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 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 Admissions into Franklin Pierce University
- Open an account with the NH DOE and let us know your EdID number
- Pass ED112 with a C or higher
- Pass ED105 with a C or higher.
- Pass your basic New Hampshire background check.
Gate 2 - Acceptance into the Teacher Licensure Program
- Pass your NH Basic Assessment of Academic Skills (BASA) tests
- Be in good academic standing
- Pass ED224 with a C or higher
- Submit your Teacher Licensure Program Application
- Get fingerprinted for the New Hampshire Department of Education
Gate 3 - Acceptance as a Student Teacher
- Submit an Application for Student Teaching. (term prior to student teaching)
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5
- Complete all required courses in Education with a C grade or higher
- Successfully complete all field experience requirements
- Complete all other non-education courses required for your degree
Gate 4 - Graduation
- Complete student teaching seminar and New Hampshire TCAP
- Successfully complete the student teaching experience
- Complete all NH subject area testing (this is recommended but not required)