Worcester State University offers the Initial Licensure Program in Middle School Education. Certain grade levels covered by licensure differ based on subject areas (see table below). For more information about licensure areas, please see an academic advisor from the Education Department.  The Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) is embedded in the program at various stages and must be passed for completion of the program and licensure.

Fieldwork accompanies most education courses and is a necessary component of the program. Student pre-practicum experiences include a wide variety of field settings. Students attend different and varied schools in urban, rural, and suburban settings. They also vary their placements and grade levels in different school buildings within districts to insure a well rounded experience.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education offers Initial Licensure programs in the following areas in cooperation with liberal arts and sciences departments in the Worcester State University Education Program.

For required courses in these areas students should consult their liberal arts/science advisor.

Admission Requirements: Undergraduate Program

Students planning to minor in Middle School Education will progress through a three-stage process. Each stage must be completed satisfactorily prior to passage to the next stage. Students will pursue a major in the content area relevant to their licensure as listed above.

Requirements for the Middle School Education Initial Teacher Licensure Program

Stage I: Middle School Education Minor

1. Students must complete EN-102 with a grade of C or higher.

2. Students must complete 15 semester hours in the subject major.

3. Students must submit a Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI) application and be approved prior to beginning classroom observations for Education courses. No student is allowed to do fieldwork unless approval of the CORI has been received from the state. Before completion of ED-149, students must be finger printed through the Massachusetts designated agency (Morpho Trust USA Idento GO). Additional information regarding finger printing is available in the Education Department.

4. Students demonstrate potential for teaching children by completing all of the following courses with a grade of C+ or higher AND earning a cumulative GPA of 2.5.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   ED-149	Introduction to the Teaching Profession Middle/Secondary School	3
   or ED-150	Introduction to the Teaching Profession
   ED-207	The Adolescent in Schools & Society	3
   ED-251	Principles of Curriculum, Instruction, And Assessment in Middle and High School	3
   ED-270	Diversity & Multicultural Ed	3

5. Students must have received a passing score on the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Communication and Literacy Skills Test.

6. Any departure from the prescribed program of study for teacher licensure must have Waiver Committee approval prior to advancement to Stage II.

Stage II: Admission into Middle School Education Licensure Program

1. Upon satisfactory completion of Stage I requirements, the student is eligible to apply for formal admission into the middle school education minor. The application must include MTEL test results and transcripts of all previous course work. Approval by the Education Department is necessary for a student to progress to Stage II.

2. During Stage II, students must complete all of the following courses with a grade of C+ or higher AND earn a cumulative GPA of 2.7. Fieldwork accompanies the following courses (except for ED304).

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   ED-304	Best Practices for English Language Learners	3
   ED-352	Exceptionalities and Accommodating Diverse Learners in Middle Schools	3
   ED-354	Assessment, Adjustment to Practice, and Classroom Management in the Middle School	3
   ED-370	Methods and Materials in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) At the Middle and Secondary Level	3
   or ED-371	Methods and Materials in Humanities and Social Sciences At the Middle and Secondary Level.
   ED-382	Prepracticum Experience in Middle School (corerequisite with ED 370/ED371)	1

3. Students must have received a passing score on the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) in their major subject area and communication and literacy skills.

Stage III: Middle School Education Minor – Practicum

1. Upon satisfactory completion of Stage II requirements, the student is eligible to apply for formal admission into the practicum, ED-485 (9 credits), ED-424 (3 credits)

2. Students must have received a passing score on the Massachusetts Test for the Educator Licensure (MTEL) in Communication and Literacy Skills and the subject matter area.

3. The Stage III application will be reviewed and acted upon by the Licensure Officer.

4. Students must have attained senior standing (90 credits of course work) to student teach.

5. Students convicted of a felony may be denied admission to student teaching.

Additional information regarding formal application into student teaching is available from the Education Department.