School of Education New Student Orientation January, 2016

2 Graduate Programs in Education State Approved Initial License Teacher programs –Early Childhood (PreK-2) –Elementary (Gr. 1-6) –Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12) –Middle/Secondary (9 Subjects) Biology, Business, Chemistry, English, French, General Science, History, Mathematics, Spanish. –Reading Specialist* Candidates must already have an initial or professional teaching license in another field and have taught for one year.

3 More School Preparation Programs Principal/Asst. Principal –Gr. Levels: PreK-6, 5-8, or 9-12 Administrator of Special Education Superintendent/Asst. Superintendent School Guidance Counselor School Adjustment Counselor

4 Professional License Programs (For teachers who already have an Initial License) State Approved programs in –Early Childhood (PreK-2) –Elementary (Gr. 1-6) –Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) Candidates must seek professional licensure in the same field as their initial license. Teachers in other licensure areas can qualify for professional licensure by completing the M.Ed. program, and transferring in graduate credits in their field in lieu of the advanced reading courses.

5 School Adjustment / School Guidance Counselor These programs are offered only on the Springfield campus. These programs are credits in length.

6 How Do the Programs Work? Students join a cohort, taking one course for eight weeks, meeting only one night a week; Once that course is over, the next one begins; All programs have a 6-8 credit culminating experience such as practicum and field-based research paper.

7 AIC Graduate Course Format Courses are 8 weeks in length One night per week (always the same night) Hours are 4:30pm-9:15pm with breaks Five courses per year (2 in fall, 2 in spring, 1 in early summer) Fall Semester: late August to mid-December Spring Semester: early January to early May Summer Semester: mid-May to end of June No classes during public school vacations (Dec/Feb/April) No full summer courses

8 MASS Requirements for Licensure Initial License: 75 Embedded Hours in Coursework (within three courses) Culminating Experience –Practicum or Student Teaching (300 hours) Completion of all MTELS SEI Endorsement Professional License: Completed an approved program and your Master’s Degree; Taught for three years under the corresponding Initial License; (1 year required for program acceptance; If you have a Master’s, you only need TWELVE graduate credits in the same subject area as the Initial license (no degree required); Complete a mentoring (induction) program provided by your district.

9 Other Teachers/Licenses Initial License Degree-Only –Field-Based Research Project Professional License Teachers in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) will receive College Endorsement at the conclusion of the program. ‘OTHER’ Teachers WILL NOT receive college endorsement for their professional license at the end of the program. They MUST apply for that license with DESE for an individual review. Non-Licensure

10 Culminating Experiences Initial License Field-Based Research –Six credits –Semester long –No licensure endorsement for this option. Professional License  Professional Seminar I  Professional Seminar II  Six credits total.  Self Assessment of subject knowledge & requirements;  Pedagogical and professional knowledge and skills (action research paper)  Work with a mentor professor throughout. Non-Licensure Practicum or Student Teaching –300 hours –Six credits total

11 What Degree Do I Receive? Candidates in the Teacher or Leadership programs receive either a “Master of Education” (M.Ed.) degree or a “Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies” (CAGS) There is no difference in the coursework between the two, however for candidates to receive a CAGS you must already have earned an M.Ed. Candidates in School Guidance/School Adjustment Counseling programs receive a M.A.E.P. degree. The candidate’s transcript, not the diploma, will indicate the major. For example: Elementary, Reading, School Leadership, etc.

12 AIC Technology for All AIC student Portal: my.aic.edu –Login (using AIC & password) myAIC includes –Blackboard –Course materials –Syllabus –Textbook info –Office365 – & Calendar –Office Apps for Word, Excel, PowerPoint. –OneDrive = cloud file storage. –CAMS –Unofficial transcripts –Your courses and your grades –All communications must be on AIC only.

13 AIC ALERTS Class Cancellations due to snow/weather: Class cancellations depend on the individual site. If, for example, you attend Marlborough High School, and Marlborough Public Schools are closed, you will not have class. For the Springfield Campus – we go only on what AIC does, not Springfield Public Schools. Class cancellations will be posted on the AIC portal and a notification will be sent to AIC s. If schools announce an early dismissal, or no afternoon or evening activities, AIC classes are cancelled as well. · ***All cancelled classes must be made up at a later date. · Please do not call your site to ask about AIC classes.

14 Is My Application Complete? A complete file includes: Completed and signed application with signed program agreement Official sealed transcript(s) of all previous academic work, undergraduate & graduate Two letters of recommendation Personal goal statement which details career goals and objectives. Successful completion of the Communication & Literacy Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) for admission to the licensure track Copy of license (if applicable) U.S. $50 non-refundable application fee Early Childhood & Moderate Disabilities Candidates: Need general psychology and/or (child) development psychology prior to applying to the culminating experience If you have questions about your application status, please contact or (413)

15 Financial Aid Students are eligible for financial aid if they are officially accepted into the program Must be registered for at least three credits during a semester Non-Matriculated students are not eligible for financial aid For any financial aid questions, please contact Nila Lenna at and/or (413)

16 Educational License Standards (EdPrep) are Governed by MA DESE AIC complies with all MA State licensure standards. Any mandated changes to the DESE process must be implemented by AIC. AIC will inform students regarding changes if and when new rules, standards or criteria are instituted.

17 When You Have Questions?  You must use the AIC system available through the my.aic.edu portal  You may contact your student advisor:  Keith Cosimini (A-F) or  Kaitlin Karetka (G-M) or  Rochelle Ryan (N-Z) or For specific Licensure questions, contact Prof. Thomas Witham at

Thank you for choosing American International College!