/Institutions/Sacred-Heart-University/json/2024-2025/2024-2025-Graduate-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Sacred-Heart-University/json/2024-2025/2024-2025-Graduate-Catalog.json

Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development

Mel Horton, EdD

Dean, Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development

Phone: 203-396-8201

Fax: 203-365-7513

E-mail: hortonm3@sacredheart.edu

 

Sara Connolly, PhD

Associate Dean for Student Success

Phone: 203-365-7653

Fax: 203-365-7513

E-mail: connollys2@sacredheart.edu

 

Anne Frosh

Assistant Dean of Assessment & Accreditation

Phone: 203-365-4774

Fax: 203-365-7513

frosha@sacredheart.edu

Mission

The Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development prepares and promotes a diverse community of educators whose work is grounded in professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions in service to their students. Guided by fundamental principles of social justice, human dignity, and equity, we prepare our candidates to help their students navigate a global community that is undergoing profound cultural and technological change. We use evidence of candidate performance to continuously improve practice and policy.

To accomplish this mission, the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development assures that upon completion of the program of study, its graduates and program completers are highly qualified professionals in their respective areas of expertise, are deeply committed to all youngsters' growth and development, and have a sensitivity to the importance of social and emotional growth as an aspect of students' education. The Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development adheres to and assures that its candidates address the national and state standards of professional preparation of each of its programs.

Graduate Education Certificate Programs

• Computer Science Education Unique Endorsement (110)

• Dyslexia Graduate Certificate
• Intermediate Administrator (092) Certification
• Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts (102) Certification
• Reading and Language Arts Consultant (097) Certification
• Superintendent of Schools (093) Certification

Graduate Education Degree Programs for K-12 Educators

• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

• Initial Teacher Preparation: Elementary (305) Certification
• Initial Teacher Preparation: Elementary (305) Certification with Special Education Cross Endorsement
• Initial Teacher Preparation: Secondary English (015) Certification
• Initial Teacher Preparation: Secondary Mathematics (029) Certification
• Initial Teacher Preparation: Secondary General Science (034) Certification
• Initial Teacher Preparation: Secondary Biology (030) Certification
• Initial Teacher Preparation: Secondary Chemistry (031) Certification
• Initial Teacher Preparation: Secondary History & Social Studies (026) Certification
• Initial Teacher Preparation: Secondary Spanish (023) Certification

• Master of Arts in Teaching Music (MAT)
  • Initial Teacher Preparation: Music Education, PK-12 (049)

• Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education (MAT)
  • Initial Teacher Preparation: Special Education, PK-12 (165)

• Master of Education in Literacy (MEd)
• Master of Education in Special Education (MEd)

• Sixth-Year Degree in Literacy (102/097) 
• Sixth-Year Degree in SEAL (Social Emotional & Academic Learning) for Social Justice Leadership
• Sixth-Year Degree in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) Education
• Sixth-Year Degree in Special Education
• Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD)

Graduate Programs outside of K-12 Education

• Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)
• Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)
• Connecticut School Counselor Certification (068) 

• Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS): Play Therapy
• Master of Arts in Higher Education & Student Affairs
• Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership (EdD)

Application Requirements

Initial Certification with Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Programs

Candidates must meet the following entrance requirements:

• Complete the online graduate application
• Non-refundable application fee
• Official transcript(s) from all colleges and universities previously attended.  Sacred Heart University students and alumni of SHU may authorize the Office of Graduate Admissions to obtain their official SHU transcripts on their behalf.  A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 is required.  Applicants whose cumulative GPA is below 2.8 will be considered provisionally, which may result in either additional requirements to be completed prior to admission or denial of the request.
• Essay: In an essay of 1-2 pages, discuss a recent experience interacting with children and/or youth and how this experience relates to your expectations for a teaching career. Faculty members in teacher education will evaluate your essay based on grammar, style, and organization; your experience working with young people from diverse populations; and your expectations for a teaching career. We anticipate admitting students who demonstrate excellent qualities in these areas.
• Candidates must demonstrate that they have taken the SAT, ACT, or Praxis Core exam. No particular score is needed to qualify for admission.
• Elementary candidates must achieve an acceptable academic subject-area major as recommended in the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development transcript review. Secondary candidates must achieve a major in their endorsement area (or present the equivalent coursework, as defined by state statutes and the College of Education transcript review).
• All candidates must achieve 39 credits of general education courses including English, math, social studies, science, fine arts, and/or world language. All candidates must present a 3-credit course in American history. Elementary candidates must achieve 6 credits of human growth and development coursework (3 credits are satisfied by ED 553 - Education Psychology; the remaining 3 credits must include adolescent development). Candidates who have completed equivalent coursework meeting certification requirements through previous studies should not repeat the same coursework at the graduate level. 
• Signed Applicant Statement of Understanding
• Signed Essential Functions of the Education Profession

