Bachelor's-MA in Teaching 4+1

Broaden Your Horizons with a Dual Degree in Education

At Sacred Heart University, we offer students pursuing a professional career in teaching the opportunity to earn their bachelor's and master's degrees and become eligible for their initial teaching certification in just five years through a seamless dual degree program. You can choose from three tracks:

• Elementary Education
• Elementary Education with Special Education Cross-Endorsement
• Secondary Education

The elementary education programs are open to undergraduate students in interdisciplinary studies, while the secondary education program is open to undergraduate students majoring in biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, or Spanish.

Dual degree students are guaranteed admission to the Master of Arts in teaching program provided they continue, as undergraduate students, to meet program-specific criteria to progress into graduate program enrollment.

Why Earn Your Bachelor’s-Master’s in Education at Sacred Heart?

Education students learn the most up-to-date teaching methods from instructors with real-world public school experience, and gain hands-on experience through the SHU Teacher Residency programs. These opportunities include full-time, tuition-paid teaching residencies in our partner schools, where students jumpstart their careers by committing to work in the district for one year after completion of their residency.

Straight from the Source

Hear from SHU students about their experience.

Special Education Cross Endorsement

The special education cross endorsement track is designed for candidates who want to support students with exceptionalities (i.e., learning, emotional, orthopedic, language, and/or intellectual disabilities, autism, visual or hearing impairment, etc.) in general and special education settings. This track is available for students who are majoring in interdisciplinary studies and then pursuing the Master of Arts in teaching (MAT) in elementary education. The majority of the courses that count toward cross endorsement are taken in the fifth year of study. Upon completion of the 30-credit course and clinical requirements, candidates will be eligible to apply for cross endorsement in Comprehensive Special Education (PK-12) through the state of Connecticut. Additional licensure tests apply. Students who are majoring in other programs may pursue the sixth-year degree in special education upon graduation with the MAT.

Graduate Year Plan of Study for MAT Elementary with Special Education Cross Endorsement

Start Teaching Sooner: Accelerated 3+1 Option

Ready to take a faster path to your teaching career? SHU’s accelerated 3+1 option allows you to complete your bachelor’s degree in three years and your Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) at the elementary level in one additional year. It’s a great option for students entering with college credits or looking to earn both degrees in as little as four years.

Connect with your admissions counselor to learn how your incoming credits and academic goals could align with the 3+1 Dual Degree Program.

Other Benefits of SHU’s Dual Degree Program

Find Support

As undergraduates, students have an academic adviser, as well as other faculty and staff resources that help them stay on track and progress toward their graduate degree. Industry-specific events and student clubs are also available for undergraduate students to become more deeply involved in their graduate field.

Save Money

Students who participate in dual degree programs can save on tuition costs versus completing a separate graduate program.

Less Stress

When you take advantage of the dual degree program, your spot in graduate school is already reserved. There are no last-minute applications to graduate school during the final months of your senior year.

What are Some of the Jobs in Education?

There are many different career paths. Depending on your specialty, you can pursue a job as a:

More Information

Prospective first-year students may contact:

Undergraduate Admissions
203-371-7880
joinshu@sacredheart.edu

Current dual degree students may contact:

Graduate Admissions
203-365-7619
gradstudies@sacredheart.edu