Program Coordinator: Dr. Susan Monaghan
Phone: 508-929-8594
Email: smonaghan@worcester.edu

This program is designed for individuals seeking an Initial License in middle school education (5-8), secondary school education (8-12) or middle and secondary school education (5-12) in one of the following content areas only:

• Biology (8-12)
• Chemistry (8-12)
• Earth and Space Science (8-12)
• English (5-12)
• General Science (5-8)
• History/Social Science (5-12)
• Mathematics (5-8) and (8-12)
• Spanish (5-12)

Admissions Requirements

• One of the requirements for an Initial License is demonstrated subject matter knowledge. Thus, candidates for this program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 in the chosen content area or demonstrate sufficient background in the content area.¹ A Provisional License in the desired content area is recommended. Passing scores on the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) in the content area and on the Communication and Literacy Skills test are required.

• An undergraduate or graduate course in Adolescent Development is a pre-requisite for stage 3 of the program; or CLEP exam in Human Growth & Development (score of 50+).

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Candidates may be required to take additional courses in the content area. After reviewing the student’s undergraduate transcript(s) and MTEL scores, the program coordinator will determine if the student must take additional content courses.

Coursework

Courses in this program prepare middle and secondary school teachers to demonstrate competency in the five professional standards for teachers as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. These professional standards are: planning curriculum and instruction, delivering effective instruction, classroom management, promoting equity, and meeting professional responsibilities. Each course addresses specific standards, while the entire program prepares candidates for the challenges of responding to the needs and developmental characteristics of middle and secondary school students.

Some courses in this program have a field-based component, and there is a 45 hour pre-practicum course with a placement in an appropriate school setting.  The program culminates with a practicum (student teaching) experience of 15-weeks, 300 clock hours in a middle or secondary school classroom under the supervision of a teacher and a university faculty member.  The practicum/student teaching experience is a full-time, semester-long experience. The practicum may be completed at candidates' public school where they are employed as the practicing teacher of record. A seminar course is required concurrently with the teaching practicum to provide students the opportunity for reflection and shared experiences.

It is recommended that the courses in the program be taken in sequence. Stage 1 courses must be completed before Stage 2. All courses in Stage 1 and Stage 2 must be completed before beginning Stage 3.