Elementary 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 in elementary education complete their field studies in grades 1-6 in public (non-charter) elementary schools. 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 elementary 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 licensure regulations. Plan to try three different grade levels in different schools and towns over the course of your three field study experiences. 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 EDUC 200 Education in American Society. Post baccalaureate (PBTL) students complete this experience by enrolling in EDUC 002 Field Study in Education through the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education (DGCE). PBTL students typically take EDUC 002 Field Study in Education while enrolled in PBTL 997 Children, Adolescents, School and Society. The Field Study I experience is completed in a public (non-charter) school in a classroom in grades 1-6. 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 EDUC 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 EDUC 002 Field Study in Education. Please contact the Placement Coordinator for the waiver application.


Field Study II

This field study experience is part of EDUC 322 The Child and Literacy. It is completed in a public (non-charter) school in a classroom in grades 1-6. Students spend 1/2 day per week at the placement site, for a minimum of 36 hours over the course of the semester. Students receive assignments in the course to carry out at the field study site.
Prerequisites for Undergraduates: Full admission to the Elementary Education coordinate major; successful completion of EDUC 200 Education in American Society with Field Study I and PSYC 200 Psychology of Development; 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 EDUC 200 Psychology of Development; passing scores on both portions of the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test.
Prerequisites for PBTL Students: Full admission to the PBTL program in Elementary Education; successful completion of PBTL 997 Children, Adolescents, School and Society, PBTL 992 Learning and Human Development, and EDUC 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 students take concurrently: EDUC 341 Elementary Curriculum: Mathematics and EDUC 346 Elementary Curriculum: Science, Social Studies and Special Needs. Students spend one full day (or two half days) per week in a classroom in grades 1-6 in a public (non-charter) school for a minimum total of 72 hours over the course of the semester. Students receive assignments in their courses to carry out at the field study site.
Prerequisites: Minimum cumulative QPA of 2.7 in all course work taken at Framingham State College and QPA of 2.7 in all education course work (including PSYC 200 Psychology of Development for undergraduates); successful completion of EDUC 322 The Child and Literacy with Field Study II.