SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Ellen V. Whitford, Dean
Richard A. Couch, Associate Dean
Joseph Gallucci, Assistant Dean
Mary Pat Hager, Associate Counselor
Phone: (860) 832-2100
The School of Education and Professional Studies (SEPS) offers programs leading
to the Bachelors of Science Degree in Education, Nursing, Health Fitness and
Athletic Training. In addition, the School has a variety of programs that lead
to teaching certification in the State of Connecticut. Currently, the School of
Education and Professional Studies is organized into six academic departments:
• Health and Human Service Professions
• Educational Leadership
• Nursing
• Physical Education and Health Fitness Studies
• Reading and Language Arts
• Special Education
• Teacher Education
The Departments of Educational Leadership, Health
and Human Service Professions, and Reading and Language Arts do not offer
undergraduate programs. Information about these departments and their graduate
programs can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
The aim of programs in the School of Education and Professional Studies is to
prepare individuals who are both liberally educated and in command of the
requisite professional knowledge to be able to provide exemplary practice in
their chosen field. Programs and curricula in professional schools draw their
content from theoretical foundations in the arts and sciences, as well as models
of best practice based on current research and effective pedagogy.
Degree Programs and Certification
To fully understand the programs in the School of Education and Professional
Studies, the distinction between obtaining a degree from Central Connecticut
State University and obtaining a teaching certificate from the State of
Connecticut must be made. Also, it requires an understanding of the differences
between completing a subject-matter major and completing a degree in education.
Central Connecticut State University has the authority to grant a bachelor’s
degree to any student who successfully completes all the requirements of a
particular program of study. A degree, however, does not automatically lead to a
teaching certificate.
The State of Connecticut grants the teaching certificate after a candidate
completes a bachelor’s degree and an approved program of professional study,
passes required tests for teachers and is recommended by the Office of the Dean
of the School of Education and Professional Studies.
Every elementary, early childhood, middle level, secondary and special subject
school teacher in the State of Connecticut is required to have a major in a
particular subject field. This is referred to as the subject-matter major. The
various subject matter majors are listed elsewhere in this catalog under
elementary, early childhood, secondary and special subjects education.
Teacher candidates at Central Connecticut State University, in addition to
acquiring a subject matter major, are required to fulfill professional course
work and fieldwork experiences in education which lead to a degree in education
and to certification.
Title II Reporting
In response to the accountability measure mandated by Congress through its
passage of Title II of the Higher Education Act of 1998, beginning April 9,
2001, all institutions of higher education in the United States enrolling
students who receive assistance and have teacher preparation programs must
report their teacher certification test pass rates in school catalogs and other
promotional materials. Any institution that has been identified as “low
performing” by the State, must also report this designation to the public.
The undergraduate teacher candidates who complete all programs at CCSU are
eligible to graduate with a B.S. degree. To receive a teacher certification in
Connecticut, program completers must pass Praxis II. Undergraduate teacher
candidates or post-baccalaureate students who complete general education,
subject-matter major and a planned Professional Program of study in teacher
education are considered “program completers.” Of the 270 1999–2000
program completers who took the Praxis II exam, a summary score of 93% was
attained for all individual assessments, comparable to the state-wide rate of
95%.
The students who formed the 1999–2000 group of program completers finished a
rigorous program of study that is widely recognized for its quality and is
nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher
Education (NCATE). They spent many hours in PK–12 schools where they learned
how to assess the diverse needs of students. They know the subjects they will
teach; they know how to teach those subjects; and they have demonstrated this
through multiple assessment measures. CCSU is confident that these students are
prepared to be leaders in the learning communities of Connecticut.
Undergraduate Degree Programs Leading to Teacher Certification
The following programs lead to a Bachelor of Science degree and prepare a
student for teacher certification in the State of Connecticut
• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Middle Level Education (program is currently closed to new students)
• Secondary Education in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, French, Integrated Science, German, Italian, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies, Spanish
• All level subjects: Art, Music, Physical Education, Technology Education
The Business Education faculty offers programs to
prepare students to teach business subjects in secondary schools. Students may
complete some of their subject matter requirements while they are
undergraduates. Teacher preparation coursework, however, is done at the graduate
level. Students who plan to seek teacher certification should complete an
undergraduate major in business. Please contact the Coordinator for Business
Education to learn more about this program (832-3210).
