Continuation Requirements
The School of Education reserves the right to recommend withdrawal of any candidate demonstrating insufficient progress toward professional experiences and interpersonal relationships. Evidence of satisfactory progress may be manifested in the following acquisition of knowledge, skills, and dispositions as described in the School of Education Conceptual Framework and Statement of Candidate Dispositions:
- Critical thinking skills (e.g., the ability to analyze information)
- Capacity to form interpersonal relationships with colleagues and individuals that are characterized by sensitivity, mutual respect, constructive collaboration, and advocacy
- Responsibility as demonstrated in the timely completion of assignments, commitment to quality performance, and professional growth
- Commitment to the mission and philosophy of the department
- Achievement of grades of C+ or better in all EDUC, SPEC, and general education courses
- Continued minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67
- Achievement of a grade of B in Tuesday Experience
Requirements for Application to Student Teaching
Only candidates who have been accepted into the Teacher Licensure Program are eligible to apply for student teaching. Candidates who apply for student teaching will be evaluated by department faculty, who will consider:
- Academic proficiency as indicated by coursework
- Communication facility as reflected in oral and written expression and listening
- Social sensitivity and skills as demonstrated by interactions with peers, children, and professionals
An application form to student teach may be obtained from the Office of Student Teaching. Completed application forms for fall student teaching are due February 1.
- The application form must be accompanied by:
- The candidate’s official letter of acceptance into the Teacher Licensure program
- A copy of Teacher Licensure Planned Program
- An unofficial transcript with most recent semester’s grades
- An autobiographical essay of no more than two pages
- A completed Field Experience document
- Continuation of a minimum cumulative 2.67 GPA
- Documentation of having taken Praxis II in Special Education, Elementary Education, and the Foundations of Reading Test
- A typed information sheet for the cooperating teacher with the following information:
- Completed courses
- Previous teaching experience
- Previous experience with children or adolescents
- Work experience
- Candidates must successfully complete the University of Saint Joseph Writing Portfolio prior to student teaching
- All Alert Forms in a candidate’s file must be resolved prior to student teaching
- No other courses, except the Field Study for cross endorsement, may be taken during the semester of this experience. The Field Study for cross endorsement must be taken in the same semester as student teaching.
- Attendance is required at all student teaching seminars
Teacher Licensure
Upon completion of entrance requirements, the prescribed programs and exit requirements, candidates for Special Education (K-12) will be recommended to the State Department of Education for initial licensure.
Exit from Teacher Licensure Program
A Licensure Program Completer is a candidate who has completed all the requirements for proposed licensure endorsement area(s), including the successful completion of the Praxis I and Praxis II or ACTFL, and Foundations of Reading Test when required. Therefore, to be recommended to the Connecticut State Department of Education for licensure, applicants must:
- Complete all program requirements for the major and for licensure, including the state Department of Education requirements for coursework and student teaching
- Fulfill general education requirements and content with no grade lower than a C+
- Complete a successful student teaching experience with a grade of B or better
- Submit successful Praxis II assessment results for each endorsement area and the Foundations of Reading test
- Show evidence of appropriate educator dispositions
- Submit application for a teaching license to teacher licensure officer
Other Opportunities In Education
Cross-Endorsement
Licensed teachers who wish to add an additional area of endorsement to their teaching credentials have several options. Only the Connecticut State Department of Education can determine required coursework. To pursue cross-endorsement, please contact the Connecticut Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Preparation and Licensure, to obtain a list of required courses for the desired cross-endorsement.
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 opportunities for on-site observations, field work, practicum, internships and course-related applications.
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 February to students eligible for membership informing them of a March 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
Literacy Internship
This internship is for licensed teachers. Selected interns, with a minimum GPA of 3.25, receive 15-30 credits of coursework plus a stipend for working in a school district as a reading tutor for up to two years. The program places an emphasis on developing candidates’ reading intervention skills. This program is directed by the teacher licensure officer. Also see Education - Literacy Internship, M.A. for details.
Internship in 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.
Return to: