Early Childhood Field Study Placements

Field Study I
 Field Study II
 Field Study III

Field-based experiences are integral components of the education course work taken before the student teaching semester in Framingham State College's education programs. They provide students with opportunities to observe and practice their teaching skills. Students complete early childhood field study placements in grades PreK-2 in public (non-charter) schools and in the Jeanne M. Canelli Child Development Lab on campus. College faculty members provide students with assignments that are carried out in the field study classrooms to connect course work on campus to the real world of the early childhood classroom. Supervising practitioners in the field study classrooms provide feedback, support and evaluation of the student.

As you prepare your application for a field study placement, remember that you should experience a variety of grade levels and a variety of schools in order to comply with Massachusetts licensing requirements. Plan to try a different grade level in different towns for your Field Study I and Field Study III placements. The required application materials for each experience are linked directly below the description and list of prerequisites.

Remember the application deadlines: Field Study placement applications are due at the beginning of the semester before the semester you plan to take the course.

Applications for Field Study II and III require your advisor's signature. Please plan accordingly so you have time to prepare your application, proofread and edit your statements, and obtain the necessary signature before the application is due. To ensure continued compliance with licensure regulations, the Placement Coordinator in the Education Department (Dwight 302) has responsibility for making all field study placements for undergraduate and post baccalaureate students. Students who have questions about placements should consult with the Placement Coordinator.


Field Study I

Undergraduate students complete this experience as part of 14.200 Education in American Society. Post baccalaureate (PBTL) students complete this experience by enrolling in 14.002 Field Study in Education through the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education (DGCE). PBTL students typically take 14.002 Field Study in Education while enrolled in 14.997 Children, Adolescents, School and Society. The Field Study I experience is completed in a public (non-charter) school in a classroom in grades PreK-2. Students spend 1/2 day per week at the placement site, for a minimum of 36 hours over the course of the semester.

Undergraduate students who have documented previous experience working or volunteering in schools may be eligible for a waiver of the Field Study I (school-based) experience, but they must complete the 14.200 Education in American Society course. Post baccalaureate students who have documented previous experience working or volunteering in schools may be eligible for a waiver of 14.002 Field Study in Education. Please contact the Placement Coordinator for the waiver application.


Field Study II

This field study experience is part of 14.320 The Young Child: Emerging Literacy and it is completed in the Jeanne M. Canelli Child Development Lab on campus. Students participate in the Lab one half day per week for a minimum of 36 hours over the course of the semester. Licensing regulations for the Lab preschool require that students undergo a CORI check and a DSS background check. Students must also submit proof of a negative TB test.
Prerequisites for undergraduates: Full admission to the Early Childhood Education coordinate major; successful completion of 14.200 Education in American Society with Field Study I and 42.200 Psychology of Development; cumulative minimum QPA of 2.7 in all course work taken at Framingham State College; minimum QPA of 2.7 in education program course work; passing scores on both portions of the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test.
Prerequisites for PBTL Students: Full admission to the PBTL program in Early Childhood Education; successful completion of 14.997 Children, Adolescents, School and Society, 14.992 Learning and Human Development, and 14.002 Field Study in Education; minimum cumulative QPA of 2.7 in all course work taken at Framingham State College; minimum QPA of 2.7 in education program course work; passing scores on both portions of the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test.


Field Study III

This experience is completed with two courses that are taken concurrently: 14.374 Early Childhood Curriculum: Mathematics and Science and 14.376 Early Childhood Curriculum: Reading, Social Studies and Special Needs. Students spend one full day (or two half days) per week in a first or second grade classroom in a public (non-charter) school for a minimum total of 72 hours over the course of the semester.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of 14.320 The Young Child: Emerging Literacy with Field Study II; minimum cumulative QPA of 2.7 in all course work taken at Framingham State College; minimum QPA of 2.7 in education program course work (including 14.200 Psychology of Development for undergraduates).