Obtaining licensure is a critical step for BU Wheelock students who seek to become professional educators or counselors when they complete their degree. BU Wheelock’s Professional Preparation Office provides direct support to students pursuing licensure for careers in fields such as education and counseling. No matter what a student’s professional goal, they will be fully prepared to navigate the sometimes long and complex process of obtaining their their licensure.<\/p>\n
BU Wheelock offers programs leading to licensure at the graduate level. Students in licensure programs or interested in obtaining licensure should review the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development Educator Preparation Programs Licensing Disclosure<\/a>. This document provides information about BU Wheelock state-approved programs and how the educational requirements compare with those in other states.<\/p>\n To teach in Massachusetts public schools, educators must be licensed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the field, role, and grade level of the license sought. Levels of licensure in Massachusetts include the provisional, initial, and the professional license. <\/span><\/p>\n To be eligible for the initial license, applicants must <\/span>complete a state-approved educator preparation program.<\/span> Boston University offers programs approved by the state at the graduate (postbaccalaureate) levels only. For more information, visit Massachusetts-Approved Educator Preparation Programs<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n To secure the initial license:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nEducator Licensure: Massachusetts<\/h3>\n
Initial License<\/h3>
\nSuccessful completion of BU program requirements leads to endorsement for initial<\/b> licensure to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Program endorsement<\/b>, along with successful completion of\u00a0the Massachusetts\u00a0Tests for Educator Licensure (MTELs)<\/b><\/a>, enables students to receive an initial license\u00a0as an educator in Massachusetts. The initial license is valid for five years and may be renewed once for an additional five years.<\/p>\n\n
Provisional License<\/h3>
\nThe provisional license is an optional license before the initial license. It is valid for five years and cannot be renewed. Students must have a bachelor’s degree and receive a passing score on all required MTEL for the license. If there is no subject-matter-knowledge MTEL, a competency review<\/a> consisting of some coursework specific to the licensure area may be required. Coursework used for the provisional license should be part of an approved initial licensure program.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nProfessional License<\/h3>
\nThe professional license follows the initial license. Requirements include possessing a BA\/BS, having taught under the initial license in the same field\/grade level for three years, and competing an induction and mentoring program at the district where employed. Additional requirements include completing an approved program<\/a> as part of a master\u2019s degree leading to the professional license, or a master\u2019s in another area plus 12 advance content credits related to the professional license sought.
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