SOE Field Placement Office - Frequently Asked Questions

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 or pre-practicum is a separate requirement, and should be completed in one classroom. It is arranged through the Field Placement Office. Contact Jean Gumpert if you are an on-campus student, at 617.349.8400, and Yvonne Zollman Mosca if you are an off-campus student, at 617.349.8753.  You can also meet the requirement by documenting a prior classroom experience, as outlined in your program handbook.  Feel free to call Yvonne Zollman Mosca with any questions you may have about documenting your Early Field Experience.

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 should be 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?

Make practicum arrangements with Yvonne Zollman Mosca if you are an off-campus student, at 617.349.8753.  Arrangements for deferral are possible when necessary.

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 (Yvonne Zollman Mosca for off-campus students and Jean Gumpert for on-campus students).

 Q:  Can I do my practicum in the summer?

If you are in the Early Childhood, Elementary, Moderate Disabilities or Instructional Technology 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. Contact Kali Small at 617.349.8399 if you are interested in Summer Compass. Students in the Specialist Teacher of Reading program may also do their practicum at Summer Compass. Contact Suzanne Leone for more information.

Q:  Do I send practicum-related fees to the Field Placement Office?

No, they are paid when you register.

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.

The Portfolio video is on reserve at the Lesley University Sherrill Library. Portfolio guidelines are also available online.

Please contact the Certification Office at 617.349.8427 or visit the licensure and certification page.

Q:  Is there help preparing for the MTELs?

Yes - contact the Lesley University Certification Office at 617.349.8427 to learn more about the workshops that Lesley offers.

 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.