Secondary Education

When you are ready to apply, you can create an online application. Please plan to spend about 10 - 15 minutes completing the application. You can create the application and return to the platform in the future to submit it if you require additional time. You should be prepared to answer a series of questions pertaining to your biographical information, program of interest, and educational/ work background. Additionally, you will be required to enter the names and contact information for two references. As part of the application process, you will be required to submit all official college transcripts (sent directly from your institutions), two recommendations (submitted directly from your references who will receive a unique email link), a personal statement, resume, and test scores (required for programs leading to state certification). Please note, you may submit the online application prior to submitting the required supplemental materials. For any questions about the online application please contact Fairfield University Graduate Admission.

Application Deadlines.

Our Office of Graduate Admissions is available to explain the application requirements and to help you get your application together. You may contact them by submitting a request for information or by phoning (203) 254-4184 or toll-free (888) 488-6840.

The GREs are not required.

Students need to provide documentation of scores on the Praxis Core, SAT, ACT, GRE, or equivalent test.

The overall GPA requirement for admission is 2.67 with a 3.0 average in the subject area (licensure area) coursework. Candidates who do not meet the overall GPA requirement can apply for a GPA waiver if their GPA is not below 2.4. Candidates whose subject area coursework is below 3.0 may be required to take additional coursework.

Tuition and fees for Fairfield's graduate programs.

Our programs are designed to accommodate students who want to attend part time because most of our students are working at least part time. Some of our students attend full time, however.

Most of our courses are offered in the evening and a few are offered on the weekends. Weekday courses generally meet once a week for two hours.

We keep our classes small. The typical maximum class size is 20, but class sizes range from 10 to 20.

Our students come from a variety of undergraduate and graduate backgrounds, which adds to the richness of our interactions in class. Though an undergraduate degree in the content area is strongly recommended, candidates with other related majors are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates for 7-12 teaching certification must have a minimum of 30 approved credits in the content area. Candidates who do not have a minimum of 30 credits are advised to meet with program faculty to identify appropriate coursework to take before beginning the M.A. program.

Applicants are not required to have previous teaching experience or education coursework to be admitted to the program. Candidates spend a significant amount of time in school settings as part of their planned program. That said, if you have not been in a school setting for a long time, it is useful to visit a classroom to familiarize yourself with schools today and ensure this is the right career path for you.

Students who attend full-time take 9 credits each Fall and Spring semester and up to 6 credits in the summer sessions. For full-time students who start in the Fall semester, the program can be completed in about 2 years. For students who attend part time, the time will vary based on how many courses are taken at a time. Students are required, however, to complete their degree within six years after they begin their first course.

Our financial aid office can best answer that question for you. You may reach them by phoning (203) 254-4125 or by e-mailing them, and you can visit the Financial Aid page.

Our graduate assistantships provide tuition credit for work. Please see the Graduate Assistantship page for more information.