Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program, English Studies Concentration, Initial Licensure (8-12)

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Students who hold a bachelor’s degree and wish to become a secondary level (grades 8-12) teacher of English may complete a post baccalaureate program that consists of the equivalent of a degree in English and 18 credit hours of pedagogical coursework in education.

Students who are interested in the program must meet the following criteria:

Evidence of a bachelor’s degree
A GPA of 2.8 or better
Successful completion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure: Communication and Literacy Skills Sub-test
Applicants to the Post Baccalaureate Program in English Studies must complete an essay of no more than one page in response to one of the following statements or questions:
1. Tell us about a positive situation in which you helped a person and made a significant difference in that person’s life.
2. What are the most important factors in establishing a long-term working relationship with students,friends, etc.?
3. Tell us about a significant event that involved you in a teaching or helping role.
  - Describe the situation as it occurred at the time.
  - What did you do in that particular situation?
  - How did you feel about the situation at the time you were experiencing it?
  - How do you feel about the situation now?
  - What would you change, if anything?

Once accepted, students will undergo a transcript review by the Graduate Program Chair or undergraduate advisor, as designated by the department and a plan of study will be developed that addresses:

Courses missing (if applicable) in the subject that are equivalent to the requirements for the major will be determined through a transcript review. Students will complete all requirements of the major and license as identified in the undergraduate program.
Courses as identified below in the teacher preparation program (pedagogy courses).

When courses are in a student’s plan of study, they will complete the plan of study at the undergraduate level, or at the graduate level, if the equivalent is offered.

Required Courses

SEED 7015 - Introduction to Strategies for Effective Teaching in the Academic Discipline
or ENGL 2860 Introduction to Secondary Teaching 3 cr.
SPED 7709 - The High School Environment—Challenges In Educating Students with Disabilities
or SPED 3800 - Adolescents with Special Needs 3 cr.
ENGL 8076 - Creating Literacy Experience: Building Reading and Writing into the Content Areas
or ENGL 4700 - Teaching Reading and Writing Across the Content Area 3 cr.
ENGL 7850 - Advanced Special Methods in English
or ENGL 4850 - Special Methods in English or 3 cr.
EDUC 7096 - Sheltered English Immersion (SEI)
ENGL 8090 - Practicum

Note:

* Students must have a passing score on MTEL subject-English (07)

Once the licensure program is completed, students can request admission to the graduate program after completing additional admissions requirements as designated by the department.

Once a student has completed all requirements for professional and content specific courses, they will be eligible for endorsement in their selected field through Fitchburg State University.

For more information regarding licensure requirements for teacher preparation programs, contact the Educator Licensure Office at 978-665-3239 or visit their Web site at www.fitchburgstate.edu/edunit.