Frequently Asked Questions
For Those Not in a Harvard State-Approved Program
9. What is the Panel Review Process, and how do I initiate this process?
12. Where can I see a list of the educator licenses that are offered in Massachusetts?
13. Can I become licensed in multiple subject areas?
14. Will I get paid more if I have a higher-level license?
15. What are the average salaries for public school teachers in different states?
17. How do I submit an application for a Massachusetts Educator's License?
18. How do I check the status of my licensure application?
19. How can I request a duplicate copy of my license?
21. Where can I find out more information about the MTEL?
22. Does Harvard offer MTEL preparation workshops?
26. Can I become eligible for the Professional stage of licensure by completing a program at HGSE?
28. I took the MTEL exam a number of years ago. Are my MTEL scores still valid?
29. What is the difference between Certification and Licensure?
30. What is the difference between the Provisional license and the Preliminary license?
31. Can I speak with an official MA State Officer about my individual licensure concerns?
32. Who can I speak with at HGSE regarding my individual licensure concerns?
1. I am interested in obtaining an educator license (i.e. teacher, administrator, specialist, support personnel) through HGSE. I am not currently a HGSE student. Does HGSE have a licensure program that will meet my needs?
Yes, HGSE has licensure programs that might meet your need. HGSE offers licensure programs for teachers, principals, reading specialists and counseling. Please see the HGSE Licensure Programs section of our website to learn about the licensure requirements for each of our licensure programs. In addition, please see the TAC/MCMS, UTEP, L&L, PLS, or R&P website for substantive information about each program.
2. I am interested in applying to a teacher licensure program at HGSE (i.e. TAC/MCMS or UTEP). Is my prior coursework appropriate to the license that I wish to seek through this program?
In order to demonstrate that you have the subject-matter knowledge required for the license you wish to seek, the DOE requires that you pass the Subject-Matter MTEL exam appropriate to the license you are seeking. (Please see the DOE's MTEL website for specific information on which test is required for the license you are seeking.) To find out how the knowledge you have obtained from your prior coursework compares with the questions on the Subject-Matter MTEL exam, please see the MTEL Test Objectives and Section 7.06: Subject Matter Knowledge Requirements for Teachers. For information regarding prior coursework that may be required for admission to a HGSE licensure program, please see the TAC/MCMS website or UTEP website or contact the programs directly by e-mailing either TAC/MCMS or UTEP.
3. I am a Harvard student not enrolled
in the TAC/MCMS or UTEP program. Can I still become licensed as a teacher
in Massachusetts?
Yes, in Massachusetts you can obtain a Preliminary license if you (1)
possess a bachelor of arts or sciences degree from an accredited college
or university, and (2) obtain passing scores on the Massachusetts
Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), both in the Communication &
Literacy Skills test and in the Subject-Matter test(s) for the subject
in which you wish to be licensed. The Preliminary license is valid for
five years of employment. Some Preliminary licenses have additional requirements.
Please see Alternative Licensure Options
and Section
7.04 Types of Licenses, Requirements for Licensure, Licenses Issued, and
Requirements for Field-Based Experience for more information.
4. I am a Harvard student not enrolled in the L&L program. Can I still become licensed as a Specialist Teacher in Massachusetts?
In order to become a Reading Specialist Teacher in Massachusetts, you must complete a state-approved Reading Specialist licensure program. Please see Section 7.07 of the MA Licensure Regulations for a thorough understanding of what you will need to do to become licensed as a Specialist Teacher in Massachusetts. Also, please see our Alternative Licensure Options website for more information, especially regarding district-based programs for Initial licensure.
5. I would like to apply for one
of the following licenses at the Preliminary stage: Early Childhood, Elementary,
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, Teacher of the Visually
Impaired, Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities, or Teacher of
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Which classes should I take to fulfill the
coursework requirements for this license?
As stated in Section
7.04 of the Massachusetts Licensure Regulations, the coursework requirements
for these licenses at the Preliminary stage are:
a. Seminars or courses that address teaching these populations: i) Reading,
ii) English language arts, and iii) Mathematics.
b. Seminars or courses on ways to prepare and maintain students with disabilities
for general classrooms; for example, use of strategies for learning and
of behavioral management principles.
If you would like to confirm whether specific courses will fulfill these
requirements, the MA DOE can provide this information. Just send a cover
letter and the course description(s) to them to evaluate. Please see our
Massachusetts Resources & Links web page
for the DOE mailing address and additional contact information.
6. I am a Harvard student not enrolled
in a licensure program. What can I do to obtain a Support Personnel license
(i.e., School Guidance Counselor, School Psychologist)?
You must complete either a state-approved program or a Panel Review.
