork at a Partnership School for a total of 20 hours.
When offered: PSY 275 Educational Psychology (3 credits) (Prerequisite: PSY 151)
MAJOR Complete two courses in your subject area specialization.
Spring: EDUC 310 Methods and Materials in Middle and Secondary Education (3 credits) (Prerequisite: EDUC 245)
Required weekly pre-practicum fieldwork at a Partnership School for a total of 20 hours.
When offered: PSY 277 Psychology of Adolescence (3 credits)(Prerequisite: PSY 151)
MAJOR Complete two courses in your subject area specialization.
Third Year
Fall: EDUC 321 Communication and Technology in the Classroom (3 credits)(Prerequisite: EDUC 245)
Required weekly pre-practicum fieldwork at a Partnership School for a total of 20 hours.
When offered: PSY 275 Educational Psychology (3 credits)(Prerequisite: PSY 151)
SEM 339 Third-Year Professional Development Seminar
MAJOR Complete two courses in your subject area specialization.
Spring: EDUC 320 Curriculum and Assessment in an Age of Multicultural Education (3 credits) (Prerequisite: EDUC 245)
Required weekly pre-practicum fieldwork at a Partnership School for a total of 20 hours.
PSY 277 Psychology of Adolescence (3 credits) (Prerequisite: PSY 151)
MAJOR Complete two courses in your subject area specialization.
Fourth Year
Fall: MAJOR Finish requirements for major.
Spring: SEM 439 Senior-Year Professional Development Seminar
EDUC 488 or 490 Teaching Practicum in Middle or Secondary School (12 credits)
Required 15 weeks of full-time, supervised teaching at a Partnership
School with a minimum of 135 direct instructional hours.
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