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EDUCATION

Concentrations to Licensure/ Minor : Assumption offers state-approved teacher preparation programs for a Massachusetts Initial license in the following areas:

Elementary Teacher (1-6) Subject-specific
Elementary/Middle School teacher in visual art (preK-8);
Subject-specific Middle School teacher in biology, chemistry, English, general science, history, mathematics, and political science (5-8);
Subject-specific Middle/Secondary teacher in French, Spanish, modern languages[French and Spanish]; Latin and classical humanities, and visual art (5-12).
Subject Specific Secondary teacher in biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, political science (8-12).

Assumption also offers a state-approved Master's degree program in Special Education, offering programs for an Initial or Professional License for Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-9 or 5-12). Qualified Assumption undergraduates may enroll in a fifth year of study leading to a Master's degree in Special Education. In such instances, students could earn two teaching licenses: their first from one of the undergraduate programs listed above, and a second teaching license for Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities.

Number of 2006 Graduates: 38 Education Concentrators

Sample Outcomes: By the time Assumption students complete an Education Concentration, they are expected to demonstrate:

An ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form;
A competent knowledge of the content within the field(s) of licensure;
Practices of effective teaching, guided by an expressed understanding of sound instruction and research-derived methods.
The ability to improve practice based upon self-evaluation of teaching;
A commitment to professional obligations and responsibilities.

General Information about the Education Program:

The Education program is a concentration, not a major. There is a strong emphasis on the liberal arts and sciences within the Education program, so that students are well able to teach within their licensure fields. Students select a major field of study and concentrate in one of the Education programs listed.
Introductory Education courses include informal field work, so that students can begin to link their understanding of educational theory, research and practice.
Introductory Education courses are primarily taught by full-time faculty.
Upper-level Education courses include pre-practicum placements in area elementary, middle or secondary schools. Students observe and assist classroom teachers as well as begin to develop their own lesson plans and curriculum materials.
Upper-level Curriculum and Methods courses are exclusively taught by full-time Assumption faculty.
Education Concentrators student teach during the spring semester of their senior year. Student teaching placements are within public and private schools in Central Massachusetts.
The Education department offers intensive and ongoing advising for students within the Education Concentration to familiarize them with the requirements of Assumption's Education Concentration as well as current regulations for teacher licensure.
A number of alums are teachers and administrators in area schools; they often return to campus as guest lecturers; adjunct instructors or mentor teachers for Assumption's student teachers.

Sample of Faculty Areas of Interest:

Anita Danker, Research on four of Boston's heritage trails - the Freedom Trail, the Black Heritage Trail, the Women's Heritage Trail, and the Irish Heritage Trail.
Eric Howe, Primary interests include developing, teaching, and researching the efficacy of lessons that incorporate the history and philosophy of science with an emphasis on improving students' nature of science perspectives.
Veronica Gold, Mathematics Education
Mary Kielbasa - Children's Literature
Nanho Vander Hart - Special education;
Cathleen Stutz, The teaching of writing to adolescents; teacher inquiry groups for English/language arts curriculum.

Sample of Recent Practicum Sites

Worcester Public Schools
Algonquin Regional High School
Hudson Public Schools
St. Peter-Marian Jr.-Sr. High School
Wachusett Regional High School
Westborough High School

Sample of Graduate Schools

Assumption College
Boston College
Boston University
Bridgewater State University
Providence College
Tufts University
UMASS - Amherst
University of Connecticut

Sample of Employers

Auburn, MA public schools
Boston, MA public schools
Enfield, CT public schools
Hartford, CT public schools
Hudson, MA public schools
Littleton, MA public schools
Marlborough public schools
Milford Public Schools
Pope John XXIII High School, Sparta, NJ
St. Joseph's School, Fitchburg, MA
St. John's High School, Shrewsbury, MA
St. John the Evangelist School, White Plains, NY
St. Peter-Marian Jr.-Sr. High School, Worcester
Shrewsbury, MA public schools
Tantasqua Regional High School, Sturbridge, MA
Wachusett Regional school district, Holden, MA
Westborough, MA public schools
Worcester, MA public school

Did you Know?

In the fall of 2006, 34 of the brightest incoming first year students will participate in the new Honors Program.