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Welcome to UP Education Network!

This PowerPoint is intended to help not-yet-certified UP elementary teachers determine which licensure best corresponds to their subject area and grade level.

After determining your required license, please consult the UP Certification Guide which will walk you through how to apply for and achieve teaching certification in the state of Massachusetts.

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UP Elementary Core Academic Positions

Position Title	Certification Requirements	Notes
K1 or K2 Teacher	Early Childhood: Students with and without Disabilities, PreK-2
Grade 1 or 2 Teacher	Elementary, 1-6 OR Early Childhood: Students with and without Disabilities, PreK-2	Consult your school leaders about which option you should choose, which may depend on the staffing flexibility the school needs.
Grade 3 or 4 Teacher	Elementary, 1-6
Grade 5 Teacher	Elementary, 1-6 or a 5-8 subject specific license	If you already have MA certification in ELA, Math, History, or Science, grades 5-8, you may be appropriately certified for your position. Consult your school leaders.
Grade 6 ELA/Math/History/ Science Teacher	ELA, Math, History, or Science, 5-8	If you already have MA certification in Elementary, grades 1-6, you may be appropriately certified for your position. Consult your school leaders.
Content-specific positions shared between Grades 5 and 6, e.g. Grade 5-6 ELA Teacher	Elementary, 1-6 OR ELA, Math, History, or Science, 5-8

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UP Elementary Student Support Positions

Position Title	Certification Requirements	Notes
Special Education Teacher: SpEd Resource, Sub-separate, Inclusion	Moderate Disabilities, PreK-8	If you already have MA certification in Severe Disabilities, all levels, you are appropriately certified for your position.
Special Education Coordinator	Moderate Disabilities, PreK-8
SEI or Hybrid Teacher	Early Childhood: Students with and without Disabilities, PreK-2 OR Elementary, 1-6 AND English as a Second Language, PreK-6	Begin with the Early Childhood or Elementary certification (depending on grade level), then become dual certified in ESL.
ESL Teacher, ESL Coordinator	English as a Second Language, PreK-6	Please note that it is very difficult to receive an ESL certification waiver from DESE--it is strongly advised that you become certified before beginning your position.

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UP Encore Teacher Positions

Position Title	Certification Requirements	Notes
Art Teacher	Visual Arts, PreK-8
Dance Teacher	Dance, all levels
Library Teacher	Library, all levels
Physical Education Teacher	Physical Education, PreK-8
Science Teacher/Specialist	General Science, 1-6 OR Elementary, 1-6	If you teach science to grade K1 or K2 as an Encore subject, you will also need Early Childhood certification.
Theater Teacher	Theater, all levels
Music Teacher	Music, all levels

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Related Service Provider Positions

Position Title	Certification Requirements	Notes
Occupational Therapist or Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst	No DESE-issued certification required per the state, but BPS requires BCBAs to have an additional DESE licensure in order to become permanent employees. This can be any license.	You must have the proper board certification for each role before you start working at UP.
School Guidance Counselor	School Counselor, PreK-8	DESE has phased out the use of the word “guidance” as part of its licensure.
School Nurse	School Nurse, all levels
Social Worker	School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor, all levels
Physical Therapist	No school-based certification	You must be certified as a physical therapist through the Board of Registration in Allied Health.
School Psychologist	School Psychologist, all levels
Speech and Language Pathologist	Speech Language and Hearing Disorders, all levels

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Which License Type to Select

If you hold no MA certification and have not completed a pathway program, you should select the provisional license. If you have previously completed an approved Educator Preparation Program, an initial license is the way to go. Please note: If you have already obtained an initial license, all of your others licenses must also be initial.

Provisional License

· Valid for 5 years of employment

· For people who have not completed an Approved Educator Preparation Program

Temporary License

· Valid for 1 calendar year

· For experienced teachers from another state, with three years teaching under the equivalent of an initial license

Initial License