Secondary education (grades 8-12) (Modern foreign languages: 5-12)
Students may prepare for Massachusetts teacher licensure in a secondary school in one of the following major concentrations: English, history, mathematics, biology and three modern foreign languages: French, German and Hispanic Studies. To qualify for licensure, a student must complete appropriate courses in the major and fulfill the course requirements leading to a minor in secondary education. He or she must also pass the appropriate sections of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure.
Print a minor planning worksheet
Major and minor requirements in secondary education
Massachusetts licensure standards require demonstration of subject-matter competence as well as teaching competence during the student teaching practicum. Each participating academic department has therefore developed a specific set of course requirements and other experiences in the major that fulfill the subject-matter standards. Before students undertake a secondary education program, they must consult with their major advisor and the secondary education program coordinator. At that time, the student and department advisor will plan a major program that meets the subject-matter requirements of the Massachusetts licensure standards, as well as the minor program to fulfill the student's minor concentration requirements in secondary school education.
A student must take the following prepracticum courses: two of the three courses Educ 240, Educ 250, and Educ 260; Educ 251, Educ 391 and Psy 270. All of these must be completed before the practicum courses, Educ 496 and Educ 495.
Fieldwork
A student must complete a minimum of 75 hours of pre-practicum and internship experience in school settings, including field placements for education courses and a minimum 40-hour internship.
Practicum requirements
During the senior year, a student will complete a semester-long two-and-one-half-credit student teaching practicum plus a one-credit seminar in teaching methods. While student teaching, the Wheaton student will intern at the cooperating school for the entire school day and follow the public school calendar. The student may take only one additional Wheaton credit during this semester and this (full-credit or half-credit) course must meet after the close of school. Students must notify the department chair of any incomplete grade from the previous semester and this may prevent admission to the practicum.