Social Studies / Elementary Education / General Special Education (B.S.)

This program is for qualified participants working or volunteering in approved programs or education settings. The key components of this program include mentorship of the teacher candidates by highly skilled professionals, the hands-on experience of working with children in educational settings, and the opportunity to build your teaching capacity over time. Graduates of this program will be eligible for licensure in elementary education and general special education. Additionally, graduates of this program will be highly qualified in elementary education.

Degree Requirements

General Education Program Requirements

A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.

All General Education requirements must be taken prior to the capstone.

Writing Program Requirements

All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:

Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.

Major Requirements

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for state licensure.

Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete all General Education program requirements. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Refer to the Degree Plan for a sample course sequence. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.

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Required prior to beginning the last 60 credits of degree program

²

Passing BASA scores must be submitted prior to taking EDC 700 Introduction to Clinical Experience

Electives

Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.

State Licensure Requirements

The following requirements must be completed in order to be recommended to the state for teacher licensure:

• A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for state licensure.
• Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA): Pearson Essential Academic Skills or Praxis Core Academic Skills For Educators exam required. Passing BASA exam scores must be submitted prior to taking EDC 700 Introduction to Clinical Experience.
• Licensure Exams: Students must attempt to pass licensure exams prior to taking the Culminating Teaching Experience & Seminar. Passing exam scores are required for state licensure.
  • Pearson Foundations of Reading Exam  
  • Pearson Special Education Exam
  • Pearson General Curriculum Subtests I and II 
  • *K-8 Licensure: Middle Grades Social Sciences Exam (plus 15 content area credits)

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Note: Only 1 Clinical A course allowed per term

• Develop a working understanding of current brain research and its implications for teaching and learning.
• Develop the skills to access and utilize technology as a tool to empower teaching and learning.
• Develop a solid understanding of the utilization of formative and summative assessment for program design, monitoring student progress and evaluating teaching effectiveness.
• Work with colleagues to observe, analyze and provide feedback on student progress and teaching effectiveness.
• Utilize research methods and materials, pedagogies and assessment strategies to teach for understanding and application specific to content area.
• Analyze current societal trends and issues through the context of events from pre-history to the modern era, inclusive of cultural, political, religious, technological, and scientific changes.
• Employ disciplinary methodologies to describe how the patterns of cultural interaction, interdependence, religion, migration, conflict, and trade affect globalization, nationalism, and environmental changes.
• Attribute how societal development and global interactions are shaped by political structures, ideologies of government, and policies.
• Employ scientific methods to explain the functions and processes of geophysical phenomena and the role humans play in its formation.

Social Studies/Elementary Education and General Special Education (B.S.)

Location/Delivery: College of Professional Studies [Online Program]

This program is designed to prepare graduates for professional licensure/certification as follows:

Teacher Licensure

Elementary Education (K-6) and General Special Education (ages 5-22)

The University of New Hampshire has determined this program meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in:¹
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont

Additional information and related resources are available on the Office of the Registrar's website.

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State specific post-education requirements are subject to change. Students are responsible for confirming these requirements in their state of residence and intended practice.