Massachusetts Approved Teacher Preparation Programs

Approved vs. Accredited — Why It Matters

Massachusetts doesn't accept just any accredited education program for teacher licensure. Your program must be specifically approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). A regionally accredited university that offers a teaching degree isn't enough — the program itself needs to appear on DESE's approved list.

This distinction trips up out-of-state applicants regularly. A program approved in New York or Texas doesn't automatically qualify you for a Massachusetts Initial License. If your program isn't Massachusetts-approved, you'll need to go through the out-of-state verification process instead.

Finding DESE-Approved Programs

DESE maintains a searchable database of every approved EPP in Massachusetts. You can filter by license field (elementary, secondary math, special education, etc.), program type (undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, master's), and institution.

Key things to verify before enrolling:

• The specific license field is approved, not just the institution. A university might have approved programs for elementary education but not for secondary science.
• The program leads to an Initial License, not just a certificate of completion. Some continuing education programs marketed as "teacher certification" don't actually qualify you for state licensure.
• The program includes a supervised practicum meeting DESE's hour requirements (see below).

Student Teaching Requirements

Every Massachusetts EPP must include a field-based student teaching practicum. The minimum requirements:

• General practicum: At least 300 hours of supervised classroom teaching
• Early Childhood (PreK–2) split requirement: Minimum 100 hours in a PreK–K setting plus 200 hours in grades 1–2, with at least one placement including children with disabilities
• Pre-practicum field experiences: Programs begin these early and integrate them into relevant courses or seminars before or alongside the practicum begins

Your supervising practitioner (the classroom teacher you work under) must have at least three full years under an appropriate Initial or Professional License and a proficient-or-higher evaluation. The practicum is jointly supervised by that practitioner and the program supervisor. The program's field placement office coordinates these assignments — you generally can't arrange your own.

The Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP)

During your practicum, you'll be evaluated through the Candidate Assessment of Performance — Massachusetts's standardized observation tool for student teachers. CAP measures five elements of teaching practice:

1. Well-structured lessons
2. Adjustment to practice
3. Meeting diverse needs
4. Safe learning environment
5. High expectations

Your supervising practitioner and a program supervisor both conduct CAP observations during the practicum. You need to demonstrate proficiency (not just participation) across these elements for your EPP to endorse you for licensure.

CAP replaces the older Pre-service Performance Assessment (PPA). If you see references to PPA in older materials, know that the framework is now CAP.

What Happens After Program Completion

Graduating from an approved EPP doesn't automatically trigger your license. Here's the sequence:

1. Your university's licensing officer submits an electronic institutional endorsement to DESE — this confirms you completed the program and passed CAP.
2. You need to satisfy the required assessment requirements (subject matter, plus C&L or a waiver).
3. You submit your Initial License application through ELAR with the $100 fee.

Don't assume your program handles step 2 or 3. Contact your university's licensing officer as soon as you complete your program to confirm the endorsement has been transmitted. Delays in this handoff are one of the most common reasons applications stall during the spring hiring cycle.

Alternatives to University Programs

If a full EPP doesn't fit your situation, Massachusetts offers two other routes to an Initial License:

• Provisional License → PRPIL — Career changers can teach under a Provisional License and, for fields covered by PRPIL, complete the Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure (Route 2) instead of a university program. Requires three years of teaching first.
• Out-of-state program verification — If you completed an approved program in another state, you can apply through the NASDTEC reciprocity pathway.

The Massachusetts Teacher Certification Guide includes a side-by-side comparison of all three routes with cost and timeline breakdowns for each.

See more Massachusetts guides →