SEI Endorsement

In this section, the Office of Field Placement outlines the pathway to Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement in Massachusetts for 1) graduate students engaged in programs leading to endorsement for licensure in Massachusetts, 2) candidates enrolled in non-licensure programs (e.g., Curriculum & Instruction, Global Perspectives, etc.) interested in earning the SEI endorsement, and 3) LSEHD approved SEI endorsement courses by licensure program.

If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program leading to endorsement from Boston College, you can learn more through the Endorsement & Licensure section of the Field Placement site. For those interested in teaching appointments and opportunities outside of Massachusetts, you can learn more here. 

As of July 1, 2014, educators applying for their first Initial license in Massachusetts must obtain the Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement. Teacher candidates can qualify for the SEI Endorsement by successfully completing the state-approved teacher education programs at Boston College that lead to initial licensure in Massachusetts. The requirements for endorsement are embedded into the undergraduate and graduate Programs of Study. Candidates earn this endorsement by completing the approved Program of Study for the designated initial licensure program and graduating from Boston College. You can review all of the state-approved SEI courses by licensure program in the next section.

After the teacher candidate has graduated from Boston College, the Assistant Dean for Field Placement will electronically apply the SEI Endorsement to each Program Completer’s ELAR account. It is important to note that in order to receive the license, teacher candidates need to formally apply for SEI Endorsement through the ELAR portal.

Undergraduate and graduate students in teacher education programs leading to endorsement from Boston College for licensure in Massachusetts who successfully complete all program requirements will earn the SEI endorsement upon graduation. Please note: in order to earn SEI endorsement you must complete ALL of the state-approved courses required for the license that you are seeking in Massachusetts.

Undergraduate Elementary
EDUC 6346: Teaching Bilingual Students (Elementary)
EDUC 2101: Teaching Language Arts

Undergraduate Secondary
EDUC 6347: Teaching Bilingual Students (Secondary)
EDUC 3323: Reading Special Needs Instruction

Graduate Early Childhood
EDUC 6346: Teaching Bilingual Students in Elementary Schools
EDUC 7543: Teaching Language Arts

Graduate Elementary
​​EDUC 6346: Teaching Bilingual Students in Elementary Education
EDUC 7543: Teaching Language Arts

Graduate Secondary
EDUC 6347: Teaching Bilingual Students in Secondary Education
EDUC 7447: Literacy and Assessment in Secondary School

Graduate Moderate  Support Needs
EDUC 6593: Introduction to Speech and Language Disability
EDUC6346: Teaching Bilingual Students (Elementary) OR
EDUC6347: Teaching Bilingual Students (Secondary)

Graduate Extensive Support Needs
EDUC 6686: Augmentative Communication for Individuals with Disabilities
EDUC6384: Teaching Strategies for Students with Multiple Disabilities
EDUC6389: Assessment of Students with Extensive Support Needs

As of July 1, 2019, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released expanded guidance for candidates in approved teacher preparation programs who completed some or all of the required/approved SEI coursework, but did not complete the full initial licensure program. You can utilize that coursework for consideration for the SEI endorsement. Educators seeking a competency review (603 7.14 (1) (a) 3.) to earn the SEI endorsement must demonstrate the following:

1. Applicants must demonstrate all components of the SMKs and skill requirements (i.e., Professional Standards for Teachers) detailed in 7.14 (1)(b) and 7.08(3) (a-e) through coursework.

2. Applicants can have an SEI course that was approved by the Department as part of an approved program considered for the purposes of meeting the requirements in 1), even if they were not endorsed for their approved initial licensure program.

3. Applicants must submit official transcripts reflecting the successful completion of the relevant course(s).

4. Applicants must submit additional documentation establishing that they satisfied the SMKs and skill requirements detailed in 7.14 (1)(b) and 7.08(3) (a-e) and that they modeled and practiced the strategies and skills taught in the course, preferably with English learners, (such as a field-based experience) and to reflect and share with the course instructor or district supervisor for feedback (MA DESE, 2019).

Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in non-licensure teacher education programs are advised to complete LSEHD's state-approved SEI course sequence that aligns with either their current Massachusetts teaching license and/or intended area of licensure. For example, a graduate student seeking an elementary license (1-6) should complete EDUC 6346: Teaching Bilingual Students in Elementary Education and EDUC 7543: Teaching Language Arts. You can review all of the SEI endorsement courses at LSEHD by licensure program in the section above.

Upon completion of the coursework, you can request a competency form from the Assistant Dean for Field Placement (prac@bc.edu). You can subsequently apply for SEI endorsement through DESE's online Educator Licensure And Renewal (ELAR) portal. You will be required to pay the appropriate fee to DESE and to upload the required documentation from Boston College. DESE will review the documentation and, if all of the criteria are successfully met, DESE will grant you SEI endorsement.