About 180 Days MEd

The 180 Days Secondary Teacher Licensure Pathway, is a teacher residency predominantly based in the Springfield Public Schools. This initial licensure program prepares students to teach middle and high school students in either mathematics, history, science (biology, physics, chemistry, general science) and English. 

Students spend the entire academic year, full-time, in their placement school. The 180 Day teacher residency is grounded in several layers of mentorship. Students co-teach alongside a highly qualified mentor teacher for an entire academic year and receive additional coaching and training from both university and school site faculty. Coursework is highly integrated with daily practice in schools in this performance-based teacher education preparation model. Theory and practice are explored daily where students demonstrate and apply skills, knowledge, and the neuroscience of learning with guidance from multiple mentors. 

In the 180 Day residency, students complete an additional practicum after student teaching. The spring clinical teaching practicum allows an opportunity to gain classroom experience in a second subject area and apply for a second initial license upon graduation (optional). Students in the 180 Day residency receive a $3000 stipend for the clinical teaching practicum when placed in the Springfield School District. 

Ready to get started?

Fill out this form and an advisor will get in touch with you about the admissions process.

Contact

For questions about the 180 Days Residency, or if you would like to make an advising appointment, please contact the program coordinator: Daryl Essensa

Licensure

This programs leads to initial teacher licensure in Massachusetts. Because of reciprocity agreements between states, you may be able to transfer your license to another state. However, the College of Education at UMass Amherst makes no guarantees that this program meets teacher licensure requirements in any state other than Massachusetts. If you are seeking licensure in another state, click on the link below for the program of your choice for more information.  For assistance in determining whether this program will be appropriate for you, send your inquiry to the program contact identified in the program description. Access to your state’s licensing agency is available on the Teacher Licensure Agency Directory.