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The Educational Studies and Teacher Preparation Department in the School of Education and Human Development offers nationally accredited graduate programs for aspiring middle and high school teachers that are organized around the ideals of reflective inquiry and socially responsible professional practices. The Master of Arts in Secondary Education with initial 7-12 certification prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed for initial teaching licensure in one of five secondary subject areas: English, math, science (biology, chemistry, physics or general science), social studies/history and world languages (French, German, Italian, Latin or Spanish).
For each program, you'll learn within an inclusive environment of faculty, community members and leaders, and experienced, aspiring classroom teachers - providing you a strong foundation on which to help adolescents reach their full potential.
Paid Teaching Internships
Paid teaching internships available in the spring and fall semesters.
Elementary and Secondary Education at Fairfield
Contact Us

Ryan Colwell
Associate Professor
Education
x2586
Office of Graduate Admission
P: (203) 254-4184
F: (203) 254-4199
gradadmis@fairfield.edu
Accreditation
The School of Education and Human Development is currently accredited by NCATE, currently known as CAEP, the largest accrediting body for educator preparation providers, through December 2028.
Course Offerings
Requirements for M.A. in Secondary Education with Initial 7-12 Certification
- Complete all core and discipline-specific course work
- Complete 24 credits in the required Core Curriculum:
Philosophical Foundations of Education |
Teaching and Learning within Multicultural Contexts of Education |
Educational Psychology |
Foundations in Research and Evaluation of Psychoeducational Issues in Special Education |
Introduction to Educational Technology |
Evidence-Based Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms |
Research for Action and Advocacy in School and Community Settings |
Contemporary Schooling in Society |
- Complete 18 – 24 credits in Discipline-Specific course-work (see below accordion)
- Complete master's project: Capstone Seminar
Literature for Young Adults |
Teaching Writing in the 3–12 Classroom |
Teaching and Learning Grammar |
The Literate Learner:Developmental Reading in Middle and Secondary School Grades 5-12 |
English Methods |
Directed Observation & Supervised Student Teaching |
English Seminar |
Select two (2) graduate-level math courses in Statistics and Geometry (if taken previously; alternate courses can be taken with advisor approval) Courses taken through Fairfield's MA program in Math, with advisor approval |
The Literate Learner: Developmental Reading in Middle and Secondary Schools, Grades 5–12 |
Math Methods |
Directed Observation & Supervised Student Teaching |
Mathematics Seminar |
Science Methods |
Guided Research in Science |
Instructional Issues in Teaching Science |
Directed Observation & Supervised Student Teaching |
Science Seminar |
The Literate Learner: Developmental Reading in Middle and Secondary Schools, Grades 5-12 |
World Language Methods |
Language Acquisition |
Methods of Foreign Language Teaching for Elementary School |
Directed Observation & Supervised Student Teaching |
World Language Seminar |
Social Studies/History Methods |
Economic & Physical Geography |
Directed Observation & Supervised Student Teaching |
Social Studies/History Seminar |
Select one (1) elective with American Studies with advisor approval |
Admission
Applicants for the MA in Secondary Education must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent) and give promise of meeting the standards set by the School.
More About Secondary Education
Message From the Program Area Coordinators
Dear Prospective Student,
Today's students are living in an increasingly diverse, complex, and interdependent world. Daily we are inundated with media headlines about social issues related to globalization of the economy, global warming, international communications, and technological advances. Now more than ever, the need for teachers who can foster cross-cultural understandings, scientific literacy, critical thinking, and problem solving, as well as prepare students to communicate effectively in a variety of languages and settings, is vital.
The Secondary Education with Initial 7-12 Certification programs at Fairfield University prepare candidates to be effective English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Language teachers for students in Grades 7-12.
The following Program Area Coordinators within each content area work closely with graduate students to promote their understanding of teaching and learning, discipline-specific teaching practices and subject area knowledge. Please feel free to contact them via their e-mail links below if you have additional questions.
Secondary English Education Dr. Bryan CrandallSecondary Math Education Dr. Emily Smith
Secondary Science Education Dr. Emily Smith
Secondary Social Studies Education Dr. Joshua Elliott
Secondary World Language Education Dr. Anne Campbell
Diversity and Inclusive Excellence
As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Fairfield is dedicated to diversity and inclusion; to radical hospitality in service of racial, social, and economic justice.
Paid Internships
The School of Education and Human Development offers teaching internships for both non-certified and certified teachers studying for a master's degree or sixth year certificate of advanced study at Fairfield. Paid teaching internships will begin in the fall of 2020.
Career & Professional Opportunities
Candidates who complete their certification satisfactorily have excellent prospects of beginning positions in teaching. They are helped by Fairfield University's reputation for teacher preparation, broad faculty contacts with the profession, and large number of alumni who are established in school systems throughout Connecticut and nearby states.
Thus, graduates of Fairfield University's Secondary Education programs are highly-competitive applicants for teaching positions in middle and secondary classrooms. English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Language candidates have very successful experiences at the annual Fairfield County Job Fair, where local school districts are eager to interview Fairfield University graduates.
Candidates earning their certification in Connecticut can easily earn equivalent licenses in 39 other states as part of the Connecticut NASDTEC Interstate Contract. Visit the CT State Department of Education for more details about transferring a Connecticut license to another state.
Learn more about how the University's Career Center can support your post-graduate goals, and how Fairfield's tight-knit alumni network can build career and mentoring opportunities that last a lifetime.
Faculty
Our caring and committed faculty offer a rigorous course of study, with a broad range of courses that integrate critical reflection, extensive field experience, and the most current research in the field of Secondary Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.