2011-2012 Archived Catalog Information

Program Director: TBA

Degree Programs

• M.Ed. in Foundations of Education
• Non-degree Initial Licensure Component: Middle School Teaching 
• Non-degree Initial Licensure Component: Secondary School Teaching

These programs explore the relationships among and between community, discourse, and teachers within a context of continual assessment and reflective practice in order to improve formal and informal education.

Our Foundations of Education programs provide a basis for teaching college, pursuing doctoral work, or working in nonprofit agencies that support access and equity, and other fields related to the formal and informal education of adolescents through early adulthood.

The Master of Education in Foundations of Education is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to sponsor students for Initial Licensure for a variety of subject areas, grades 5– 12.

Educator Licensure Guidelines

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education approves Suffolk University to sponsor individuals for licensure at the middle and secondary school levels. Licensed teachers may petition for licensure in every other state through the Massachusetts’ reciprocal agreement with the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC).

Pre-practicum and practicum placement sites may require students to complete the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and/or Sexual Offender Record Information (SORI) prior to acceptance into their facility.  Students are encouraged to contact schools early in their academic program regarding CORI/SORI requirements.

Title II, Section 207 of the Higher Education Act requires all institutions with teacher preparation programs that enroll students receiving federal financial assistance, to prepare annual reports on teacher preparation and licensing. Additionally, institutions must publish pass rate information for all programs, with 10 or more students who completed their prescribed programs within the previous reporting cycle, in official documents. Suffolk University had fewer than 10 program completers in 2009– 2010 and is prohibited from publishing pass rate data.

To obtain additional information about the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure, including study materials and registration packets, contact:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street Malden, Massachusetts 01248-4906
Phone: 718.338.3000
http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/

All students enrolled in programs leading to Initial Licensure are expected to develop and maintain portfolios of experience-related items showing their progress, accomplishments, and mastery. Such items may include, but should not be limited to:

The Practicum experience is the culminating experience for Initial Licensure. Prospective teachers experience the varied roles of the classroom teacher for a minimum of 12 weeks and at least 360 clock hours. Clear instructional responsibility for at least half of this time and full responsibility for a substantial period is required. Students are jointly supervised and assessed by a representative from the Education and Human Services Department and the supervising practitioner.

Practicum Standards

1. Students must pass the content area section(s) and the Communication and Literacy Skills sections of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) prior to enrolling in:

EHS 815: Practicum: Middle School Teaching

EHS 816: Practicum: Secondary School Teaching

Documentation of passing scores must be provided to the Coordinator of Student Teaching prior to making application.

2. Students must submit a written application along with a current transcript to the Coordinator of Student Teaching by October 10th for student teaching in the spring semester and by February 20th for student teaching in the fall semester. 

3. Classroom teachers are required by Massachusetts law to have a tuberculin test (Mantoux) prior to the initiation of student teaching. The printed results of the Mantoux test must be submitted with the student teaching application. 

4. Placements are made in schools approved by the Coordinator of Student Teaching in communities other than a student’s hometown/residence. Students may not be placed in any setting in which prior acquaintance among any of the school’s constituency groups presents potential conflicts for the student teacher’s appropriate functioning as a professional. 

5. Qualified candidates may receive monetary compensation for their practicum experiences through mutual agreement between the school system, Coordinator of Student Teaching, Program Director, and student.

M.Ed. Foundations of Education

The M.Ed. in Foundations of Education is designed to provide a wide variety of career paths for curriculum workers, novice researchers, and educators in formal and informal settings. 

Core Requirements (6 Semester Hours)

EHS 802 History and Philosophy of American Education OR
EHS 824 Current Issues and Trends in American Education

EHS 818 Educational Research

General Requirements (30 Semester Hours)

EHS 800 English Language Acquisition Strategies
EHS 802 History and Philosophy of American Education
EHS 803 Psychology of Learning Disabilities
EHS 805 Differentiated Instruction
EHS 806 Reading Theory Pedagogy and Practice
EHS 807 Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
EHS 808 Working in Schools:  Practicum
EHS 809 Mentoring
EHS 810 Culturally Responsive Education
EHS 813 Classroom Communication
EHS 814 Urban Schooling
EHS 817 Assessment Theory and Practice
EHS 820 Legal Aspects of Compulsory Education
EHS 821 Curriculum Theory
EHS 822 Curriculum Development
EHS 823 College Teaching
EHS 824 Issues and Trends in American Education
EHS 832 Educational Psychology
EHS 835 Issues in College Access and Success
EHS 840 Ethics in Education

Coursework outside the program (maximum of 9 credit hours)

When appropriate to their career goals, students may complete 9 credit hours in academic departments or other programs offered by the Education and Human Services department, with approval from the Program Director. 

Initial Licensure Component in Middle School Teaching

This program is designed for mid-career changers or recent college graduates. The ideal candidate for this program will hold an undergraduate degree in the academic area (or 30 credit hours specific to licensure requirements) in which they seek licensure.  Candidates may petition to waive 12 credit hours, based on prior coursework and/or employment experience.  

Students may enter the Master of Education in Foundation upon successful completion of the Initial Licensure component. Faculty advisors will work with students to develop a course of study which they can use to petition the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Professional Licensure in Massachusetts.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Initial Licensure Component, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75, have passing scores on the communication and literacy skills sections of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL), and complete the application requirements. You must also arrange for a review of your transcript and interview with a program coordinator.

Required Courses (24 Semester Hours)

EHS 806 Reading Theory, Pedagogy and Practice
EHS 810 Culturally Responsive Education
EHS 811 Curriculum and Pedagogy:  Middle School
EHS 813 Classroom Communication
EHS 815 Practicum:  Middle School Teaching (6 credit hours)
EHS 817 Assessment Theory and Practice
EHS 832 Educational Psychology

Initial Licensure Component in Secondary School Teaching

This program is designed for mid-career changers or recent college graduates.The ideal candidate for this program will hold an undergraduate degree in the academic area (or 30 credit hours specific to licensure requirements) in which they seek licensure.  Candidates may petition to waive 12 credit hours, based on prior coursework and/or employment experience.  

Students may enter the Master of Education in Foundation upon successful completion of the Initial Licensure component. Faculty advisors will work with students to develop a course of study which they can use to petition the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Professional Licensure in Massachusetts.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Initial Licensure Component, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75, have passing scores on the communication and literacy skills sections of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL), and complete the application requirements. You must also arrange for a review of your transcript and interview with the program coordinator.

Required Courses (24 Semester Hours)

EHS 807 Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
EHS 810 Culturally Responsive Education
EHS 812 Curriculum and Pedagogy:  Secondary
EHS 813 Classroom Communication
EHS 816 Practicum:  Secondary School Teaching  (6 Credit Hours)
EHS 817 Assessment Theory and Practice
EHS 832 Educational Psychology