Education Bachelor Plus

The UNH Education Department's Bachelor’s Plus Program for undergraduates offers a master of science degree in education with teacher certification completed in a fifth year of study.

The State of Connecticut has an acute shortage of certified teachers, especially in urban school districts and in the secondary subject areas of English, mathematics and science. UNH undergraduates who want to pursue a career in teaching may be eligible for early admission to the UNH Education Department's graduate program through the Bachelor’s Plus Program. This program allows qualified undergraduates to begin their education coursework as undergraduates, enabling them to earn a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and Connecticut teacher certification in just five years.

The University of New Haven does not offer an undergraduate degree in the subject of education. The Education Department offers two programs of graduate study: teacher certification, for those seeking initial teacher certification, and professional education, for currently certified teachers seeking professional advancement. Both programs lead to the master of science in education degree. These programs represent the university’s commitment to the preparation of future educators for meaningful roles in teaching the youth of the twenty-first century. The Education Department prepares future elementary and secondary school teachers. Secondary-school subject areas include mathematics, science, business education, history, and English. 

All students who are interested in pursuing a teaching career should contact the Education Department as soon as possible during their undergraduate career. University of New Haven undergraduates who want to pursue careers in teaching may be eligible for early admission to the UNH Education Department’s graduate program through the Bachelor’s Plus Program. This process allows qualified undergraduates to begin their education coursework as undergraduates, enabling them to earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and Connecticut teacher certification in just five years. Students in this program develop a modified major worksheet; for example, a "bachelor of arts in mathematics – pre-education.” 

Students in the Bachelor’s Plus Program take their first education course during their junior year. This course, ED 350 Introduction to Education, provides students with an overview of the field of education. (All credit requirements for financial aid and undergraduate status must be maintained while pursuing the Bachelor’s Plus Program.) In their senior year and into the summer, undergraduates continue to take foundation education courses. Students then begin an internship in a public school, with the public school providing payment for tuition. Students attend classes in the evening. Our program’s field component places students in a local school to work with children under the direction of a classroom teacher. This experience gives our students the opportunity to observe professional teachers in their own classrooms, gaining valuable hands-on experience in an urban and a suburban school district, linking practice and theory. UNH’s Education Department is currently placing interns in 36 Connecticut public schools. During the internship, students experience thirteen weeks of student teaching and all students are responsible for the cost of student teaching.

By the end of June, students complete the program and receive a master’s degree, one year after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. The master’s degree is tuition-free with participation in the public school internship program. Successful completion of all requirements will result in UNH’s recommendation to the State Department of Education for Connecticut certification. Thus, students are able to apply for fall teaching positions in Connecticut public schools.

Entrance Requirements

Following are the admission requirements for the Bachelor's Plus Program: 

• A 3.0 GPA mainteined throughout the program.
• A modified major worksheet developed by the sophomore year. (For example, a mathematics major would develop a worksheet for the “B.A. in mathematics – pre-education.”) 
• Successful completion of Praxis I, or a total of 1100 on the SATs for a waiver. (Secondary students may be required to pass the Praxis II content exam by the senior year.)
• Passing grade on the UNH Writing Proficiency Exam by the end of junior year.
• Successful completion of ED 350 Introduction to Education.
• Approval/recommendation from both major and education advisers.
• Completion of formal application for graduate school and satisfaction of all graduate school requirements. All fees waived.
• Formal admission into the program occurs between the junior and senior year.
  

Unique Features

• UNH undergraduates enter the graduate education program with no prerequisite courses. 
• Certification tracks are offered in elementary education, and in secondary education with specializations in English/language arts; history/social studies; mathematics; science (biology, physics, chemistry, earth science, or general science); and business education. 
• Classes are held in West Haven, New London, and Newington. The average class size is 17 students. 
• UNH undergraduates have priority admission into the UNH graduate education program. 
• UNH undergraduates will be given top priority for available internships. 
• UNH undergraduates receive a master of science degree in education and Connecticut teacher certification in 13 months. 

 Why Study at UNH?

• Future teachers are required to have a subject-area major. UNH has many strong undergraduate academic majors. Undergraduates who enter the program do not have to change their major. 
• Tuition is paid for by the school district if you are an intern assigned to work for one year in the schools during the day and take classes at night.