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 and 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 not only learn the most up-to-date teaching methods from instructors with real-world public school experience, but also can gain hands-on experience through the SHU Teacher Residency programs. These opportunities include full-time, tuition-paid Prepare & Promise 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.

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

Students enjoy other benefits of SHU’s Dual Degree Programs that include the opportunity to:

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 speciality, you can pursue a job as a:

Criteria to Progress to the Master of Arts in Teaching Program

For students pursuing Elementary, Elementary with Special Education Cross Endorsement or Secondary certification

Dual degree students must meet program-specific guidelines to progress through the dual degree program and enroll in the MAT program:

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher by January 15 of the sophomore year to begin taking undergraduate education courses in order to progress to enrollment in the MAT program, as outlined below
  • Grade of C or better in all undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies courses
• Successful completion of the bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher to matriculate into the MAT program
  • Elementary Education students must earn a baccalaureate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Elementary Education with Special Education Cross Endorsement students must earn a baccalaureate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Secondary Education students may earn a baccalaureate degree in Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics or Spanish
• Submission of a Praxis Core Academic Skills score report
  • There is no minimum score required. Results are used as a diagnostic tool for the purposes of providing any necessary remedial instruction.
  • An official SAT or ACT score report can be submitted in lieu of the Praxis Core score report.
• Signed Statement of Understanding
• Signed Essential Functions Document
• Students pursuing the Special Education Cross Endorsement must submit a one to two-page essay discussing their interest in pursuing the cross endorsement

More Information

For additional information for prospective first-year students, contact:

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

For additional information for current dual degree students, contact:

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