REACH to Teach: Accelerated M.A. in Education with Teacher Licensure

REACH to Teach is an accelerated graduate program that combines secondary teacher licensure with a master’s degree in one streamlined, cohort program. In one year, from fall to fall, REACH candidates complete their teacher licensure requirements and earn a professional license to teach in Connecticut’s public schools. With one additional semester, students complete a Master of Arts degree in Education.

Acceptance requirements

1. Graduate admission application and $50.00 nonrefundable application fee
2. Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0
3. Academic undergraduate major or equivalent major of at least 30 credits in English, History, Math, General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Family and Consumer Science, or World Language; or 39 credits of interdisciplinary courses as evaluated by the University of Saint Joseph licensure officer; or a minimum of 21 undergraduate credits in the desired area of licensure with a required nine additional undergraduate credits in the area of licensure taken before acceptance to the School of Education
4. Two sealed official transcripts showing conferral of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, and all additional undergraduate and graduate work
5. Two typed and signed letters of recommendation on original letterhead with the University of Saint Joseph Graduate School forms, in sealed envelopes sent to the licensure officer, addressing the candidate’s
   1. Ability to do concentrated graduate work for intellectual growth
   2. Motivation
   3. Suitability as a prospective secondary teacher
      Letters from personal friends, family members, or faculty in the School of Education are not accepted.
6. Successful results on the Praxis I score report or a waiver for SAT scores of 1100 or higher, submitted to the licensure officer. More information is available at: www.teachingandlearning.org. Waiver information may be obtained in the Licensure Office, Mercy Hall, Room 331.
7. Required meeting with the licensure officer once transcripts and successful Praxis I score report have been received; call 860.231.5330 to make an appointment
8. An essay to assess written communication skills in English and suitability for the REACH to Teach program. The essay should be no longer than three pages, typed, doubled-spaced, and signed. A scoring rubric is available from the Licensure Office. The essay should briefly describe the applicant’s
   1. Reasons for wanting to enroll in the Secondary Teacher Licensure Program
   2. Experiences relevant to teaching
   3. Reasons for interest in REACH to Teach
   4. Experience with diverse populations and commitment to teaching in an inclusive classroom setting
   5. Organizational and time management skills
9. A professional interview with a faculty team of the School of Education. The purpose of the interview is to assess personal attributes that relate to teaching performance in the REACH to Teach program. Interviews are by appointment upon notification of your pending acceptance. Interviews last approximately 20 minutes. The candidate will have time to ask questions about the REACH to Teach program. The Licensure Office, at 860.231.5330, schedules interviews for REACH to Teach.
10. Praxis II - REACH to Teach candidate applications must include passing Praxis II/ACTFL scores in the applicant’s area of licensure with the application. Information on Praxis II can be found at the Educational Testing Service website: www.ets.org. The Licensure Officer can give advice on the required Praxis II or ACTFL test for areas of licensure.