Graduate Education Programs
Graduate Education Programs
The School of Education offers graduate education in Teacher Certification and Educational Leadership. Teacher Certification Candidates can earn a post baccalaureate certification, a Master in Education (M.Ed.) or both. Candidates in Educational Leadership earn a M.Ed.
Graduate Teacher Certification Programs of Study
Students may apply to the M.Ed. program, Teacher Certification, or both in any of the following areas. Total number of credits required for “Certification only” may vary, depending upon whether student is seeking first or second certification.
Elementary* (K-6 or K-8) Degree and Certification 40 credits M.Ed. only 36 credits
Certification only 40 credits
*All students must meet the Bachelor’s/undergraduate content area requirements for
K-6. Students must also demonstrate a 15-credit content concentration in English,
Mathematics, Science or Social Studies for the K-8 certification.
Social Studies* (5-8 or 5-12)
M.Ed. Degree and Certification 40 credits M.Ed. only 36 credits
Certification only 40 credits
*All students must meet the Bachelor’s/undergraduate content area requirements for
social studies or life sciences.
Life Sciences* (7-12)
M.Ed. Degree and Certification 42 credits M.Ed. only 36 credits
Certification only 39 credits
*All students must meet the Bachelor’s/undergraduate content area requirements for social studies or life sciences.
English Language Arts* (5-8 or 5-12) M.Ed. Degree and Certification 42 credits M.Ed. only 36 credits
Certification only 40 credits
*All students must meet the Bachelor’s/undergraduate content area requirements for
English Language Arts.
General Special Education* (K-12) M.Ed. and Certification 48 credits M.Ed. only 42 credits
Certification only 49 credits
* All students must meet the Bachelor’s/ undergraduate content area requirements for
K-6.
Educational Leadership
M.Ed. Only 36 credits
Admissions and Acceptance
Criteria for initial application can be found in the Admissions section of the Catalog. Students applying to the School of Education Teacher Certification M.Ed. and Bachelor’s Conversation programs should provide transcripts to demonstrate a CGPA of 2.8 or higher. Applicants who provide transcripts to demonstrating a CGPA of 2.79 or lower may work through the School of Education to explore potential solutions and/or alternative pathways to acceptance. The undergraduate transcripts of teacher certification applicants will be reviewed to ensure content requirements are complete. Any applicant with a deficiency of content required at the Bachelor’s level will be required to develop a plan to complete required content. Evidence of the required content must be completed prior to student teaching.
Students accepted into M.Ed. Only will not need to take the Student Teaching and Seminar. However, they must take ED585 Student Research Capstone and pass background check for New Hampshire.
Requirements for Teacher Certification Programs
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 program. 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
- Sign the Academic Admissions worksheet
- Pass a New Hampshire background check and a background check from every state you have lived in for the past 5
*Gate 1 is a requirement for any courses that require field experience.
Gate 2
- Fulfilling the Basic Assessment of Academic Skills requirement
- Pass courses ED501 and ED505 or ED506 with a B- grade or higher
- Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 0
- Submit a Teacher Licensure Program
*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 0
- Complete all required courses in Education with a B- grade or higher
- Complete all field placement requirements and receive positive results on evaluations
- Complete all content area requirements
- Submit an application for student
*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 graduate 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.
M.Ed. Only
Students accepted into M.Ed. Only will not need to take the Student Teaching and Seminar.
However, they must take ED585 Student Research Capstone and pass background check
for New Hampshire and any state they have lived in in the past 5 years.
Certification Only
Students pursuing Teacher Certification without a degree will need to meet all requirements
for enrollment in the teaching certification program. Total number of credits for
"Certification Only" may vary.
M.Ed./Teacher Certification in Elementary Education (K-6 or K-8)
Double Certification
Students interested in combining elementary, middle or secondary certification with
General Special Education may do so by indicating that in the application process.
Students must also specify whether the M.Ed. degree will be in the area of Elementary,
Middle, Secondary, or Special Education. Once accepted, students will need to take
all applicable coursework in each area, complete a full student teaching clinical
(16 weeks) in the first certification area and 10-weeks in each additional certification
area. The N.H. TCAP must also be completed for recommendation.
Use of Undergraduate Credits
Undergraduate credits may be approved by the School of Education Director as credits
only when a candidate is enrolled for the sole purpose of certification. Undergraduate
credits will not count towards the Master’s Degrees. Candidates may transfer in graduate
credits with the Director’s approval.