Students who are interested in becoming special education teachers must complete
teacher certification at the graduate level. Contact the Special Education
Department (832-2400), or refer to the CCSU Graduate Catalog for further
information.
Although requirements vary from program to program, in general each
undergraduate teacher preparation program has the following characteristics and
procedures:
General Education. All teacher candidates are expected to
satisfy the University’s general education program. Most of this work is
completed during the student’s first three years at CCSU, or through transfer
credit.
Subject Matter Majors. All teacher candidates are required to
complete a subject matter major. These requirements vary from subject to subject
and are described in the Arts and Science and Technology sections of this
catalog.
Selective Admission to a Teacher Preparation Professional Program.
The State of Connecticut requires that students be admitted to teacher
preparation programs only after they have met admission criteria. These criteria
and the admission process are described below. Admission as an undergraduate
student to CCSU does not automatically guarantee admission to a Professional
Program. The selective admission process requires considerable advanced
planning.
Restricted Professional Course Work. Most courses offered in
particular teacher preparation programs are open only to students who have been
formally admitted to a Professional Program. Students who have not been admitted
to a Professional Program may not enroll in restricted courses.
Retention Criteria. Once admitted to a teacher education
Professional Program, a teacher candidate is expected to maintain a cumulative
2.70 grade-point average for all coursework completed at CCSU and elsewhere. If
a candidate’s GPA drops below this level, he or she may be denied enrollment
to restricted courses and student teaching until the GPA reaches the approved
level. Students must receive grades of C or better in all professional education
courses required by the School of Education and Professional Studies. Students
may not proceed to the next sequence of courses unless courses are repeated and
professional program courses may not be repeated without the consent of the
chair of the Teacher Education Department.
Performance Assessment
The School of Education and Professional Studies may require students to
complete a departmental performance assessment in order to qualify for student
teaching and to complete the Professional Program.
Students must maintain good standing in the program in order to qualify for
student teaching and a recommendation from CCSU for State of Connecticut
certification. In addition to academic good standing, students must demonstrate
the following:
• Personal attitudes and attributes that affect her or his performance as a teacher;
• Conduct that demonstrates professional behavior appropriate to the context and shows realization that actions reflect directly upon the status and substance of the profession;
• Confidentiality of all information concerning colleagues and students obtained in the educational process;
• Integrity and honesty in written and verbal communication, documentation and coursework related to the Professional Program for teacher certification.
Admission to a Teacher
Preparation Professional Program
Many of the criteria and procedures for admitting students to a Professional
Program leading to teacher certification are governed by State of Connecticut
regulations. Admission in a timely fashion requires a degree of advanced
planning on the part of teacher candidates. The procedures described below do
not apply to programs in athletic training, health fitness or nursing. These
programs have their own admission procedures which are described elsewhere in
this catalog. For any aspect of the admission process that requires
clarification, please contact the Office of the Dean of Education.
The Admission Process
Phase I: Pre-application. When students first enter the
University, they select a program and subject matter major and pursue (under the
guidance of an adviser in the department where the major is housed) course work
in general education and in the major. Toward the end of the second or in the
third year of study, most full-time students are ready to apply for admission to
a Professional Program. Prior to this application, students are required to:
• Complete 45 credits, of which 15 have been earned at Central Connecticut State University (with the exception of Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education). Graduates of Connecticut community colleges may have this requirement waived; contact the Office of the Dean of Education and Professional Studies for details.
• Pass the Praxis I Computer Based Tests (CBT) (basic skills tests in reading, writing and mathematics) or be qualified to have this test waived. This must be done at least one semester before application can be made to the Professional Program. Praxis I (CBT) may be waived if:(1) SAT Waiver: A total score of 1,000 on the SAT, with neither the mathematics nor the verbal subtest scores below 400 points from any test administration on or prior to March 31, 1995, or a combined score of 1,100 or more with no less than 450 on either the verbal or the mathematics subtests from test administrations on or after April 1, 1995.
