Practicum Overview
Teaching practica at schools are completed by those who plan to apply for state teaching certification. DESE uses the term teaching practicum to refer to what is sometimes known as student teaching experiences at MassArt.
BFA in Art Education students pursuing certification complete an additional semester. This semester consists of a 6-credit practicum with its accompanying Student Teaching Seminar, in addition to Curriculum Design and Artist Teacher Studio. Upon graduating, they have completed the requirements to apply for Initial Licensure in Visual Art.
TPP students complete their teaching practica in schools as part of pursuing state certification in the final semester. During the practicum semester, these students complete a 6-credit practicum with its accompanying Student Teaching Seminar, in addition to one other required 3 credit course. Upon graduating, they have completed the requirements to apply for Initial Licensure in Visual Art.
BFA/MA and BFA/MAT students complete their teaching practica in schools as part of pursuing state certification in the final semester. During the practicum semester, these students complete a 6-credit practicum with its accompanying Student Teaching Seminar, in addition to two other required 3 credit courses. Upon graduating, they have completed the requirements to apply for Initial Licensure in Visual Art. After participating in an induction program through the hiring district and teaching for 3 years in the field, these students may apply for Professional Licensure as well.
MAT students complete their teaching practica in schools as part of pursuing state certification in the final semester. During the practicum semester, these students complete a 6-credit practicum with its accompanying Student Teaching Seminar, in addition to one other required 3 credit courses. Upon graduating, they have completed the requirements to apply for Initial Licensure in Visual Art. After participating in an induction program through the hiring district and teaching for 3 years in the field, these students may apply for Professional Licensure as well.
When available, a small number of students will be selected to do a year-long practicum, and their coursework will be divided over two semesters.
How long is the Student Teaching Practicum? How many hours are required?
For a semester-long practicum:
Most Teacher Candidates (TCs) spend 12-14 weeks (1 semester), 5 days a week, at their teaching site. TCs complete a total of 360-420 hours at teaching sites. On-site hours are calculated from the start of the school day until its completion (six and a half to seven hours per day).
⅓ of the hours are “assisting hours” (120-140 hours)
⅔ of the hours are “full teaching hours” (240-280 hours)
Weeks 1-3, most of the hours are assisting, a few hours are full teaching responsibility
Weeks 4-8, about half the hours are assisting and half are full teaching responsibility
Weeks 9-12+, TCs assume the SP’s full teaching load for the last 4 weeks (~140 h.)
For a year-long practicum:
Some TCs apply and are selected to be year-long interns at Boston Arts Academy. These year-long interns complete a 3-credit practicum each semester, working full-time between late August and June. They receive 6 credits and a $10,000 stipend for their work.
TCs complete beyond the minimum of 360 hours and 4 weeks of full teaching responsibility which adds to this valuable experience. Faculty and site supervisors work with students to determine the flow of weeks assisting to weeks assuming a full teaching load.
How are TCs evaluated?
The CAP (Candidate Assessment of Performance) cycle is a tool designed by DESE to evaluate teacher candidate readiness. The “CAP Process” tab on this site highlights key components of CAP cycle.
The MassArt Program Supervisors (PSs) and the on-site Supervising Practitioners (SPs) collaborate to mentor the TC throughout the practicum, and as a team of three, are referred to as the Triad. The PS and SP will complete a minimum of 4 official observations of the TC teaching according to the CAP cycle. There will be two announced and two unannounced observations.
The PS and SP also collaborate on two formal evaluations of the TC: the Formative Assessment occurs halfway into the practicum, and the Summative Assessment occurs at the end. In the Summative Assessment, the SP and PS must determine if the TC has met the CAP requirements for "Ready to Teach".
Announced Observation 1 is conducted by SP and PS, and is followed by an observational debrief Triad meeting (TC, SP and PS)
Unannounced Observation 1 is conducted by PS, and is followed by an observation debrief and Formative Assessment Triad meeting (TC, SP and PS)
Announced Observation 2 is conducted by PS, and is followed by an observation debrief and Formative Assessment Triad meeting (TC, SP and PS)
Unannounced Observation 2 is conducted by SP and PS, and is followed by an observation debrief and Summative Assessment Triad meeting (TC, SP and PS)