Preclinical/Field Placement and Clinical Student Teaching Experiences
All certification 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. All students taking courses in the teacher certification program are required
to meet all enrollment criteria and to take part in field placement hours. Those students
seeking certification also participate in student teaching.
Pre-clinical/Field Experiences
Many courses in the School of Education require field-based assignments to ensure
that the teacher certification majors are experience authentic teaching situations.
We work with community partners to ensure that there is a mutually beneficial experience
for the students in the local school districts and for our teacher certification students.
Teacher certification majors must successful complete all required field experience
hours to pass the associated course. If a student has to retake a course with field
placement hours, the student must also redo the full set of field hours and all relevant
field assignments assigned through the course. Professional attire and travel to local
schools are required for this course. Any student participating in a field experience
must pass a New Hampshire background check, before a placement will be made.
Clinical/Student Teaching
A student teaching clinical experience is the final summative experience for all Teacher
Certification majors. All certification 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 complete Teacher Licensure
Gates 1-3 before they are placed in a student teaching experience.
M.Ed./Teacher Certification in Elementary Education (K-6 or K-8)
Students lacking an appropriate major or general education requirements will be required to complete content area deficiencies in addition to the program education courses. Courses are listed in the order they should be taken.
Required Education Courses
|
|
Course |
Field Hours |
Credits |
M.Ed. w/Cert |
M.Ed. Only |
Cert. Only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ED501 |
Graduate Teacher Education Program Orientation |
|
2 |
X |
X |
- |
|
ED506 |
Educational Psychology |
|
3 |
X |
X |
X |
|
ED505 |
Teaching and Learning in a Democratic Society |
|
3 |
X |
X |
X |
|
ED510 |
Design and Management of the Learning Environment |
30 |
3 |
X |
X |
X |
|
ED515 |
Primary Literacy |
15 |
3 |
X |
X |
X |
|
ED518 |
Methods in Teaching Mathematics |
15 |
3 |
X |
X |
X |
|
ED508 |
Introduction to Assessment |
|
3 |
X |
X |
X |
|
ED519 |
Scientific Inquiry and Teaching Methods |
15 |
3 |
X |
X |
X |
|
ED517 |
Methods in Teaching Social Studies |
15 |
3 |
X |
X |
X |
|
ED509 |
Understanding and Teaching Exceptional Learners |
15 |
3 |
X |
X |
X |
|
ED516 |
Teaching Literacy across the Curriculum |
15 |
3 |
X |
X |
X |
|
ED578 |
Action Research in the Classroom |
|
3 |
X |
X |
X |
|
ED531A |
Student Teaching for Elementary Certification |
|
3 |
X |
- |
X |
|
ED531B |
Student Teaching for Elementary Certification |
|
3 |
X |
- |
X |
|
ED574 |
Student Teaching Seminar (to be taken with ED531 A&B) |
|
1 |
X |
- |
X |
|
ED585 |
Student Research Capstone |
|
1 |
- |
X |
- |
|
|
Total Credits |
|
|
42 |
36 |
40 |
M.Ed./Teacher Certification in Social Studies Education (Grades 5-8 or 5-12)
Students applying to this program should have a Social Studies or History major or
degree. Social Studies Certification encompasses the disciplines of history, civics,
geography and economics. Students lacking an appropriate major or general education
requirements will be required to complete content area deficiencies in addition to
the program education courses. Courses are listed in the order they should be taken.
ED501 Graduate Teacher Education Program Orientation 2 Credits
ED506 Educational Psychology 3 Credits
ED505 Teaching and Learning in a Democratic Society 3 Credits
ED510 Design and Management of the Learning Environment 30 Hours 3 Credits
ED508 Introduction to Assessment 3 Credits
ED517 Methods in Teaching Social Studies 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED509 Understanding and Teaching Exceptional Learners 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED516 Teaching Literacy across the Curriculum 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED526 Best Practices in Secondary Contexts 30 Hours 3 Credits
ED578 Action Research in the Classroom (required for Certification) 3 Credits
Elective 1- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Elective 2- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Total field hours prior to student teaching 105
ED532A Student Teaching for Middle/Secondary Certification 3 Credits
ED532B Student Teaching for Middle/Secondary Certification 3 Credits
ED574 Student Teaching Seminar 1 Credit
ED585 Student Research Capstone (required for M.Ed. Only) 1 Credit
*Confer with your advisor and select 2 courses not already required.
Specific Testing for Certification
• Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) and Subject Area Testing in Social Studies
M.Ed./Teacher Certification in Life Sciences Education (Grades 7-12)
Students applying to this program should have a major or degree in Life Sciences.
