School of Education
Practicum
Initial licensure 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 SSC college supervisor.
The Office of Licensure and Field Placement is responsible for working with program coordinators and candidates to place candidates in exemplary practicum sites. Candidates may complete student teaching practica 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.
Requirements for the practicum include:
- 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
- a passing score on the Communication and Literacy portion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)*
- a passing score on the appropriate MTEL subject matter test(s) for the license sought*
- successful completion of all prerequisite courses
- a minimum of 75 clock hours of field-based experiences prior to the practicum
- a negative TB test, valid through the semester of student teaching
- a 2.75 or better cumulative grade point average
- a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average in the major(s)
- faculty/program coordinator recommendation for admission to student teaching
*No exception will be made to this policy. Students who have not passed all relevant MTEL tests will not be allowed to enter into a practicum.
Practicum policies and requirements are contained in the Student Teaching Handbook [PDF 402KB] and listed here below. In order to ensure endorsement for certification and licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Education, all parties (teacher, practitioner, and supervisor) must complete the necessary paperwork outlined on this page.
Forms
Please consult with your program coordinator for forms specific to your licensure program and license specific evaluation questions.
Practicum Applications
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 [PDF 13KB]
- Each student teacher will complete this form during the first week of student teaching.
- Weekly Internship Report and Sample [PDF 8KB]
- 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 [PDF 12KB]
- 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 [PDF 32KB]
- The College supervisor completes this form at the completion of the field experience.
- Formative Observation Report [PDF 14KB]
- 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 [PDF 58KB]
- 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."
- Copies of Form C should be distributed to all parties immediately following completion.
- The Student Teaching Performance Assessment Rubrics (lesson and unit plan) assist the cooperating teacher and the college supervisor in completing form C.
- Preservice Performance Assessment for Practicum (PPA) or Practicum Equivalent
- This is the final practicum report that will accompany your licensure application to the Department of 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.
- For Early Childhood and Special Education majors, this report must be filed for each student teaching placement.
Do you have previous teaching experience in the role of the license you seek?
Students who believe that their past teaching experience is equivalent to a student teaching practicum may request a waiver for up to one-half the full-semester practicum. The experience must have been in the role and at the grade level of the license that the student seeks.
Under state law, SSC education programs are allowed to grant credit for up to one-half of the full-semester practicum that is required for most initial licensure programs in the case of students who have substantial work experience in the role and level of the license. The waiver is available from the Office of Licensure and Field Placement; it asks students to document their teaching experience in a portfolio which is reviewed by the Education Department chair or program coordinator.
Students who have been teaching assistants or teachers in private schools for several years may qualify for a reduction in student teaching equivalent to one-half practicum.
Students who believe that their work background qualifies them for this reduction should:
- Complete the Request for a Reduction in Student Teaching Form [PDF 21KB]
- Include blank pages 2-6 of the MA DOE Preservice Performance Assessment for Practicum or Practicum Equivalent Form in your portfolio.
- Submit your portfolio to the Office of Licensure and Field Placement.
Resources
For More Information
Office of Licensure and Field Placement
Sullivan Building 101B, North Campus
Salem State College
352 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA 01970
Email: edlicensure@salemstate.edu
Telephone: 978-542-6472
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