Pre-Practicum and Practice Teaching

Three concentrate courses require field experience in the public schools as part of the course work:

  • ME-211 Elementary Classroom Methods: Requires 15 hours of observation time, to be completed during the semester that the course is taken.
  • ME-311 Secondary Classroom Methods: Requires 15 hours of observation time, to be completed during the semester that the course is taken.
  • ME-475 Pre-Practicum Apprenticeship/Seminar: Requires 45 hours of work as an assistant instructor in the school system in which you plan to student teach the following semester. For licensing, the hours should be divided equally between the elementary and secondary levels. It is also recommended that students spread their hours out over several weeks to ensure a good fit in the chosen school system.

Important Notes

Before students are admitted into ME-475 Pre-Practicum Apprenticeship/Seminar, they must have achieved a passing score (240 or higher) on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test (CLST), have registered for or completed the Music Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), and pass a proficiency examination in music education. The exam will be taken during the final examination week the term prior to entrance into ME-475.

For more information on these tests, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's MTEL information page. 

In order to schedule an exam appointment, students must have (1) passed the CLST portion of the MTEL; (2) passed or have proof of registration for the Music portion of the MTEL; and (3) completed (or be currently enrolled in) all prerequisite courses listed in the Registration Manual. Students given an unsatisfactory evaluation may retake the exam during registration week of the following fall or spring term.

Students will not be allowed into ME-495 Practice Teaching/Seminar without a passing score on the above MTEL licensure exams.

ME-495 Practice Teaching/Seminar

The practicum course (ME-495) requires 450 hours of student teaching contact in a public school system and will include the following types of experiences for PK-12 licensing:

  • Teaching general music at the elementary and/or secondary school level
  • Rehearsing instrumental ensembles at the elementary, middle school level
  • Teaching high school music classes (theory, music history, etc.)
  • Rehearsing vocal ensembles at the high school level
  • Rehearsing instrumental ensembles at the high school level.

The student teaching practicum can be scheduled as follows:

One level five days per week for eight weeks followed by the second level five days per week for seven weeks, or both levels for 15 weeks.

When you are out in the field, you are representing both Berklee and the teaching profession, and there is an expectation of a professional demeanor and appearance at all times. 

Field Experience Dress Code
  • Extreme dress (belly shirts, exposed and/or excessive piercings, etc.), poor grooming, and/or lack of personal hygiene, will not be tolerated in the field.
  • Appropriate dress for men: shirt, tie, dress slacks, or pressed khakis.
  • Appropriate dress for women: skirt, blouse, dress, or pantsuit.
  • Sneakers are not considered appropriate footwear unless you provide us with documentation of a medical condition that requires them.

Student Teacher Candidate Contract

As part of the degree work in the Berklee Bachelor of Music in Music Education program, students are required to complete a student teaching practicum in order to meet the Massachusetts Department of Education teacher licensure regulations as follows:

Student Teaching Requirements:

  • 450 clock hours (minimum) over a 15-week semester (Fall or Spring) in elementary and secondary grades for the Music: Vocal/Instrumental/General, all levels, license
  • All Supervising Practitioners must be appropriately certified
  • More than one-half (51% minimum) of the student teaching practicum must be in one assignment
  • 150 of the 450 clock hours must be fulfilled by the student teacher (candidate) having full teaching responsibility of the class
  • All student teachers (candidates) will review DAILY lesson plans with both their Supervising Practitioner and College/Program Supervisor.  These plans should be submitted (via email) for review no later than 48 hours before the assigned class to be taught so that any revisions can be addressed prior to lesson execution.
  • All student teachers (candidates) must follow their cooperating school’s calendar in order to complete their practicum. 
    • Spring: Starting at the beginning of January – Finishing at the end of June
    • Fall: Starting at the end of August – Finishing at the end of December and/or into January