Interdisciplinary Studies Major for Elementary Teacher Certification
Rene Roselle, PhD
Director of Teacher Preparation
Office Phone: 203 365-7655
Fax: 203-365-7513
E-mail: roseller@sacredheart.edu
The Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) major is for students who wish to teach elementary school. It 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 42-43 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).
The IS major is a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree, with a minimum of 120 credits required for graduation. Students with a concentration in English or social studies earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students with a concentration in mathematics or science earn a Bachelor of Science degree. The Isabelle Farrington College of Education collaborates closely with the academic departments in the College of Arts and Sciences which provides most of the courses within this major.
The IS major consists of foundational core courses of 30-32 credits, as well as a concentration of 6–8 credits. Coursework in one of the following areas of concentration is required: English, social studies, mathematics, or science. Coursework for concentrations in English and social studies must be at the 300 level or higher.
- For English, 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, the 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 and one termed scholarships to undergraduates. For further information, contact the Dean’s Office at 203-365-4791.
Endowed Scholarships
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 the senior year and planning a career in elementary education. The recipient must have a cumulative average of 3.0 or better.
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.
Termed Scholarship
Noyce Scholarship Award - Available to students in the junior or senior class who seek certification in elementary, secondary biology or secondary 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).
Program Requirements
Science
Complete 9-10 credits in the following:
- (For those seeking a concentration in Biology, take BI 111 and BI 114 instead of BI 109).
- (For those seeking a concentration in Chemistry or Physics, must include CH 117 or PY 100).
| BI 109 | Biology for Elementary Teachers with Lab | 3 |
| BI 111 | Concepts in Biology I: Molecules to Cells | 3 |
| BI 114 | Concepts in Biology II Laboratory | 1 |
| CH 101 | Physical Science | 2 |
| CH 102 | Physical Science Lab | 1 |
| CH 117 | General Organic & Biochemistry: An Overview | 3 |
| PY 101 | Earth & Space Science | 2 |
| PY 102 | Earth & Space Science Lab | 1 |
Areas of Concentration
Coursework in one of the following areas of concentration is required: English, social studies, mathematics, or science. Coursework for concentrations in English and social studies must be at the 300 level or higher.
- For English, 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 the departments of Foreign Languages and Culture, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology. For history, one of the two courses must be HI-301 Historical Method and 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, students will take BI-111 and BI-114 instead of BI-109. For those seeking a concentration in chemistry or physics, the concentration must include the three credit CH-117 General Organic and Biochemistry or the four credit PY-100 Elements of Physics, (6-7 credits).
Social Studies
Complete 9 credits in the following:
(GS 150 and PO 121 are required; Choose either HI 222 OR HI 223).
| GS 150 | World Geography | 3 |
| HI 222 | United States History to 1865 | 3 |
| HI 223 | United States History Since 1865 | 3 |
| PO 121 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
Mathematics
Complete 10 credits
| MA 107 | Numbers & Operations for Elementary Teachers | 4 |
| MA 108 | Geometry for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
| MA 131 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
Reading and Language Arts
Complete 9 credits:
| ED 343 | Introduction to Language & Literacy | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| ENG 244 | Studies in World Literature | 3 |
| ENG 245 | American Literature for Elementary Educators | 3 |
Certification Requirements
Students admitted to the elementary teacher certification program must complete the courses listed below for Connecticut state certification. For students following the Five Year+ MAT/Certification program, an additional 24 credits of graduate study in education are required to complete the MAT degree. The terms of study of the certification courses are indicated here. The additional course schedule is provided on the plan of study developed with a Teacher Education faculty advisor upon admission to the Isabelle Farrington College of Education and Teacher Education program. Candidates must complete all 10 prerequisite certification courses with an average grade of B or better before entering student teaching. For students accepted into the elementary teacher certification program, the sequence of those courses required for certification is as follows:
Fall Junior Year
| ED 300 | Educational Psychology | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| ED 302 | Education in the U.S. | 3.00 Credit(s) |
Spring Junior Year
| ED 301 | Introduction to Exceptionalities | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| ED 304 | Multicultural Education | 3.00 Credit(s) |
Fall Senior Year
| ED 403 | Children's Literature | 3.00 Credit(s) |
| ED 404 | Classroom Management: Elementary | 3.00 Credit(s) |
Spring Senior Year
| ED 401 | Educational Technology | 3.00 Credit(s) |
Summer 1 Fifth Year
| ED 554 | Elementary Curriculum & Methods: Reading, Writing & Language Arts | 3.00 Credit(s) |
Summer 2 Fifth Year
| ED 556 | Elementary Curriculum & Methods: Science | 3.00 Credit(s) |
Fall Fifth Year
| ED 555 | Elementary Curriculum & Methods: Social Studies | 3.00 Credit(s) |
Spring Fifth Year
| ED 589 | Student Teaching Seminar: Elementary | 6.00 Credit(s) |
During the fifth year, candidates are expected to complete 21 additional credits of graduate education courses to complete the 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 Office of Graduate Admissions at (203) 365-7642.