Framingham State College Division of Graduate and Continuing Education
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Programs for Educators
Only open to educators/professionals living and working overseas.

The C. Louis Cedrone International Education Center offers a variety of graduate programs for educators and professionals living and working overseas.
    Masters of Education concentration in:
    • International Teaching
      Designed to provide a quality education to English-speaking teachers in Central America, South America, Mexico, Europe, and Asia.
    • Teaching English as a Second Language
      Designed for teachers who are currently teaching overseas and who have a strong interest in second language related issues.
    • Special Education
      Designed to prepare the overseas teacher to teach students with moderate disabilities.

    Masters of Arts concentration in:
    • Educational Leadership
      Designed to provide qualified and experienced educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to assume leadership positions in schools.

    Graduate Certificate Programs in:
    • Special Needs
      Designed for overseas teachers in inclusive general education classes.

Academic Dismissal
A graduate student who accumulates more than two grades below B- in two distinct courses, or one grade below C- in any course completed after admission, is subject to immediate dismissal. However, upon notification of the dismissal, the student will have up to one semester to make a formal written appeal. Appeals are addressed to the Graduate Education Council.


Admission Procedure
The following are general requirements for admission.
    Application
    Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and submit an official copy of their undergraduate transcripts. An applicant with a foreign degree must submit official transcripts to an accredited evaluation agency. Names of accredited agencies are available upon request. Two letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be from an employer or supervisor, and the other must be from a faculty member who has taught the candidate at the collegiate level if the candidate has attended classes in the last five years. Also required is a 500-word typed essay on the student’s philosophy of education. Graduate applications for the international education degree programs are available online or from the site coordinator. However, please note that the International Program has specific requirements. Applications are accepted year round.

    Courses Before Admission
    Students are allowed to enroll in no more than two graduate courses before formal admission to the graduate program. Courses taken before admission must be completed with a grade of B- or better.

    Provisional Admission
    Students who do not currently meet admissions standards may be eligible for provisional admission. Provisional admission occurs after the student has made application for admission and has been reviewed by the admissions committee. Under these circumstances, the committee will identify specific courses for the student to take and the criteria of performance that student will be required to meet in order to be formally admitted.

    Time Limits
    Completion of program (Programs of 10 courses) All requirements for the degree must be completed within six (6) years from the end of the semester in which the first graduate course is completed.

Alternative Program Design
It is possible for participants through their overseas schools to negotiate the substitution of courses for those listed. Such substitution must have the approval of the Executive Director of International Education Programs Inc. (IEP) and the Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education. Requests must indicate:
  1. the name of the course to be dropped.
  2. the content of the course to be added.
  3. the reason for the change.
  4. a statement that enough program participants will register for the substitute course to support its implementation.
Framingham State College reserves the right to provide an alternative course pattern should the student population decrease substantially.


Change of Degree Program Status
Candidates who have successfully completed six 4-credit courses overseas may petition the Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education and Executive Director at Framingham State College, to complete their degree requirements at Framingham State College, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701-9101, USA.

Candidates who have completed less than six 4-credit courses overseas and are either 1) unable to complete the degree requirements overseas or 2) elect to continue their graduate education at Framingham State College, may petition the Dean for a change of degree program status.

Although all course credits completed as part of the Master of Education Degree Program for Educators Living and Working Overseas are accepted by Framingham State College, a change of M.Ed. Degree Program status may place the transferring student under a different set of program requirements. Transferability of courses from the M.Ed. Degree Program for Educators Living and Working Overseas to another M.Ed. Degree Program will be governed by the course requirements of the M.Ed. Program to which the student transfers.

All materials necessary for a change in degree program status should be forwarded via the overseas school in which the candidate teaches to the C. Louis Cedrone International Education Center at Framingham State College, 100 State Street, Framingham, MA 01701-9101.


