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Bachelor of Arts/Science & Master of Arts in Teaching
On Campus Farrington College of Education & Human Development
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Our Five-Year Education Program is available to undergraduates who are interested in pursuing a professional career in teaching. Students in this innovative program earn a bachelor’s degree in an academic major, initial teaching certification and a master’s degree, while participating in a school-based internship or residency during their graduate year. The MAT program for five-year students is a 39-credit program. 

Candidates who are interested in the Five-Year program have the opportunity to get certified in one of the following areas: 

  • Elementary education (grades 1-6)
  • Secondary education (grades 7-12; biology, chemistry, English, general science, mathematics, social studies/history and world languages)
  • Music education (grades PreK-12)

Five-Year Candidates will apply to the Master of Arts in Teaching program their sophomore year. Students are required to have a minimum GPA of a 2.80 to apply and will take education classes during their junior and senior years. During the fall semester of sophomore year, an information session will be held to review the application process and additional admissions requirements.

Why choose the Five-Year Education Program at Sacred Heart University?

Students will have the opportunity to take education credits during their junior and senior years. The education credits taken at the undergraduate level help reduce the time and tuition cost when compared to following the traditional MAT track. Interdisciplinary/elementary education candidates also have the opportunity to student teach during their senior year. Secondary education students will student teach during the master’s year. All five-year students will take 39 credits to complete a Master of Arts in Teaching in only one year!

Five-year education students will participate in either the school-based internship or the Bridgeport Residency program. Both the school-based internship and residency programs provide tuition assistance equal to the cost of 30 graduate credits! For more information, visit the school-based experiences page.

School-Based Internship

The school-based internship is characterized as a year-long interview as candidates provide instructional assistance under the support of a school administrator.

Bridgeport Teacher Residency Program

Students who opt to participate in the Bridgeport Teacher Residency program spend a full school year in a classroom apprenticeship working alongside a mentor teacher in Bridgeport Public Schools. Students who successfully complete the residency program will be guaranteed employment and will commit to work in Bridgeport for three years after licensure.

Five-year program students who complete their certification in elementary education have the opportunity to become cross-endorsed in special education. Five-year students in all certification areas can also become cross-endorsed in computer science education.

Program Involvement

All candidates for the Five-Year program have the opportunity to get involved in many education-based clubs and activities including: 

  • Education club
  • Study abroad in Dingle, Ireland
  • Discovery Science Center & Planetarium teaching opportunities 
  • Classroom experiences/volunteer opportunities at local public schools 

More Information

Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment

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