Education Administration Concentration

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This program prepares graduate students for initial license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the field of Administration; Principal/Assistant Principal or Supervisor/Director. The three year program is specifically designed to accommodate teachers whose schedules preclude participating in traditional degree programs.

The courses focus on theories of curriculum design and evaluation; supervision; leadership; issues of school management, including budget, professional development, and staff evaluation; and philosophy. In addition, organizational characteristics of schools and strategies for institutional change, plant management, human relations, and community education are all explored within the context of the social curriculum, current administrative theory and research.

The practicum experience (300 hours) takes place in the appropriate level school for the certificate (Pre K-6, 5-8, 9-12) and includes supervision from the college and supervising practitioner. Special consideration is given to the student’s placement needs and the faculty offers support and assistance in finding internship sites. The student participates in all activities pertinent to administration within the school setting and has the option to complete two practica for both licenses. Degree available: M.Ed.

Prerequisites: A Massachusetts teaching license and three years of teaching experience by time of licensure.

Educational Studies Concentration

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Educational Studies is a flexible program designed to meet the needs of individuals who want to continue their education for professional development or to change careers. Students can choose to follow Plan A (M.Ed.), Plan B (M.S.) or Plan C (M.S.). Students have the option of designing a program (Focus Option) in consultation with their advisor (i.e., experiential education, instructional technology, school athletics, etc.), or choosing a concentration that leads to Massachusetts Educator Initial Licensure in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education or Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities ¹.

All of these licensure programs are State of Massachusetts and NASDTEC approved.

¹Applicants to the teacher of Special Education Initial Licensure Program need to have a current license as an Elementary or Secondary teacher or be simultaneously enrolled in the Elementary or Secondary Initial Licensure Program.

Undergraduate prerequisites: Depends on program focus.

Early Childhood Education (PreK-2) Concentration

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Teacher of Students With and Without Moderate Disabilities (PreK-2)

The Graduate Level Initial Licensure Program in Early Childhood Education prepares early childhood educators to assume teaching positions in public schools, child care programs, private preschools and kindergartens, early intervention programs, family support and home visiting programs and inclusive early childhood settings. The knowledge base for the early childhood field has expanded substantially in the past five years, and the Springfield College program that leads to Licensure as an Early Childhood Teacher of Students With and Without Disabilities is established on that new knowledge base. All students entering the program will be required to meet the content area requirements as identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

In the Graduate Level Initial Licensure Program, early childhood educators gain the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed if all young children (from preschool through second grade) are to receive the kind of early education they deserve. The program addresses the need for tomorrow’s teachers to be prepared to serve and to value a far more diverse group of young children and families than at any time in the past. Our program gives students the opportunity to student teach in inclusive early childhood settings which welcome young children with increasingly challenging disabilities and medical conditions.With the foundation provided by the required courses, including the pre-practicum and practicum field experiences, individuals completing the Graduate Initial Licensure Program in Early Childhood Education will draw from a continuum of teaching strategies in order to support the learning and development of all children.

Prerequisites:
An undergraduate degree in the liberal arts or in a field related to early childhood education (e.g., Psychology); a broad background in coursework related to the primary grade knowledge of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks; documented experience in working with children between the ages of three and eight and a course in child development.

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure Required:
All students in the Early Childhood Graduate Initial Licensure Program are required to pass the following exams with a score of 70 or better:

• Communication and Literacy Skills exam (prior to practicum)
• Early Childhood Subject exam (prior to practicum)
• Foundations of Reading exam (prior to practicum)

Elementary Education (1-6) Concentration

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The Graduate Level Initial Licensure Program in Elementary Education prepares elementary school teachers to create learning environments that support children in their transition to adolescence. The program offers a combination of courses that will lead to the Elementary Initial license upon successful completion of program requirements. All students entering the program will be required to meet the content area requirements as identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

The program reflects the need for educators to have increased awareness of the social and emotional needs of elementary students and the principles for creating safe and effective schools. Educators must not only be proficient in content area knowledge and pedagogy; they must also be able to understand the complex social and emotional context of their learners.With the foundation provided by the required courses, including the pre-practicum and practicum field experiences, individuals completing the Graduate Initial Licensure Program in Elementary Education will be able to create a learning environment which supports the positive social, emotional development and high academic standards that are now required within public schools.

