Secondary & Higher Education

Associate Professor Jacy Ippolito, Chairperson

Professors: Cleti Cervoni, Rocky (Allan) Shwedel, Jaime Wurzel

Associate Professors: Mary Ni, Steven Oliver

Assistant Professors: Sovicheth Boun, Laurie Dickstein-Fischer, Leslie Duhaylongsod, Melanie Gonzalez, Jose Salgado

The Secondary and Higher Education Department prepares undergraduate students to work in secondary education and community education settings. The department also prepares professionals and graduate students to work in school counseling and higher education and educational leadership positions.

The Secondary and Higher Education Department offers an integrated bachelor’s/master’s degree program (4+1) with an application process occurring in the second year. Students planning to teach a specific content area complete a major in the College of Arts and Sciences in the field of knowledge for which the teaching license is sought, along with either a second major or minor in Education. The approved  4+1 licensure programs in conjunction with the teacher education major/minor are English (8-12), History (5-8 or 8-12), Mathematics (5-8 or 8-12), Physical Education (Elementary or Secondary), Theatre Arts (PK-12), and Visual Arts (PK-8 or 5-12).

Detailed information about educational licensure program requirements and resources for learning and educational practice may be found in the School of Education section of this catalog.

The Department also offers a new concentration in Educational Studies with a focus in Community Education. This focus area is designed for students who wish to work as educators and interpreters in settings such as museums, wildlife sanctuaries, the National Park Service, other historical sites, and after-school programs.

Finally, the Secondary and Higher Education Department houses M.Ed. programs in School Counseling and Higher Education-Student Affairs, along with MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) programs in English, Chemistry, History, Mathematics, and Spanish. The higher education program is designed for those seeking a career in student affairs at the post-secondary level. A Certificate program in Teacher Leadership is available for educators who want to take a leadership role in a school setting. Our CAGS (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study) program in Educational Leadership is available to students who have already completed a master’s degree and wish to seek licensure as school administrators.

Teacher Education Major or Minor

All students seeking to enter the integrated bachelor’s/master’s degree programs in the Arts & Sciences will complete either a Teacher Education major or minor as part of their combined program.  For more information on the major/minor requirements view the relevant content area program page or visit the program page  for the Teacher Education major/minor. The major/minor is only open to students majoring in English, History, Mathematics, Art, Physical Education and Theatre and application to the major/minor will be completed as part of the application to the combined undergraduate/graduate degree program.

Educational Studies Minor 

The Educational Studies minor consists of five (5) courses (15 credits) in Education, selected with the approval of the Chair of the Department. The minor is available to students in any major.

Practicum Failure Policy

To review the School of Education Practicum Failure Policy, visit the Academic Policies  section of the catalog.