EEC Credentialing and Massachusetts Teacher Licensure Information for UWW Interdisciplinary Studies Students

This information is for the state of Massachusetts. For out of state students, it has not been determined whether our program meets your state’s requirements for professional licensure in these fields. If you are seeking any type of licensure, our staff member Siobhan Henderson is happy to help you identify the state board or agency you will need to contact to determine if our program meets your state’s requirements.

Two Types of Early Education Credentials

Early educators in Massachusetts can work in community or private early education centers, such as Head Start. These positions may require EEC professional certification. Early educators can also work in a public school district (PreK-2), and these positions require licensure.

Early Education Certification

If you work in a Massachusetts community-based early education center, each center has specific requirements for each level of certification (Infant-toddler Teacher, Infant-toddler Lead Teacher, Preschool Teacher, Preschool Lead Teacher, Director I, and Director II). Some may require an EEC professional certification. Please contact your supervisor or Human Resources Office to determine what coursework would benefit you.

Recommended Coursework

A general recommendation is to take Psychology 350 – Developmental Psychology or Human Development 270 – Child Development (if you have not yet taken a child development course). If you took a child development course at another college, please confirm with your supervisor whether that course covers your requirements.

Early Education Licensure

To teach early education in Massachusetts public schools, the state requires licensure (which is different from EEC credentialing). There are several types of licensure.

UWW Interdisciplinary Studies is not a state-approved Massachusetts teacher preparation program. That means we cannot get you to initial licensure in early education, because we do not offer the student teaching and practicum units. We can help you get your bachelor’s degree and meet coursework requirements. Then, after passing the MTELs, you can reach provisional licensure, which will allow you to begin teaching in most public schools. Provisional licensure is good for five years, and during that time, educators should be on a path to either initial licensure or professional licensure. UMass Amherst College of Education offers free MTEL prep sessions for current UWW Interdisciplinary Studies students. For dates and registration, please email @email.

Required Coursework

Education 325 – Introduction to Special Education or Education 390AD Young Children with Disabilities

Recommended Coursework

Psychology 350 – Developmental Psychology (if you have not yet taken a child development course)
Education 395A – Early Childhood Methods & Curriculum
Education 461 – Principles and Methods of Reading/Language in Elementary Schools
Education 463 – Principles and Methods of Teaching Elementary School Math

This licensure requirements tool lays out all the steps you will need to take. Enter:

“Category: Academic: Teacher”
“Field: Early Childhood”
“Grade: PreK-2”
“Type: Provisional”

Early Educator Scholarship

If you teach in an early childhood center in Massachusetts, and your area of concentration is Early Education and Care or Early Childhood Education, you should apply for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program!

Elementary Licensure

To teach elementary education in Massachusetts, public schools require licensure. There are several types of licensure.

UWW Interdisciplinary Studies is not a state-approved Massachusetts teacher preparation program. That means we cannot get you to initial licensure in elementary education, because we do not offer the student teaching and practicum units. We can help you get your bachelor’s degree and meet coursework requirements. Then, after passing the MTELs, you can reach provisional licensure, which will allow you to begin teaching in most public schools. Provisional licensure is good for five years, and during that time, educators should be on a path to either initial licensure or professional licensure. UMass Amherst College of Education offers free MTEL prep sessions for current UWW Interdisciplinary Studies students. For dates and registration, please email @email.

Required Coursework

Education 325 – Introduction to Special Education
Education 461 – Principles and Methods of Reading/Language in Elementary Schools
Education 463 – Principles and Methods of Teaching Elementary School Math

Recommended Coursework

Education 210 – Social Diversity in Education
Psychology 350 – Developmental Psychology

This licensure requirements tool lays out all the steps you will need to take. Enter:

“Category: Academic: Teacher”
“Field: Elementary”
“Grade: 1-6”
“Type: Provisional”

Secondary Licensure

To teach secondary education in Massachusetts, public schools require licensure. There are several types of licensure.

UWW Interdisciplinary Studies is not a state-approved Massachusetts teacher preparation program. That means we cannot get you to initial licensure in secondary education, because we do not offer the student teaching and practicum units. We can help you get your bachelor’s degree and meet coursework requirements. Then, after passing the MTELs, you can reach provisional licensure, which will allow you to begin teaching in most public schools. Provisional licensure is good for five years, and during that time, educators should be on a path to either initial licensure or professional licensure. UMass Amherst College of Education offers free MTEL prep sessions for current UWW Interdisciplinary Studies students. For dates and registration, please email @email.

Recommended Coursework

If you have room in your schedule beyond the subject matter, it would be useful to take any of the following courses:

Education 210 – Social Diversity in Education
Education 325 – Introduction to Special Education

This licensure requirements tool lays out all the steps you will need to take. Enter:

“Category: Academic: Teacher”
“Field: [your subject area]”
“Grade: [your choice]”
“Type: Provisional”

Moving Toward Initial Licensure

Do you want to move toward initial licensure? UMass Amherst offers graduate programs leading to initial licensure once you’ve completed your bachelor's degree through UWW Interdisciplinary Studies. In the process, you can earn your master's degree, which is required for professional licensure.

There are also alternative pathways to initial licensure in Massachusetts, such as the Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure (PRPIL). If you are interested in an alternative pathway, it is critical that you talk directly with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education licensure office, and with your school district (if you currently work as an educator).