Program Overview

PACT is founded on three pillars: Spirituality, Community, and Teaching & Learning.

PACT members commit to two years of service as full-time teachers in their own classrooms, serving Catholic schools in the (Arch)Dioceses of Providence, Boston, Fall River, and Worcester. They receive ongoing formation and support from the PACT team while living in intentional, supportive cohort communities.

PACT teachers serve as Pre-K through 12th-grade teachers across subject areas. Content areas at the secondary level include:
- English
- History
- Math
- Sciences (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
- World Languages
- Theology
Content area qualification is based on undergraduate studies
Yes
- M.Ed. in Literacy
- M.Ed. in Urban Teaching
- MA in Teaching Mathematics
- MA in History
No
- M.Ed. in Secondary Education
- With a major or minor in a secondary subject area: English, Math, History, Languages, Science, Theology
This degree is designed for those who are new to education. Those who complete this track are eligible for Rhode Island state teacher certification. The Secondary M.Ed. is also open to those who have an undergraduate Education degree and are already qualified for state certification.

To qualify for the M.Ed. in Secondary Education, you need:
- A bachelor’s degree by June 1, 2023.
- At least 30 credits in a discipline corresponding to middle and high school content areas:
  - Biology, Chemistry, or Physics
  - English
  - Social Studies
  - World Languages
  - Mathematics
  - Theology
- At least a 3.0 GPA in your major and at least a 2.75 GPA overall
If you are unsure if you have sufficient appropriate coursework, please contact the PACT office. We can review your transcript and discuss your eligibility.
Graduates in Education majors who have obtained state certification, or can present proof of eligibility upon graduation, can apply to a range of degree tracks. Options include:
PACT teachers in these academic programs join PACT M.Ed. in Secondary Education teachers in community life, shared spirituality, program-wide seminars, and a small number of key classes while doing most of their coursework with the wider Providence College graduate community (often other full-time teachers in area Catholic and public schools). Details of these academic programs are available on the respective websites, linked above.
PACT supports beginning teachers. The PACT experience is unified by a comprehensive system of supports that form teachers as whole persons. PACT teachers’ ministry is sustained by a shared spiritual life, community living, professional support from their schools and the PACT team, and ongoing and integrated professional formation through coursework and formative supervision and coaching from the PACT team.

Program Timeline

Summer I

Teachers report to Providence College at the end of May for program orientation and opening retreat. They then spend one week in their placement schools for orientation and observation, followed by seven weeks of intensive master’s coursework. Formal summer programming concludes at the end of July. Teachers typically move into their PACT community houses in August and report to their schools for new teacher orientations as directed, usually within a week of Labor Day at the latest.

School Year I

As full-time professional Catholic educators, PACT teachers serve their students and school communities. In addition, they continue their master’s degree studies, including returning to campus for community, spirituality, program events, and class events as required by their degree track.

Summer II

Teaching concludes in early or mid-June, and PACT teachers return to campus at the end of June for 5 weeks of intensive coursework.

School Year II

Teachers continue their service and learning in their ministry as professional educators with time on campus as required by the program and their particular degree track.