Secondary Education Teacher Licensure

Licensure Concentration in Secondary Education
Massachusetts License Areas: Biology (8-12); Earth Science (8-12); English (5-12); History (5-12); Math (5-8; 8-12)

Students pursuing secondary education can major in the following areas leading to licensure: bio/biotech (biology license in 8-12), environmental science (earth science license in 8-12), English (English license in 5-12), history (history license in 5-12), and math (math license in 5-8; 8-12). Students complete a liberal arts major plus the secondary education concentration in order to become licensed in the state of Massachusetts to teach at the middle and/or high school levels. Students complete freshman and sophomore internships
in a range of school settings, followed by junior year prepracticum experiences and a senior year practicum.

The licensure concentrations in secondary education meet the most recent regulations for licensure in the state of Massachusetts and have been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Upon graduation, Endicott education students have completed all of the requirements necessary to receive an initial license in the state of Massachusetts and are eligible to pursue licensure in many other states. The concentration consists of seven courses plus a full-semester practicum.

Secondary Licensure Program Components

Pre-Practicum
In the junior year, secondary education licensure students participate in an intensive classroom experience as part of their methods course, which requires a semester-long field experience that includes observing overall classroom environment, implementing student designed learning experiences, and reflecting on best practice. In the alternate semester, juniors complete a semester-long field experience working with English language learners as part of their ED 330 Sheltered English Immersion course. To enroll in the pre-practicum students must pass the Communication & Literacy MTEL.

Practicum
Students in the secondary licensure concentrations complete a full-semester practicum in their license field during the senior year. They are placed in local Massachusetts schools and closely supervised by a licensed supervising practitioner and a program supervisor. Weekly seminars bring all student teachers together with faculty who provide supervision and mentoring throughout the practicum. All secondary education students complete ED 400 Practicum and Seminar in Education, a semester-long practicum in an appropriate classroom. To enroll in the practicum students must pass all required MTEL.

Career Support
School of Education seniors may take EC 400 Senior Transition aimed at preparing students for job hunting in the field of education. Throughout the semester, seniors update their resumes, write cover letters, learn interview techniques, refine their professional teaching portfolio, participate in mock interviews with principals and superintendents, and attend education job fairs. Alumni return to campus to speak to graduating seniors about the first year of teaching, and guest lecturers present on applying to graduate school and managing a budget. By the end of the semester, seniors are fully immersed in their job search and prepared to enter the profession of teaching.

Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education mandates that all students pass the Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure (MTEL) as part of the licensing process. Endicott supports this requirement by incorporating the relevant MTEL tests into the licensure programs. Prior to enrollment in junior year pre-practicum methods course, a passing score on the Communication & Literacy MTEL is required. Prior to enrolling in ED 400 Practicum and Seminar in Education, the appropriate subject matter test must be completed with a passing score. Fees for taking the MTEL will be the responsibility of the student.

By incorporating the required exams into the program, upon graduation Endicott students have completed all of the necessary license requirements for the state of Massachusetts. License applications are completed and filed by the student at the end of the senior year.

Those wishing to be licensed to teach in other states must still take and pass the MTEL exams as part of the program requirements. However, the department will also work closely with individuals seeking licensure in states other than Massachusetts, helping to define the requirements and procedures for receiving that license. Preparing for, taking, and passing the MTEL exam helps future teachers to pass other exams, such as the PRAXIS, and many of our students successfully pursue licenses in multiple states.

Test Preparation Workshops
Endicott offers intensive workshops and tutoring throughout the year to help prepare students to pass the MTEL exams. Test preparation workshops are free of charge and focus on the specific skills and subjects covered on the licensure exams. Workshops are required of students enrolled in the licensure concentrations and are also available to those who want to meet the requirements to change into the program from another major.

Acceptance into the Licensure Programs
Requirements for admission to the secondary education licensure programs include the regular admission requirements as outlined in the Catalog, and a combined score of at least 1100 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math portions of the SAT.

Those not accepted into the program upon admission to Endicott may transfer into the program when they:

1. pass the Communication and Literacy MTEL exam,
2. maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, and
3. achieve at least a C in any required courses.

Because of the curriculum requirements, individuals interested in changing into the program from another major should work closely with a faculty advisor and the dean of education to ensure that they are completing the requirements in a timely manner.

Continuation in the Licensure Programs
To continue in the licensure programs the following criteria must be met: a minimum GPA of 2.5 and at least a C in all required courses.

Students will not be permitted to remain in the licensure programs if they:
1. do not achieve the minimum qualifying score on the MTEL,
2. fall below the required GPA of 2.5, or
3. receive less than a C in all required courses.

Transcripts are evaluated at the end of every semester and individuals work closely with their advisor and the dean to ensure that they meet these criteria. Those who are advised out of the program may complete the non-licensure concentration. The non-licensure concentration does not lead to Massachusetts state licensure.

Program Requirements and Waiver Policy
The licensure concentrations and each of their components meets the regulations set by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for teacher preparation programs. Ordinarily, students who complete the education program must fulfill each of the course and field-based requirements as outlined in the College catalog or updated in accordance with new DESE regulations. Students who do not follow the recommended course of study, or who transfer into the program, may need to make up courses that they have not yet taken, or apply to the dean for a waiver. Doing so may extend the time it takes to complete the education program, and students should plan accordingly in close consultation with their advisor or dean. On rare occasions, program requirements may be waived based on prior coursework or experience. The practicum may not be waived.

Program Changes
Due to the changing nature of licensing regulations from state to state, students are encouraged to review the regulations from their state at the time of their entry to college. It is important for potential teachers to know the regulations and requirements for certification in the state in which they plan to teach. Licensure criteria may be modified at any time, and program requirements may be altered to reflect those changes.

Required Education Courses

ED 125 Approaches to Secondary Education (Cr: 3)
ED 203 Introduction to Children with Special Needs (Cr: 3)
ED 240 Literacy in the Content Areas (Cr: 3)
ED 303 Pre-Practicum Field Experience (Cr: 1)
ED 321 Junior Transitions (Cr: 1)
ED 330/330L Sheltered English Immersion (Cr: 3)
ED 339 Classroom Assessment (Cr: 3)
ED 380 Methods in the Secondary Content Areas (Cr: 3)
ED 400 Practicum and Seminar (Cr: 12)
PSY 200 Child and Adolescent Psychology (Cr: 3)