Academic Programs-School of Education
School of Education The School of Education is committed to developing in its students a depth of academic knowledge that weaves theory into practice. Through a collegial culture of teaching and learning, faculty, staff, and students work collaboratively in the study of content that enables inquiry, critical thinking, and problem solving. Education students at SNHU choose to focus on child development, early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education or special education. Our secondary education programs include English and social studies. All certification programs meet the requirements for New Hampshire teaching certification.
Requirements for NH Teacher Certification Teacher Certification Program The quality of elementary and secondary schools depends on the character and caliber of our teachers, therefore the State of New Hampshire has set requirements for teacher certification. SNHU has designed the Teacher Certification Program (TCP) to ensure that its graduates meet the academic, professional, and personal standards that the state has set for teacher certification. Students apply to the Teacher Certification Program in the first semester of their sophomore year, or for transfer students their first semester. Applicants will be considered for acceptance to the TCP program based on the following criteria: • Achievement and maintenance of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 • Passing PRAXIS I Scores • Submission of required faculty recommendations • Submission of essay Only School of Education courses with a grade of “C” or better may be used toward NH teacher certification requirements. Any School of Education courses with a grade lower than a “C” may be used for graduation credits, but will need to be repeated with an earned grade of “C” or higher to be applied toward State of New Hampshire teacher certification.
Field Experiences The School of Education believes that the theories and methods discussed in the college classroom are best understood in concert with practical experiences. The State of New Hampshire requires that students participate in early and varied field experiences. Therefore, participation in applied learning situations is a required component of many DEV, EDU and SPED courses. Students seeking certification will be evaluated to confirm that they have met all field experience standards upon applying to student teaching.
Student Teaching All degrees leading to initial teacher certification culminate in a 16-week student teaching practicum. This valuable experience requires that potential educators intern full-time under the direct supervision of a cooperating teacher. During this placement, the student teacher gradually takes on the role of the classroom teacher. Students apply to the student teaching program one year prior to beginning their placement, generally during their junior year. In this application process, students are again evaluated to confirm that they have maintained the requirements outlined in the Teacher Certification Program and that they have completed all fieldwork and course requirements. Students must pass the PRAXIS II in their subject area prior to being considered for a student teaching placement.
Child Development Programs (Non-certification Program) The program in child development prepares students to work in a variety of settings in the public or private sector, or pursue graduate studies. Three concentrations are available: early care and education, early childhood leadership, and family studies. Each concentration is designed to flexibly meet students’ specific interests. The leadership concentration prepares students to operate their own early childhood businesses, become licensed directors for existing programs, or work as advocates and community leaders for children and families at the local, state, and federal levels. The family studies concentration enables graduates to work in the diverse field of family services as child and family caseworkers, home visitors, or child and family intervention specialists. A concentration in early care and education provides students with in depth knowledge of the qualitative changes and dynamic transformations experienced by children and prepares students to become early care and education teachers, education coordinators, child care resource and referral counselors, or validators for accrediting agencies.
Child Development Bachelor of Arts B.A./B.S. Core:
48 credits
Early Care and Education Concentration Major Courses Courses are 3 credits unless otherwise indicated. DEV DEV
103 150
DEV DEV
205 210
DEV
241
DEV DEV
260 303
DEV
340
Infant and Toddler History and Philosophy of the Child Study Movement Role of Families Psychosocial Development During Early Childhood Cognitive Development of Infants and Young Children Family and Culture Administration of Child Development Programs Theories of Play 71