Massachusetts Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Alternative teacher preparation programs, also known as non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. To attract business professionals and career changers to the teaching profession, the state of Massachusetts offers a few alternative routes to certification for individuals with at least a bachelor’s degree. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, see our guide to traditional certification in Massachusetts. Continue reading to learn more about alternative route licensure in the state.
Table of Contents
- Massachusetts Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
Alternative certification offers a convenient path to teaching, allowing you to start a paid position while completing certification requirements. The typical candidate for the alternative approach to certification has work experience, a desire to pursue a career in education, and a bachelor’s degree but lacks the formal teacher preparation requirements for an initial certificate. Alternative certification may result in the award of a master’s degree or a graduate certificate.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, prospective educators must typically complete a formal, state-approved teacher preparation program to become certified. However, these pathways commonly allow teachers to lead a classroom while completing the required teacher training.
Preliminary Vocational Technical Teacher License
For those who wish to teach career and technical education (CTE) subjects, the Vocational Technical Teacher License has fewer requirements than the standard Initial License.
The basic requirements for a Preliminary Vocational Technical Teacher License are:
- Possessing at least a high school diploma
- Meeting the professional experience requirement, which varies based on the subject to be taught
- Holding state-level licensure or certification in the profession to be taught, if available
- Earning passing scores on the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Vocational Subject Matter Tests and either the Vocational Technical Literacy Skills Test (VTLST) or the Communication and Literacy Skills Test
Once the license is issued, candidates have five years to meet the requirements for a Professional Vocational Technical Teacher License, which is renewable. You can read more about these requirements on the DESE website.
Provisional Teaching License
A Provisional License is available for candidates with a bachelor’s degree who have passed all required MTEL tests. This approach to certification gives the candidate the ability to begin teaching right away. The Preliminary License is valid for up to five years while the candidate completes an approved educator preparation program (EPP), which is required for a renewable Initial License.
Testing Requirements for Massachusetts Alternative Certification
Prospective educators who wish to teach traditional subjects must pass the MTEL tests. The required tests vary based on the subject area and grade level to be taught, so candidates should consult the guide to MTEL requirements.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Teachers who hold a license from another state and with at least three years of teaching experience may be eligible for licensure by reciprocity in Massachusetts. Massachusetts participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement. Teachers with an out-of-state certificate may be eligible for a Temporary License, which is valid for one year while passing the required MTEL tests. For further details, see our teaching license reciprocity guide or contact the DESE website.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Massachusetts
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the DESE for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American International College | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $20,876 |
| Bay Path University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $19,177 |
| Boston College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $30,192 |
| Boston University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $29,154 |
| Brandeis University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $41,222 |
| Bridgewater State University | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $17,545 |
| Cambridge College | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Clark University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $30,617 |
| Curry College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $29,620 |
| Elms College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $25,340 |
| Endicott College | — | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $37,665 |
| Fitchburg State University | AAQEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $15,831 |
| Framingham State University | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $19,336 |
| Gordon College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $27,502 |
| Harvard University | — | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $18,037 |
| Lasell University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $27,007 |
| Lesley University | — | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $33,717 |
| Massachusetts College of Art | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $23,396 |
| Merrimack College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $34,606 |
| Mount Holyoke College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $31,165 |
| Northeastern University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $37,738 |
| Regis College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $32,683 |
| Salem State University | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $19,704 |
| Simmons University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $29,021 |
| Springfield College | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $29,395 |
| Stonehill College | — | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $35,508 |
| Tufts University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $32,720 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $22,505 |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | — | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $17,231 |
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $20,612 |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $19,147 |
| Westfield State University | AAQEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $18,073 |
| Worcester State University | AAQEP | Certificate | — | — | — | $16,183 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Massachusetts based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable since they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst (10 months)
- American International College (12 months)
- Bay Path University (12 months)
- Boston University (12 months)
- Bridgewater State University (12 months)
- Cambridge College (12 months)
- Clark University (12 months)
- Endicott College (12 months)
- Framingham State University (12 months)
- Harvard University (12 months)
- Massachusetts College of Art (12 months)
- Merrimack College (12 months)
- Mount Holyoke College (12 months)
- Regis College (12 months)
- Stonehill College (12 months)
- Tufts University (12 months)
- University of Massachusetts-Boston (12 months)
- University of Massachusetts-Lowell (12 months)
- Worcester State University (12 months)
- Brandeis University (13 months)
Additional Resources
- DESE Approved Educator Preparation Programs Directory: Directory of approved teacher preparation programs in the state.
- Massachusetts DESE Teacher Requirements and Licensure: Detailed requirements for teacher licensure in the state.
- Massachusetts Vocational Technical Education: Guide to requirements for a vocational technical education license options in Massachusetts.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Massachusetts Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Massachusetts State Department of Education: https://www.doe.mass.edu
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/