General

• How long is the program?

It’s about 2 years. You have 5 years to complete the program.

• How many credits/courses?

10 courses, and one semester of student teaching.14 weeks of student teaching for 6 credits equaling a total of 36 credits for the initial licensure track. The professional licensure track has 12 courses, 3 credits each for a total of 36 credits.

• Are courses offered in the summer?

There are usually some courses offered in the summer but you can’t rely on taking all required courses in the summer since they may not be offered.

Admissions

• What do I need to apply?

Application and fee, 3 letters of recommendation, a personal statement (1500 words), official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended, and MTEL results from the Communication and Literacy Exam. The non-licensure track requires the applicant to submit either the GREs or the MTELs.

• Where can I get an application?

You can download one off the UMass website www.umb.edu/admissions/graduate or call 617 287 6000 and request a graduate studies bulletin in the back of the publication you’ll find an application.

• When are the deadlines?

Fall: April 1st and Spring: November 1st. All applications must be completed by deadline.

• What test score should I submit?

For both Initial and Professional Licensure Tracks submit the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL). For Non-Licensure Track either the MTEL or GREs

• My test scores are low, is that okay?

You do not need to pass the MTEL Communication & Literacy for acceptance but YOU WILL NEED to pass the Communication and Literacy Exam after the first year in the program or after the you take the first four courses whichever comes first. MTEL Content area and Foundations of Reading must be passed before the student teaching semester.

• I’m signed up to take the MTEL after the application deadline; will I still be eligible for admission?

Yes, you may be provisionally accepted, which means your acceptance is pending your passing the Communication and Literacy Exam.

• What if I cannot get recommendations from professors?

You can get them from employers or professionals who know your work habits, etc. All recommendations must be recent.

• My GPA is under 3.0; is that OK?

You should still apply. Acceptance is base on all materials within the application.

Courses

• When do the courses meet?

Once a week (Monday – Thursday) for 2.5 hours (4-6:30pm or 7-9:30pm). 

• Can I take anything for my electives?

Electives are decided upon with your faculty advisors.

• Can I take undergraduate courses?

 Permission of the program director is needed.

Taking classes before being enrolled

• Can I take classes before being enrolled in the program?

Yes, up to 2 courses from UMB as a non-degree student.

• How do I enroll as a non-degree student?

Contact the Teacher Advising Office two weeks before classes begin to be placed into an appropriate open course.

• Will they transfer once I am in the program?

Yes. You will need to fill out a transfer credit form provided at Orientation.

Transfer classes

• How many credits can I transfer in?

6 credits (two classes) from UMB and For students entering after fall 05 you may transfer an additional 6 credits (two courses) from another institution, if they apply to the program. All transfer courses must have a B or better grade and have been taken within the last 7 years.

• I took two classes the summer before I began the program; do these count as my 6 credits?

Yes, if those courses meet the requirement for the Master’s in Education.

• What do I need to be able to transfer credits from another university?

You will need to get an official transcript and the course description and fill out a transfer credit form. Turn these into Advising office.

• I want to take a class somewhere else; how do I find out if it will transfer?

Pick up a Pre-approval form from the Teacher Advising Office. Obtain a course description and indicate on the form which course you want it to replace, send all of the information to the Teacher Advising Office so that it may be reviewed by a faculty member.

• How will I know if something transferred in?

We will call you or you can check your transcript.

• If I apply for the fall and was accepted to program can I take courses in the summer and have them apply to my degree?

Subject to an advisor’s approval.

Pre-Practicum Experience

• What is the pre-practicum?

It is 75 hours of fieldwork.

• Does UMass find placements?

You can work with our pre-practicum coordinator to find an appropriate site.

• I have pre-practicum experience, what do I need to do?

Students must keep track of their pre-practicum experience. (Where, when, hours, dispositions).

Student Teaching (Practicum) Experience

• How do I get placed for student teaching?

UMass places students, but you do have an opportunity to state your preference. Usually, 90% are already working.

• How long is student teaching?

A full semester: 14 weeks.

• Do I have to do student teaching if I already have a teaching job?

Yes, it’s part of the requirement for the program. Your job will be the student teaching.

• Can I choose where I student teach?

To some degree, but it must be in the Boston area. Exceptions have been made for valid reasons.

• Where do students get placed?

Greater Boston area (BPS, Weymouth, Quincy, Brookline, etc.)

• Is there a class to take with student teaching?

There is a weekly afternoon seminar attached to student teaching.

• What kind of capstone is needed for the practicum?

 A portfolio.