Teacher Preparation Programs

Graduate Programs Leading to Licensure

Tufts University offers several programs for teacher licensure. The M.A.T. degree offered through Child Development is designed for students who seek state licensure for teaching in the public schools through the Massachusetts Department of Education. Students may elect to fulfill requirements for licensure in the following two areas: Early Childhood Teacher (Pre-K to Grade 2) and Elementary Teacher (Grades 1-6). The Elementary Teacher licensure is offered in conjunction with the Tufts Department of Education, and these students receive an M.A. in Education. These two licensures are reciprocal in most states throughout the country through the Interstate Certification Compact (I.C.C.).

Students must make specific application to a given licensure program and pursue a systematic course of study, which includes course work, student teaching (the practicum) and curriculum development. Licensure is now a two-stage process: Initial Elementary Licensure and Professional.

Initial Licensure:
Early Childhood | Elementary (Joint Degree)

Professional:
Early Childhood | Elementary (Joint Degree)

Although students who hold the Initial Licensure may teach in the schools temporarily, Professional Licensure is an eventual expectation and requires additional study. The Massachusetts Department of Education has approved amendments to the regulations for educator licensure, to be implemented by October 2003. Current students will be informed of any changes in regulations that might affect them.

Graduate students who seek teaching licensure have three program degree options, depending on their undergraduate educational background and the specific licensure (Initial Elementary Licensure or Professional) they seek:

1. Students with a Bachelor’s degree enter an M.A.T. program leading to the Initial Early Childhood Education Teacher (Pre-K-2) Licensure or Initial Elementary Teacher (1-6) Licensure.
   
2. Students who completed the Initial Licensure at the undergraduate level enter the M.A. program leading to the Professional Early Childhood Teaching Licensure or Professional Elementary Licensure.
   
3. Students who hold an Initial Licensure and have already completed a master’s program enter a 6-8 course program leading to the Professional Early Childhood Teacher (Pre-K-2) Licensure or Professional Elementary Teacher (1-6) and earn a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.).

Note - students who wish to complete both Initial and Professional Licensure can do so in two years and one summer.

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