Students lacking an appropriate major or general education requirements will be required
to complete content area deficiencies in addition to the program education courses.
Courses are listed in the order they should be taken.
ED501 Graduate Teacher Education Program Orientation 2 Credits
ED506 Educational Psychology 3 Credits
ED505 Teaching and Learning in a Democratic Society 3 Credits
ED510 Design and Management of the Learning Environment 30 Hours 3 Credits
ED508 Introduction to Assessment 3 Credits
ED519 Scientific Inquiry and Teaching Methods 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED509 Understanding and Teaching Exceptional Learners 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED516 Teaching Literacy across the Curriculum 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED526 Best Practices in Secondary Contexts 30 Hours 3 Credits
ED578 Action Research in the Classroom (required for Certification) 3 Credits
Elective 1- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Elective 2- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Total field hours prior to student teaching 105
ED532A Student Teaching/Seminar for Middle/Secondary Certification 3 Credits
ED532B Student Teaching/Seminar for Middle/Secondary Certification 3 Credits
ED574 Student Teaching Seminar 1 Credit
ED585 Student Research Capstone (required for M.Ed. Only) 1 Credits
*Confer with your advisor and select 2 courses not already required
Specific Testing for Certification
• Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) and Subject Area Testing in Life Sciences
M.Ed./Teacher Certification in English Language Arts (Grades 5-8 or 5-12)
Students applying to this program should have a major or degree in English. Students
lacking an appropriate major or general education requirements will be required to
complete content area deficiencies in addition to the program education courses. Courses
are listed in the order they should be taken.
ED501 Graduate Teacher Education Program Orientation 2 Credits
ED506 Educational Psychology 3 Credits
ED505 Teaching and Learning in a Democratic Society 3 Credits
ED510 Design and Management of the Learning Environment 30 Hours 3 Credits
ED508 Introduction to Assessment 3 Credits
ED509 Understanding and Teaching Exceptional Learners 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED516 Teaching Literacy across the Curriculum 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED526 Best Practices in Secondary Contexts 30 Hours 3 Credits
ED578 Action Research in the Classroom (required for certification) 3 Credits
Elective 1- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Elective 2- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Elective 3- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Total field hours prior to student teaching 90
ED532A Student Teaching/Seminar for Middle/Secondary Certification 3 Credits
ED532B Student Teaching/Seminar for Middle/Secondary Certification 3 Credits
ED574 Student Teaching Seminar 1 Credit
ED585 Student Research Capstone (required for M.Ed. Only 1 Credits
*Confer with your advisor and select 3 courses not already required
Specific Testing for Certification
• Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) and Subject Area Testing in English Language
Arts
M.Ed./Teacher Certification in General Special Education
Students applying to this program should have earned a baccalaureate degree. The Elementary
areas constitute appropriate background. Students lacking an appropriate major or
general education requirements will be required to complete content area deficiencies
in addition to the program education courses. Courses are listed in the order they
should be taken.
ED501 Graduate Teacher Education Program Orientation 2 Credits
ED506 Educational Psychology 3 Credits
ED505 Teaching and Learning in a Democratic Society 3 Credits
ED510 Design and Management of the Learning Environment 30 Hours 3 Credits
ED515 Primary Literacy 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED518 Methods in Teaching Mathematics 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED508 Introduction to Assessment 3 Credits
ED509 Understanding and Teaching Exceptional Learners 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED512 Special Education Law 3 Credits
ED540 Assessments/Identification of the Exceptional Learner 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED541 IEPs and Instructional Considerations 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED545 Effective Consultation and Communication 3 Credits
ED516 Teaching Literacy across the Curriculum 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED578 Action Research in the Classroom (required for Certification) 3 Credits
Total field hours prior to student teaching 120
ED562A Student Teaching for General Special Education 3 Credits
ED562B Student Teaching for General Special Education 3 Credits
ED574 Student Teaching Seminar 1 Credit
ED585 Student Research Capstone (required for M.Ed. Only) 1 Credits
Specific Testing for Certification For Special Education
Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA)
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
The Masters in Educational Leadership prepares educators with skills that provide
the background to lead in a broad range of educational settings, looking forward to
the needs of the future. Through a common core, elective courses and fully implemented
action research projects, leaders can design an educational plan that meets individualized
professional goals. After completing core courses, students will select from an array
of electives to build expertise in a content area which supports the individualized
action research project. Each Master’s degree is comprised of 36 credits. The general
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership has 6 required courses and 6 electives. Areas of specialization,
such as Curriculum and Instruction may have more required courses.
