Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Programs
How do I start?
Contact Ms. Sarah Frenette the Five-College
Teacher Licensure Coodinator for an appointment. Bring an unofficial
copy of your transcript and degree audit for review.
What if I have taken a course required for the program at another
college?
Stop in and see Janet Crosby, Senior Administrative
Assistant for the Psychology and Education Department. She will need
the course syllabus to have it reviewed. A previous year’s copy
is fine.
What are Field of Knowledge Self Assessment Forms, where do I get
them and what do I do with them?
There is a specific Field of Knowledge Self Assessment Form for each
teacher licensure program we offer, called Form I: Course requirements
in the major field of study. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department
of Education requires that you have knowledge of particular topics in
your field. The first column lists the topics that you need to cover
in your coursework. The second column lists the courses that cover these
topics, the third column is where you put the course number of the course(s)
you have taken. The fifth column is where the Five-College Teacher Licensure
Coordinator will put in the courses that you and she decide are appropriate
for you to take during your initial meeting with her. Note that one
course may cover more than one topic. Please ask for a copy of this
form so you have an updated version with you at all advising sessions
with advisors in your major and in the education department. You must
also complete the required courses in educational studies listed in
Form I: Course requirements for educational studies with licensure
in:...(which ever program you are in). Both forms are available
from the Five-College Teacher Licensure Coordinator.
When should I take the Massachusetts Test for Educators (MTEL)?
You need to take the Literacy and Communication
section of the test BEFORE you apply to the teacher licensure program.
You need to take the subject test, BEFORE you start the spring practicum
semester. For those students doing early childhood or elementary; you
also need to take the Foundations of Reading Test by February of your
senior year.
How early should I look into the education program?
You should contact the Five-College Teacher Licensure
Coordinator soon as you have the idea that you might be interested.
We can always take you off our lists, but there is content area that
can be addressed by many different courses on campus and you need to
know which ones will fit into your program of studies best.
How late is too late to decide I want a teaching license?
We do offer a ninth semester course for students
who cannot do the 14 credit student teaching semester as part of their
undergraduate work at Mount Holyoke. Since the teaching semester is
only offered in the Spring, you would come back to the College the following
spring after graduation to take that course at the cost of one credit.
You still need to apply to the practicum program in the spring of your
junior year in order to take the prerequisites for that course in the
fall of your senior year.
What is a pre-practicum?
Several courses in the Psychology and Education Department 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. 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. You will have a supervisor
in this location who will be asked to write an evaluation of your work
at this site. The evaluation, along with the self-evaluation form you
will be asked to complete, will be placed in your application file.
While at your pre-practicum, please remember that you represent Mount
Holyoke College.
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-practica as well as community based learning sites like,
Girls Inc., and the Holyoke Children’s Museum. The Jterm pre-practicum
can be done anywhere, including in your home area if you don’t
live in Massachusetts. The practicum is done in the local area public
schools.
General Questions about
Teacher Licensure
I have been considering changing my career and am wondering what
I would need to do to return to teaching? I received my elementary teaching
certificate before 2000. What would I need to do to go back to teaching?
The first step is to go to the Massachusetts Department of Education
Web site. Register under license renewal and that site will tell you
what you need to do.
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. If the state you are applying to requires forms be
filled out by MHC, please send them to:
Education Division, MHC
50 College Street
So. Hadley, 01075
ATT: Cheryl McGraw
Do not send them to the Registrar’s Office. I will fill in the
information and then send it to the Registrar for her signature. Including
a self-addressed-stamped envelope will speed things along.
Please try to do this before the middle of June. Cheryl McGraw is an
academic employee, she is not here during the summer months.
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
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Montana,
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont,
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
I’ve seen Preliminary, Initial, Temporary and Professional
teacher license mentioned. Which one will I receive?
When you successfully complete the Mount Holyoke College Teacher 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.
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?
No. There are pedagogical requirements for each level
which may require additional seminars or courses. Contact the Department
of Education to find out specifically what coursework you would need
to complete.
Check our Resource page for links mentioned above.
The Education Division has attempted to ensure that the
information contained on this website is accurate at the time of posting.
The information here is subject to change.
3/16/07
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