Secondary Education
Licensure at the Secondary Level
The School of Education offers a number of options for those individuals interested in pursuing licensure at the middle (grades 5-8) or high school (grades 8-12) level in the areas of English, history, mathematics, political science/political philosophy, the sciences, or modern foreign languages (Chinese, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish). There are options for undergraduates, M.Ed. candidates, graduate students enrolled in other University programs, and Post-Baccalaureate candidates seeking initial licensure through Continuing and Professional Education (CPE). For more information on these options, please see the Secondary Education description and review the information below.
University to Schools for Undergraduates
As students work toward their undergraduate degrees, they can also work toward their initial license through the University to Schools for Undergraduates program. Candidates pursuing this option have the opportunity to earn their license, along with their Bachelor’s degree, in four years. In order to do this, students must complete all coursework by the end of the fall semester of their senior year so that the spring semester is free for the practicum (i.e., student teaching). Candidates should apply to this option by March 1 of their sophomore or junior year. To be considered for acceptance, students must (1) be majoring in the subject in which they wish to teach, and (2) have a passing score on the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills Test. The MTEL Subject Matter Test must be passed before enrollment in the practicum. For an application to the University to Schools for Undergraduates program, please contact the Educator Information Office at (413) 545-2002 or eio@educ.umass.edu.
University to Schools for Graduates
Upon completion of the University to Schools for Graduates program, students receive a Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) as well as initial licensure. This 33-37 credit program can be taken full-time or part-time; full-time students may complete the program in three to four semesters, while part-time students have up to three years to finish the program. In addition to education courses, students in the University to Schools for Graduates program complete at least four 600+ level courses in their subject area. Candidates should apply to this program by January 15. To be considered for acceptance, candidates should have completed an undergraduate degree in the subject in which they wish to teach (exceptions are made by School of Education subject matter faculty). The MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test must be passed by the end of the first semester in the graduate program, but is not required for application to the program. The MTEL Subject Matter Test must be passed before enrollment in the practicum. To apply to the University to Schools for Graduates program, please fill out the online application at the graduate school website.
180 Days in Springfield
Upon completion of the 180 Days in Springfield program, students receive an M.Ed. as well as initial licensure. This program is a one-year intensive immersion program which focuses on urban education; candidates take courses simultaneously with pre-practicum and practicum experiences which are based in Springfield. Candidates should apply to this program by January 15. To be considered for acceptance, candidates should have completed an undergraduate degree in the subject in which they wish to teach (exceptions are made by School of Education subject matter faculty). The MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test must be passed by the end of the first semester in the graduate program, but is not required for application to the program. The MTEL Subject Matter Test must be passed before enrollment in the practicum. To apply to the 180 Days in Springfield program, please fill out the online application at the graduate school website. For more information, please visit the 180 Days in Springfield page.
Bridges to the Future
Upon completion of the Bridges to the Future program, students receive an M.Ed. as well as initial licensure. This program is a one-year intensive immersion program which focuses on community service learning and education in rural communities (e.g., Greenfield, Turners Falls); candidates take courses simultaneously with pre-practicum and practicum experiences. Candidates should apply to this program by January 15. To be considered for acceptance, candidates should have completed an undergraduate degree in the subject in which they wish to teach (exceptions are made by School of Education subject matter faculty). The MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test must be passed by the end of the first semester in the graduate program, but is not required for application to the program. The MTEL Subject Matter Test must be passed before enrollment in the practicum. To apply to the Bridges to the Future program, please fill out the online application at the graduate school website. For more information, please visit the Bridges to the Future page.
Post-BA Program
The Post-BA program is intended for individuals who have at least a BA or BS in their subject matter, are career changers, are employed in a school system, or want to take courses at the end of the day. Upon completion of this program, candidates receive initial licensure, but not an M.Ed. The program can be taken full-time or part-time and generally takes two to four semesters to complete. Candidates should apply to this option by March 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission (spring admission occurs on a space-available basis). To be considered for acceptance, candidates should have completed an undergraduate degree in the subject in which they wish to teach (exceptions are made by School of Education subject matter faculty). The MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test must be passed by the end of the first semester in the graduate program, but candidates are strongly encouraged to take an pass the exam before application to the program. The MTEL Subject Matter Test must be passed before enrollment in the practicum. For an application to the Post-BA program, please contact the Educator Information Office at (413) 545-2002 or eio@educ.umass.edu. For more information, please visit the Post-BA page.
Subject Matter Requirements
As noted in the above program descriptions, individuals interested in enrolling in any of our secondary education programs should have an undergraduate degree in the subject they wish to teach. Majoring or having a degree in the intended licensure area ensures that candidates have completed the necessary subject matter requirements in that area. If candidates do not have a degree in the subject they wish to teach, they may have to fulfill the subject matter requirements by taking additional undergraduate coursework before entering an initial licensure program.
Below are links to the subject matter requirements for each licensure area, along with contact information for each of the subject matter advisors. If you would like your transcript(s) reviewed to see what subject matter requirements you may still need to fulfill, please contact the appropriate subject matter advisor to set up an appointment.
Spanish and Portuguese
Please see the below subject matter advisor for subject matter requirements
Luis Amaral
Room 404, Herter Hall
(413) 545-4790 or amaral@spanport.umass.edu
Mathematics
John Francisco
Furcolo Hall, Room 227B
(413) 545-0615
Sandra Madden
Room 6, Furcolo Hall
(413) 545-0135
History / Political Science
Robert Maloy
Room 2, Furcolo Hall
(413) 545-0945
French and Italian
Please see the below subject matter advisor for subject matter requirements
Rhonda Tarr
Room 313, Herter Hall
(413) 545-6711 or rtarr@frital.umass.edu
Chinese
Please see the below subject matter advisor for subject matter requirements
Zhijun Wang
Room 337, Herter Hall
(413) 545-4946 or zhijunw@asianlan.umass.edu
General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics
John Kudukey
Room 102, Furcolo Hall
(413) 545-3126
Questions?
For questions about any of our Secondary Education programs, 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.
