Subject Matter Requirements

Many studies have shown that teachers' subject matter expertise is closely linked to their students' academic performance. In Massachusetts, as well as most other states, teachers are required to pass content-specific tests in the subject areas for which they are seeking a license. Thus, our Admissions Committee places great value on candidates' level of preparation in the subject that they intend to teach. Although we do not require candidates to hold an undergraduate degree in their chosen teaching field, we do review candidates' applications to determine if certain state-required topics within the field have been addressed through prior coursework, research or work experience.

The Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE) has outlined specific subject matter knowledge requirements for each discipline. TEP students, as well as all other teacher licensure candidates in Massachusetts-approved programs, are required to demonstrate their proficiency in these areas by passing the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL). (You can visit http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=06 for a complete list of requirements by discipline.) Applicants to TEP are expected to provide a list of courses which they have taken that address each of these subject-matter requirements for their discipline.

TEP prepares teaching candidates for the subjects below. We have provided the DOE Subject Matter Knowledge Requirements for Teachers for each of these subjects, along with sample courses that meet each of the requirements:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth Science
• English
• General Science
• History
• Mathematics
• Political Science-Political Philosophy
• Physics

Please note: it is not necessary to have taken a course in each requirement listed under your discipline. You may have taken courses that meet more than one requirement.