Department of English

Eligibility for EDU498: Practicum in Student Teaching Secondary Education/English

Students who wish to student teach must take EDU498--Student Teaching Practicum: English (9-12). In order to enroll in EDU 498, students must have passed pre-practicum, EDU 335 Method and Materials in Secondary Education/ English, as well as both the communication & literacy and content portions of the MTEL (Massachusetts Test of Educator Licensure).

Thus, before you can student teach, you must meet the requirements for the pre-practicum (EDU 335). In order to enroll in the pre-practicum, students must meet the following requirements:

Having completed the requirements above, students may then apply for placement with the Office of Placement and Certification.

Students must submit proof of passing scores on both Communication & Literacy and the English Content portion of the MTEL along with their applications for student teaching.

In addition, students must have completed 75 clock hours of observation in secondary schools to participate in student teaching. You will complete these observation hours as part of the requirements for the Education courses in the Minor. You will have to provide signed verification of your observation time in order to pass those Education courses. You should provide copies for the English Department Secondary Education Coordinator as well as keep copies for your own records.

Once the Placement and Certification Officer has verified that you meet the state and college requirements for student teaching, he or she will find a suitable placement for you. You may request a specific high school when you submit your application. The Placement Officer will endeavor to honor your request; however, the request does not mean an automatic placement.

Finally, although these requirements may seem daunting now, you can complete them with careful planning.  We strongly recommend that you make an appointment with the Secondary Education Coordinator as early as possible and that you maintain frequent contact.