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Program Overview
In four years, get your initial certification and bachelor’s degree.
The School of Education and Human Development’s undergraduate major in curriculum and instruction is a response to the critical teacher shortage. This four-year degree major will allow students to serve as an educator with an initial certification in Elementary Education or Special Education.
Students in the Curriculum and Instruction Program will leave Fairfield with both a bachelor of arts degree and an initial teaching certification in the state of Connecticut. Since Connecticut’s teaching certificate has reciprocity in 35 states, your initial certification can open doors to opportunities across the country.
Get valuable hands-on experience.
Students pursuing the curriculum and instruction major will be required to complete a variety of fieldwork experiences as part of their coursework. Students are also required to complete a semester of student teaching in their discipline (Elementary or Special Education). These hands-on experiences are critical for students to be equipped with the skills needed to be a successful certified educator.
Contact Us
Office of Undergraduate Admission
P: (203) 254-4100
F: (203) 254-4199
admis@fairfield.edu
CAEP Accreditation
Fairfield’s School of Education and Human Development is nationally recognized by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and by their respective national professional associations.
Requirements & Curriculum
Students in the Curriculum and Instruction Major will choose between the elementary education track or special education track based on their career goals. The Elementary Education track certifies graduates to work in Pre-K to Grade 6 classrooms whereas the Special Education track certifies graduates to work with students in Pre-K to Grade 12.
In four years, students will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in elementary or special education and an initial teacher certification.
Latest Curriculum and Instruction News
School of Education and Human Development Announces New Undergraduate Program
Responding to the nation’s critical need for highly trained educators, the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) has launched the school's first-ever undergraduate major in Curriculum and Instruction. Simultaneously, the school has reformatted Fairfield's four-year pathway for secondary education which will allow for those pursuing teaching in middle and high school to also become certified in four years.
More About Curriculum and Instruction
Field Work
Field Work
Preparing for a career as an educator requires more than just completion of a list of courses. At the School of Education and Human Development, you will train under the careful mentoring of our faculty and local educators during a sequence of service-learning opportunities, diverse fieldwork experiences, and student teaching in local schools and programs.
Fieldwork Opportunities
Fairfield students benefit from the University’s connections to local school districts and programs.
Partnerships
- Westport Connections Program
- TOPS Program
- CT Writing Project
- Diocese of Bridgeport
- Local public school districts
- Independent schools
- Charter schools
Life After Fairfield
Life After Fairfield
The University Career Center serves Fairfield University students with comprehensive career support services, programming, and resources. Learn how Fairfield's Career Services can support your post-graduate goals, and how our tight-knit alumni network can build career and mentoring opportunities that last a lifetime.
Fairfield supports the scholarly success and intellectual growth of our students by providing various resources on campus including the Science Center, Writing Center, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, and more.
Faculty
Faculty
Learn more about the curriculum and instruction major faculty members.