Transfer and Licensure

TransferCertification & LicensureLicensure Test Preparation

There are several opportunities to meet with transfer representatives from many schools on the GCC campus throughout the school year. We also recommend visiting school's websites for more information about preparing to enter their programs.

Note that if you are completing the LEO or Science-Math Education degree most bachelor programs require the completion of the the first two years of a secondary major and passing scores on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test (CLST) portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) in order to transfer into the program with junior status. You are strongly encouraged to work with your advisor and transfer coordinator to prepare to meet these requirements.

Common Local and In-State Transfer Institutions

Options for students completing the
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Degree
Associate in Science
with a career goal in community-based programs

Options for students completing the
Liberal Arts Education Option (LEO)
or
Science-Math Education Option (LSM)
with a career goal in the public school system

Elms College - Main Campus

  • B.A., Early Childhood Education
Elms College - Main Campus

  • Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
  • Elementary Education
  • Moderate Special Needs
  • ESL
  • Secondary Education
University Without Walls at UMASS

  • B.A., Early Care & Education
  • B.A., Children’s Learning and Development

Online and on-campus options available. Welcomes up to 100 credits for "prior learning and experience" for non-traditional students

UMASS Amherst

  • Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
  • Elementary Education
  • Middle School Education
  • Secondary Education

Admission to education program required

Bay Path University

  • B.A., Liberal Studies: Early Childhood Education  (PreK-2) and Elementary Education (1-6)
  • Early Childhood Leadership through Bay Path's One Day a Week College for working in community-based programs
Bay Path University

  • B.A., Liberal Studies
    • Early Childhood Education  (PreK-2)
    • Elementary Education (1-6)
    • Middle School Education
    • Secondary Education
    • Special Education
MCLA

  • B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies: Children, Families and Society
MCLA

  • B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Early Childhood Education  (PreK-2)
    • Elementary Education (1-6)
    • Middle School Education
    • Secondary Education
    • Moderate Disabilities
    • Reading Specialist
  • Minor in Sports Coaching
Springfield College School of Professional and Continuing Education

  • B.S., Human Services with a concentration in Early Childhood Education or Community Youth Development and Leadership

Offers  up to 48 credits for "Life Experience" for non-traditional students who have earned their Associates degree and have been working in the field or in a closely aligned field. Courses are offered on weekends.

Springfield College

  • Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
  • Elementary Education (1-6)
  • Secondary Education
  • Art Therapy
  • Physical Education (Movement Sport Studies)
  • Special Education (PreK-8)
Westfield State University

  • Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
  • Elementary Education (1-6)
  • Secondary Education
  • Special Education (PreK-8 and 5-12)
  • Business Education

Offers alternative major for the secondary major

Cambridge College
Evening, weekend, onsite and online

  • B.A., Early Childhood Education
  • Certificates
    • Education Leadership/Curriculum Instruction
    • Autism Specialist
    • ESL
    • Health Education for Schools and Community
    • Early Childhood Education and Care
    • Expressive Therapies
    • Family Studies
Cambridge College
Evening, weekend, onsite and online

  • Masters
    • Autism Specialist
    • Autism/Behavioral Analyst
    • Education Leadership
    • Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
    • Elementary Education (4-6)
    • ESL
    • Library Teacher
    • School Administrator
    • Special Education
    • Moderate Disabilities (5-12)
Lesley University

  • B.S., Early Childhood Studies (non-licensure program)
  • B.S., Early Childhood Education (at Bunker Hill Community College)
Lesley University

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Middle School Education
  • Secondary Education
  • Special Education
Smith College

  • Education & Child Studies
Smith College

  • Elementary Education
  • Middle School Education
  • Secondary Education
Mount Holyoke College

  • Psychology and Education (non-licensure program)
Mount Holyoke College

  • Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
  • Elementary Education (1-6)
  • Middle School (5-8) English—History—Biology—Earth Science—Political Science—Political Philosophy—Math
  • Secondary Education (8-12) English—History—Biology—Earth Science—Political Science—Political Philosophy—Math—Chemistry—Physics
  • Foreign Language (5-12)
  • Visual Arts (PreK-8 and 5-12)
  • Dance (all levels)
  • Music and Theater (all levels)
American International College

  • Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)
  • Elementary Education
  • Secondary Education
  • Special Education
  • Psychology
Western New England University

  • Elementary and Secondary Education (no PreK-2)

Teacher Certification

Early childhood education teachers working with children ages birth-8 years in community-based programs apply to the state for teacher certification. Students successfully completing our Early Childhood Education Associate in Science degree fulfill the requirements for Lead Teacher Certification. You will apply to the state for your certification. For application and more information see https://www.mass.gov/guides/apply-for-eec-professional-qualifications-certification.

Teacher Licensure

Teachers working in the public school system with ages Pre-K through high school apply to the state for teacher licensure. Our Liberal Arts Education Option and Science-Math Education Option both prepare students for transfer to a 4-year school to pursue licensure. Once you successfully complete an approved bachelor's degree program and pass the required state tests (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), you may apply to the state for the license associated with your area of teaching (PreK-2nd grade, 1st-6th grade, 5th-12th grade).

The MTEL consists of at least two parts. The first is called the Communication and Literacy Skills Test (CLST). You are required to take this portion of the test during your undergraduate program. Most bachelor degree education programs require a passing score on the CLST in order to enter the program with junior status. You are strongly encouraged to prepare for this test early and take it during your second year at GCC.

The second part of the MTEL is called the Subject Test. The subject test you take depends on the grade level and subject you plan to teach. You will take this test after you complete your bachelor's program.

To enter directly into a teacher licensure program with junior standing in early childhood education or elementary education, students must have passing scores on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test (CLST) portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL). Currently GCC does not offer an on-site workshop to prepare you for the MTEL test.  Transfer-intent education students are encouraged to therefore complete a practice program either online or in a workshop series to gain the information and skills to pass the first portion of the MTEL. The following resources can help you prepare:

To better understand the process check out this wonderful video from Baypath University.

Scheduling the CLST

The CSLT consists of two different tests, CBEST* Reading and CBEST* Writing. You can take each test separately, or both together at a discounted price. If taken separately, you have four hours to complete each test; if taken together you have four hours total to complete both tests. Learn more »

Find a local testing location and dates (search the Pearson site for "CBEST")

* California Basic Education Skills Test