Teaching Careers

S.C.S.U. prepares candidates to earn the initial educator certificate, grades seven through twelve, in French, German, Italian, and Spanish (as well as some of the lesser-taught languages, such as Japanese and Portuguese). We also offer cross-endorsement in FLES: Foreign Languages in the Elementary School, and we are in the process of developing a Sixth-Year Certificate, as well.

All candidates for State certification must be formally accepted by their department and by the School of Education. Undergraduate students must enroll in the Bachelor of Science with Certification program.
For graduate students, there are two paths to certification at S.C.S.U:

The Master of Science degree with certification

The Certification Only program, which does not grant a degree.

Graduate students who elect to pursue the MS with Certification should contact the department chair, Dr. Joseph Solodow, at (203) 392-6760, or at: Solodow@SouthernCT.edu

Requirements for admission of graduate students to the Certification Only program in Foreign Languages:

	Acceptability of the candidate to the Graduate School, Engleman Hall 118. (For details, please request a graduate catalogue at [203] 392.5237.)
	Undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or better and successful completion or waiver of Praxis I examination. (Information on this exam is available in the School of Education, Davis Hall 106.)
	An initial interview with one member of the certification coordination team. To arrange this interview, please contact Dr. Linda Olson, (203) 392-6762, e-mail: Olson@SouthernCT.edu . It is necessary to bring complete documentation (including all transcripts) to this meeting. During this conversation, an initial assessment of the candidate is made. All state requirements and university policies and procedures for certification (including coursework and student teaching) are explained to the candidate.
	Acceptance of the candidate by the Department Acceptance Committee. This includes an oral assessment of the candidate’s proficiency in the world language.
	Acceptance of the candidate by the School of Education. The application packet is provided the candidate by the certification advisor.
	The candidate must maintain a grade of B or better in all classes. He/She must also maintain regular contact with a certification advisor in Foreign Languages.
	The candidate must pass the Praxis II examination(s) in her/his language(s).

Please note that no more than two classes toward certification may be completed prior to formal acceptance to the certification program.

For information concerning the FLES program, please contact the S.C.S.U. FLES Coordinator, Dr. Luisa Piemontese-Ramos, (203) 392.6751, e-mail: Piemontese@SouthernCT.edu

For more information concerning the Sixth-Year Program in Foreign Languages, please contact Dr. Linda Olson, (203) 392.6762, e-mail: Olson@SouthernCT.edu.