College Policy Regarding Academic Honesty
Integrity is essential to academic life. Consequently, students who enroll at Framingham State College agree to maintain high standards of academic honesty and scholarly practice. They shall be responsible for familiarizing themselves with the published policies and procedures regarding academic honesty. Academic honesty requires but is not limited to the following practices: appropriately crediting all published and unpublished sources, whether quoted, paraphrased, or otherwise expressed, in all of the student's oral and written, technical and artistic work; and observing the policies regarding the use of technical facilities. Infractions of the Policy on Academic Honesty include, but are not limited to:
  1. Plagiarism: claiming as one's own work the published or unpublished literal or a paraphrased work of another. It should be recognized that plagiarism is not only academically dishonest but also illegal.
  2. Cheating on exams, tests, quizzes, assignments, and papers, including the giving or acceptance of these materials and other sources of information, without the permission of the instructor(s).
  3. Unauthorized collaboration with other individuals in the preparation of course assignments.
  4. Submitting without authorization the same assignment for credit in more than one course.
  5. Use of dishonest procedures in computer, laboratory, studio, or field work. Further clarification on academic honesty will be provided, when appropriate, in individual courses.
  6. Misuse of the College's technical facilities (computer machinery, laboratories, media equipment, etc.), either maliciously or for personal gain. Examples include but are not necessarily limited to:
    • Accessing the private files of another person or agency without express permission.
    • The unauthorized use of technical facilities for purposes not connected with academic pursuits. When evidence indicates that a student has improperly used a technical facility, an appropriate supervisor (faculty or staff member) may take appropriate action reflecting the seriousness of the infraction, ranging from a verbal warning to, but not beyond, denial of use of the facility. If coursework has been plagiarized, the supervisor will also inform all concerned faculty members, who may take action as described in the procedures for handling cases of alleged infractions of academic honesty.

Course Organization
To maximize the value for participants, each course will be developed through the following three phases:
    Pre-Class Work
    Instructors for each course prepare a course kit to be distributed to each student approximately thirty days prior to the first day of class through the school in which he/she is employed. Each kit contains text material, worldwide web assignments, academic readings, journal articles, audio tapes, and/or activities with specific instructions for their use in preparation for the first class meeting of the course. Some assignments may necessitate writing short position papers, answering topical questions, defining issues and problems, or raising questions to be dealt with during the course.

    On-Site Instruction
    The course instructor will be on-site at the American/International overseas school for approximately two weeks. This provides an excellent opportunity for students and faculty to work with one another in a wide range of situations. The availability of the instructor for counseling and one-on-one discussion during much of the day is a unique feature.

    Class Work
    All students must complete a project approved by the course instructor during the on-site instruction phase. This activity will be a direct outgrowth of the course, utilizing the concepts, techniques, and course materials for the improvement of learning experiences at the classroom, division or school level where the teacher is assigned.

Course Registration
  1. Registration for courses will be handled by the Center for International Education on site at the overseas school where the program is to be held. Registration forms will be provided by Framingham State College.
  2. The course kit will be distributed through the overseas school where the educator is employed approximately thirty days prior to the first day of class.
  3. The International Education Committee and the Dean at Framingham State College will process all applications and will be responsible for notifying students of their acceptance or rejection.

Grading System
Grades will be mailed to students at the end of each semester or mini-semester and at the end of the summer. Grades are not issued to students with financial indebtedness to the College. Most courses offer an evaluation of student performance according to the grade and quality point system listed below.

GRADING SYSTEM
Framingham State College uses the following marking system:
                    Grade                                                 Quality Points
    A ........................................................... 4.0
    A- .......................................................... 3.7
    B+ ......................................................... 3.3
    B ........................................................... 3.0
    B- .......................................................... 2.7
    C+ ......................................................... 2.3
    C ........................................................... 2.0
    C- .......................................................... 1.7
    D ........................................................... 1.0
    D- .......................................................... 0.7
    E............................................................ 0.0

Incompletes and Withdrawals
A grade of Incomplete (Inc) will be given only under extenuating circumstances. Incompletes must be resolved prior to the end of the next semester, including the summer semester. Unless an extension is granted, all incomplete grades automatically become Es at this time. Responsibility for completing remaining course requirements and for removal of an Incomplete rests entirely with the student. Should there be need for communication, the student should write directly to the C. Louis Cedrone International Education Center. Withdrawal (W) is allowed when compelling reasons make a student’s continuation in the course impossible. If withdrawal is necessary during the on-site instructional phase, the student should notify the instructor/s of the course/s from which he/she withdraws. If withdrawal becomes necessary at any other time the student should inform the C. Louis Cedrone International Education Center in writing. Withdrawal may also be imposed (or mandated) by the Dean when a student fails to meet course and/or program requirements.


