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

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.