Education There will always be a need for great teachers. Not only are teachers needed, teaching is a career in which you will always have a purpose — and a job. Saint Peter’s University has been a leader in teacher preparation and its programs are recognized for their quality and innovation. Our undergraduate major in Education offers outstanding preparation in facilitating active learning and instruction in diverse and inclusive classrooms. You’ll be trained to do the work that you love — helping students to not only learn, but find their way in life. Through the service of committed faculty, and a curriculum rooted in Jesuit values, you’ll not only have real world experience, you will go on to make a difference in the lives of your students.
Programs and Tracks The undergraduate program in Education provides pre-professional training for teaching: • Early Childhood Education (P–3) • Elementary Education (K–6) • Elementary Education Major with Middle School Certification (Grades 6–8) • Subject Area Major with Secondary School Education (K–12 certification) • Health and Physical Education
Clinical Experience Clinical experience gives students the opportunity to teach and observe live classes under the tutelage of experienced teachers. Saint Peter’s partners with 75 elementary and secondary schools, 36 school districts, 14 charter schools and 25 private and Catholic schools in a range of diverse settings throughout New Jersey.
Sophomore and Junior Clinical Experiences Students go into a school for classroom observation and interaction with the teachers and staff. They meet monthly with their professor, complete assignments and compile journal entries.
Clinical Practice I Students observe classes and teach lessons under the supervision of the classroom teacher and have an opportunity to work directly with groups of students in the classroom.
Clinical Practice II Student teachers work under the supervision of School of Education supervisors and experienced teachers on site at schools throughout the area. They prepare and teach lesson plans, get to know the staff of the school including the classroom mentor teacher, and learn from being evaluated in the classroom for a semester.
National Science Foundation Grant
Honor Societies
Saint Peter’s University was recently awarded a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation for the Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship Program to encourage and prepare future K–12 educators to teach in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Through the program, STEM majors are offered scholarships and stipends to prepare them to become K–12 teachers.
The Student Education Association (SEA) and Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education (KDP) are active on campus. All students in all education programs are eligible to join the SEA based on GPA. Students in SEA and KDP attend workshops and conferences and sponsor programs at a local shelter for homeless women and children.
For course descriptions and additional information visit
www.saintpeters.edu/academics 10/22
Education “When they say your professors will care about you, it’s actually true, it’s not some marketing strategy. The professors here have a heart to teach. I was taken away by how caring they are.” — Newstein Chang ’19
Admission Requirements Students typically apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program during the second semester of sophomore year. Requirements: • 3.0 GPA or higher • Completion of Sophomore Clinical Experience and Seminar • Completion of either ED-160 or ED-170/ED-203 • Entrance Interview • Recommendation of School of Education faculty • Passed the Praxis I Core Exam
Faculty and Staff Jay Garrels, Ph.D. Chair, Dept. of Health & Physical Education and Exercise Science Assistant Professor
Stephanie D. Squires, Ph.D. Dean of the School of Education Anna Cicirelli, Ed.D. Associate Dean and Executive Director for Graduate Programs in Education
Michael Finetti, Ed.D. Associate Professor
Michele Cassaro, M.A. Director of Field Placements and Certifications
Nicole Luongo, Ed.D. Professor
Andie DiMarco, M.A., M.Ed. Director of Assessment & Program Advisor
James P. Jacobson, M.A. Associate Professor
Jennifer Ayala, Ph.D. Professor
Orlando Rivera, M.S., CSCS Assistant Professor Sara Talis O’Brien, Ed.D. Professor
Consider our Accelerated Program! In just five years you can walk away from Saint Peter’s with your bachelor’s and master’s degree in education. For more information, contact Dr. Anna Cicirelli at acicirelli@saintpeters.edu.
For course descriptions and additional information visit
www.saintpeters.edu/academics