4+1 Education Program (BA/BS+MAT)
Begin Your Journey Take the Next Step
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 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 PK-6)
- Secondary education (grades 4-12; biology, chemistry, English, general science, mathematics, social studies/history and world languages)
- Elementary education (PK-6)/Special Education Cross-Endorsement (K-12)
Students apply to a dual degree program as an incoming freshman and are admitted directly into the graduate program at the same time as their admission as undergraduate students. Dual degree students are guaranteed a place in the graduate program provided they continue, as undergraduate students, to meet program-specific criteria to progress into enrollment in the graduate program.
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 a school-based Teacher Residency program which provides tuition assistance equal to the cost of 30 graduate credits! Not only do you gain valuable skills while working in a public school setting, but the residency is characterized as a year-long interview as candidates provide instructional assistance under the support of a school administrator.
For those seeking a deeper residency experience, SHU offers the Teachers@Heart Residency, a highly immersive, full-year preparation model in select partner districts. Residents gain extensive classroom experience, targeted mentorship and financial support in addition to the paid-tuition.
Five-year program students who complete their certification in elementary education have the opportunity to become cross-endorsed in special education.
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. 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.
Five-year students in all certification areas can also become cross-endorsed in computer science education.
Straight from the Source
Hear from SHU students about their experience.
Program Involvement
All candidates for the Five-Year program have opportunities 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
Prospective First-Year
Students
Undergraduate Admissions
203-371-7880
joinshu@sacredheart.edu
Current Dual Degree
Students
Graduate Admissions
203-365-7619
gradstudies@sacredheart.edu