Page 249 of Boston College 2003-2004 Catalog by Boston College University

EDUCATION The Boston College Catalog 2003-2004 247 Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) The Master of Arts degree is given in the following areas: Early Childhood Specialist Higher Education Administration Counseling Psychology Developmental and Educational Psychology These programs are described in each departmental section. Course Credit A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required for a Masters degree. Specific programs may require more credits. No formal minor is required. No more than six graduate credits with grades of B or better, approved by the Offices for Students and Outreach, will be accepted in transfer toward fulfillment of course requirements. A transfer of credit must be formally applied for in the Offices for Students and Outreach, Campion 104. In the first semester of matriculation, students must complete a Program of Studies in consultation with their advisor. Program of Studies forms are available from program advisors or in the Offices for Students and Outreach, Campion 104. These forms must be approved and filed in the Offices for Students and Outreach. Ethical Research with Human Subjects Review Students conducting research with human subjects are required to fill out the form for Ethical Review of Human Subjects. Fifth Year Programs Academically superior students in any undergraduate school at Boston College may apply for a variety of graduate programs that will enable them to graduate with both a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree in five years. Please refer to the Fifth Year Program description in the section of this Catalog covering Lynch School undergraduate programs. Research Centers The Lynch School houses several Research Centers. For more information on the Research Centers, please refer to the About Boston College section of this catalog. Department of Teacher Education/Special Education, and Curriculum Instruction The Department of Teacher Education/Special Education and Curriculum Instruction prepares educational leaders for instructional and administrative roles in public and private schools, in institutions of higher education, and in related organizations. The intent is to provide a blend of scholarship, disciplined inquiry, and professional experiences that will develop the sound understanding, practical skills, ethical values, and social responsibilities that are required of competent educators. Student programs are individualized under the guidance of a faculty advisor, with special consideration given to each students career goals and licensure requirements. Areas of Concentration Programs and courses in Teacher Education are designed to prepare educators in the areas of elementary and secondary teaching, early childhood education, special education, and reading. In addition, Masters and Doctoral programs are available in Curriculum Instruction. Teacher preparation programs are designed for individuals interested in working in elementary and secondary schools, both public and private, as well as early childhood and special needs programs and facilities. The Lynch School prepares outstanding teachers in both theoretical and practical dimensions of instruction. The Doctoral program in Curriculum Instruction prepares students for college and university teaching, research positions, and/or school leadership positions. Licensure Endorsement of candidates for Massachusetts teaching licensure is a collaborative effort between the Lynch School supervisor and the cooperating teacher. The Lynch School offers graduate programs designed to prepare students for teaching licensure at the Masters and C.A.E.S. levels. A student seeking licensure must be admitted as a degree candidate. Programs are approved by the Interstate Licensure Compact (ICC) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), allowing students easier access to licensure outside Massachusetts. The following are licenses available from the state department of Massachusetts through completion of a Lynch School program: Early Childhood Teacher Elementary Teacher Teacher of English, Mathematics, History, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, Foreign Language, Latin, and Classical Humanities Teacher of Reading Teacher of Students with Moderate Special Needs (Pre K-9, 5- 12) Teacher of Students with Severe Special Needs (Pre K-12) Note: Students who plan to seek licensure in states other than Massachusetts should check the licensure requirements in those states. Students seeking licensure in Massachusetts must pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). Practicum Experiences Practicum experiences are an essential part of the curriculum in licensure programs and should be planned with the respective faculty advisor early in the students program. Practicum experiences for licensure in Teacher Education are offered at the initial licensure level for Massachusetts. Students seeking licensure in Massachusetts also must pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). All field experiences for students enrolled in Lynch School degree programs are arranged through the Office of Professional Practicum Experiences (Campion 135). The Director of Professional Practicum Experiences, for appropriate reasons, may not approve a student for the practicum. Applications for all placements must be made during the semester preceding the one in which it will occur. Application deadlines for full practica are March 15 for fall assignments and October 15 for spring assignments. Application deadlines for pre-practica are April 15 for fall placements and December 1 for spring placements. The following are prerequisites for students who are applying for practica and clinical experiences: Grade Point Average of B or better (3.0 or above) Satisfactory completion of required pre-practica or waiver from the Director of the Office of Professional Practicum Experiences Completion of 80 percent of the course work related to required Education courses, including methods courses in the content area and courses required for initial licensure Application in the Office of Professional Practicum Experiences A full practicum is characterized by the five Professional Standards as required by the Massachusetts Department of Education. Student teachers must demonstrate these five standards during their practicum experience: content knowledge, instructional practice, evaluation, equity, and professionalism.

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