Degree Seeking + Initial Licensure Students:

• MUST PASS ALL REQUIRED MTELS OR HAVE 1 OUSTANDING. (*see MTEL Policy Memo)

• SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF PRE-PRACTICUM(S):

  • • SPE 555 FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

    • EDU 553 AND EDU 557 FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD

    • EDU 554 AND EDU 555 FOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

    • ESL 555 FOR ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

    • RDG 554 FOR READING SPECIALIST

    • N/A for SEA

1. Pass all your MTELs by Spring Registration.

2. Register for Pre Practicum & Seminar (SPE 555/ESL 555).

3. Submit your MTEL Scores and/or Waiver using this is google form. Be prepared to submit PDF copies.

4. Once you secure your practicum placement, you are required to formally notify the Field Placement Office (FPO) of your school using the Practicum Setting Verification Form. You are also required to work with your Supervising Practitioner to complete the Supervising Practitioner Application. These pieces are absolutely required before your first day in your Pre-Practicum placement. 

5. Register for Practicum. Registration opens April 7, 2025.

6. *IMPORTANT* Candidates will NOT be allowed to begin logging hours or hold observations until all forms, including the SP application and license, are submitted and the FPO approves. 

Practicum Hours Requirements, per the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:

• Moderate Disabilities, PK-8, 5-12:

  • 300 hours total: Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (for PreK–8, 300 hours in an inclusive general education setting or 75 hours in an inclusive general education setting and 225 hours in a separate or substantially separate setting for students with moderate disabilities; for 5–12, 300 hours in an inclusive general education classroom or 150 hours in an inclusive general education classroom and 150 hours in a separate or substantially separate setting for students with moderate disabilities)

• Severe Disabilities, Pk-12:

  • 300 hours total: Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (at least 75 hours in an inclusive general education classroom at any level, and at least 150 hours in a setting with students with severe disabilities; the remaining 75 hours may be in either setting)

To be eligible for a Fall 2025 Practicum, you must pass all your MTELs or have 1 outstanding MTEL before May 12, 2025. 

All students intending to complete a Fall Practicum:

1. Register for Pre Practicum I (EDU 553-Early Childhood or EDU 554-Elementary). Registration opens February 10, 2025.

2. Continue to work on your MTELs.

3. Register for Fall 2025 Practicum (EDU 571-Early Childhood or EDU 568-Elementary) when the portal opens on April 7, 2025. 

If you have 0-1 outstanding MTEL by May 12, 2025: 

• Submit your MTEL Scores and/or Waiver using the Pre-Practicum II Application by May 12, 2025. This is a google form. Be prepared to submit PDF copies of your MTEL scores/waiver, degree audit, and resume  within this electronic application. You will be prompted at the end.

• Once you secure your practicum placement, you are required to formally notify the Field Placement Office (FPO) of your school using the Practicum Setting Verification Form. You are also required to work with your Supervising Practitioner to complete the Supervising Practitioner Application. These pieces are absolutely required before your first day in your Pre-Practicum placement. 

• *IMPORTANT* Candidates will NOT be allowed to begin logging hours or hold observations until all forms, including the SP application and license, are submitted and the FPO approves. 

If you continue to have 2+ outstanding MTELs by May 12, 2025: 

• Complete the "Add/Drop" Link on the registrar's page to “Drop” Pre-Practicum II for Summer 2025 and "Drop" Practicum for Fall 2025 on or before May 12, 2025. 

1. Register for Pre Practicum (RDG 554).

2. Complete the Reading Program CAP Form page 1 and submit, with your resume, teaching license and MTEL scores, to the coordinator of the Reading Program. (Note: be sure to "make a copy" of the CAP Form and save it to your personal google drive. Edit-access to this template cannot be granted.)

3. During Pre-Practicum, if not sooner, you will have secured a placement. At this time, you are required to formally notify the Field Placement Office (FPO) of your setting using the Practicum Site & MTEL Submission Form. You are also required to work with your Supervising Practitioner to complete the Supervising Practitioner Application. These pieces are absolutely required before your first day in your Practicum placement. 

4. Register for Practicum (RDG 590).

5. *IMPORTANT* Candidates will NOT be allowed to begin logging hours or hold observations until all forms, including the SP application and license, are submitted and the FPO approves.

1. Register for Courses and Practicums.

2. Once you have secured a placement, you need to complete the required Sped Admin Practicum Setting Form. This is a google form. 

3. *IMPORTANT* Candidates are required to submit this form once at the start of their first semester of practicum. The form is only needed again if the candidate changes placements. This situation is rare.

Students must hold a Massachusetts special education teacher license, or be enrolled in a Bay Path University special education licensure program. If you are adding this certificate to your current Special Education Licensure graduate program, you will need to consult with your advisor to ensure your coursework fulfills the requirements of the Transition Specialist Track. 

• Register for the Transition Specialist Practicum (SPE 576).

• You will use your current practicum placement for your Transition Specialist Endorsement practicum.  No further paperwork is required.

-OR-

Students completing the Transition Specialist Endorsement Certificate Program who are ONLY seeking this endorsement:

• Once your advisor confirms you've completed the course requirements, register for the Transition Specialist Practicum (SPE 576).

• When you secure a placement, you are required to formally notify the Field Placement Office (FPO) of your setting using the Practicum Setting Verification Form. This is a google form. Be prepared to submit a PDF copy of your Supervising Practitioner's unofficial teaching license from ELAR when prompted.

More information on this endorsement can be found here.