Please see Section
7.11 of the MA Licensure Regulations for a thorough understanding
of what you will need to do to obtain a Support Personnel license
in Massachusetts. As noted in Section
7.11, the Panel Review process is an option for those with substantial
experience and formal education relevant to the license sought. In addition,
please be aware of state-approved
district-based programs for licensure. Please contact Kim Nguyen at
kim_nguyen@gse.harvard.edu
with additional questions you may have or to request a meeting with Denise
Bowman, Licensure Officer.
7. I am a Harvard student not enrolled in a licensure program. What can I do to become licensed as an Administrator?
You must complete either a state-approved program or a Panel Review.
Please see Section
7.09 of the MA Licensure Regulations for a thorough understanding
of what you will need to do to become licensed as an Administrator in
Massachusetts. The Panel Review process is an option for those with substantial
experience and formal education relevant to the license sought. In addition,
please be aware of state-approved
district-based programs for licensure. Also, please contact Kim Nguyen
at kim_nguyen@gse.harvard.edu
with additional questions you may have or to request a meeting with Denise
Bowman, Licensure Officer.
8. Can I piece together coursework
and fieldwork requirements for Initial Massachusetts licensure without
being officially enrolled in a state-approved program?
Generally, no. In order to be eligible for a Massachusetts license at
the Initial stage, you must complete all requirements of a state-approved
educator preparation program. However, the DOE provides a Panel Review
process for Administrators and Support Personnel applicants who have not
met all of the licensure requirements but who have significant experience
and formal education relevant to the license sought. The DOE also offers
an Apprenticeship/Internship option for Administrator licenses.
9. What is the Panel Review Process,
and how do I initiate this process?
As stated in the DOE's licensure regulations, the Panel Review is "the
process used by the Department for reviewing and recommending candidates
for Initial licensure who have substantial experience and formal education
relevant to the license sought but have not met the specific license requirements."
The DOE provides a Panel Review Process for Administrators and Support
Personnel applicants. To request a Panel Review, first apply for the license,
and then send a letter to the address below stating that you've applied
on-line and that you are interested in the Panel Review Process:
Mr. Marion Gillon
The Office of Certification and Licensure
The Massachusetts Department of Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
10. I already have, or am working
toward, a Masters degree. I would like to meet requirements for the Initial
teacher license, but I do not want to enroll in an additional Masters
program. What are my options?
You may complete a state-approved district-based program in order to
meet Initial licensure requirements. Through a district-based program,
you can be employed by a school district as either an apprentice or a
teacher of record while you complete requirements for the Initial license.
Please go to the DOE
website to see a directory of district-based programs and contact
information. If you are currently working in a school that does not have
a district-based program in place, please see information on the Performance
Review Program for Initial Licensure.
11. Are there alternate paths to an Initial teacher license other than through state-approved programs offered through universities?
Yes. You can complete a district-based apprenticeship program or a district-based mentored, teacher of record program. A directory of district-based programs with contact information is available on the DOE website. For more information about alternative paths see Section 7.05 of the DOE regulations, specifically Routes 3, 4 and 5.
12. Where can I see a list of
the educator licenses that are offered in Massachusetts?
To see the licenses that are offered in Massachusetts, and to learn about
the requirements for these licenses, please go to the MA DOE's Section
7.04 Types of Licenses, Requirements for Licensure, Licenses Issued, and
Requirements for Field-Based Experience and Licensure
Help On-line website.
13. Can I become licensed in multiple
subject areas?
Yes, you can. In general you need to take an MTEL
Subject-Matter Test in the additional field (subject) in which you
wish to be licensed, apply online and submit the fee to the MA DOE. (See
Section
7.14 General Provisions/Additional Licenses for exceptions to this
policy.)
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14. Will I get paid more if I have
a higher-level license?
Yes. However, the pay scale differs from district to district. You will be able to obtain this information from the individual district office in which you wish to work.
15. What are the average salaries for public school teachers in different states?
To see statistics on average salaries for public school teachers, please
see the National
Education Association's Rankings and Estimates.
16. Do I need to be a United States citizen or to have received a bachelor's degree from a United States postsecondary institution in order to be eligible for licensure in Massachusetts?
Citizens of all countries are eligible for licensure in Massachusetts. However, all applicants for Massachusetts licensure must have a bachelor's degree from a United States institution of higher learning, or its equivalent. Students interested in licensure who do not have a United States bachelor's degree should seek determination of their eligibility by submitting their undergraduate transcripts for equivalency assessment to one of several agencies. Please visit the DOE website for complete information on agencies that offer this service. For example, students can contact the Center for Educational Evaluation at (617) 338-7171 or access the Center's user-friendly website for specifics regarding how to get their transcripts assessed. Students affected by this regulation should seek equivalency assessment early in their first semester of study.
17. How do I submit an application
for a Massachusetts Educator's License?
You can apply for licensure on-line through the MA DOE's ELAR system.