Prerequisites:
A course in child development and Arts and Sciences coursework covering the Elementary Teacher Subject Matter Knowledge requirement in the Massachusetts Regulations for Educator Licensure. In general terms, this includes specific coursework in English, Mathematics, History and Social Science, Science, Technology/Engineering, Child Development, Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Education, and Health.

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure Required:
All students in the Elementary Graduate Initial Licensure Program are required to pass the following exams with a score of 70 or better:

• Communication and Literacy Skills exam (prior to practicum)
• General Curriculum exam (prior to practicum)
• Foundations of Reading exam (prior to practicum)

Secondary Education (8-12) Concentration

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The Graduate Level Initial Licensure Program in Secondary Education prepares high school teachers to create learning environments that support young people in their transition to adulthood. The program offers a combination of courses that will lead to the Initial license in one of the following content areas: Biology, Business, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, Foreign Language (Spanish only), History, Mathematics, Political Science/Political Philosophy, and Visual Arts. All students entering the program will be required to meet the subject matter knowledge requirements stated in by the Massachusetts Department of Education licensure regulations.

It is recommended that students in this graduate level initial licensure program work full-time in an educational environment. These may include teaching in a classroom with a waiver or preliminary license or a full-time internship within a secondary school. In each of these settings, a public school teacher and college faculty member will guide students to complete the requirements of the pre-practicum and practicum field experiences.

The interdisciplinary nature of the graduate level initial licensure program courses provide a wider frame of reference for the students as they develop a foundation in the theoretical, historical, social and political foundations of education. Faculty teaching courses within this program will use the field experience of the students to deepen the students’ understanding of behavior management; reading strategies for content area learning; teaching methods; curriculum design; assessment and evaluation; inclusion of all students; special education; and learning and teaching through technology.

Prerequisites:
A Bachelor’s degree in a content area appropriate to the license sought and a course in child development.

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure Required:
All students in the Secondary Graduate Initial Licensure Program are required to pass the following exams with a score of 70 or better:

• Communication and Literacy Exam (prior to practicum)
• Content exam appropriate to license sought (prior to practicum)

Special Education

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Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (TSMD) (PreK-8 or 5-12)

The Special Education Program prepares teachers to work effectively with students with mild and moderate disabilities. The program offers a combination of courses that lead to the Initial Licensure as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities. The interdisciplinary nature of the program provides a wide frame of reference for the students as they develop a foundation in the theoretical, historical, social and political foundations of special education. These academic courses and the pre-practicum and practicum provide ample opportunity for the graduate student to participate in self-evaluation, peer evaluation, and discussion with faculty and public school teachers. Because students are participating in the field placement while taking the academic courses, students are able to use these practical experiences to deepen their understanding of the skills and responsibilities of the teacher of students with moderate disabilities. A special emphasis is placed on: Reading and Language Arts instruction; Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks; assessment of physical, social, emotional, intellectual and social development of children and adolescents; educational terminology for students with mild and moderate disabilities; preparation, implementation and evaluation of Individualized Education Programs; design and modification of curriculum, instructional materials, and educational environments for students with moderate disabilities; behavior management and transitional assistance for students with mild and moderate disabilities; services provided by other agencies and federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to special education.

Prerequisites:
A Massachusetts Initial Licensure as an Elementary or Secondary Teacher or simultaneously enrolled in the Springfield College Graduate Initial Licensure Program at that level and a course in child development.

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure Required:
All students in the Special Education Graduate Initial Licensure Program are required to pass the following exams with a score of 70 or better:

• Communication and Literacy Skills exam (prior to pre-practicum, EDUC 673)
• Content Area exam depends on grade level(prior to practicum)
• Foundations of Reading exam (prior to practicum)