Q: What is the difference between the Early Field Experience and the practicum?The Early Field Experience is a 75-hour pre-practicum classroom-based experience that you should complete toward the beginning of your program. It must be completed before you can do your practicum. The practicum is a full-time, full semester (14-week minimum) student teaching experience that traditionally happens towards the end of your program after all required MTELs have been passed and pre-requisites completed. A weekly seminar is taken along with the practicum.
Q: What is the difference between pre-practicum field-based assignments and the (75-hour) Early Field Experience?Pre-practicum field-based assignments are required as part of education courses and should be completed in a variety of school settings. Your instructor can discuss appropriate sites with you for field-based assignments, which must be documented on the Field-Based Assignment Form, obtained from your instructor. The 75-hour Early Field Experience is a separate requirement, and should be completed in one classroom. It is arranged through the Field Placement Office.
Q: What is Lesley University’s Massachusetts Tests for Educational Licensure (MTEL) policy?All students must pass MTELs required for their initial license to be eligible for the practicum. Prior to beginning the practicum, students must submit legible and complete photocopies of their official passing MTEL score reports to the Field Placement Office. Mail to Field Placement, Lesley University GSOE, 29 Everett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 or deliver in person to University Hall, Room 2-074.
Note: Scores "reported to Lesley" do not reach us in a format appropriate for student files. Students must send or bring in hard copies of official score reports received from the testing office.For a complete description of MTEL requirements and support, please visit the Certification Office website.
Q: When and how should I plan my practicum (student teaching)?You should plan to do your practicum at the end of your program, after you have met all eligibility requirements. Information sessions are conducted during the semester prior to the practicum and will be posted for on-campus students. Information for off-campus students will be presented at orientation and during a weekend course with your cohort. Permission is required to register for the practicum.
Q: Where can I do my practicum placement? Appropriate practicum placements are in Massachusetts public school classrooms in the role and grade level of the license you are seeking, using Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Supervising Practitioners are Massachusetts licensed teachers (who hold the license you are seeking) and have professional status or the equivalent (three years or more in the role).
Q: What if I am an off-campus student? Must I do my practicum when my cohort is scheduled to do so?Arrangements for deferral are possible when necessary.
Q: Can employment at a school meet the practicum requirements?In some cases, arrangements can be made if you are in the appropriate role and grade level. You must contact the Field Placement Office for approval.
Q: Can I do my practicum in the summer?If you are in the Early Childhood, Elementary, Moderate Disabilities, Instructional Technology or Specialist Teacher of Reading programs, you can student teach in the Lesley/Cambridge Schools Summer Compass program. It fulfills a 7-week half-practicum during the summer, followed by a 7-week half-practicum in the early fall semester at a Massachusetts public school. For Programs for which only a half practicum is required, students may be able to meet requirements in summer Compass.
Q: Do I send practicum-related fees to the Field Placement Office?No, they are paid when you register.
Q: Do I need to submit my MTEL test scores to the Field Placement Office when I am arranging my placement? Yes, we need a copy of your official score report(s) for your practicum file. You must submit them with your application even if additional MTEL scores are pending. Permission to register is not granted unless all required MTELs are passed and official score reports are submitted.
Q: How do I apply for licensure? Please contact the Certification Office at
617.349.8427or visit the licensure and certification page.
Q: Is there help preparing for the MTELs?Yes - contact the Lesley University Certification Office at
617.349.8427to learn more about the workshops that Lesley offers and other resources.
Q: Our school would like to have student teachers. How might we arrange that?Please contact
Jean Gumpert,
Yvonne Zollman Mosca or
Peggy Maki in the Field Placement Office for guidelines.