The Post-Baccalaureate licensure pathway offers experienced, nontraditional students—who already have a bachelor's degree in the liberal arts and sciences—an opportunity to become licensed to teach in Massachusetts. Offered through the College of Education and University Without Walls, the program is a non-degree route to admission to the licensure programs at UMass for those students who do not wish to undertake a graduate degree or second bachelor's degree while pursuing licensure. Students complete coursework and field experience, followed by a semester of student teaching.

Post-Baccalaureate admission is available in the following fields and levels of licensure:

• Mathematics (8-12)
• Mathematics (5-8)
• Biology (8-12)
• Chemistry (8-12)
• English (5-12)
• English as a Second Language (PreK-6, 5-12)
• Earth and Space Science (8-12)
• Foreign Languages (French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese; 5-12)
• General Science (5-8)
• History/Social (5-12)
• Music (All levels)
• Physics (8-12)

Students in the Post-Baccalaureate Licensure Pathway may enroll in university day courses or University Without Walls credit courses. Most university teacher preparation pathways require a minimum two-semester commitment. Coursework and field experience are followed by a semester of student teaching. Course requirements and field placements are the responsibility of the individual teacher preparation pathway, not University Without Walls. Students in this pathway may take up to 18 credits per semester without special overload permission, but are subject to all other University Without Walls and University of Massachusetts academic regulations.

Admissions

Application for admission to Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Pathway consists of a personal statement, resume, two letters of recommendation, and one official transcript from each college attended (including the University of Massachusetts). To be considered for acceptance to the Post-BA pathway, candidates will need to have met all subject matter requirements for the license pursued. Many of these requirements can be satisfied through completing an undergraduate degree in the subject they wish to teach.  However, there may be additional course requirements not satisfied by the major or degree; to complete these additional requirements, students are expected to meet with a subject matter advisor for further consultation.

Applicants to Post-Baccalaureate Licensure should be aware that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education now requires candidates for educational licensure to pass a two-part examination in Communication and Literacy Skills and in the Subject Area content of the license. The College of Education policy requires that the Communication and Literacy Skills test be passed before the end of the first semester of enrollment in the pathway, and that the Subject Area test be passed before the beginning of student teaching.

Please note that in cases where Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements are less stringent than those established within the university, university standards take precedence. Also note that Massachusetts teacher licensure is not awarded automatically. During the final semester of a program of study, candidates apply for the license through the Undergraduate Advising & Educator Licensure Office in the College of Education (W144 Furcolo).

Licensure

This program 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, you should contact Beverley Bell, Assistant Dean of Educator Preparation, bjbell@umass.edu, (413)545-2701 for more information about how to determine whether this program will be appropriate for you. Access to your state’s licensing agency is available on the Teacher Licensure Agency Directory. 

Contact

For spring admission, completed applications must be submitted by October 1. The deadline for fall admission is March 1. Applications received after these deadlines may be considered at the discretion of the individual licensure pathway. Admission to specific pathways is competitive and on a space available basis. APPLY HERE