Caulfield School of Education
The Caulfield School of Education
Do the work that you love with a degree from Saint Peter’s. People who are drawn to teaching love to share knowledge. They feel a desire to communicate and inspire those around them to learn. The Caulfield School of Education at Saint Peter’s University prepares motivated individuals to become exceptional teachers, administrators and counselors. You’ll be trained to do the work that you love — helping students to not only learn, but find their way as young people in society. Through the service of committed faculty, and a curriculum rooted in Jesuit values, you’ll not only meet the requirements for teaching certification through real world learning, you will go on to make a difference in the lives of your students. Saint Peter’s prepares you with a supportive environment that includes a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, small classes, and no large lecture halls. Everyone connected to the University — faculty, students and staff — has a singular goal: helping you achieve your dream of becoming an educator.
“Saint Peter’s educational experience is a personal one. We are committed to student achievement and lifelong learning by providing small classes, individual attention and early fieldwork experience. Teaching is a demanding profession. We want our students to emerge with the skills and confidence necessary to deal with the issues of the 21st century classroom.” — Joseph V. Doria, Jr., Ed.D. Dean, Caulfield School of Education
Education Programs The undergraduate program in Education provides pre-professional training for teaching at the P–3, elementary, middle, and secondary school levels: Early Childhood Education (P–Grade 3) Certification in Early Childhood Education is part of the Elementary Education major. (No secondary major required.) Elementary Education (Kindergarten to Grade 6) Elementary majors choose an area of concentration in which they take 15 credit hours. There are 20 different certifications available in key academic areas. (Includes P–3.) Elementary Education Major with Middle School Certification (Grades 6 to 8) All middle school certifications are available. Subject Area Major with Secondary School Education (K–Grade 12 certification) All major academic subject areas are available. Health and Physical Education Students minor in secondary education.
“I want to instill in students my love for travel and a passion for learning about other people so that they are more accepting of diversity, especially in the times we are living. It’s gratifying to have a student return to me after they studied in Guatemala, and then turn around and say they are going back there to help the community. This is my Jesuit mission as a teacher.” — Catarina Abrantes ’09, ’15 Spanish Teacher Union Catholic Regional High School
Your Teaching Career There will always be a need for great teachers. Employment in the field is projected to grow between five and ten percent over the next eight years (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Not only are teachers needed, teaching is a career in which you will always have a purpose — and a job. Experienced teachers within the School of Education provide expert guidance in your job search. You’ll be prepared with the documentation needed to build a professional portfolio. The department regularly disseminates information about employment openings. The annual Center for Career Engagement and Experiential Learning Education Job Fair attracts school districts from throughout New Jersey and the Northeast. When students are ready to begin networking with school districts, they find their student teaching experience and their professors’ connections invaluable.
Where Some of our Recent Graduates Work • • • • • • • • • •
Bayonne Board of Education Jersey City Board of Education Newark Board of Education New York City Board of Education Primary Prep Elementary School Stevens Cooperative School Union City Board of Education Weehawken Board of Education West New York Board of Education Westfield Board of Education
“An opening became available at the school while I was doing my student teaching. The principal approached me and personally asked me to interview. I think the process was easier because I already knew the principal and the vice principal. I’m very excited to start my new job, especially at a school that I already know.” — Aliquan Smith ’17 Health and Physical Education Teacher, Grades 9–12 McNair Academic High School, Jersey City
Saint Peter’s University was recently awarded a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation for the Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship Program to encourage and prepare future K–12 educators to teach in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Through the program, STEM majors are offered scholarships and stipends to prepare them to become K–12 teachers.
How You Learn The Core Curriculum Study of the liberal arts is considered the foundation of all educational programs at Saint Peter’s. Through the core curriculum, students analyze quantitative information and problem solve. They are encouraged to formulate ideas and communicate effectively, to read and write critically and cogently, and ultimately, to synthesize knowledge from the core to their chosen major. Students emerge as well-rounded individuals and better prepared teachers.
Advising and Support: Every Education student has an advisor to work with them one on one in their field experience and course work and guide them in which courses they should take to meet state requirements. This is a formalized process for the state of New Jersey. We also offer all of our students a free course that prepares them for the PRAXIS tests. Ultimately, professors help all of their students assume personal initiative and responsibility for their own education.