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Music

Admission requirements for the MAT in Music are the same as admission requirements to the initial teacher certification programs. Additionally, applicants to the MAT Music must audition in person or through video. Two contrasting selections, performed on the candidate's major instrument, should best showcase the candidate's musical skills and interests.

Master of Education (MEd)

Admission requirements for the MEd are the same as admission requirements to the initial teacher certification programs, with the following exception; all MEd candidates must be certified and submit proof of certification. Requirements for the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Exam are waived. 

 Additional admission requirements:

• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your future potential as a teacher
• Current Resume
• Essay
  
  • Applicants to the M.Ed. in Literacy please respond to the following prompt: In 1-2 pages, discuss your career goals as they relate to becoming a literacy specialist through Sacred Heart University's M.Ed.
  • Applicants to the M.Ed. in Special Education please respond to the following prompt: In 1-2 pages, discuss your career goals as they relate to earning your cross endorsement in special education through Sacred Heart University's M.Ed.

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)

Candidates must meet the following admission requirements:

• Non-refundable application fee
• No standardized testing is required (GRE or MAT)
• Successful completion of baccalaureate degree
  • Full Admission: Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better
  • Provisional Admission: May be considered for a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.25-2.74
• Official transcripts demonstrating successful completion of the bachelor's degree
• Two (2) professional letters of recommendation
• Completion of a state-specific acknowledgment form. This must be completed with a counseling program faculty member present. Note: This serves as a time for applicants to ask program-specific questions that can only be answered by the counselor education program faculty.
• Response to Personal Statement form questions
• Complete an assessment related to readiness for online education
• Complete a video conference interview in which the applicant successfully demonstrates potential for success in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program
• Be available for two, 1-week, in-person residencies at SHU

Dual Degree Program

Students apply to the Bachelor's-Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) 4+2 Dual Degree Program as incoming freshmen and are admitted directly into the graduate program at the same time as their admission as undergraduate students. Students in the 4+2 CMHC Dual Degree program complete their baccalaureate degree in four years of undergraduate study and complete the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in two years of graduate study.

Conditional Admission for Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Conferral of Undergraduate Degree

• Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree prior to the beginning of their first term. All undergraduate coursework must be completed prior to beginning graduate coursework. Concurrent undergraduate and graduate coursework is not acceptable. In other words, the applicant cannot not be “finishing” undergraduate coursework while “beginning” graduate coursework.
• Students that have recently completed an undergraduate degree, with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and are waiting on conferral of their degree, may be admitted prior to formal degree conferral.
• Students without a conferred undergraduate degree and whose cumulative undergraduate GPA is less than 2.75, will not be considered for admission.

The terms of a Conditional Admission – Conferral of Undergraduate Degree include:

• The applicant must secure a letter from the Registrar’s office noting that all of their undergraduate degree requirements have been met and that all that remains is degree conferral, 
• All of the applicant’s admissions documents (including the letter from the Registrar) must be received no later than Friday at 5:00 pm (Eastern Time Zone) 2 weeks prior to the start of a new term,
• The counseling program must receive the student’s Official Transcripts indicating a conferred degree prior to the end of their first 15-week term, and
• The final transcript (Official Transcript) must indicate a conferred degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or greater.

Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)

Enrollment for the School Counseling program may be full-time of part-time. Admission occurs twice per year: Summer (June) or Fall (August).

