TIMELI: Licensure Program

A Post-Baccalaureate Alternative Route Licensure Program
For those interested in becoming a licensed teacher in Massachusetts

What is TIMELI?
TIMELI* is a collaborative arrangement between The Teachers’ Loft located in Holyoke, MA and Western New England College in Springfield, MA. An alternative path to Massachusetts initial license focusing on licensure and induction enables you to become a member of both the local and professional communities. You will:

  • Learn to teach more effectively by developing tools of inquiry to become a reflective practitioner, develop teaching strategies grounded in contemporary learning theory, and acquire content knowledge in your area of interest
  • Join a cohort of colleagues who will collaborate in the process of becoming a teacher
  • Have the opportunity to work in a classroom with students beginning the first semester
  • Benefit from shared supervision and support while in the classroom setting from The Teachers’ Loft educators, Western New England faculty, and classroom teachers

How long will the program take to complete?
TIMELI is a part-time program that will take up to two academic years to complete. Candidates must begin their studies in the fall. Courses will be offered one weekday evening, for approximately two and half hours, for eleven weeks during the fall, winter and spring at The Teachers’ Loft, with occasional class sessions at Western New England College. Online sessions will complement your face-to-face time providing greater flexibility. If you need to fulfill content course requirements, additional time during the week may be needed to fulfill course requirements. Though the program typically takes two years, if you require additional content courses, the program may take longer to complete.

What will the program involve?

Year 1: Selected Courses & Field Experience

Entering the Profession of Teaching 1 credit
Becoming a Teacher in Today’s Schools 1 credit
Designing Curriculum through Data Collection & Inquiry 1 credit
Classroom Field Experience 25 hours
Content courses as determined upon admissions* Will vary


Year 2:
Selected Courses & Field Experience

Applying Inquiry Tools: Using Data to Better Practice 1 credit
Culminating Field Experience 150 hours
Content courses as determined upong admissions* Will vary

* Students will select the appropriate content courses from Western New England College’s undergraduate course offerings.

How do I apply for TIMELI?
To request an application for admission, please contact the Admissions Office at Western New England College at 413-782-1517 or study@wnec.edu. You can also download a copy of the application at www.wnec.edu/adultlearning.

Questions about admissions requirements, costs and advising?
For questions about the application process and Western New England College, contact the Admissions Office at 413-782-1517 or study@wnec.edu. For questions about TIMELI contact the Executive Director at The Teachers’ Loft at 413-221-0111 or info@teachersloft.org.
Non – Discrimination Policy
Western New England College and The Teachers’ Loft are committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. Neither the College nor TTL discriminates on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources, Western New England College, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01119-2684.

Inquiries concerning the application of nondiscrimination policies may also be referred to the Regional Director, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, J.W. McCormack P.O.C.H., Room 222, Boston, MA 02109-4557.