Core required courses for the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
SOE501 Foundations in Education 3 Credits
SOE505 Learning and Educational Practice 3 Credits
SOE601 Authentic Leadership 3 Credits
SOE511 Action Research I 3 Credits
SOE512 Action Research II 3
SOE611 Action Research III 3
Elective courses for the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (18 Credits)
ED/SOE Electives at the 500 or above level or the following:
GM520 Legal and Ethical Issues in Organizations 3 Credits
GM540 Organizational Behavior 3 Credits
GM563 Human Resource Management 3 Credits
M.Ed./Teacher Certification in Elementary Education (K-6 or K-8)
Students lacking an appropriate major or general education requirements will be required to complete content area deficiencies in addition to the program education courses. Courses are listed in the order they should be taken.
ED501 Graduate Teacher Education Program Orientation 2 Credits ED506 Educational Psychology
3 Credits
ED505 Teaching and Learning in a Democratic Society 3 Credits
ED510 Design and Management of the Learning Environment 30 Hours 3 Credits ED515 Primary
Literacy 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED518 Methods in Teaching Mathematics 15 Hours 3 Credits ED508 Introduction to Assessment
3 Credits
ED519 Scientific Inquiry and Teaching Methods 15 Hours 3 Credits ED517 Methods in
Teaching Social Studies 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED509 Understanding and Teaching Exceptional Learners 15 Hours 3 Credits ED516 Teaching
Literacy across the Curriculum 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED578 Action Research in the Classroom 3 Credits
Total field hours prior to student teaching 120
ED531A Student Teaching for Elementary Certification 3 Credits ED531B Student Teaching
for Elementary Certification 3 Credits ED574 Student Teaching Seminar 1 Credit
ED585 Student Research Capstone (required for M.Ed. Only) 1 Credit
Specific Testing for Certification
For K-6: Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) and Subject Area Testing, Foundation
of Reading
For K-8: Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) and Subject Area Testing, Foundations
of reading, MS Content area testing in concentration area.
M.Ed./Teacher Certification in Social Studies Education (Grades 5-8 or 5-12)
Students applying to this program should have a Social Studies or History major or degree. Social Studies Certification encompasses the disciplines of history, civics, geography and economics. Students lacking an appropriate major or general education requirements will be required to complete content area deficiencies in addition to the program education courses. Courses are listed in the order they should be taken.
ED501 Graduate Teacher Education Program Orientation 2 Credits ED506 Educational Psychology
3 Credits
ED505 Teaching and Learning in a Democratic Society 3 Credits
ED510 Design and Management of the Learning Environment 30 Hours 3 Credits ED508 Introduction
to Assessment 3 Credits
ED517 Methods in Teaching Social Studies 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED509 Understanding and Teaching Exceptional Learners 15 Hours 3 Credits ED516 Teaching
Literacy across the Curriculum 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED526 Best Practices in Secondary Contexts 30 Hours 3 Credits
ED578 Action Research in the Classroom (required for Certification) 3 Credits Elective
1- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Elective 2- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Total field hours prior to student teaching 105
ED532A Student Teaching for Middle/Secondary Certification 3 Credits ED532B Student
Teaching for Middle/Secondary Certification 3 Credits ED574 Student Teaching Seminar
1 Credit
ED585 Student Research Capstone (required for M.Ed. Only) 1 Credit
*Confer with your advisor and select 2 courses not already required.
Specific Testing for Certification
- Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) and Subject Area Testing in Social Studies
M.Ed./Teacher Certification in Life Sciences Education (Grades 7-12)
Students applying to this program should have a major or degree in Life Sciences. Students lacking an appropriate major or general education requirements will be required to complete content area deficiencies in addition to the program education courses. Courses are listed in the order they should be taken.