The online application software is fairly user-friendly. To apply online,
go to the DOE's
Licensure website and click on "Apply Online." Once you
reach the DOE Security Portal, click on "Create ELAR Profile"
to create a user name and password.
18. How do I check the status
of my licensure application?
You can check the status of your application through the DOE's on-line
system. To do this, go to the DOE's
Licensure website and click on "Check Status."
19. How can I request a duplicate
copy of my license?
You can request a duplicate copy of your license through the DOE's on-line
system. To do this, go to the DOE's
Licensure website and click on "Request Duplicate."
20. Where can I find information
on licensure requirements and procedures for states other than Massachusetts
(Reciprocity)?
Massachusetts has reciprocity with 46 states for Teacher licensure, 28 states for Administrator licensure, and 24 states for Support Personnel licensure. Please see our Reciprocity and Links to State Licensure Offices web page and the NASDTEC web page for the specific states and other details. Books on licensure requirements in other states are available for you to review and photocopy in the Career Services Office - Licensure Unit, 025 Longfellow Hall. Please see Kim Nguyen, Licensure Staff Assistant, for access to these books.
21. Where can I find out more information about the MTEL?
Please visit our MTEL page or the official
MTEL website for more information and to download free Study Guides.
As a Harvard student you are always welcome to drop by 025 Longfellow
Hall to pick up a registration flyer and to peruse our test-prep materials.
22. Does Harvard offer MTEL preparation workshops?
We offer MTEL preparation workshops at various times throughout the year for members of the HGSE community. The schedule is forwarded to current students via e-mail. HGSE alumni who are interested in attending a workshop should contact Kim Nguyen at kim_nguyen@gse.harvard.edu. Those who are not members of the HGSE community should see the DOE's website for a listing of MTEL test preparation courses available to the public.
23. Harvard does not have a licensure program in my area of interest. What are the other state-approved programs in MA?
A list of state-approved Educator Preparation Programs at higher education institutions, districts, and through the DOE can be found on the DOE website.
An overview of the MA DOE renewal policy is as follows: The Preliminary
License in nonrenewable, the Initial License can be renewed once after
five years of employment upon the Commissioner's approval (see Section
7.14 General Provisions/Renewal of an Initial Licenses for explicit
eligibility requirements), and the Professional License is to be renewed
every five years by earning Professional Development Points (see Recertification
for more detailed information).
25. I currently hold a Massachusetts Initial license. How does teaching out-of-state or out of the country affect the validity of my Initial license?
The Initial license is valid for five years of employment in Massachusetts. If you have taught out-of-state or out of the country while holding the Initial license, that experience does not count against the five years of validity that are allotted.
26. Can I become eligible for the Professional stage of licensure by completing a program at HGSE?
No. There is not currently a program at HGSE that is state-approved for the Professional stage of licensure. To be eligible for the Professional license, you must teach under your Initial license for three full years. In the first of these three years, you are to complete an Induction Program that will be provided for you by the school district in which you work. You will need to complete a 50-hour mentored experience beyond the induction year and required coursework. See Section 7.04 Types of Licenses, Requirements for Licensure, Licenses Issued, and Requirements for Field-Based Experience to obtain information as to how you can meet the coursework requirement for Professional licensure. To find programs that are state-approved for Professional licensure, please see the DOE's Educator Preparation Programs Directory.
27. I hold an expired Standard or Professional license. Do I need to take the MTEL exam in order to renew my license?
No. In order to renew your license you will need to obtain Professional Development Points and apply for recertification. For more information on recertification, please see the DOE's website.
28. I took the MTEL exam a number of years ago. Are my MTEL scores still valid?
Yes. MTEL scores do not expire. If you wish to obtain an additional copy of your MTEL score report, you may do so via the form and instructions on the MTEL website.
29. What is the difference between Certification and Licensure?
They have essentially the same definition. "Certification" or "Certificate" were terms used in Massachusetts under the old regulations and "Licensure" or "License" are the terms now used under the new regulations.
30. What is the difference between
the Provisional license and the Preliminary license?
They have essentially the same definition. "Provisional" was
the term used in Massachusetts under the old regulations and "Preliminary"
is the term used now under the new regulations.
31. Can I speak with an official
MA State Officer about my individual Licensure concerns?
Yes, you can. The MA DOE Call Center is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
and Friday from 9:00AM - 4:45PM and Wednesday from 9:00AM to 7:00PM at
781-338-6600. In-person assistance is available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. Monday through Friday at the Educator Licensure Service Office on
the third floor of the Department of Education, 350 Main Street in Malden.
32. Who can I speak with at HGSE
regarding my individual licensure concerns?
To speak with someone in the Licensure Unit at HGSE, please contact Kim
Nguyen at kim_nguyen@gse.harvard.edu
or see our HGSE Licensure Contact page
for additional names and contact information.
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