Teaching and Foundations / Secondary Education

Master of Arts in Teaching and Foundations for Advanced Candidates

Master of Arts in Teaching and Foundations with Initial Secondary Education Certification

Note: The University also offers Secondary Education Certification at the Undergraduate level through an Education Minor.

Overview

The Curriculum and Instruction Department offers graduate programs for new and experienced teachers that are organized around reflective inquiry and socially responsible professional practice and that are guided by the GSEAP's conceptual framework.

For experienced educational professionals and community educators, the department offers an MA program to deepen and expand their knowledge of teaching and learning in a socio-cultural context. Candidates complete a foundational core, an inquiry/advocacy sequence, and a selected cluster/concentrations of coursework to fulfill degree requirements. For candidates preparing to enter the teaching profession with an initial secondary educator certification (grades 7-12) in an approved subject area, the program includes the study of educational theory and methods, stresses development of a personal philosophy of teaching, and provides excellent opportunities for applying theories in real classroom settings.

Graduate initial certification candidates may prepare for certification in the following subject areas: English, World Languages (French, German, Latin, Spanish), History/Social Studies, Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and General Sciences), or Mathematics.

Courses of Study:

(Please note the the post-masters' CAS - Certificate of Advanced Study - program is under review/not admitting for 2007-2008 academic year.)

MA in Teaching and Foundations for Advanced Candidates (36 credits including 18 credit foundational core)

• Philosophical Foundations of Education
• Contemporary Schooling in Society
• Complete an approved multicultural education course
• Principles of Curriculum Development and Evaluation - OR - Theory and Practice of Inteqrated Curriculum Design
• Complete an approved educational technology course
• Global and Sociocultural Perspectives on Learning and Development
• Complete a concentration/cluster of 12 credits planned with a faculty advisor
• Complete a six-credit integrative Inquiry/Advocacy Sequence

MA in Teaching and Foundations (TEFO) leading to Initial Secondary Education (7-12) Certification (minimum of 33 graduate credits*)

• Philosophical Foundations of Education
• Teaching and Learning within Multicultural Contexts of Education
• Educational Psychology
• Teaching Methods for Secondary School - OR -Principles of Curriculum Development and Evaluation (for candidates with full-time teaching experience) - OR - Special Methods in Secondary School English (for English certification candidates)
• Directed Observation and Student Teaching
• Student Teaching Seminar
• Introduction to Educational Research
• Contemporary Schooling in Society
• Pass the Master's Comprehensive Examination or take Thesis Option (option requires enrollment in the Thesis seminar course (3 credits)

*credits if all prerequisite coursework has been completed

Admission Qualifications for Certification Program (Secondary Education Certification in a variety of subject areas)

Candidates for certification must:

• pass an entry examination of essential skills in reading, writing, and mathematics (PRAXIS I PPST) or must have this requirement waived based on appropriate SAT, ACT, PAA, or GRE scores.
• hold a bachelor's degree with an appropriate subject major or approved interdisciplinary major.
• have achieved an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.67 (waivers are available on a case by case basis and may require supplemental undergraduate coursework to increase the undergraduate GPA and/or completion of two approved graduate education courses, depending on GPA.)
• have completed at least 39 general education credits, including at least one course in the each of the following areas: English, mathematics, social studies, natural sciences, foreign language, and fine arts. Also, have completed a survey course (covering at least 50 years) in U.S. history.

English Certification

To qualify for certification in English, graduate students complete four additional courses not usually included in the English major:

• Literature For Young Adults
• Teaching Writing in the 3-12 Classroom
• Developmental Reading in the Secondary School
• Traditional and Structural Grammar

History/Social Studies Certification

Since this is a combination certification, to qualify a student must have the following subject area coursework:

If student has an earned major in History, an additional 18 credits in social studies, including at least one 3-credit course in each of the following areas must be completed: Economics, Sociology and Politics.

If student has an earned major in one of the social studies (politics, economics, sociology), an additional 18 credits in history, including at least one 3-credit course in each of the following areas must be completed: U.S. history (must be a survey course covering at least 50 years), western/European history and non-western history.

If student does not have an earned major in history or one of the social studies, an interdisciplinary major, as defined by the Connecticut State regulations, must be completed.

Practice Teaching and Fieldwork

The secondary program culminates in an experience as a student teacher in a local school. During this experience, students are observed, assisted, and evaluated by supervisors from the University and on-site cooperating teachers. This experience builds upon previous exposure in the classroom gained through fieldwork service completed during the course in Educational Psychology. Many students also gain valuable experience as volunteers with local schools. Student teachers from the University are placed in schools in the surrounding communities, including Bridgeport, Fairfield, Greenwich, Norwalk, Orange, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.

Career Opportunities

Students who complete their certification satisfactorily have excellent prospects of beginning positions in teaching. They are helped by the reputation Fairfield University has earned for teacher preparation, broad faculty contacts within the profession, and a large number of alumni who are established in school systems throughout Connecticut and nearby states. Connecticut certification planned program coursework is accepted, through the NASDTEC Contract, in other states and the District for certification.

Teaching Internship Program (Paid Internship)

Two active internship programs provide outstanding opportunities for students enrolled in M.A. and Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) programs in education to gain valuable experience and to defray a significant portion of their cost of study.

• The Internship for Certified Teachers accommodates novice teachers and those re-entering the profession.
• The Internship for Non-Certified Teachers is designed for prospective teachers, and provides them with insight into their future profession.

Both programs bring graduate students into public school settings for year-long experiences that include a range of responsibilities, from small group teaching, to substituting, to assisting tenured faculty.

In return for the intern's service, the school district deposits $12,000 with Fairfield University. This amount is banked for interns to draw upon for courses taken toward their degree or certification (Download Teaching Internship Program Application). Deadline for applying for upcoming academic year is June 15th.

Connecticut Writing Project

The Connecticut Writing Project/Fairfield University, an affiliate of the National Writing Project, is located on campus and dedicated to improving students' writing abilities by strengthening the teaching and learning of writing, providing professional development programs for classroom teachers, and expanding the professional roles of teachers. Invitational summer courses are conducted by CWP/Fairfield and, with approval, may be used to fulfill degree requirements. Visit the Connecticut Writing Project website for more information.

Faculty Quote

"Fairfield is such a positive and friendly place, and that is true of the education and allied professions departments. What I see - and what distinguishes this program from other schools where I've taught - is the personal involvement of faculty members with students. We make sure that they are in programs that match their professional goals. Many students in our programs are coming here from other walks of life, and our classes are directly relevant to what they need to know to take the next step in their careers."

Sandra Billings, Ph.D. / Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction

Student Professional Organization -

Phi Delta Kappa

Contact information