Application to Practicum Experiences
Student teachers are required to formally apply to the Office of Practicum
Experiences & Teacher Induction to complete a pre or full practicum. This
application is used to track students in a sophisticated database that allows
the Office to monitor diversity of settings as well as having the most current
address for each student. Applications are available in the Practicum Office
or online and are due the semester prior to practicum experience.
Registration for Practicum Experiences
To receive course credit on the transcript, students are required to "register"
for practicum experience through the usual registration process for courses.
Pre-practica courses receive 1 credit for undergraduate and graduate students.
Practicum is 12 credits for undergraduate majors and 9 credits for undergraduate secondary minors.
Criteria for Selection of Schools and Cooperating Teachers
Schools are selected based on school partnership agreements
with the Lynch School of Education and successful past experiences based
on student and supervisor evaluation. Schools must demonstrate a commitment
to working in clusters with both pre and full practicum student teachers. A list of Partnership Schools is available on line.
Procedures for Placement of Pre and Full Practicum or Clinical Student
Teachers
All placement sites for student teaching are completed in Massachusetts
public, private, or Catholic schools that have been approved by the Director of Practicum Experiences & Teacher Induction and meet the requirements for the
Massachusetts Department of Education.
Placement sites are located in Boston and neighboring areas with the
exception of international and out-of-state sites approved for students
participating in that program.
Many variables are taken into account when a field assignment is established
by the Practicum Office. Among them are day and availability of cooperating
teacher, availability of appropriate grade level, transportation to the
school, diversity of students, and relationship with the school.
Pre-practicum student teachers are placed in area schools based on successful
past experiences with the school. Student teachers typically do not have
a choice of assignment. Undergraduate student teachers complete a variety
of experiences in diverse settings. Graduate students may opt to stay
in the pre-practicum setting selected to create a year-long experience
if the student population is considered diverse.
Full practicum students in undergraduate and graduate programs participate in a "Placement Week" process to allow the students some "controlled" choice about their assignment. After attending an Information Session and completing a reflective activity students are invited to make requests pertaining to their choice of placement.
Clinical faculty supervisors and the Director meet with each student
individually to determine the placement that best meets with the student's goals
for teaching. Requests for a change of placement (for any reason) during a pre-practicum
is handled by the Assistant Director; and for full practicum and clinical experience,
change of placement is handled by the Director.
Overview of Undergraduate Practicum Program
The undergraduate practicum program consists of three pre-practica and
a semester-long full practicum. The program is developmental, is linked
to coursework, and builds on previous fieldwork. Secondary education minors
also complete three pre-practica. Undergraduates are required to complete three
pre and full practica in a variety of types of schools to ensure a wide
range of experiences that include diverse student populations.
Extended Practicum
The Extended Practicum (ED 269) is offered to undergraduate students completing
student teaching in the fall semester and who would like to stay in the
placement for two days a week in the spring semester. This three credit
elective course is facilitated by the Director of Practicum
Experiences & Teacher Induction. Graduate students may select the course with permission from the Director.
Overview of Graduate Practicum Program
Graduate students complete one practicum and one semester-long experience. Initial licensure is the strand for students who come to the Lynch School with no licensure. These students are eligible for initial licensure (download a copy of Four Steps to Massachusetts Licensure in PDF format). Graduate students may elect to stay in the pre-practicum placement for the full practicum if the population of students is diverse.
Graduate students who are already certified in one or more fields
may seek a specialist licensure in Special Education or Reading at the initial level. These students complete
a pre-practicum in the new field (waivers must be approved by the Director)
and a semester long clinical experience.
Donovan Urban Teaching Scholars Program
The Donovan Urban Teaching Scholars Program is an intensive, one-year
Master's degree program in teacher preparation in urban schools. The
Director works closely with the Donovan Program Director to arrange placements
and supervision of all Donovan students.
Urban Catholic Teacher Corps
The Urban Catholic Teacher Corps
is a two-year graduate service program for students who have a desire to serve
in urban schools and are committed to Catholic education.
The program is sponsored by Boston College and the Archdiocese of Boston.
The Director collaborates with the Directors of the
Practicum Office.
International/Out-of-State Program
Special placements in international settings, on Native American reservations,
and at a school in Mississippi are available for undergraduate and graduate
students to complete full practicum experiences.
A pre-practicum placement is also available for undergraduates completing their junior semester or year abroad. All questions about this program need to be referred to the Director.