Candidates must meet the following admission requirements:

• Non-refundable application fee
• No standardized testing is required (GRE or MAT)
• Successful completion of baccalaureate degree
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better. Only applicants with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and higher will be considered for admissions.
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (undergraduate and graduate). We will only make admissions decisions based on an official transcript.
• Two (2) professional letters of recommendation (LOR) that can attest to your suitability for the school counseling degree (one from an academic source and one from employer or volunteer supervisor). LORs from family or friends are not acceptable.
• Completion of a state-specific acknowledgment form while in a conversation with the School Counseling Program Director. This must be completed with a Counseling Program faculty member present.
• Respond to Personal Statement form questions
• Be available for a video conference interview
• Be available for two, 1-week, in-person residencies at SHU

Dual Degree Program

Students apply to the Bachelor's-Master of Arts in School Counseling 4+2 Dual Degree Program as incoming freshmen and are admitted directly into the graduate program at the same time as their admission as undergraduate students. Students in the 4+2 MASC Dual Degree program complete their baccalaureate degree in four years of undergraduate study and complete the Master of Arts in School Counseling in two years of graduate study.

Conditional Admission for Master of Arts in School Counseling – Conferral of Undergraduate Degree

• Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree prior to the beginning of their first term. All undergraduate coursework must be completed prior to beginning graduate coursework. Concurrent undergraduate and graduate coursework is not acceptable. In other words, the applicant cannot not be “finishing” undergraduate coursework while “beginning” graduate coursework.
• Students that have recently completed an undergraduate degree, with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and are waiting on conferral of their degree, may be admitted prior to formal degree conferral.
• Students without a conferred undergraduate degree and whose cumulative undergraduate GPA is less than 2.75, will not be considered for admissions.
• The terms of a Conditional Admission – Conferral of Undergraduate Degree include:
• The applicant must secure a letter from the Registrar’s office noting that all of their undergraduate degree requirements have been met and that all that remains is degree conferral
• All of the applicant’s admissions documents (including the letter from the Registrar) must be received no later than Friday at 5:00 pm (Eastern Time Zone) 2 weeks prior to the start of a new term
• The counseling program must receive the student’s Official Transcripts indicating a conferred degree prior to the end of their first 15-week term
• The final transcript (Official Transcript) must indicate a conferred degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or greater

Intermediate Administrator (092) Certification

To be eligible for admission, the candidate must meet these requirements:

• Hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0,
• Hold or be eligible for a Connecticut teaching certificate,
• Have completed five years of teaching experience before applying for certification,
• Have completed a course in special education before applying for certification,
• Provide a resume,
• Complete an Applicant Statement of Understanding, and
• Complete an application essay.

Sixth-Year Degree in SEAL for Social Justice Leadership

To be eligible for admission, the candidate must meet these requirements:

• Successful completion of all coursework of the Intermediate Administrator (092) Certification program and passing of the Connecticut Administrators Test (CAT).

Sixth-Year Degree in Literacy (102/097)

To be eligible for admission, the candidate must meet these requirements:

• Hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0,
• Hold or be eligible for a Connecticut teaching certificate,
• Have completed 30 months of teaching experience before applying for 102 certification,
• Have served for 10 months of the equivalent of one academic year in a position for which a 102 is required before applying for 097 certification,
• Have completed a course in special education before applying for certification,
• All candidates for reading certification must earn a minimum of 12 credits from Sacred Heart University to be eligible for certification recommendation,
• Provide evidence of having submitted a current state and national criminal history background check,
• Provide a resume,
• Complete an Applicant Statement of Understanding, and
• Meet with faculty to complete a preliminary plan of study.

