Fitchburg State College & Merrimack Education Center
General Philosophy
MEC/Fitchburg State College's CAGS programs are designed to meet well-defined career needs of professionals who have earned an appropriate Master's degree and who wish to attain greater competency in a combination of areas of study within one of the major CAGS fields offered.
General Description of Program
Each student’s CAGS program is planned under the direction of an advisor and is built on the academic background, professional position, and career goals of the student. CAGS programs consist of an integrated core curriculum, supervised professional practice, an Internship, and elective courses.
General Program of Study
Upon acceptance into the program, the student's plan of study is developed with an approved by an advisor, who works with the student over the course of study. A minimum of thirty approved graduate credits is required to complete the CAGS with the following restrictions:
- CAGS courses may not repeat work previously accomplished by the student in other graduate degree study
- CAGS credits must be earned in Graduate-level courses
Program Objectives
The CAGS Program in Interdisciplinary Studies provides the opportunity for students who have completed a Master's degree to continue advanced degree study in two disciplines of their choice.
Program Description
The program allows participants to step out of the confine of their Master’s degree and create a program of study based on their interests. This CAGS program invites the student to develop his/her ideas and hypotheses and to acquire new understanding and knowledge in such areas as developing critical thinking skills, improving interpersonal relationships, and employing reflection for intellectual growth. By broadening the individual’s background the candidate becomes an effective leader who has the knowledge and skills to influence institutional reform.
Potential combined fields of Study
Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Occupational Education, Science Education, History Education, Women's Studies, English Education, Technology, Communications Media, Counseling, Management and Business, Creative Arts, Psychology, Professional Development and/or Educational Leadership.
Program Requirements
The integrated core curriculum consists of:
- Fifteen advanced graduate credits in two declared disciplines
- A graduate Internship demonstrating specified competencies in the two fields or graduate thesis related to the same
- A structured seminar taken while writing thesis or completing Internship
The student must complete 36 semester hours, which includes 6 semester hours of core course work and 15 semester hours in each of the two academic disciplines. At the end of formal academic study, the student shall submit a proposal regarding the graduate thesis or Internship. The committee then meets to review the proposal and its criteria for evaluation implementation.
Program of Study
| Required Core Curriculum |
| Fifteen advanced graduate credits in each declared discipline |
30 SH |
| IDIS 9400 Seminar and Internship in Interdisciplinary Studies |
6 SH |
| or |
| IDIS 9500 Seminar and Graduate Thesis |
6 SH |
| Total for Certificate: 36 SH |
Application Requirements
Those seeking matriculation into the degree program must forward the following documentation to:
Fitchburg State College
Graduate & Continuing Education Office
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420-2697
- A completed application for admission
- Official transcript of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited College or University with a 2.8 or better GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals under whom the applicant has studied and/or under whose immediate supervision he/she has worked in a professional capacity; and/or from others who are in position to offer pertinent appraisal
- Copy of teaching license
- $25 matriculation fee
- Professional Resume
- Applicants to graduate initial licensure teacher preparation programs must successfully complete the literacy and communication subtests of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and submit passing scores as part of their application
- All official transcripts for graduate level course work to be considered as transfer
- An Official transcript of a Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- MAT/GRE/GMAT exams not required
Transfer of Graduate Credit
The Graduate office accepts a maximum of 6 semester hours in transfer from regionally accredited graduate schools. Prior approval by Academics Advisor and Graduate Dean and a grade of B (3.0) are required. Courses for transfer must be relevant to degree specialization.
Merrimack Education Center
Professional Development Office
40 Linnell Circle
Bilerica, MA 01821
(978) 528-7800 x238
Fax: (978) 528-7810
www.mec.edu