Department of Curriculum and Learning Programs

The Classroom Teacher Specialist program is designed to enrich and expand the role of the career teacher. By emphasizing professional growth and self-improvement, this program gives each individual ample opportunity to investigate current learning theories and to apply theory to practice. It allows students to explore the development of curriculum and to pursue advanced professional interests. The program allows for students to pursue a general interest area or a specific interest area of study. For example, a specialization in digital teaching and learning is available. The program may also be designed for students who are seeking cross-endorsement.

The Sixth Year Professional Program for Classroom Teacher Specialists enriches and expands the role of the career teacher. Students in this program will be able to investigate current learning theories, explore the development of curriculum, and implement theory as practice, as well as pursue personal and professional interests. The program emphasizes professional growth and self-improvement through guided instruction and self-directed analysis.

Students successfully completing the program are awarded the Sixth Year Professional Diploma of Advanced Study.

To be admitted to the program, students must have a master’s degree and must satisfy admissions requirements for a sixth year program.

The Master of Science in Education is a 36-credit program that allows teachers to further their careers and strengthen their pedagogical knowledge, while earning a state-approved master’s degree.

The program is extremely flexible – offering a number of choices in electives and the ability to do some courses as hybrid or online.

The capstone project involves working with faculty to research a topic of interest and create a deliverable such as a research-based curriculum unit or handbook.  These action research projects allow students the opportunity to understand or improve their learning community while aligning to Southern's commitment to social justice.

As a Graduate of Southern Connecticut's Undergraduate Early Childhood program you enter will enter the classroom ready to teach. You will shape the most critical time in child's education. As a teacher you will work with students to build the foundations of literacy and numeracy necessary for life long learning.

The successful completion of this program includes the Liberal Education Program requirements, 40.5 credits in the Early Childhood education major (including a 12-credit student teaching placement), and 36 credits in a second major consisting of concentrations in Psychology and Child, Family & Community Studies.

Graduates of the program, who successfully pass all state licensing exams, will earn a teacher certificate to teach in Pre-K to grade three classes.
    
Advisement for undergraduate pre-education students

The Elementary Education B.S. is for undergraduate students who wish to become elementary educators. The program prepares them to receive their State of Connecticut teaching certification to teach in grades one through six. There are opportunities throughout the program for students to get real-world experience through field placement observations. The culminating experience is a semester-long student teaching placement in an elementary school. Students also double major in Liberal Studies, which is comprised of two “report-card subjects” such as English and Mathematics.
    
Advisement for undergraduate pre-education students

The Elementary Education B.S. is intended for undergraduate students who are seeking initial certification in elementary education and an additional endorsement in bilingual education.   There are opportunities throughout the program for students to get real-world experience through field placement observations. The culminating experience is a semester-long student teaching placement in a bilingual classroom. Students also double major in Liberal Studies, which is comprised of a concentration in English and a concentration in Spanish.
    
Advisement for undergraduate pre-education students

Candidates who are already certified as a reading specialist (102) but are not seeking a Sixth Year degree can take just the courses required for certification as reading and language arts consultant. These courses provide you with the knowledge and skills to improve school-wide literacy through program development, leadership, and coaching. Depending upon the coursework taken to meet the requirements for the reading specialist certification (102), you will take three to five courses/9-15 credits in this program.

M.S. candidates are already certified teachers (elementary education, special education, 7-12 social studies, English, etc.) who are seeking to further develop their professional knowledge and practice in reading for students in grades 1-12. A Master of Science degree in Reading leads to eligibility for certification as a remedial reading and remedial language arts specialist (102). Our candidates build on their expertise as teachers because they go on to study typical and atypical literacy development; best practices in intervention; and instruction for students with learning difficulties or disabilities including dyslexia, discipline- specific literacies, and the literacy acquisition of English learners. There are 10 courses/30 credits in this program. The Graduate Reading Program is accredited by the International Literacy Association and the International Dyslexia Association.

Candidates for the Sixth Year Professional Diploma Program in Reading are already certified teachers (elementary education, special education, 7-12 social studies, English, etc.) who are seeking to further develop their professional knowledge and practice in literacy. Our candidates build on their expertise as they study typical and atypical literacy development; best practices in intervention; instruction for students with learning difficulties or disabilities, including dyslexia; discipline-specific literacies; the literacy acquisition of English learners; adult learning theory; school-wide literacy leadership, and school-wide literacy intervention. There are 13 courses/39 credits in this program. Upon completion of the program, students will have the necessary coursework to be eligible for certification as a remedial reading and language arts specialist (102) as well as a reading and language arts consultant (097). Further requirements for the 102 CT certification are 30 months of full-time teaching and a passing score on the Literacy Specialist Test. Ten months of teaching experience under the 102 (Reading Specialist) is additionally required for the 097 CT certification. The Graduate Reading Program is accredited by the International Literacy Association and the International Dyslexia Association.

Candidates who are already certified teachers but who are not seeking an advanced degree can take just the courses required for certification as a reading specialist. These courses prepare you to provide literacy intervention for students in grades 1-12 who are experiencing reading and writing difficulties due to disabilities, including dyslexia, or for other reasons. There are eight courses/24 credits in this program.

The MAT program in Art Education leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach grades PK–12 and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment.

The MAT program in Bilingual/Elementary Education is the only MAT of its kind in Connecticut and leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach Elementary Education, PK-6 and an additional endorsement in Bilingual Education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment.

The MAT program in Biology leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment. Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related field.

The MAT program in Chemistry leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment. Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a closely related field.

The MAT program in Special Education leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach grades PK–12 and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment.

The MAT program in Early Childhood Education leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification in Integrated Early Childhood/Elementary Education N-3 and Special Education N-K and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment, split between a pre-k or kindergarten setting and a setting in grades one through three.

The MAT program in Earth Science leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment. Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in earth science or closely related field.

The MAT program in Elementary Education leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach grades PK–6 and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment.

The MAT program in English leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment in a middle school or high school.

The MAT program in History & Social Studies leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment in a middle school or high school.

The MAT program in Mathematics leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment in a middle school or high school.

The MAT program in Physics leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment. Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in physics or closely related field.

The MAT program in World Languages leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment in a middle school or high school.