Teacher Candidate Handbook (MUED)

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:

*During the 9th semester students declare a Part-Time Status while they complete their "Teacher Candidate Practicum" in a local school system.

Teacher Candidate Requirements:

View the Teacher Candidate Handbook

  • 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 teacher candidates will submit and review DAILY lesson plans with their supervising practitioner. Before an announced observation, the supervising practitioner must review the lesson plan and have the teacher candidate make the revisions. The teacher candidate must email the lesson plan 48 hours before the observation to the program supervisor and supervising practitioner with the modifications.
  • All teacher 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
  • To be licensed in the state of MA, all students are required to complete Licensure Placements Assignments, either:
    • Elementary and middle school 
    • Elementary and high school