Educator Licensure Regulations
All the education licensure programs at Lesley are approved through July 2021 by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE). Because of this state approval, Lesley programs are recognized by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement 2015-2020. The NASDTEC Interstate Agreement means that undergraduate and graduate educators with an initial or professional license are eligible to apply for an educator license in other states based on a Massachusetts license.
The Educator/Counselor Preparation and Professional Development Program at Lesley University received accreditation through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), for a period of seven years, 2014 to 2021.
The Lesley Certification and Educator Licensure Office is located within the Graduate School of Education, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge. The Certification and Educator Licensure website is the primary source for information on educator licenses. The process for applying for Initial and Professional licenses, and information regarding both licensure and Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), are highlighted. Information regarding adding a license, license renewal, and licensure regulations outside Massachusetts is also available, along with the latest MTEL information and study resources. This website has MTEL workshop and math course schedules and registration instructions. Specific links to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education keep the Lesley community aware of current and emerging changes to regulations and procedures.
All teacher licensure programs are aligned to the new Professional Standards for Teachers (PSTs). Revised Subject Matter Knowledge will be finalized later in 2018. Pre-practicum Guidelines for Teachers were finalized in May 2018, and teacher licensure programs will be revised and updated accordingly. License name changes will be made in 2018-2019.
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA ESE) is located at 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA. You may visit ESE's Walk-in Welcome Center Service Counter Monday through Friday, 8:45 am - 4:45 pm or call 781.338.6600, Monday through Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm or 2:00pm - 5:00pm (hours may vary; check the Office of Educator Licensure website for updates). ESE's 24-hour automated line can be reached at 781.338.3000; press "2" to obtain the status of an existing license application.