Accelerated Postbaccalaureate Program (APB): Initial Licensure for High School (Subject Areas: 8-12), Middle School (Subject Areas: 5-8) Teachers and PreK-12 Specialists
Graduate Program Coordinator: Dr. Sarah Thomas
The Accelerated Postbaccalaureate (APB) program is a rigorous, accelerated graduate level program of study (15 credits) that leads to initial teacher licensure. Recognizing the unique strengths of nontraditional licensure candidates, the APB program is designed for individuals who are committed to becoming outstanding teachers.
The APB program is designed for persons who have a bachelor’s degree and are seeking initial licensure in one of the following fields:
Teacher of Biology (5-8)
Teacher of Biology (8-12)
Teacher of Chemistry (5-8)
Teacher of Chemistry (8-12)
Teacher of Dance (all levels)
Teacher of Earth Sciences (5-8)
Teacher of Earth Sciences (8-12)
Teacher of English (5-8)
Teacher of English (8-12)
Teacher of Foreign Language: Spanish (5-12)
Teacher of History (5-8)
Teacher of History (8-12)
Teacher of Mathematics (5-8)
Teacher of Mathematics (8-12)
Teacher of Music (all levels)
Teacher of Physics (5-8)
Teacher of Physics (8-12)
Teacher of Theater (all levels)
Teacher of Visual Art (PreK-8)
Teacher of Visual Art (5-12)
APB Admission Criteria
Candidates for the APB program will be admitted by the Office of Graduate Admission Enrollment Management based upon the recommendation of the APB coordinator. The coordinator will base the admission recommendations on the candidate’s potential to be an effective teacher based on multiple indicators including, but not limited to, the following:
- An undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.8
- Content competence demonstrated by:
A passing score on the subject matter test of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure® (MTEL).
- Literacy, communication and academic competence as demonstrated by a passing score on the communication and literacy MTEL®
- Experience with youth at the licensure level
As part of the admission process each candidate’s transcripts will be reviewed by the APB program coordinator in collaboration with the appropriate departmental graduate coordinator for relevant content area coursework. A list of required topics has been determined by the specialized professional associations. The result of this review may require courses to be taken in the content area in addition to the 15 core APB education credits.
Evidence to be submitted by the program candidate includes:
- Completed application
- Statement of desire to be a teacher
- Resumé
- MTEL® scores
- GRE scores (optional)
- Descriptions of appropriate life experiences
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
For APB application material and information, contact the Office of Graduate Admission.
NOTE: As an alternative to the APB program, the Department of Secondary Education and Professional Programs will allow accepted postbaccalaureate students to follow the undergraduate course sequence listed in Secondary Education Minor, with the exception that the cognate course, PSYC 227 , is not a requirement. Contact the program coordinator for details and the College of Graduate Studies for application information.