FAQs

Anytime! You are welcome to meet with the Director of the Secondary Teacher Education Program (Professor Soo Hong) anytime to learn more, ask questions, start developing a plan, and connecting to others in the program.

 Students in the licensure program are not required to declare an education major, but the program is designed to support students who would like to pursue both. The licensure program requires that students complete eight courses; the education studies major requires nine. There is alignment between the licensure requirements and the major requirements, so it is relatively easy to pursue. Beginning with the Class of 2028, the licensure program will require nine courses, all of which can be counted towards an education studies major. We encourage students with room to declare an education major or minor to consider it. 

Teacher Scholars can definitely study abroad, especially those who begin planning their coursework early. Because the program requires all other degree requirements outside of licensure be completed by the end of the fall semester of senior year, it takes some planning to make sure that you can fit in a semester abroad. We encourage students to consider study abroad programs that incorporate fieldwork in schools. It can be an invaluable experience as an aspiring teacher to spend time in school contexts outside of the U.S. You can discuss study abroad options that support these in-school experiences with the Director of the Teacher Scholars program. 

The Wellesley Teacher Scholars Program supports students with the transportation costs related to the yearlong teaching internship. When we partner with schools in Wellesley and Framingham, we provide rides for teacher interns through Civic Engagement vans. When we partner with schools in Boston that are accessible by the Framingham/Worcester MBTA commuter rail, we provide students with MBTA passes. Students may choose to drive to their site if they have a car and we provide a modest stipend to help defray the travel costs. Students who teach in Cambridge will be provided with tokens for use of the College shuttle service. 

Your "Initial" license is valid for five years. We highly recommend that our Teacher Candidates complete and receive the license with us as soon as they graduate. However, the "clock" on the timeline does not start until you begin classroom teaching. That means that if you teach abroad or go to graduate school right after you graduate, the five years on your license will not begin until you come back to start teaching. 

If you have expressed interest in secondary licensure but were unable to complete it during your undergraduate years, you are invited to apply for a 5th year in our program before March of your senior year. If accepted, post graduation, you will be included as a member of the cohort of seniors. You will be charged a much reduced per-course rate by the College and will be expected to provide your own room and board.