New Programs at University of Saint Joseph Respond to Teacher Shortages in CT

On the brink of a new school year, the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in West Hartford is launching three new education programs beginning this fall in response to the substantial teacher shortage in Connecticut.

The new offerings aim to attract students to the teaching profession and to provide professional development options for teachers already in the classroom.

With collaboration between education faculty, USJ Department of Education advisory groups, students and alumni, and analysis of the needs of current teachers and the demand for educators, USJ will now offer these programs:

•              Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

•              Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities

•              Graduate Concentration-Master of Arts in Education with a Concentration in Personalized Professional Pathways (MAPPP).

The Department of Education and USJ’s faculty worked together to review the curriculum, accreditation standards, and the needs of Connecticut schools. The curriculum for each of the programs was created through the integration of “existing robust courses in new pathways,” said Chair and Associate Professor for the USJ Department of Education, Ashley Oldham, Ph.D.

“As the need for support and continuous professional development increases in the face of serious teacher shortages in Connecticut, programs to sustain and energize educators already in the classroom have become a priority,” said Oldham. “As described, this program fulfills University goals, and holds the promise of enhanced enrollment in graduate programs that serve Connecticut communities.”

“This program will build on our strengths and prepare our Elementary educators to be confident, compassionate, and culturally responsive teachers,” said Dr. Dianna Wentzell, Director of Clinical Practice. “The various experiences students will receive will allow them to be better prepared to work with all students, including the diverse student population in many of the schools throughout our state and nation,” added Dr. Eileen Gonzalez, Elementary Education Program Director.   

The Department of Education at the University of Saint Joseph is described on the university’s website as “a community of 20 full-time faculty and staff, several professional educators who are part-time instructors, and more than 50 undergraduate students and 450 graduate students.”

The University’s department is “guided by a commitment to preparing justice-centered teachers and supporting equitable educational opportunities in PK-12 schools for all students, families, and communities.”

Programs in the department focus on the preparation of teachers for initial teacher licensure (pre-service teacher education) and providing continuing education opportunities, including cross-endorsements, for licensed practitioners (in-service teachers).  USJ offers more than a dozen graduate M.A. programs. 

Program benefits for students include one-on-one advisement, small classes, strong relationships between faculty and students, best practices in teaching, active engagement, collaborative strategies, technology-rich resources and outstanding hands-on field experiences, according to the university.