STEP offers licensure programs in middle and high school math, the sciences, English and history/political science through a variety of programs including:

• An 18-24 month University-to-Schools Masters of Education.
• A licensure program as part of the undergraduate degree in your content area for UMass undergraduates.
• An urban based intensive one-year Masters of Education (180 Days in Springfield ).
• A rural based intensive one-year Masters of Education (Bridges to the Future).
• A Post-BA program (involving a minimum of 20 credits) in which the basic program is enhanced to develop your skills and knowledge.

For more information about these pathways follow this LINK:

STEP pre-practicum and practicum students will:

• Develop and transform knowledge into effective and relevant teaching.
• Work with accomplished educators to develop principles and methods that enable the success of all children.
• Relate theory to practice
• Learn through field-based study.
• Learn within a network of educators in urban, rural and suburban communities throughout the Pioneer Valley eager to work with UMass students.

The three steps of STEP:

To prepare for the rigors and joys of teaching, a STEP graduate will have successfully progressed through three core phases of teacher candidacy: Content knowledge, Foundations and finally Clinical Year.

• Content knowledge in History, Science, Math or English requires the approved amount of subject-specific credits to reflect depth and breadth of subject-specific knowledge.

• Foundations courses on education and psychology prior to the clinical year help STEP teacher candidates link content to human development, social justice and school cultures.

• The Clinical year situates STEP candidates in the classroom.  A range of university courses help scaffold these experiences.
  
  *Teacher candidates need to pass MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test by the first semester and the MTEL Subject Test before student teaching.