Interdisciplinary Studies Major
The Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) major provides students with a balanced set of courses in the arts and sciences—English, history, political science, geography, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics—as well as the opportunity to explore one of the aforementioned areas in depth. The IS major consists of 43–45 credits; the variation in the number of credits required for the major is dependent on the area of concentration that students select (those concentrating in math or science take more credits). Designed for students seeking certification in elementary education, this major is open to all.
The IS major is part of the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree, with a minimum of 120 credits required for graduation. Students with a major concentration in English/language arts or social studies earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students with a major concentration in mathematics or science earn a Bachelor of Science degree. Academic departments in the College of Arts and Sciences provide most of the courses within this major. The Farrington College of Education manages the IS major and advises students.
The IS major consists of foundational core courses of 37–38 credits, as well as a concentration of 6–8 credits. Coursework in one of the following areas of concentration is required: English/arts, social studies, mathematics, or science. Coursework for concentrations in English/arts and social studies must be at the 300 level or higher.
- For English/arts, students choose one course in the Department of English and one course in the Department of Art and Design or in the Minor in Performing Arts (6 credits).
- For social studies, the two courses must be in the same department—students choose courses in foreign languages and culture, history, political science, psychology, or sociology. For history, one of the two courses must be HI 301 Historical Method & Criticism (6 credits).
- For math, two semesters of calculus are required: MA 151 and MA 152—Calculus I and II—4 credits each (8 credits).
- For science, students choose all courses in the Department of Biology or the Department of Chemistry and Physics. For those seeking a concentration in science/biology, take BI 111 and BI 114 instead of BI 109. For those seeking a concentration in chemistry or physics, concentration must include the 3-credit CH 117 General Organic & Biochemistry: An Overview or the 4-credit PY 100 Elements of Physics (6–7 credits).
Scholarships
The Farrington College of Education awards three endowed scholarships to undergraduates. For further information, contact the Dean’s Office at 203-365-4791.
Isabelle T. Farrington Award—Available to students in the junior or senior class who demonstrate superior academic performance and potential and have a sincere interest in and practice of the principles of citizenship and religion for which Sacred Heart University has been established.
Sandra Lynn Nobili Award—Given to a Catholic student entering senior year and planning a career in elementary education. The recipient must have a cumulative average of 3.0 or better.
Noyce Scholarship Award—Available to students in the junior or senior class who seek certification in Secondary Biology or Mathematics and agree to teach in a high-needs school upon completion of the five-year program. Scholarship extends to the graduate year (3 years).
Robert M. Paul Award—Available to full-time undergraduate students. Preference is given to a Bridgeport Catholic high school graduate who has demonstrated financial need.
Certification Requirements
Candidates admitted to the elementary- or secondary-school certification programs must complete the courses listed below. The courses are grouped in sequentially ordered blocks. It is recommended that candidates progress sequentially through the program, completing the courses and field experiences in a block before enrolling in courses scheduled in the next block. Candidates must complete all 10 prerequisite courses before entering student teaching. Candidates must complete the courses with an average grade of B or better.
The course sequence for undergraduates accepted to the five-year program in elementary education is as follows:
Fall Junior Year
| ED 101 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| ED 152 | Education in the United States | 3 |
Spring Junior Year
| ED 205 | Education of Special Needs Students | 3 |
| ED 229 | Multicultural Education | 3 |
Fall Senior Year
Spring Senior Year
Summer 1 Fifth year
| ED 413 | Elementary Curriculum & Methods: Reading, Writing & Language Arts | 3 |
Summer 2 Fifth Year
| ED 430 | Elementary Curriculum & Methods: Social Studies, Health, & Physical Education | 3 |
Fall Fifth Year
| ED 459 | Elementary Curriculum & Methods: Mathematics & Science | 3 |
Spring Fifth Year
| ED 491 | Student Teaching Seminar: Elementary School | 6 |
During the fifth year, candidates are expected to complete 24 additional credits of graduate education courses to complete the MAT degree.
ED 413, ED 430, ED 459: Credits applicable to MAT degree for five-year program candidates only.
ED 491: Credits not applicable to MAT degree.
The course sequence for undergraduates accepted to the five-year program in secondary education is as follows:
Fall Junior Year
| ED 101 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| ED 152 | Education in the United States | 3 |
Spring Junior Year
| ED 205 | Education of Special Needs Students | 3 |
| ED 229 | Multicultural Education | 3 |
Fall Senior Year
Spring Senior Year
| ED 272 | Societal Issues in Adolescence | 3 |
Summer 1 Fifth Year
One of the following:
| ED 451 | Secondary Curriculum: Biology | 3 |
| ED 453 | Secondary Curriculum: Chemistry | 3 |
| ED 454 | Secondary Curriculum: English | 3 |
| ED 455 | Secondary Curriculum: General Science | 3 |
| ED 456 | Secondary Curriculum: Math | 3 |
| ED 457 | Secondary Curriculum: Social Studies | 3 |
| ED 458 | Secondary Curriculum: Spanish | 3 |
Summer 2 Fifth Year
One of the following:
| ED 461 | Secondary Methods in Biology | 3 |
| ED 463 | Secondary Methods in Chemistry | 3 |
| ED 464 | Secondary Methods in English | 3 |
| ED 465 | Secondary Methods in General Science | 3 |
| ED 466 | Secondary Methods in Math | 3 |
| ED 467 | Secondary Methods in Social Studies | 3 |
| ED 468 | Secondary Methods in Spanish | 3 |
Fall Fifth Year
| EDR 510 | Content Area Reading Instruction (Grades 7-12) | 3 |
Spring Fifth Year
One of the following:
| ED 471 | Student Teaching Seminar: Biology | 6 |
| ED 473 | Student Teaching Seminar: Chemistry | 6 |
| ED 474 | Student Teaching Seminar: English | 6 |
| ED 475 | Student Teaching Seminar: General Science | 6 |
| ED 476 | Student Teaching Seminar: Math | 6 |
| ED 477 | Student Teaching Seminar: Social Studies | 6 |
| ED 478 | Student Teaching Seminar: Spanish | 6 |
During the fifth year, candidates are expected to complete 24 additional credits of graduate education courses to complete the MAT degree.
ED 451-458, ED 461-468: Credits applicable to MAT degree for five-year program candidates only.
ED 471-478: Credits not applicable to MAT degree.
For further specifics about the Teacher Education programs or about advanced teaching degrees and certification programs for those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree, contact the faculty of the Department of Teacher Education at 203-371-7808.