ED501 Graduate Teacher Education Program Orientation 2 Credits ED506 Educational Psychology
3 Credits
ED505 Teaching and Learning in a Democratic Society 3 Credits
ED510 Design and Management of the Learning Environment 30 Hours 3 Credits ED508 Introduction
to Assessment 3 Credits
ED519 Scientific Inquiry and Teaching Methods 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED509 Understanding and Teaching Exceptional Learners 15 Hours 3 Credits ED516 Teaching
Literacy across the Curriculum 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED526 Best Practices in Secondary Contexts 30 Hours 3 Credits
ED578 Action Research in the Classroom (required for Certification) 3 Credits Elective
1- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Elective 2- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Total field hours prior to student teaching 105
ED532A Student Teaching/Seminar for Middle/Secondary Certification 3 Credits ED532B
Student Teaching/Seminar for Middle/Secondary Certification 3 Credits ED574 Student
Teaching Seminar 1 Credit
ED585 Student Research Capstone (required for M.Ed. Only) 1 Credits
*Confer with your advisor and select 2 courses not already required
Specific Testing for Certification
- Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) and Subject Area Testing in Life Sciences
M.Ed./Teacher Certification in English Language Arts (Grades 5-8 or 5-12)
Students applying to this program should have a major or degree in English. Students
lacking an appropriate major or general education requirements will be required to
complete content area deficiencies in addition to the program education courses. Courses
are listed in the order they should be taken.
ED501 Graduate Teacher Education Program Orientation 2 Credits ED506 Educational Psychology
3 Credits
ED505 Teaching and Learning in a Democratic Society 3 Credits
ED510 Design and Management of the Learning Environment 30 Hours 3 Credits ED508 Introduction
to Assessment 3 Credits
ED509 Understanding and Teaching Exceptional Learners 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED516 Teaching Literacy across the Curriculum 15 Hours 3 Credits ED526 Best Practices
in Secondary Contexts 30 Hours 3 Credits
ED578 Action Research in the Classroom (required for certification) 3 Credits Elective
1- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Elective 2- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Elective 3- ED/SOE elective* 3 Credits
Total field hours prior to student teaching 90
ED532A Student Teaching/Seminar for Middle/Secondary Certification 3 Credits ED532B
Student Teaching/Seminar for Middle/Secondary Certification 3 Credits ED574 Student
Teaching Seminar 1 Credit
ED585 Student Research Capstone (required for M.Ed. Only 1 Credits
*Confer with your advisor and select 3 courses not already required
Specific Testing for Certification
- Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) and Subject Area Testing in English Language Arts
M.Ed./Teacher Certification in General Special Education
Students applying to this program should have earned a baccalaureate degree. The Elementary areas constitute appropriate background. Students lacking an appropriate major or general education requirements will be required to complete content area deficiencies in addition to the program education courses. Courses are listed in the order they should be taken.
ED501 Graduate Teacher Education Program Orientation 2 Credits ED506 Educational Psychology
3 Credits
ED505 Teaching and Learning in a Democratic Society 3 Credits
ED510 Design and Management of the Learning Environment 30 Hours 3 Credits ED515 Primary
Literacy 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED518 Methods in Teaching Mathematics 15 Hours 3 Credits ED508 Introduction to Assessment
3 Credits
ED509 Understanding and Teaching Exceptional Learners 15 Hours 3 Credits ED512 Special
Education Law 3 Credits
ED540 Assessments/Identification of the Exceptional Learner 15 Hours 3 Credits ED541
IEPs and Instructional Considerations 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED545 Effective Consultation and Communication 3 Credits ED516 Teaching Literacy across
the Curriculum 15 Hours 3 Credits
ED578 Action Research in the Classroom (required for Certification) 3 Credits
Total field hours prior to student teaching 120
ED562A Student Teaching for General Special Education 3 Credits ED562B Student Teaching
for General Special Education 3 Credits ED574 Student Teaching Seminar 1 Credit
ED585 Student Research Capstone (required for M.Ed. Only) 1 Credits
Specific Testing for Certification For Special Education
- Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA)
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
The Masters in Educational Leadership prepares educators with skills that provide
the background to lead in a broad range of educational settings, looking forward to
the needs of the future. Through a common core, elective courses and fully implemented
action research projects, leaders can design an educational plan that meets individualized
professional goals. After completing core courses, students will select from an array
of electives to build expertise in a content area which supports the individualized
action research project. Each Master’s degree is comprised of 36 credits. The general
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership has 6 required courses and 6 electives. Areas of specialization,
such as Curriculum and Instruction may have more required courses.
Core required courses for the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
SOE501 Foundations in Education 3 Credits SOE505 Learning and Educational Practice
3 Credits SOE601 Authentic Leadership 3 Credits
SOE511 Action Research I 3 Credits
SOE512 Action Research II 3 SOE611 Action Research III 3
Elective courses for the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (18 Credits)
Courses in the CMHC program can be used as elective: courses providing the student meet the minimum 3.0 GPA
ED/SOE Electives at the 500 or above level or the following: GM520 Legal and Ethical
Issues in Organizations 3 Credits GM540 Organizational Behavior 3 Credits
GM563 Human Resource Management 3 Credits
