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  3. MTEL Information

MTEL Preparation Workshops

MTEL Overview Workshop

In 1.5 hours we will familiarize you with the structure of the Communication and Literacy Skills (CLS) portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL), go over our proven strategies to help manage your time and test anxiety, and give you plenty of practice items. If your skills are strong, but you want to be well prepared for this demanding, high-stakes test, this workshop will give you the confidence and strategies you need to pass. 

Registration
Students interested in the free workshops must preregister through the Ed Prep Office in the College of Education.  Please email EdPrep-help [at] umass [dot] edu

Workshop Length: 1.5 Hours
Fee: $75.00. The FEE for this workshop is WAIVED for students who are currently enrolled at the UMass Amherst or Lowell campus, as well as Greenfield Community College, Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College. Proof of attendance at one of the Community Colleges is required.  The capacity for each workshop is 20 students. Pre-registration is required by noon on Monday prior to the workshop.
 

Location: Montague House Room 120, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

DateTimeWorkshop #
Monday, February 23rd, 2026 5:00 - 6:30 pm83716
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 4:00 - 5:30 pm

83713

Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 

4:00 - 5:30 pm

83995

Monday, April 13th, 2026 

5:00 - 6:30 pm84162

Location: online

DateTimeWorkshop #
Tuesday, January 6th, 20264:00 - 5:30 PM 74719
Thursday, January 15th, 20265:00 - 6:30 PM 74720
Friday, February 13th, 20264:00 - 5:30 PM

83715

Wednesday, March 11, 20265:00 - 6:30 PM

83994

Thursday, April 9th, 20265:00 - 6:30 PM 

83996

Skills Development Multi-session Workshops

In this intensive workshop of four 2 hour sessions, we will cover the basics of writing an effective summary and essay which the Communication and Literacy Skills MTEL requires under timed conditions. The instructor will provide you with individualized feedback so you will go into the test well prepared and knowing what to expect. You will learn the structure of the test and essential time management strategies.

Registration
Students interested in the free workshops must preregister with Edprep-help [at] umass [dot] edu (Robert Heath) through the Educator Preparation Office in the College of Education. EdPrep-help [at] umass [dot] edu

Workshop Length:  Four sessions of 2 hours each
Fee: $185.00. The FEE for this workshop is WAIVED for students who are currently enrolled at the UMass Amherst or Lowell campus, as well as Greenfield Community College, Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College. Proof of attendance at one of the Community Colleges is required. The capacity for each workshop is 20 students. Pre-registration is required by noon on the first Wednesday or Thursday session or before noon on a subsequent Wednesday or Thursday if you miss the first session.
 

Location: Montague House Room 120, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

DateTimeWorkshop #
Wednesday, February 4, 20264:00 - 6:00 pm

83718

Wednesday, February 11, 20264:00 - 6:00 pm

83718

Wednesday, February 18, 20264:00 - 6:00 pm

83718

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 4:00 - 6:00 pm

83718

Location: Online

DateTimeWorkshop #

Wednesday, January 7. 2026

4:00 - 6:00 pm74722

Wednesday, January 14. 2026

4:00 - 6:00 pm74722

Wednesday, January 21. 2026

4:00 - 6:00 pm74722

Wednesday, January 28. 2026

4:00 - 6:00 pm74722
Monday, March 2nd, 2026 4:00-6:00 PM83998
Monday, March 9th, 2026 4:00-6:00 PM 83998
Monday, March 23rd, 20264:00-6:00 PM83998
Monday, March 30th, 20264:00-6:00 PM83998

Skills Development Saturday Workshops

An alternative to our multi-session workshop for the Communication and Literacy Skills (CLS) portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL), this intensive daylong workshop takes place on Saturday. Come prepared for an in-depth review of written mechanics, grammar, writing, and reading comprehension. Lots of guided practice, practical advice about the structure of the test, and our unique strategies will ensure that you go into this test prepared and confident that you will pass.

Registration
Students interested in the free workshops must preregister with EdPrep-help [at] umass [dot] edu (Robert Heath) in the College of Education Licensure Office.

Workshop Length: 6 total hours (on Saturday)
Fee: $155.00. The FEE for this workshop is WAIVED for students who are currently enrolled at the UMass Amherst or Lowell campus, as well as Greenfield Community College, Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College. Proof of attendance at one of the Community Colleges is required. The capacity for each workshop is 20 students. Pre-registration is required by noon on Friday prior to the workshop.
 

Location: Montague House Room 120, University of Massachusetts - Amherst 

DateTimeWorkshop #
Saturday, February 7th, 20269:00 am - 4:00 pm83717
Saturday, April 4th, 20269:00 am - 4:00 pm

83997

 Location: Online

DateTimeWorkshop #
Saturday, January 24th, 20269:00 am - 4:00 pm 74721 

MTEL WORKSHOP REGISTRATION INFORMATION

 

All prospective workshop participants, including current UMass Amherst students interested in the free workshops must preregister with EdPrep-help [at] umass [dot] edu (Robert Heath) in the Educator Preparation Office (Furcolo S103). Please contact University Without Walls (UWW) for payment options. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm.  

  • A $25.00 Continuing Education registration fee will be charged for MTEL Prep Overview Workshops

Please note that the above fee does not apply to current UMass Amherst students interested in the free workshops.
For further information on these workshops, for guidance in choosing which workshop is best for you and/or additional resources, please contact EdPrep-help [at] umass [dot] edu (Robert Heath). 

For directions to the College of Education (Furcolo Hall) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, please visit the following website:

Furcolo Hall - 813 North Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01003

http://www.umass.edu/visitorsctr/directions

Additional Information

Please visit the MTEL website to register for the test: www.mtel.nesinc.com

For more information, please visit the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.

MASSACHUSETTS STATE TEST POLICY:

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education licensure regulations require that all candidates for teacher licensure in Massachusetts pass the Communication and Literacy Skills (CLS) portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL). In addition, all candidates in most licensure areas must pass the appropriate Subject Matter test to become licensed educators.

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST and the COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TEST POLICY:

The University of Massachusetts Amherst requires that undergraduate students take and achieve a passing score on the CLS test prior to admission into educator preparation programs in the University. For post-baccalaureate and graduate students the timeline for submitting these scores varies by program.

Students in most educator preparation programs for which there is a Subject Matter test must take and pass the appropriate test prior to the practicum and as a prerequisite for the University's recommendations for licensure.

Students in the following programs are not required to take a Subject Matter test:

  • School Counselor
  • School Psychology
  • Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders

Local Navigation Links

MTEL Information
MTEL Admission Requirements for Licensure Programs
MTEL Preparation Workshops
Preparing for the MTEL

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