Portfolio Requirements
As a culminating experience, each matriculated student, in the International Education Program (IEP) and Framingham State College is required to complete a portfolio to be submitted at the end of the final course and sent to the C. Louis Cedrone International Education Center at Framingham State College.

The portfolio will include an introductory page plus ten typewritten pages including one for each course and an overall summary composed of the following parts:
  • An introductory page of one or two paragraphs that gives a brief biographical sketch about you as a student and professional educator.
  • For each course, a summary of an assignment, project or a course experience that was especially meaningful to you.
  • A self-reflective statement that discusses how each course contributes to your ability to become a more effective educator and life-long learner. This part should also discuss how you plan to apply what you have learned from this course.
  • At the conclusion of all course work, the student should prepare a summary statement that describes how the overall program has contributed to you professionally as an educator and a lifelong learner.
The portfolio will receive a pass/fail grade. It will be reviewed by IEP/FSC to determine if it has met the requirements stated above. It will be filed in the IEP office at Framingham State College. You should submit the portfolio within 30 days after your final course. The M.Ed. Degree will not be granted until the portfolio has been accepted and filed in the IEP office. Your portfolio will not be returned, therefore you should make a copy of each entry for your own record.

Instructions to students regarding the portfolio requirement
Please use the portfolio coversheet/checklist when submitting your portfolio. You should file the papers in a manila or plastic folder (Three ring binders are too bulky and will not be accepted.) Submit the completed folder to the Office for International Programs at Framingham State College, 100 State Street, Framingham, MA 01701.

Your portfolio is not meant to be an evaluation of the courses or instructors. Your portfolio should make references to course activities and experiences, and avoid statements that sound like a critique of the course or the instructor.


Program Schedule
The degree program offers four required courses annually to coincide with administrative school closings, normally during January and summer months. Each nine course cycle (36 semester hours of credit), is given during four consecutive sessions extending over two years.


Requests for Transcripts
Students wishing to have copies of their transcripts released to themselves or to other parties must submit a written request to the C. Louis Cedrone International Education Center, Framingham State College. In order to protect students, telephone requests are not accepted. All requests must be accompanied by payment of a $3 fee for each transcript. Official transcripts may also be ordered online. Transcripts are not issued to students with financial indebtedness to the College.


The Standard Program
Candidates for the degree take all nine courses in succession. Each course requires completion of a project which is a direct outgrowth of the course and is completed during the class phase of the instructional program. The purpose of the project is to utilize course materials, concepts, and techniques in improving the learning experience at the classroom, department, or school level. The project must be approved by the course instructor.


Transfer of Credits
Courses recently completed at another regionally accredited college or university prior to official admission may be approved at the time of admission if a course description is provided with the student’s application. Courses undertaken for transfer credit after admission must have prior approval in writing from the Executive Director of IEP. Courses accepted in transfer must meet academic criteria similar to those established for Framingham State College courses. Professional development courses, even at the graduate level, will not be accepted in transfer toward a master’s degree. Transfer credit is limited to two graduate courses (eight semester hours) passed with a grade of B- or better. A course description and official transcript of courses requested for transfer must be on file prior to approval. Courses used to fulfill the requirements of another degree cannot be accepted.

Transfer credit may be allowed on a course basis as opposed to a credit hour basis for courses carrying three semester hours of credit (or their equivalent in quarter hours) when the advisor believes that the content of the course is generally comparable in scope and depth with the four credit courses provided by Framingham State College. Approval of the Executive Director of IEP is also required.

Students wishing to transfer courses valued at less than three semester hours may do so at the discretion of the Dean and the program advisor but in a ratio that guarantees that the total credit hours of the transfer courses equal or exceed those of the Framingham State courses replaced.
 
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