(2) ACT Waiver: No less than 22 on the English subtest and no less than 19 on the mathematics subtest on the American College Testing (ACT) program assessment from test administrations on or after October 1989, or the equivalent ACT scores of no less than 20 on the English and 17 on the mathematics, from test administrations prior to October 1989.
(3) a student has a Prueba de Aptitud Academica (PAA) score equivalent to a SAT score of 1,000, with neither the math nor verbal subtest scores below the equivalent of 400.Registration booklets and information are available outside the Office of the Dean (HB 248). Praxis I (CBT) waiver applications are also available.
• Have a minimum of a cumulative 2.70 grade point average at Central Connecticut State University and elsewhere. Student’s may appeal for a waiver of the GPA requirement based on demonstrated academic ability and intervening life experience.
• Complete courses for specific departmental programs as prerequisites for application to a teacher education program. Consult with the chair of the department or your adviser for specifics.
• Fulfill certain fieldwork requirements involving working with children for Elementary and Early Childhood programs in the Department of Teacher Education. Details are available from the Department of Teacher Education and are listed on the Professional Program application packet as well.
Phase II: Application. Students should note the following information regarding application to a teacher preparation Professional Program, which is conducted twice a year.
• Applications are due September 10 or February 10 (or the next regular day of classes if the date falls on a weekend or holiday) and are submitted to the Office of the Dean (HB 248).
• Application packets are available in the information racks outside the Dean’s Office (HB 248).
• Once the application packet is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Office of the Dean. Fulfillment of Praxis I and a cumulative grade point average of 2.70 or better for all attempted college work will be verified. Students who fulfill these admission requirements will have their applications forwarded to the respective department.
• The Office of the Dean forwards the application to the appropriate department for evaluation and scheduling of an interview. Once the department completes their review, it then recommends, to the Office of the Dean, the admission status for each applicant.
Phase III: Admittance. Students
will receive a letter from the Office of the Dean sometime before the end of the
semester they apply indicating whether the student has been admitted, deferred
until certain requirements have been fulfilled, or rejected. Only officially
admitted students may register for professional courses in education.
Revocation of Admission to
the Professional Program
The Dean of the School of Education and Professional Studies may revoke
admission to the professional if the student has:
• A cumulative grade-point average below 2.7;
• Demonstrated unprofessional behavior or an inability to respond appropriately in various contexts which affects her or his performance as a teacher;
• Falsified or misrepresented any documentation or information provided for programmatic, academic or professional qualification/competency purposes;
• Unacceptable performance in student teaching;
• Achieves an unacceptable standard on the performance assessments required by the School of Education and Professional Studies
• Been convicted in a court of law of a crime involving moral turpitude or of any crime of such nature that in the opinion of the university would impair the standing of the School of Education and Professional Studies professional program; or
• Other due and sufficient cause.
Post-Baccalaureate Programs
Leading to Teacher Certification Only
Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree may pursue teacher certification
through our post-baccalaureate programs. These programs prepare students for
teacher certification and do not result in a master’s degree. Students can
seek certification in the following fields:
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education in the following subjects: Biology, Business, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, English, French, Integrated Science, German, History, Italian, Mathematics, Physics, Social Science, and Spanish
• All level subjects: Art, Music, Physical Education, TESOL, Technology Education
• Special Education
Admission to a post-baccalaureate teacher
certification Professional Program depends upon and follows admission to the
Graduate School. Post-baccalaureate students must meet all course and
fieldwork requirements specified in particular teacher preparation programs and
governed by State of Connecticut regulations. This includes satisfying certain
general education and subject matter major requirements.
Post-Baccalaureate “Program of Study”
For students seeking certification in elementary and secondary education, a “Program
of Study” is determined and filed with the School of Education
post-baccalaureate adviser.
For students seeking certification in Art, Music, Physical Education and
Technology Education, a “Program of Study” is determined and filed with the chair
of the department that offers their program. The “Program of Study”
(that must be approved by the Graduate Office) ensures that all certification
requirements are satisfied and becomes a contract between the student and his or
her adviser.
