Become a Teacher
in Massachusetts
Certification Roadmap
*Click buttons to jump to section
Prerequisite Coursework
Teacher Preparation
Certification Reciprocity
Teacher Salary
Required Tests
Teacher Certification Information & Links
Massachusetts Highlights
$
Avg. Elementary Teacher Salary
$
Avg. Secondary Teacher Salary
Teacher Salary vs. State Average
Vacation Weeks Per Year:
To become a certified teacher in Massachusetts, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.
Prerequisite Coursework
All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Massachusettes, however, does not have general mandatory undergraduate credit hour requirements. Prerequisite coursework varies, depending on different state-approved teacher preparation programs.
Teacher Preparation
Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.
Massachusetts currently endorses four types of teacher preparation programs: programs run by colleges and universities, alternative/practice-based programs, the Massachusetts Initiative for New Teachers (MINT), and the Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure.
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Information about alternative certification in Massachusetts is coming soon!
Certification Reciprocity
Massachusetts will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Massachusetts provides differential pay support for teachers teaching in high needs schools and teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Massachusetts has strong induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in Massachusettes makes $62,570
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in Massachusetts makes $62,850
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Massachusetts makes 116% of the salary of the average worker in Massachusetts
- Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in Massachusetts receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
Required Tests
In order to become a certified teacher, you must satisfactorily complete the Basic Skill Test requirement and any Subject Area Competence assessments needed for your desired area of instruction.
Subject Area Competence
- MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test and the subject matter knowledge test(s) appropriate to the license sought
