Teachers and professionals in Massachusetts public schools are licensed. Your license will be issued for the specific role and level you plan to hold, such as elementary school teacher, high school math teacher, or reading specialist. To become licensed in Massachusetts you need to complete an approved program as an undergraduate, a post-baccalaureate, or a graduate student, and complete appropriate licensure exams. There are many routes to a license (see below).
While many educator preparation programs are based in the College of Education, preparation of licensed educators is a campus wide effort coordinated through the College of Education. Subject matter knowledge is central to all our professional preparation programs. Faculty from almost every School and College at the University contribute directly to the knowledge base for our candidates, offering a significant array of professional preparation programs. We offer:
- Outstanding preparation in general studies and subject matter specialty areas offered by departments throughout the University campus.
- Professional preparation courses in the College of Education by outstanding teacher educators and researchers.
- Field experiences and practica in a diverse range of schools and appropriate agencies.
- Close, thoughtful supervision by teacher educators.
- Excellent advisors who assist in planning your program.
The following UMass Amherst programs prepare students for licensure as teachers, administrators, counselors, school psychologists, and speech language pathologists.
UMass Amherst Teaching License Pathways
Early Childhood Education teacher
Early Childhood Education (grades Pre-K through 2) - undergraduate program
Elementary school teacher
Early Childhood Education (grades Pre-K through 2) - undergraduate program
Collaborative Teacher Education Pathway (grades 1 through 6) - graduate program
Middle and High school teacher
English (5 - 12)
Math
Sciences (5 - 8, 8 - 12; not all sciences at both levels)
History (5 - 12)
Secondary Teacher Education Program - undergraduate and graduate programs
Middle and High School Language Teacher
Chinese language education (5 - 12) (offered through the Art Department of Humanities and Fine Arts)
French language education (5 - 12) (offered through the Art Department of Humanities and Fine Arts)
Italian language education (5 - 12) (offered through the Art Department of Humanities and Fine Arts)
Spanish language education (5 - 12) (offered through the Art Department of Humanities and Fine Arts)
Art teacher (Pre-K - 8; 5 - 12)
Art education (offered through the Art Department of Humanities and Fine Arts)
Music teacher (All)
Music education (offered through the Music Department of Humanities and Fine Arts)
Latin and classical humanities teacher (5 - 12)
Latin and classical humanities (offered through the Classics Department of Humanities and Fine Arts)
Special education teacher (preK - 8; 5 - 12)
Reading teacher (All)
Language, Literacy, and Culture
English as a second language (ESL) teacher (Pre-K - 6; 5 - 12)
Language, Literacy, and Culture
Guidance Counselor (Pre-K - 8; 5 - 12)
School Psychologist (All)
Speech-Language Pathologist (All)
Speech, language, and hearing disorders (offered through the Communication Disorders Department of Public Health and Health Sciences)