Frequently Asked Questions About Our Programs

How do I start?

Start by taking a look at our web site. Information for Undergraduates interested in learning more about how to become a teacher can be found on the top bar, in the ‘Undergraduate’ drop-down menu. Information for people interested in our Graduate program can be found in the ‘Graduate’ drop-down menu. Both columns contain a link to the Massachusetts Department of Education Licensure Help Page that shows current state requirements.

After taking a look at program requirements, please contact Jack Czajkowski, the Director of Teacher Education at Smith College, for an appointment. He can be reached at (413) 585-3369 or jczajkow@email.smith.edu

How early should I look into the education program?

You should contact the Director of Teacher Education as soon as you have the idea that you might be interested. We offer licensure programs at both the elementary and secondary levels, as well as an Education Major and Minor. Different levels have different course requirements, so it is important to check with the Education and Child Studies Department to make sure that you are meeting all of the state requirements.

What if I have taken a course required for the program at another college?

Stop in and see Jack Czajkowski. He will need the course syllabus to have it reviewed. A previous year’s copy is fine. Bring an unofficial copy of your transcript for review.

When should I take the Massachusetts Test for Educators (MTEL)?

You need to take the Communication & Literacy section of the MTEL test as early as possible in the teacher licensure program. We encourage all participants to take the subject test, BEFORE you start the practicum semester. For those students doing elementary, you also need to take the Foundations of Reading Test during or just after EDC 338 Children Learning to Read.

Where can I get help with the MTEL Tests?

We often hold a preparation for the Communication & Literacy Test here on campus in the fall. Resources to help you prepare for the tests can be found at Morgan Hall, by contacting Jack Czajkowski, and by going to the Test Preparation link on the following page hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Education: http://www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/

What is a pre-practicum?

Several courses in the Department of Education and Child Studies which are required for teacher licensure have a pre-practicum requirement. You will be asked to work in a school or community based learning organization for 3-4 hours per week for these courses. You may also be asked to tutor to fulfill this requirement and gain practice as a teacher. During that time, you will reflect on the topics covered in the corresponding course, possibly write journals/reflection papers regarding your time there and get an introduction to different learning environments. Pre-practicum experiences are part of many of our education classes including: EDC 232 The American Middle and High School, EDC 342 Growing Up American, EDC 348 Individual Difference Among Learners.

What schools will I be placed in for my pre-practicum and practicum?

We use the local area public and private schools for the pre-practicum experiences as well as community based learning sites like the ESL program at the Jones Library and Homework House in Holyoke. The practicum is done in the local area public schools and the Smith College Campus School, our partner laboratory school here on campus.

General Questions about Teacher Licensure

What do I need to do to receive an Initial License to teach in Massachusetts?

An Initial License to teach in Massachusetts requires the following three items:

1. A Bachelor’s Degree

2. Passing scores a series of teacher tests (MTEL)

3. Completion of an approved licensure program

Bachelor’s Degree

If you want to become an elementary teacher, the State requires that you have a bachelor's degree in arts and sciences or an interdisciplinary major from an accredited college or university with an arts or sciences major appropriate to the instructional field. Those applying for a Mass. Initial License as an Elementary Teacher need to have subject knowledge in English including topics in American and World Literature, Mathematics, History and Social Studies including Geography and Economics, Science, and child development. For teaching at the secondary level – middle school and high school – teachers the State requires that you have a bachelor's degree in arts and sciences.

Passing scores a series of teacher tests (MTEL)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that candidates for Initial Licensure as a teacher pass the Communication and Literacy Skills Test as well as different subject tests.

Students who want to be licensed to teach at the elementary level in Massachusetts must pass a Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Skills Test, and demonstrate subject matter knowledge in a General Curriculum (formerly Elementary) test. In addition, candidates for elementary certification must pass the Foundations of Reading Test.

Students who want to teach at the secondary level will need to take and pass the Communication and Literacy Skills test and the Subject matter test for the area in which they plan on teaching.

Please contact Jack Czajkowski, the Director of Teacher Education at 585-3369 or jczajkow@email.smith.edu or check the Massachusetts Department of Education for information about how to prepare and register for the Massachusetts MTELs tests.

Completion of an approved licensure program

Smith College is an approved licensure program in the state of Massachusetts. The license you earn in Massachusetts may transfer to other states, although other requirements may exist.

Massachusetts is part of the NASDTEC 2005-2010 Interstate Agreement, so that Massachusetts teacher licensure is recognized by 45 other states and the District of Columbia.

I plan to teach in my home state (not Massachusetts). What do I do to become licensed in another state?

Once you receive your Massachusetts license, you may be eligible for reciprocal initial licensure in other states within the Interstate Certification Compact. Most of these states require you to pass their licensure tests as well. Requirements vary from state to state. See list of States with reciprocity below.

What is the Interstate Contract?

The NASDTEC Interstate Contract facilitates the movement of educators among the states and other jurisdictions that are members of NADTEC and have signed the Contract. Although there may be conditions applicable to individual jurisdictions, the Contract makes it possible for an educator who completed an approved program and/or who holds a certificate or license in one jurisdiction to earn a certificate or license in another state or jurisdiction. For example, a teacher who completed an approved teacher preparation program in Alabama generally will be able to earn a certificate in Georgia. Receiving states may impose certain special requirements which must be met in a reasonable period of time.

If you completed an approved teacher education program and/or hold a valid teacher's certificate or license in one state and seek certification under the terms of the NASDTEC Interstate Contract, contact the teacher certification/licensure office in the intended receiving state or jurisdiction. Information is available at www.nasdtec.org/kbase.tpl

States in the NASDTEC Contract – for Teacher Licensure (as of 4/2005)

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware
District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Mississippi Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee
Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wyoming

I’ve seen Preliminary, Initial, Temporary and Professional teacher license mentioned on the Massachusetts Department of Education Licensure Page. Which one will I receive upon completion of the program and passing all of the MTEL tests?

When you successfully complete the Smith College Licensure Programs, you will receive Initial Licensure in the area and level of the program you completed, once you apply to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education. Prior to graduation, we help you with the on-line application and then endorse your transcript to expedite the process with the Massachusetts Department of Education. If I already have a bachelor’s degree, can I just take the MTEL for my subject and level and get a Preliminary Teacher license? You may be able to simply take and pass the MTEL tests for Preliminary Licensure, but there are often pedagogical requirements for each level that may require additional seminars or courses. Contact the Department of Education to find out specifically what coursework you would need to complete.

Although the information listed above was accurate at the time of posting, regulations for licensure change over time and the information here is subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions about
    Teacher Licensure 

Course Requirements

Course Pre-reqs

Placement Site Links

Amherst

Easthampton

Hadley Public Schools

Hatfield

Holyoke

Northampton

South Hadley Public
    Schools

Springfield