M.Ed. Programs Leading to Massachusetts Educator Licensure

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An Overview
The Van Loan School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Endicott College offers the following Master of Education programs leading to Massachusetts Educator Licensure:

•    Elementary Education (1–6); leading to Initial Licensure

•    Elementary Education (1–6) and Early Childhood (PreK-2) leading to Professional Licensure

•    Reading and Literacy (all grades); leading to Initial Licensure and Professional Licensure in Early Childhood or Elementary Education or Moderate
      Disabilities  

•    Reading and Literacy (all grades); leading to Professional Licensure

•    Special Needs (Pre-K–8); leading to Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K–8)

•    Special Needs (Pre-K–8); leading to Professional Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K–8)

•    Special Needs (5–12); leading to Initial Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (5–12)

•    Special Needs (5–12); leading to Professional Licensure in Moderate Disabilities (5–12)

 Candidates may be eligible for obtaining Initial Licensure in the fields listed above by completing seven post-baccalaureate courses as indicated for each program. In addition, candidates may desire to continue five common courses leading to the Master of Education in Initial Licensure in the respective fields as described above. Candidates must have met all the admission criteria and been accepted in the Master of Education program in order to complete the Initial Licensure part of the program.  Additional courses leading to a Master of Education may include: 1) ED 580 Innovative Practices in Education, 2) ED 581 Technology in Education: An Integrated Approach, 3) ED 582 Research Methods, 4) EDC 570 Understanding the Dynamics of Student Aspirations, and 5) EDC 510 Policy Analysis, Leadership, and the Change Process.

Candidates holding a Massachusetts Initial License in Early Childhood or Elementary Education or Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K–8) have the option to complete the Master of Education in Reading and Literacy for their Professional Licensure requirement.

 Students should be advised that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) may change licensure regulations and requirements. Students must contact the DESE for such requirements at www.doe.mass.edu.

 Comprehensive Examinations for Programs Leading to Massachusetts Educator Licensure

The College has looked carefully at the options of comprehensive examination versus a Master’s thesis or project. The College selected the examination process because it provides the greatest strengths to the program during the early stages of development. The decision to utilize comprehensive examinations was based on three factors, namely, that examinations do the following:

 •    Provide a clear measure of outcome assessment;

 •    Provide a framework to involve many graduate faculty in the assessment process;

 •    Provide consistent standards of competency among all students in the program.

For these reasons a procedure on examinations has been set up that provides for the offering of one or two sittings a year. The examination will consist of three components: Research and Theory, Specialization Content, and Societal and Educational Impact. A student must pass all three components.

Examinations are read by the advisor and by one additional graduate faculty or staff member. A review summary and recommendation will be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School.  Upon successful completion of the examination, and when course work is completed, the degree will be awarded.   An M.Ed. candidate who has completed the practicum experience, or is completing it during the current semester, who also has no more than two courses remaining to complete program requirements, is eligible to sit for the comprehensive examination.  Students failing the exams are allowed two retakes within a one-year period of time. Failure to successfully complete the examination within that period of time results in dismissal from the program. Students are allowed up to seven years from the date of starting the first class to the date of completing the Master degree. Courses more than seven years old are lost under the default clause of Endicott College Handbook for Students.

 A student must take and pass the Massachusetts Teacher Tests prior to being eligible to take the Comprehensive Examinations.

 Endicott College Test Preparation

Students enrolled in the Education programs at Endicott College will take a number of skills tests and proficiency exams during their programs of study. Additional workshops will be provided to assist students toward successful completion of teacher tests.

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