Frequently Asked Questions
For UTEP Students
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1. Is my prior coursework appropriate to the license that I wish to seek through this program?
2. Can I become licensed at an additional grade level?
3. Can I become licensed in additional subjects?
4. Where can I see a list of the educator licenses that are offered in Massachusetts?
5. What is the difference between Social Studies and Political Science/Political Philosophy?
6. What is the difference between Certification and Licensure?
7. How and when do I submit my application for a Massachusetts License?
8. How much is the fee to apply for licensure?
9. When will I receive my Massachusetts license?
10. How do I check the status of my licensure application?
11. How can I request a duplicate copy of my license?
12. How long is my license valid?
15. Can I become eligible for the Professional stage of licensure by completing a program at HGSE?
16. What do I have to do to renew my Massachusetts license?
17. What test do I have to take to obtain a Massachusetts Teacher license?
18. Where can I find out more information about the MTEL?
19. Where can I attend an MTEL preparation workshop?
20. Will I get paid more if I have a higher-level license?
21. What are the average salaries for public school teachers in different states?
22. Do I have to be a United States citizen in order to be eligible for Massachusetts licensure?
26. Who can I speak with at HGSE regarding my individual licensure concerns?
27. How can I obtain more information about the UTEP Program?
1. 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 UTEP please contact the program directly by e-mailing UTEP.
2. Can I become licensed at an additional grade level?
Yes, you may obtain your license at an additional grade level (either 5-8 or 8-12). In order to meet the requirement for additional licensure, you must take H-236: Adolescent Development: Psychosocial Implications for School Practice and Community Partnerships, Psychology 1603: Adolescent Development or PSYC S-1603: Adolescent and Young Adult Development.
3. Can I become licensed in additional subjects?
Yes, you can. In general, you need to take the MTEL Subject-Matter Test(s) required for the additional field (subject) in which you wish to be licensed. For specific information on which Subject-Matter Test(s) are required for the additional license you wish to seek, please see the DOE's MTEL website. (See Section 7.14 General Provisions/Additional Licenses for exceptions to this requirement.)
4. 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.
5. What is the difference between Social Studies and Political Science/Political Philosophy?
The Political Science/Political Philosophy license has replaced the Social Studies license under the new regulations. "Social Studies" was the term used in Massachusetts under the old regulations and "Political Science/Political Philosophy" is the term now used under the new regulations.
6. 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.
7. How and when do I submit my application for a Massachusetts License?
The HGSE Licensure Office will meet with the UTEP cohort at the beginning of the spring semester to instruct you on how and when you should apply for your license. All UTEP students will apply during the same time. You should not submit your licensure application until you have received instructions from HGSE Licensure.
8. How much is the fee to apply for licensure?
The first Massachusetts license that you apply for costs $100. Each additional license costs $25.
9. When will I receive my Massachusetts license?
Generally, you will receive your license from the MA DOE in July or August. However, the DOE does not guarantee that licenses will be processed and sent out by that time.
10. How do I check the status of my licensure application?
Once you have applied for licensure, 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."
11. 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."
12. How long is my license valid?
Initial licenses are valid for five years of employment and are renewable once upon the Commissioner's approval. Professional licenses are valid for five calendar years and are to be renewed every five years.
13. How will teaching out-of-state or out of the country affect the validity of my Initial Massachusetts license?
The Initial license is valid for five years of employment in Massachusetts. If you teach 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.
14. I will be obtaining an Initial Massachusetts license through the UTEP Program. What will I need to do to meet requirements for the Professional license?
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.
15. 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.
16. What do I have to do to renew my Massachusetts license?
The Initial License is renewable once for an additional five years of employment upon approval of the Commissioner. To be eligible, five years of teaching experience are required and you will need to indicate how you plan to fulfill the requirements for Professional licensure. (see Section 7.14 General Provisions/Renewal of an Initial License for explicit eligibility requirements). The Professional License is to be renewed every five years by accumulating 150 professional development points. (see Recertification for detailed information).
17. What test do I have to take to obtain a Massachusetts Teacher license?
The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Communication and Literacy Skills and Subject-Matter exams are required for teacher licensure in Massachusetts. Please see the DOE website for information about which Subject-Matter exam you should take.
18. Where can I find out more information about the MTEL?
Please visit our MTEL page or the official MTEL website for explicit information and to download free Study Guides. You are always welcome to drop by 025 Longfellow Hall to pick up a registration bulletin and to peruse and photocopy our test-prep materials.
19. Where can I attend an MTEL preparation workshop?
MTEL preparation workshops are offered at various times throughout the year by the DOE. Please see the DOE website for information.
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20. 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 district office in which you plan to work.
21. What are the average salaries for public school teachers in different states?
To see statistics on average salaries for public school teachers, please see rankings and estimates on the National Education Association site.
22. Do I have to be a United States citizen in order to be eligible for Massachusetts licensure?
No, United States citizenship is not a requirement for Massachusetts licensure. However, you should contact the individual district office in which you wish to work to learn about any United States citizenship requirements for employment.
23. I am a non-U.S. student and do not have a social security number. How do I sign up for the MTEL and my ELAR account?
Contact the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Helpdesk at 781-338-6600. A Helpdesk representative will assign you a temporary ID number to use when registering for the MTEL and signing up for your ELAR account. Please note that it is important that you use the same temporary ID number for both the MTEL and ELAR account.
24. 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. Please see our Reciprocity and Links to State Licensure Offices web page and the NASDTEC web page for the specific states and other details.
25. Where can I find preparation materials for tests required in other states (e.g., PRAXIS, CBEST, CSET, NYSTCE)?
Registration information can be found online for the PRAXIS, CBEST, CSET, or NYSTCE exams. You can download preparation and registration materials from the PRAXIS website, the CBEST website, the CSET website, and the NYSTCE website.
26. Who can I speak with at HGSE regarding my individual licensure concerns?
To speak with someone in Licensure at HGSE, please contact Roger Dempsey at licensure@gse.harvard.edu or see our HGSE Licensure Contact page for additional information.
27. How can I obtain more information about the UTEP Program?
Please visit the UTEP website or e-mail Megin Charner-Laird at charneme@gse.harvard.edu to obtain more information about the UTEP Program.
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