If you’re looking for a state that pays teachers well, consistently ranks among the top states in the nation for average composite scores and is dedicated to providing for both students and teachers, then Massachusetts might be the place for you. Massachusetts is serious about public education, and there’s a growing need to attract and retain highly-qualified educators. To this end, Massachusetts offers scholarships, grants and tuition waivers to recruit the best math teachers in the country. Massachusetts also issues reciprocal licenses for teachers interested in relocating; it’s also home to a large variety of professional organizations to enhance professional growth and development.
In addition to the numerous financial benefits, Massachusetts also offers a wide-range of other “perks,” including amazing academic opportunities for your children, first class cultural events, top-notch health care and an exciting assortment of professional sports teams.
Math Teacher Certification in Massachusetts
Math Teaching Qualifications
Massachusetts teachers must complete the required coursework and pass all standardized tests. In addition, prospective teachers must complete an accredited certification program.
Credentials & Exams
Massachusetts offers four types of licenses to teachers:
- Preliminary License: In order to be eligible for this license, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree and pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and meet other eligibility requirements.
- Initial License: This educator license is issued to individuals who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree, passed the MTEL and completed an approved teacher preparation program.
- Professional License: In order to be eligible for this educator license, teachers must have three years of experience, meet the requirements for an Initial license, complete a Performance Assessment Program or appropriate Master’s degree program and fulfill other specified requirements.
- Temporary License/Reciprocal License: Teachers who have been issued an out-of-state license or certificate equivalent to an Initial license in Massachusetts, have at least three years of experience teaching under such license and have not yet passed the state testing requirements may be eligible to teach under this license until the remaining requirements are met.
All teachers must pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Communication and Literacy Skills Test, along with at least one MTEL Subject Matter Test for the intended subject area and/or grade level. For more information on the MTEL, click here.
Alternative Certification for Math Teachers
Massachusetts also offers alternative paths to teacher licensure. These include:
- Apprentice or Hired Teacher Program
- Massachusetts Initiative for New Teachers (MINT) program
- Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure
Click here for detailed information on alternative licensure pathways in Massachusetts.
Financial Aid for MA Math Teachers
- Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program: This grant is designed to help paraprofessionals who are current residents and employees of the Massachusetts public school system to overcome financial barriers to becoming a teacher.
- Early Childhood Educators Scholarship: This scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance for currently employed early childhood educators and providers who enroll in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in Early Childhood Education or related programs.
- Math and Science Teachers Scholarship: This scholarship serves to address the shortage in mathematics and science teachers and help reduce the financial barriers that teachers often face when pursuing degree programs or required courses of study.
- The Incentive Program for Aspiring Teachers Tuition Waiver: This program provides support to qualified students who, after enrolling in college and earning a minimum 3.0 grade point average, decide to enter a certification program in a field with demonstrated teacher shortages.
Math Teaching Degrees in Massachusetts
Below we've listed all of the Massachusetts math teacher education programs in our database. We're constantly scouring the web to find new programs to add, so feel free to check back frequently.
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Fast Facts for Massachusetts Math Teachers
Educator Licensing
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant St.
Malden, MA 02148
781-338-3100
Common Core
Common Core Standards adopted July 2010; implemented 2013-14. Learn more about math standards for Massachusetts here.
Math Teacher Jobs
Professional Associations
Teacher Shortages in Math
Massachusetts reported teacher shortages in mathematics in 2014-15.Expenditure per Student: $15,211
Massachusetts’ public K-12 expenditures per student in fall 2012-13 enrollment totaled $15,211, or 137.4% of the national average. (Source: NEA)
