SHU Teacher Residency Programs
Earn a Master of Arts in Teaching and teacher certification with financial support from Sacred Heart University and our partner districts.
The Farrington College of Education & Human Development (FCEHD) at Sacred Heart University has created full-time teacher residency programs that will prepare educators to become highly effective teachers and make a positive impact on the lives of the students they serve.
The SHU teacher residency programs, which include the Prepare & Promise Residency and the Traditional Residency, combine coursework with intense clinical preparation. Residents will gain the content knowledge and teaching skills needed to make a difference in the lives of every student in the classroom.
| Prepare & Promise Residency | Traditional Residency | |
|---|---|---|
| Internship Experience | Assigned a classroom and mentor for the full academic year. Full immersion as a co-teacher. | Student teaching for 12 weeks and then taking on duties such as substitute teaching and small group instruction for the remainder of the school year. |
| 30 Credits of Tuition Covered | Yes | Yes |
| Eligible for a living stipend | Yes | No |
| Commitment to work in the district after graduation | Yes | No |
| Must be enrolled in a Special Education or STEAM Endorsement | Yes | No |
Prepare & Promise Residency
The Prepare & Promise Residency program takes place in a collaborative mentoring environment where residents will learn effective and culturally responsive instructional practices. They also will learn how to create a welcoming classroom environment, how to build a sense of community and how to gain understanding of what students need. Residents will be placed in a school with at least one other resident and will have a designated seminar in which close connections are formed with fellow cohort members.
As part of the Prepare & Promise Residency program, residents will have access to a network of dedicated instructors, mentor teachers and principals who are committed to transforming teacher preparation and providing equitable opportunities for students.
Students who are accepted into the Prepare & Promise Residency program are required to sign a promissory note in which they agree to complete the residency and to serve in the district upon graduation. This entitles them to 30 credits of tuition and a living stipend up to $30,000 (varies based on partner district). Students are responsible for tuition bills for any credits required after completion of the initial 30 credits, as well as any program fees. Admission to the Prepare & Promise Residency program is contingent upon acceptance into Sacred Heart University’s FCEHD. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 is required, in addition to an interview with program and school district faculty.
*SHU fifth year students only. External applicants are subject to transcript review by the admissions office.
**No cost to SHU fifth year students. External applicants get 30 free graduate credits and must pay for any additional credits.
Traditional Residency
The Traditional Residency program is a school-based experience, or internship, available to pre-service teachers. Participants in this optional program receive 30 tuition credits toward their Sacred Heart University degree.
Characterized as a yearlong interview, candidates provide instructional assistance under the support of a school administrator for such tasks as:
- Substitute teaching
- Grade level assisting
- Tutoring
- Guiding small instructional groups
- Chaperoning field trips
- Leading school projects based on personal talents and expertise
- Conducting remediation lessons as recommended in learning plans
The Traditional Residency program is available to students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching or the Master of Education programs.
Candidates Earning Initial Certification (MAT)
Students enrolled in the MAT with initial certification will work with the FCEHD to create a schedule that includes coursework in the MAT program, application to and enrollment in the school-based experience, student teaching and timeline for associated assessments.
Candidates who begin coursework in the summer will begin their one-year, school-based traditional residency in the fall semester and student teach in the following spring. Candidates who begin coursework in the fall will begin their one-year placement in the following fall semester, beginning with student teaching, followed by interning in the spring semester.
Candidates Already Certified (M.Ed.)
Candidates for the Master of Education who hold teaching certificates may also take advantage of SHU’s traditional residency. Candidates must meet with an adviser to develop a plan of study and can apply for an immediate start in a one-year, school-based experience in the fall semester.
Traditional Residency Agreement
Students who are accepted into the school-based experience are required to sign a promissory note in which they agree to complete the internship. This entitles them to 30 credits of tuition. They are responsible for tuition bills for any credits required after completion of the initial 30 credits, as well as any program fees.
Mission & Vision
Mission
The Sacred Heart University teacher residency programs, in collaboration with school partners, prepare educators to become committed and caring teachers. Rigorous coursework, coupled with an immersive school-based experience, results in inclusive teaching with an immediate impact on student learning. SHU provides equitable opportunities for all students through the recruitment, development and retention of a diverse community of highly effective educators and mentors.
Vision
The Sacred Heart University teacher residency programs prepare exceptional educators who have an equity-based mindset and prioritize academic excellence for students from all cultural backgrounds.
More Information
Katie Cunningham, Ed.D.
Program Director, Teacher Education
203-365-4717
cunninghamk3@sacredheart.edu
Whitney Kolwicz
Graduate Admissions
203-365-4716
kolwiczw@sacredheart.edu