Education
Program Overview
Saint Elizabeth University has been recognized as a leader in teacher education since its founding over 100 years ago. In more recent years, the University has expanded its offerings to include graduate-level teacher certification, an M.A. degree in Education, an M.A. degree in Educational Leadership, an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership. Those who have earned their certifications and degrees at SEU continue to compete favorably for teaching and school leader positions.
SEU faculty recognize that programs in teacher education and educational leadership constantly must evolve to meet the demands of professional standards, state and national requirements for certification, expectations of regional and national accrediting bodies, and the changing criteria for highly-qualified teachers and school leaders. To ensure the excellence of all SEU certifications and degrees in Education, the undergraduate, and graduate teacher education programs and the M.A. in Educational Leadership are approved by the New Jersey Department of Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Flowing from the institutional mission of Saint Elizabeth University, the specific mission of all undergraduate and graduate programs in teacher education and educational leadership is to prepare competent, caring, responsible, professionally active educators who emerge as empowered leaders in their profession.
Outcomes
Students who earn SEU degrees and certifications in Education and Educational Leadership will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the subjects they are expected to teach.
- Demonstrate competence in planning, teaching, and assessment through appropriate pedagogical strategies designed to address the diverse needs of learners and to promote literacy, critical thinking, and problem solving.
- Increase their capacity to create for students inclusive, supportive, safe and respectful classroom environments that sustain intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development.
- Promote the dignity of each individual, respecting the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political perspectives, and other ideologies.
- Recognize the purpose of information and its application in the development of knowledge and enhance their skills in locating, evaluating, and effectively using information in decision making.
- Develop skills in technology to support 21st century teaching and learning.
Graduates
Students completing SEU undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs can earn a New Jersey Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing in the following areas: P-3, K-6, Teacher of Students with Disabilities, and K-12 Subject Area in Art, Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics and Social Studies. The New Jersey State Department of Education awards permanent certification to all provisional teachers who successfully complete the state-required induction period in school districts.
Upon successful completion of the M.A. in Educational Leadership program and obtaining a passing score on the SLLA Praxis, candidates will be eligible for a standard certificate as a supervisor and a certificate of eligibility as an assistant principal, director, and principal. Candidates for the principal certification also must document at least three years of certificated teaching experience, as well as provide evidence that a fourth and fifth year will be completed during the course of study.
SEU alumni teach and lead in schools throughout New Jersey and the nation.