Ed Prep Review and Approval

The Commissioner of Elementary & Secondary Education has the statutory authority to approve programs that prepare candidates for educator licensure in Massachusetts. Program approval is the process through which a program or Sponsoring Organization may receive state approval. Such programs may be offered by public and private higher education institutions, districts, collaboratives and non-profit organizations. Regardless of the type of organization, all Massachusetts providers are required to meet the same rigorous expectations for approval and undergo the same processes associated with reviews.

Programs must prepare their candidates in accordance with the standards for licensure and Program Approval that are specified in the Regulations for Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval (603 CMR 7.00).

The resources and guidance below are updated periodically. Interested stakeholders should communicate directly with DESE if interested in becoming a Sponsoring Organization in Massachusetts.

Guidelines for Program Approval

Review Toolkits

Formal Review

Review conducted for existing providers seeking continuing approval.

Formal Review Schedule

Informal Review

Review conducted for providers interested in putting forward new programs and/or entities seeking to become an approved provider (Sponsoring Organization) in the state.

Interim Review

Review conducted for currently approved providers when concerns have been identified during an existing period of approval.

From 2025 – 2029, DESE will conduct Early Literacy-specific Interim Reviews for sponsoring organizations with Elementary, Early Childhood, Moderate Disabilities PK–2, and Moderate Disabilities PK–8 licensure programs. Learn more about these reviews on our Accelerated Early Literacy Program Review and Approval webpage.

MA High Needs Programs

In recognition of the employment demands of Massachusetts districts, DESE accepts Informal Review submissions for subject areas on the DESE-determined list without requiring demonstration of need. These subject areas include those for which there are currently shortages of qualified educators and approved preparation programs. Please note, this list is distinct from the license areas defined as high needs or shortage areas for federal reporting.

Initial, Teacher	Initial, Specialist	Initial, Administrator	Endorsements
Biology, 8–12 Chemistry, 8–12 Digital Literacy and Computer Science, PreK–6, 5–12 Earth and Space Science, 8–12 General Science, 1–6 and 5–8 Mathematics, 1–6, 5–8, 8–12 Middle School: Mathematics/Science, 5–8 Moderate Disabilities, PreK–2; PreK–8; 5–12 Physics, 8–12 Severe Disabilities, PreK–2; All Technology/Engineering, 5–12 World Languages, PreK–6	Instructional Technology Specialist	Principal/Assistant Principal School Business Administrator Special Education Administrator Supervisor/Director Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent	Autism Endorsement Bilingual Education Endorsement Transition Specialist Endorsement

Reviewer Resources

DESE recruits and selects a cohort of external Ed Prep Reviewers to support the program approval process each year. These reviewers come from a variety of roles and backgrounds, including both educator preparation programs and PK-12 schools and districts.

Ed Prep Reviewers are responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating evidence of educator preparation program effectiveness. Together with DESE, reviewers help to guarantee that educator preparation in Massachusetts results in effective educators ready to support the success of all students.

Information for Prospective Ed Prep Reviewers

Last Updated: November 15, 2024