Post-baccalaureate students must meet the following general education
requirements: at least 39 credits of liberal arts course work including a U.S.
history survey course, and two courses in each of the following areas: English,
mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences, and one course in foreign
language or fine arts. Coursework in developmental or life span psychology is a
prerequisite for the Professional Program.
For information regarding requirements and admission to the Professional
Program, refer to page 62 of this catalog, under the section titled Admission to
a Teacher Preparation Professional Program.
Undergraduate Degree Programs Without Teacher
Certification
Three programs are offered which lead to a Bachelor of Science degree, but do
not include any type of teacher certification. The Department of Physical
Education and Health Fitness Studies offers a major in Athletic Training and in
Health Fitness. The Department of Health and Human Services Professions offers a
major in Nursing.
Repeat Policy
An exception to the course repeat policy (see page 30) exists in the Department
of Teacher Education which requires that departmental permission be granted to
repeat any Professional Program course. Students must submit the request for
permission to repeat any of these courses to the chair of Teacher Education
before adding the course to their schedule for a second time. Once students have
the chair’s approval, the School of Education and Professional Studies will
utilize the most recent CCSU GPA in its calculations of the 2.70 minimum total
GPA requirement for continuation in the Professional Program.
Appeals Process for All Students and Programs
Students who have been denied admission because of the GPA requirement may write
a letter of appeal to the Dean of Education for a waiver of the GPA requirement
presenting compelling evidence of both of the following:
1) Demonstrated academic ability in recent coursework with an exemplary GPA
showing a different pattern of performance from prior undergraduate course work;
and
2) Intervening life experience, e.g., working with children or in a
profession/vocation that has contributed to their growth and maturity as a
prospective teacher.
The appeal will be reviewed and approved by the Assistant Dean, Coordinator of
Teacher Education, Dean of Education and Professional Studies, an academic
department chair/faculty and representatives of the SEPS Governance Council. The
dean or designee may call a meeting with the applicant to discuss the appeal in
person. The decision regarding the appeal of the GPA requirement will be
communicated in writing to the student by the Dean of Education and Professional
Studies or designee and the department.
Students who are denied admission to the Professional Program for reasons other
than GPA may meet with the Assistant Dean. Issues concerning the application or
admission process may be referred to the SEPS Governance Council Appeals
Committee.
Connecticut Certification Procedures
To be eligible for Connecticut certification, a teacher candidate must be
recommended by the Office of the Dean of the School of Education and
Professional Studies. Although teacher candidates must complete a Bachelor of
Science (B.S.) degree in an approved program and pass the Praxis II test
applicable to the certification endorsement area they are seeking*, teacher
candidates must apply for certification at the beginning of the last semester of
enrollment.
To apply for certification, undergraduate teacher candidates must:
1. Obtain, complete and submit the following two forms at the Office of the Registrar:
A. a certification application form and
B. application for graduation
2. Submit a copy of the Praxis II score report to the Office of the Dean (HB 248) after successfully completing the appropriate exam.
3. Mail the application and a certified bank check or money order in the appropriate amount to the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Professional Development after receiving the approved certification application and the CCSU transcript from the Office of the Dean.
4. Receive the Initial Educator Certificate in the mail from the Connecticut State Department of Education Bureau of Certification.
When registering for the Praxis II test, candidates must request their report be sent to:
1. Central Connecticut State University (Score Recipient Code Number R3898).
2. Connecticut State Department of Education (Score Recipient Code Number R7050).
*Information concerning Praxis II is available at
the Office of the Dean or via the Educational Testing Services (ETS), Praxis
Series Web site: http://www.teachingandlearning.org.
Out-of-State Certification Procedures for CCSU Graduates
Information about out-of-state certification is available in the Office of
Career Services. Any application or portion of an application that requires an
institution recommendation or attestation concerning the completion of an “approved
program” should be referred to the Office of the Dean. Students must provide
full information about the graduate’s name at the time of completion of CCSU’s
program, date of program completion, social security number, current name and
address and any particulars concerning the other state’s information
requirements.