Sixth-Year Degree in STEAM Education

• Completed Application
• Non-refundable application fee
• Official transcripts of all college level coursework
• Two letters of recommendation
• Provide a resume
• Personal statement indicating why you are interested in the Sixth-Year Degree in STEAM
• Copy of current teacher certification
• Statement of Understanding

Sixth-Year Degree in Special Education

• Completed Application
• Non-refundable application fee
• Copy of official teaching certificate
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your abilities as a teacher
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended
• Current resume
• Signed Statement of Understanding
• Essay: In 1-2 pages, discuss your career goals as they relate to earning your cross endorsement in special education through Sacred Heart University's program.
• Candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview with the Program Director once all application materials are received.
• Candidates must hold a master's degree from an accredited institution

Certificate of Advanced Study in Play Therapy 

• Completed Application
• Non-refundable application fee
• Official transcript(s) from all colleges and universities previously attended
• Current resume
• A well written, 1-2 double-space paged statement of intent noting why you are interested in the Certificate of Advanced Study in Play Therapy
• Interview with program director/faculty

Please note that applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled in counseling, social work, couples and family, psychology or another approved licensure prep program at a regionally accredited university OR
• Have completed a master's degree in counseling, social work, couples and family, psychology or another approved prep program from an accredited university

Superintendent of Schools (093) Certification

To be eligible for admission, the candidate must meet these requirements:

• Have completed at least two years of experience working under their 092 certification.
• Endorsement from the current superintendent of schools attesting to the candidate's fitness for the program and superintendent's willingness to allow the candidate to do internship work in another school system as well as their current system.

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

To be eligible for admission, the candidate must meet these requirements:

• Applicants must hold at least a master's degree (GPA of 3.0 or higher) and demonstrate at least three years of experience as a practicing, licensed educator.
• Completed Application
• Official transcript(s) from all colleges and universities previously attended.
• Copy of current educator license
• Provide a resume
• Two letters of recommendation including one from a current supervisor. The letters should attest to the candidate's academic capability to succeed in doctoral level coursework.
• A 2-3 page personal statement discussing the candidate's interest in the Ed.D. as well as the candidate's background and/or interest in social, emotional, and academic learning.
• Experience in an educational leadership role is required. Roles may formal or informal. These may include, but are not limited to, superintendent of schools, principal, district curriculum leader, teacher leader, department chair, special education coordinator, curriculum coordinator, or instructional coach.

Once all admission requirements are submitted, candidates will be considered for an admission interview with the program director.

Registration Limits

The graduate Education program offers courses during the following terms: Fall and Spring semesters, Summers I and II, and late Spring intensive sessions. To ensure appropriate academic standards, permit field experience, and facilitate reflective engagement in the education process—and recognizing that most of our graduate candidates are fully engaged in an internship or other work responsibilities—the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development has established parameters for appropriate course loads during these terms. A graduate candidate is permitted to take four 3-credit courses in each 15-week term, two 3-credit courses in each 6-week term, and one 3-credit course in the intensive session. Permission to take more than these limits may be granted by the Chair of the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development after receipt of a written request.

Transfer Guidelines

A candidate may request to transfer up to 6 graduate credits of coursework completed at another regionally accredited university. Only graduate-level courses in which a candidate has received a grade of B or better that were earned within six years prior to the request, and are not part of a previously earned degree will be considered. Transfer of credits to apply to a planned program of study leading to recommendation for certification may occur when an institution whose planned program is similarly approved or which otherwise meets the particular learning objectives and assessments required by the Sacred Heart University planned program. Requests for transfer of credit should be made to the Chair of the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development in writing at the time of application, and should be accompanied by official transcripts and supporting documentation (e.g., catalog descriptions or syllabi). 

Horizons

Horizons at Sacred Heart University (HSHU) is an affiliate of Horizons National, an organization that aims to close the opportunity gap by providing consistent and long-term academic and enrichment support to children in under resourced areas across the country. HSHU supports scholars from the City of Bridgeport from kindergarten through 8th grade.  HSHU advances educational equity by building strong partnerships with families, the community, and schools in Bridgeport: creating experiences outside of school that inspire the joy in learning. HSHU offers school year programming that focuses on mentorship, community, and social emotional learning and an immersive summer program where scholars are exposed to experiential learning and recreational opportunities. HSHU's curriculum is grounded in social emotional learning and is designed to foster a deep senses of belonging by immersing scholars in real word contexts, connecting theory to practice, and affirming their value in the community. HSHU empowers and inspires the next generation of Bridgeport leaders, business owners and philanthropists. We believe in the power of opportunity and education and see unlimited potential in each child. Our community values and emphasis on joy in education, ripples throughout the community, and the Horizons network.