Salem State University’s first cohort of students in the combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Education (4+1) program is set to graduate today, Thursday, May 16, 2019.
The cohort of 40 students earned their four-year undergraduate degree in May 2018 and then continued for a fifth year to earn their master’s this spring. The students specialized in one of four tracks: early childhood education; elementary education; secondary education; and in specialist areas such as theatre, visual arts, and physical education.
"In collaboration with our partner school districts, Salem State has prepared 40 amazing new teachers who have been immersed in three intensive years of study and student teaching,” stated Joseph Cambone, Dean of the School of Education.
“They have earned a bachelor's degree with two majors plus a master's degree in education, and have spent over a year and a half gaining classroom experience. They are knowledgeable, skilled professionals who are completely ready for day one in their own classrooms, and we couldn't be more proud of them!" he continued.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires teachers to obtain their master’s degree within the first five years of teaching. The combined B.S./M.Ed. program enables students to obtain their advanced degree while student teaching.
Another unique aspect of this program is the opportunity for students to participate in a fellowship program with one of 15 school districts in the Greater Boston area. Through the fellowship program, students work in their host school for an entire school year.
In addition to traditional student teaching, students in the fellowship program gain experience acting as interventionists, serving as classroom substitute teachers, and facilitating small reading and math groups. In exchange, students either have their tuition paid for by the hosting school district or receive a stipend.
Twenty-nine Salem State students received fellowships last year; 43 Salem State students have been selected to participate in the fellowship program in the academic year ahead.