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Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure offers experienced, nontraditional students who already have a Bachelor's degree in the liberal arts and sciences, an opportunity to become licensed to teach in Massachusetts. The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Program, offered through the School of Education and the Division of Continuing Education, is a non-degree route to admission to the licensure programs at the University for those students who do not wish to undertake a graduate degree or second Bachelor's degree while pursuing licensure.

Post-Baccalaureate admission is available in the following fields and levels of licensure:

  • English (5-8, 8-12)
  • History (5-8, 8-12)
  • Mathematics (5-8, 8-12)
  • Biology (8-12)
  • Chemistry (8-12)
  • Earth Science (5-8, 8-12)
  • General Science (5-8)
  • Physics (8-12)
  • Political Science / Political Philosophy (5-8, 8-12)
  • Foreign Languages (5-12)

Students in the Post-Baccalaureate Licensure Program may enroll in University day courses or Continuing Education credit courses. Most University teacher preparation programs require a minimum two-semester commitment. Coursework and field experience are followed by a semester of student teaching. Course requirements and field placements are the responsibility of the individual teacher preparation program, not the Division of Continuing and Professional Education.

Application for admission to Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Program consists of a personal essay, two letters of recommendation, one official transcript from each college attended (including the University), and a $15 processing fee. To be considered for acceptance to the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Program, candidates should have completed an undergraduate and/or graduate degree in the subject in which they wish to teach (exceptions are made by School of Education subject matter faculty; click here for subject matter requirements). 

For Spring admission, completed applications must be submitted by October 1. The deadline for Fall admission is March 1. Applications received after these deadlines may be considered at the discretion of the individual licensure program. Admission to specific programs is competitive and on a space available basis.

Students in this program may take up to 18 credits per semester without special overload permission, but are subject to all other Division of Continuing and Professional Education and University of Massachusetts academic regulations. Students interested in information about financial aid should contact the University's Financial Aid Office at (413)545-0801.

Applicants to Post-Baccalaureate Licensure should be aware that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education now requires candidates for educational licensure to pass a two-part examination in Communication and Literacy Skills and in the Subject Area content of the license. The School of Education policy requires that the Communication and Literacy Skills test be passed before the end of the first semester of enrollment in the program, and that the Subject Area test be passed before the beginning of student teaching.

Please note that in cases where Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements are less stringent than those established within the University, University standards take precedence. Also note that Massachusetts teacher licensure is not awarded automatically. During the final semester of a program of study, candidates apply for the license through the Educator Licensure Office in the School of Education (Room 130, Furcolo Hall).

Questions?

For questions about the Post-BA program, or if you would like to make an advising appointment, please contact the Educator Information Office at (413) 545-2002 or eio@educ.umass.edu.