School of Education
School of Education
Associate Professor: Joan Swanson, John Villemaire
Assistant Professor: Dale Boyle, Elizabeth Lapon
Mission
Through a professional education sequence that emphasizes instructional strategies,
including technology, that are effective and relevant to teaching and learning in
today’s schools, Franklin Pierce seeks to prepare educators who:
• Work collaboratively within professional communities to support inclusive learning
environments where all learners thrive;
• Continually deepen their own understanding of specific disciplines and high impact
pedagogical practices, including the integration of technology,
• Support student learning by using multiple methods of assessment to guide instruction
and facilitate meaningful learning based on a continual cycle of evidence- based assessment;
and
• Demonstrate ethical responsibility to children, parents, local, national, and global
communities in their professional lives as leaders of conscience.
Teacher Certification
Education majors will complete programs leading toward teacher certification in the
state of New Hampshire. However, students who are interested in obtaining certification
in a state other than New Hampshire will need to consult with the Department of Education
in the state for which they desire to obtain a teaching license.
Undergraduate Education Programs
Major Honors
Undergraduate degree-seeking student must have earned at least 50% of major credits
at Franklin Pierce University to be considered eligible for major honors.
An Honors candidate in a Teacher Certification Major is required to have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average and a 3.33 grade point average in Education. A High Honors designation is awarded to students who have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average and a 3.67 grade point average in Education.
An Honors candidate in Educational Studies must have a 3.00 cumulative grade point average and a 3.25 grade point average in all major courses with no grade lower than C-. A High Honors candidate in Educational Studies must have a 3.00 cumulative grade point average and a 3.50 grade point average in all major courses with no grade lower than a C-.
Pi Lambda Theta
A Franklin Pierce University's chapter of Pi Lambda Theta Honors Society member must
have a Junior or Senior status, with a 3.5 GPA or higher pursing and Education major.
National membership is given directly through Pi Lambda Theta.
A Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in the following majors:
Majors: Non-Certification:
• Educational Studies
Teacher Certification:
• Elementary Education (K-6 or K-8)
• Middle (5-8) or Secondary English (5-12)
• Secondary Life Science (7-12)
• Middle (5-8) or Secondary Social Studies (5-12)
• General Special Education (K-21)
Requirements for Education Certification Majors
All licensure programs are approved by the New Hampshire State Department of Education
and must fulfill the requirements described in N.H. Ed Administrative Rules 500 and
600 series. Students must meet the following gates to progress through the teacher
preparation programs. Students seeking certification in states other than NH are advised
to consult that state for their respective certification requirements.
Teacher Licensure Gates
Gate 1
• Gain Admission into Franklin Pierce University
• Pass a New Hampshire background check and a background check from every state you
have lived in for the past 5 years.
*Gate 1 is a requirement for any courses that require field experience.
Gate 2
• Fulfilling the Basic Assessment of Academic Skills requirement
• Pass courses ED105, ED112 and ED224 with a C grade or higher
• Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5
• Submit a Teacher Licensure Program Application.
*Gate 2 is a requirement for official acceptance into a Teacher Licensure Program.
Gate 3
• Open an on-line account with the New Hampshire Department of Education
• Be in good academic standing
• Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5
• Complete all required courses in Education with a C grade or higher
• Complete all field placement requirements and receive positive results on evaluations
• Complete all content area requirements
• Submit an application for student teaching.
*Gate 3 is a requirement for student teaching
Gate 4
• Complete all subject area testing
• Complete student teaching seminar and the New Hampshire TCAP assessment
• Successfully complete your undergraduate degree requirements
• Successfully complete the student teaching experience
• Apply for recommendation to the state of New Hampshire (optional)
*Gate 4 is a requirement for graduation and recommendation for licensure.