Educator Services Becoming an Educator GEM: Is Education for You?
Find a Preparation Program

Types of Programs | Program Search | Questions to Consider | Prep Program Administration

Educator Preparation programs provide the necessary tools & skills for individuals who are seeking careers in education, in addition to satisfying the requirements for state licensure. All programs listed have successfully completed a rigorous peer-review process, and have been approved by the commissioner to endorse graduates for educator licensure. This review process assures the public that the teachers and other educators who complete approved preparation programs in Massachusetts are prepared to educate our PreK-12 students according to the learning standards in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

There are over 65 approved programs in Massachusetts one can pursue to acquire Initial and or Professional licensure. As of October 1, 2001, all candidates seeking Initial licensure as an educator in Massachusetts are required to complete a Department-approved educator preparation program. All candidates seeking Professional licensure as an educator in Massachusetts must complete an appropriate Master's degree program, or one of the other options outlined in the new regulations.

Below, you will find an outline of the different types of programs. Please explore them all, so that you may find the program that best suit your needs.

Preparation Programs for Teachers

• Traditional Baccalaureate (Undergraduate programs) are typically based in a college or university. This type of program is appropriate for individuals who wish to satisfy teacher licensure requirements while pursuing a Bachelor's degree in education or another field. High school seniors and career changers without Bachelor's degrees should pursue this type of program.

•    Post-Baccalaureate - Teacher of Record (District-based programs)
  are approved preparation programs that have been designed by public school districts, often in partnership with a college, university or other professional development provider. Candidates pursuing licensure through this route are hired as a teacher of record under a Preliminary license and are assigned a team of mentors for additional support and supervision. Candidates in district-based programs complete seminars or courses that address the Professional Standards for Teachers, and a final performance assessment. These programs are often popular with career changers, given that candidates can meet the majority of their requirements while working as a full time teacher.

• Post-Baccalaureate Programs are based in colleges or universities and typically involve at least two semesters of coursework. Post-Baccalaureate programs for Initial licensure also include some type of field-based experience or internship in a school district. Post-Baccalaureate programs for Professional licensure include a focused course of study within the teacher's field of expertise (i.e., a Master's of Arts in Teaching Mathematics). Some of these programs allow candidates to satisfy licensure requirements within a Master's program; others allow candidates to meet these requirements without pursuing a full graduate degree.

• Post-Baccalaureate - Apprenticeship are based in school districts that, in most cases, have partnered with a college or university to provide a unique, field-based training experience. Apprenticeship programs foster a close student - mentor relationship, where candidates work closely with an expert educator while progressively taking on full teaching responsibilities. Apprentices also complete coursework, which is often taught on-site at the school in which they are training.

• Performance Review Program For Initial Licensure - All teacher candidates for Initial licenses must complete a preparation program approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Department has contracted with Class Measures to operate a Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure (PRPIL) for eligible candidates in districts that do not have a state approved preparation program for Initial teacher licenses. Please visit http://www.doe.mass.edu/edprep/prpil.html for further information.

Preparation Programs for Administrators

• Guidelines for Administrator Routes to Initial License 603 CMR 7.00
  (as amended by the Board of Education January 2003 and Implemented on June 20, 2003)

• Post-Baccalaureate Administrator Preparation Programs are approved preparation programs of study that include a supervised practicum or practicum equivalent that is at least 300 hours in the role and at the level of the license sought. Often, these programs are based in colleges or universities and typically involve at least two semesters of coursework. Some of these programs allow candidates to satisfy licensure requirements within a Master's program; others allow candidates to meet these requirements without pursuing a full graduate degree.

•    District Based Preparation Programs are approved preparation programs that have been designed by public school districts or collaboratives, often in partnership with a college, university or other professional development provider. Like candidates enrolled in approved Post-Baccalaureate programs located in institutions of higher education, participants in district-based programs complete seminars or courses that address the Professional Standards for Administrators, a final performance assessment, and the 300 practicum or practicum equivalent in the role and at the level of the license sought.