Academics

Practicum

Initial licensure for undergraduate and graduate programs typically culminate in a full-time field practicum. The practicum is a full-time teaching experience of at least 300 hours in the role of the license sought, supported by a cooperating practitioner and a Salem State supervisor.

The Office of Licensure and Field Placement is responsible for working with program coordinators and students to optimize a student's placement in a practicum. Student teaching practica can be completed in one of our four laboratory schools or in another setting that meets state and national standards for appropriate practica. Practicum candidates have completed all program requirements, including coursework, pre-practicum field experiences, and MTEL tests, meet the grade point average requirement, and have been recommended for the practicum by their program coordinators.

Practicum Requirements

• Matriculation into an undergraduate initial licensure program with a major in one of the disciplines required by the program, or into an approved post-baccalaureate/graduate initial licensure program 
• Passing score on the Communication and Literacy portion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)
• Passing score on all appropriate MTEL subject matter test(s) for the license sought
• Successful completion of all prerequisite courses
• Minimum of 75 clock hours of field-based experiences prior to the practicum
• 2.75 or better cumulative grade point average
• 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average in the major(s)
• Faculty/program coordinator recommendation for admission to student teaching

No exceptions made to this policy. Students who have not passed all relevant MTEL tests will not be allowed to enter into a practicum. There are many resources on campus to assist you in preparing for the MTEL, including the MTEL Test Prep Center offers study materials and diagnostic testing to help you prepare for all.

Practicum Applications

• Deadline for application for a spring practicum is: October 30 for Undergraduate programs and November 15 for Graduate Programs. Applications are accepted pending the September MTEL only.
• Deadline for application for a fall practicum is April 30 for Undergraduate programs and May 15 for Graduate Programs. Applications are accepted pending the May MTEL only.

Q&A Sessions

Practicum application information Question and Answer sessions are held in the spring and fall. Please look for fliers around campus for an upcoming session if you wish to attend. Attendance is strongly suggested if you are interested in participating in a practicum!

The next information session is Tuesday, October 27 from 4:00-6:00PM Veteran's Hall, Ellison Campus Center

• Spring 2010 Undergraduate Practicum Application  
• Spring 2010 Graduate Practicum Application 
• Spring 2010 Clinical Application
• Reading Specialist Practicum Application

Practicum Application Attachments

Undergraduate Pre-practicum Documentation

Graduate Pre-practicum Documentation

Masters of Education in Moderate Disabilities Pre-Practicum Documentation Form

Documentation of passing MTEL Test- please proved a copy of your official score report or obtain evidence of passing from your Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Educator Licensure and Recruitment (ELAR) account.

Practicum policies and requirements are contained in the Student Teaching, Educational Leadership and Guidance Counseling Handbooks and are listed below. In order to ensure endorsement for licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, all parties (practicum student, cooperating practitioner and faculty supervisor) must complete the necessary paperwork outlined on this page. Student Teaching Practicum Handbook [Student Teaching Handbook Fall 2007.pdf]

Practicum Handbooks 

• Educational Leadership Practicum Handbook 
• Guidance Counseling Practicum Handbook
• Student Teaching Practicum Handbook

Practicum Evaluation Forms

The college supervisor is responsible for distribution and return of forms to the Office of Licensure and Field Placement.

• Practicum Verification Form - Each student teacher will complete this form during the first week of student teaching.
• Weekly Internship Report and Sample - The student teacher will submit a brief record of classroom involvement per week signed by the college supervisor or cooperating practitioner.
• Study of School Services - The student teacher will survey and meet with support staff, documented in this form signed by the principal or cooperating practitioner. In addition, the student teacher will interview 3 of these support staff members and include a one-page summery of each interview in their Student Teaching Portfolio.
• Field Experience Report  - The College supervisor completes this form at the completion of the field experience.
• Formative Observation Report - The College supervisor completes the form for each formal observation of the student teacher.  These forms should be used for reference in the 3 Three-Way Conferences addressing student teacher progress.  Students and cooperating practitioners should receive their copies of the form immediately after each observation.
• Scoring Rubric for Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol  -  This rubric will be used to assess the incorporation of SIOP methods in your lesson/unit plans to guide instruction of English Language Learners (ELL) in your classroom.  This report is completed jointly by the supervisor and cooperating teacher, then discussed with the student during a "three-way conference." 
• Preservice Performance Assessment for Practicum (PPA) or Practicum Equivalent for Student Teachers 
• Preservice Performance Assessment for Practicum (PPA) or Practicum Equivalent for Student Counselors. This is the final practicum report that we keep on file in support of your licensure application to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  It is completed by the field supervisor cooperating teacher and the practicum student.  Attach to the PPA a copy of the evaluation questions, located in the PPA Guidelines, specific to the content of the license sought. (See license-specific questions on DESE website or in student teaching handbook)

For all practicum students, with the exception of Guidance Counseling and Administrative Licenses, this report must be filed for each student teaching placement.