Honors Program The Honors Program blends academic excellence, curricular innovation and individual attention for select Education students who are ready to challenge themselves to perform at the highest academic level possible. Freshman enrollment in the Honors Program is by invitation based upon SAT/ACT scores and high school GPA.
“When they say your professors will care about you, it’s actually true, it’s not some marketing strategy. The professors here have a heart to teach. I was taken away by how caring they are.” — Newstein Chang ’19
Clinical Experience Clinical experience gives students the opportunity to student teach and observe live classes under the tutelage of experienced teachers. Saint Peter’s partners with 75 elementary and secondary schools, 36 school districts, 14 charter schools and 25 private and Catholic schools in a range of diverse settings throughout New Jersey.
Sophomore Clinical Experience (Field Experience 1) – 50 hours Students go into a school for classroom observation and interaction with the teachers and staff. They act as teacher’s aides in the classroom. They meet monthly with their professor, complete assignments and compile journal entries.
“We visited schools representing different curriculum every week. Head Start, Montesorri — we went to a bilingual school near Hoboken called Viaquenti Academy, and Primary Prep in Jersey City. I can honestly say it helped me a lot. We saw the teachers in action.” — Mareme Konare ’18, Early Childhood Education Clinical Experience (Field Experience 2) – 75 hours Students observe classes and teach lessons under the supervision of the classroom teacher and have an opportunity to work directly with groups of students in the classroom.
Clinical Practice (Student Teaching) – Full semester Student teachers work under the supervision of School of Education supervisors and experienced teachers on site at schools throughout the area. They prepare and teach lesson plans, get to know the staff of the school including the classroom mentor teacher, and learn from being evaluated in the classroom.
“Classroom observation through field experience gives Saint Peter’s teaching candidates first-hand knowledge of the school environment. It provides the opportunity to observe lessons, tutor students, grade papers, and helps the teacher in numerous other ways.” — Maureen Hoffman Director, Primary Prep Elementary and Middle School
Beyond the Classroom Reading Center
Honor Societies
The Reading Center at Saint Peter’s is staffed by highly qualified teachers. Students have opportunities for salaried and volunteer work with children from grades 2nd through 8th through tutoring programs, camps and summer programs. Students gain valuable experience and another way of being in the classroom.
The Student Education Association (SEA) and Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education (KDP) are active on campus. All students in all education programs are eligible to join the SEA based on GPA. Students in SEA and KDP attend workshops and conferences and sponsor programs at a local shelter for homeless women and children.
We Make a Difference Saint Peter’s students spend an average of 90 hours a week volunteering at local schools. Recently, we were named to the President’s Higher Education Honor Roll for Community Service.
You’re in Good Company Alumni, who work as superintendents, principals and teachers, mentor and nurture our community of graduates. Some teach as adjunct professors at Saint Peter’s, so students have the benefit of learning from professionals who are currently working in local school districts.
4+1: Start your graduate work in your senior year Students in good standing can take three graduate courses in their senior year which count towards both their graduate and undergraduate degree. This is a great way to get ahead with your masters degree program. At the graduate level, we offer:
• 5-Year BA/MA Education • Master of Arts in Education • Doctor of Education
Areas of Certification:
• School Counselor • Special Education • Applied Behavior Analysis
• Education Leadership • Reading • Teaching (all levels)
Students participate in research projects The Linguistic Landscape, Bergenline Avenue Project “The research looks at everyday practices and the Latinization of the area and how language is used. Students observe and take photos of signs. They begin to understand how English and Spanish merge. In the classroom it’s reflected in student writing and their speech — how people are using their linguistic resources and how all of it should be valued. There is richness in being multilingual.” — Dr. Jennifer Ayala, Professor of Education
Visit. It’s the best way to get to know us. saintpeters.edu/visit
We are affordable. We are one of the most affordable private colleges and universities in the region.
How to apply: For application and admission information contact the Office of Admission at (201) 761-7100. saintpeters.edu/admission
ACCREDITATIONS: NJ State Department of Education Certification programs
2641 Kennedy Boulevard • Jersey City, NJ 07306
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation