Welcome to the School of Education

Welcome to the School of Education and to your future as a teacher and life-long learner! We pride ourselves in being a professional school whose vision is to create outstanding educators grounded in Scholarship, who possess Attitudes and dispositions that reflect a devotion to teaching and learning, who have the personal and professional Integrity to value themselves and others, who demonstrate the Leadership skills to promote continuous improvement of the educational systems in which they work, and who demonstrate the commitment and responsibility to provide Service to the communities in which they live. SAILS is our framework. It informs what we do in educator preparation and how we do it. It is our shared vision of the future. It is who we are and what we want our students to become.

In addition to meeting these expectations, the State of Connecticut has established criteria for admission to any program in education that requires certification by the State Department of Education. These criteria are specified in the Academic Standards section of our catalog under Admission to Teacher Education Programs and in each program area. Students should read these sections very carefully. Whether a graduate or undergraduate student, everyone admitted to SCSU must meet these state mandated requirements and apply for admission to our certification program. Students must be admitted to the School of Education before completing more than two courses in the professional education sequence. Advanced planning with the department advisor, therefore, is critically important. I would strongly suggest you arrange a meeting with an advisor as soon as possible.

The School of Education offers undergraduate preparation programs in elementary education, early childhood education, eight areas in secondary education, special education, art, physical education and two dual certification programs: Elementary Education/Bilingual Education and Elementary Education/Special Education. Graduate programs are offered in elementary education, special education, early childhood/ special education, secondary education, school health, library science media specialist, educational leadership, counseling and school psychology, communication disorders, and physical education. Students must pass the appropriate Praxis II/ content examination before completing student teaching/internship to be eligible for graduation. The School also provides excellent programs in Athletic Training and Human Performance. The School of Education offers graduate education programs leading to a Master of Science degree, a Sixth Year Professional Diploma and a Doctorate in Education.

It is said that teaching is a noble profession. It is also said to be the first profession, the one that leads to all others. Indeed, make this choice carefully and willfully to become a teacher and you will help create the future. On behalf of our excellent faculty, our competent and caring staff and our current students, I extend a warm welcome to your future. My door is always open and I welcome your thoughts and ideas for making a better future for us and for our children.

James M. Granfield
Interim Dean
School of Education