Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Course Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Education, M.A.


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Also see
REACH to Teach: Accelerated M.A.T. in Secondary Education   
Education - Literacy Internship, M.A.  
Graduate Teacher Licensure in Early Childhood/Special Education  
Graduate Teacher Licensure in Education  
  

Concentrations in:

 Program outcomes

 The student will:

  • Be a critical thinker and effective problem solver who is concerned with the social, emotional, and intellectual issues of all children and adolescents in contemporary educational settings
  • Apply advanced pedagogy in curriculum, instruction, and assessment to engage all students in reaching their potential as people and as learners
  • Develop the capacity to influence and advance positive change for students, professionals, and the profession in a complex global society

 Acceptance requirements

  1. Graduate admission application and nonrefundable admission fee
  2. A conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  3. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5; cumulative GPA of 3.0 for REACH to Teach  
  4. Two sealed official transcripts of all undergraduate work and any prior graduate work
  5. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the candidate’s suitability to work with children and families. The cover form for these letters is available on the University website. Note: Recommendations must be from individuals who are not family members, personal friends, or members of the School of Education at the University of Saint Joseph
  6. Immunization record using the Health Services form available on the USJ website
  7. A planned program of study developed by the candidate and the faculty advisor, approved by the dean of the School of Education.

There are additional requirements for acceptance into a Graduate Teacher Licensure  program.

Continuation requirements

Completion of the first six graduate credits with a grade of B or better is required for continuation in a program in the School of Education. Only courses with a B or better will be accepted as graduate work in the program. After the first six credits, a course with less than a B may be repeated only one time.

Exit requirements

Eligible candidates for the master of arts degree take a comprehensive exam in February or July. The application for the comprehensive exam is available from the School of Education and the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is the candidate’s responsibility to obtain his/her faculty advisor’s signature and to submit the application to the office manager of the School of Education by the due date.

Coursework for M.A. concentrations


The master of arts degree in Education features a set of core courses, a concentration area, and electives. All degree options are planned in consultation with program faculty. Core and concentration courses must be taken at the University of Saint Joseph.

Degree requirements (30 credits)


Concentration courses (9 credits)


May not be chosen from the candidate’s individual Teacher Licensure Program

Elective courses (15 credits)


Teacher licensure candidates may use 15 credits from coursework in Teacher Licensure program

Comprehensive exam


After the completion of all coursework

Courses by concentration


Reading and Language - Elementary (9 credits)


Reading and Language - Secondary (9 credits)


Literacy Internship


The Literacy Internship is for licensed teachers. Selected interns, with a minimum GPA of 3.25, receive 15-30 tuition free credits of coursework plus a stipend in exchange for working within a school district as a reading tutor for one to two years. The program places an emphasis on developing candidates’ reading intervention skills. This program is directed by the teacher licensure officer.

 See Literacy Internship Program  requirements.

Other Opportunities In Education


Laboratory Schools


The School of Education benefits from two laboratory schools. The Gengras Center, an on campus school for students with significant disabilities, and the School for Young Children, an early childhood school nearby, offer students pre-professional opportunities in working with teachers, children, and families.

Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society


Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education has been active at USJ since 2009. The society has a long-standing commitment to “recognizing excellence and fostering mutual cooperative support, and professional growth for educational professionals.” Letters of invitation are sent in March to students eligible for membership informing them of an April orientation meeting and an initiation ceremony in the spring.

Partnerships


The School of Education has partnerships with several school districts and agencies, which provide candidates the opportunity to interact with K-12 students under faculty supervision. Longstanding partnerships include: Bloomfield School District, Connecticut Department of Children and Family Services, and West Hartford Schools. Candidates are provided authentic opportunities to assess, teach and collaborate with others.

Internships


Pre K-12 Schools


The University of Saint Joseph provides opportunities for students completing graduate studies or licensure courses to serve as interns in public school classrooms during the school year. The participating schools provide 18 graduate credits that the intern may apply to tuition costs at the University of Saint Joseph. In addition, a small stipend is provided for books and materials each semester. Contact the director of student teaching and clinical experiences for more information.

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