Certification Prerequisites

Successful completion of prerequisite coursework is an earned grade of C or better from an accredited institution. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of a 2.80 is required.

Elementary Education

Candidates are required to have:

  • 39 credits in English, Math, Social Studies, Science, and either Fine Arts or World Languages, including a course in US History that spans 50 years
  • A major in any one subject area, except that a major in professional education may not be accepted

All Secondary Education

Candidates are required to have:

  • US History (3 credits)
  • 39 credits in English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Fine Arts and World Languages
  • Content area prerequisites (listed below)

English Secondary Education

  • A major in the content area or equivalent (30 credits + 9 credits in related subject)

History/Social Studies Secondary Education

History Major

  • Additional 18 hours of credit in social studies (political science, economics, geography, sociology or anthropology or psychology)

Political Science, Economics, Geography, Anthropology or Sociology Major

  • Additional 18 credit hours in history

Math Secondary Education

  • A major in the content area or equivalent (30 credits + 9 credits in related subject)

Music Education

Candidates are required to have an undergraduate degree including:

  • A major in music (any specialty), or equivalent (at least 30 credits in appropriate music courses)
  • General education coursework (39 credits including English, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences, and either fine arts or world languages.)
  • All candidates for Connecticut teacher certification must complete a survey course in US History that spans 50 years or more. This can be taken before completion of the master’s program.
  • Candidates unsure if their undergraduate studies fulfilled all of these requirements are encouraged to contact Graduate Admissions or the Program Director. 

Science Secondary Education

Biology or Chemistry Major

  • A major in the content area or equivalent (30 credits + 9 credits in related subject)

General Science Major

  • Completion of a minimum of 39 credits in science including at least one course in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science

Spanish Secondary Education

  • 24 credits in the foreign language in which certification is sought