Be a Teacher
When you become a teacher, you will make a difference every day.
About
When you become a teacher, you will make a difference every day.
You will have a vocation full of variety, human interaction, laughter, autonomy, challenges, and learning. You will help make the world more equitable and just. You will change the future—one student at a time.
To teach in a public school in Massachusetts, you need a license for a specific age group or content area, such as elementary, high school math, or reading. The UMass Amherst College of Education offers many teacher licenses and pathways to licensure to fit your needs and goals. Our graduates are known as consistently well-prepared, effective teachers and are highly sought by schools throughout the Commonwealth.
"One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world." Malala Yousafzai
More information below
Teach PreK–Elementary School
Look at our pathways to become an Art, Early Childhood, Elementary, or Special Education teacher.
Teach Middle School–High School
Discover our pathways to teaching these middle and high school subject areas: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, English as a Second Language, Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish, General Science, History, Latin and Classics, Math, Music, Physics, and Special Education.
Initial & Professional Support Licenses for School
Join our programs for the following positions: Reading Specialist; School Guidance Counselor; School Psychologist; and Speech, Language, and Hearing Pathologist.
Contact
Advising Center
Provides support to students majoring in Education, minoring in Education, and undeclared students enrolled in the college.
Office of Educator Preparation
Provides support for licensure programs across UMass Amherst.
Licensure
All Educator Licensure programs at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Second Education to meet licensure requirements in the state of Massachusetts ONLY.
Many US states are signatories to the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement which facilitates the mobility of educators among the states that are members of NASDTEC. This agreement makes it possible for an educator who completed an approved program and/or who holds a certificate or license in one jurisdiction to earn a certificate or license in another state or jurisdiction, with possible additional requirements.
If you are seeking licensure in another state, here is a Teacher Licensure Agency Directory for you to contact other states.