Eastern Connecticut State University was founded in 1889 as the Willimantic State Normal School to train young women to be teachers. While the school has expanded its mission significantly since then, it has always made teaching an integral part of its identity.
The mission of Eastern Connecticut State University, the state’s designated public liberal arts university, is to provide high-quality undergraduate and select graduate programs to a diverse population of talented students. Eastern’s inclusive residential campus, outstanding faculty, emphasis on teaching excellence and exceptional facilities raise students’ aspirations and cultivate engagement, inquiry, integrity and social responsibility.
In the traditional arts and sciences, as well as in pre-professional programs that are grounded in the liberal arts, Eastern students apply theory in practical settings. Faculty research, scholarship, creative work and community engagement inform teaching and learning, advance knowledge and enrich the liberal arts curriculum. The University is committed to serving the state of Connecticut and the nation by preparing its students for their future personal, professional and public roles, as leaders in both their communities and professional fields.
- College or University
- Willimantic, CT
I transferred to Eastern after discovering the phenomenal opportunities available in the Center for Early Childhood Education. I was involved in many research projects and gained priceless experience in the field of education.
Jennifer Wolff
- Undergraduate Early Childhood, Elementary, or Secondary Education with Certification
- Graduate Early Childhood, Elementary, or Secondary Education
- From 24 to 48 monthsProgram DurationProgram duration can vary based on the number of courses taken per semester, summer semester enrollment, as well as other factors
- HybridProgram FormatCombination of in-person and online courses.
- Pre-Test RequiredYes
The undergraduate program was designed with candidates entering their junior year in mind. The program uses a cohort model and is divided into four Cores (semesters).
During Core I, candidates have a field experience in an urban or rural/suburban school district and learn how to work with small groups of students, how to manage the classroom, and how to design lessons specific to their program area. Core II includes a second field experience in a different urban, rural or suburban district and is designed for candidates to learn about working with all students regardless of academic ability. Core III is pre-student teaching, where candidates complete an extended experience in a third urban, rural or suburban district where their student teaching will occur during the final semester.
This arrangement gives candidates the opportunity to learn more about teaching their specific content to both whole and small groups of students. Student teaching occurs in Core IV and candidates complete 12 full weeks of clinical experience.
- From 24 to 48 monthsProgram DurationProgram duration can vary based on the number of courses taken per semester, summer semester enrollment, as well as other factors
- HybridProgram FormatCombination of in-person and online courses.
- Pre-Test RequiredYes
- DeadlinesProgram Start
- Final DeadlineMay 01, 2021Summer
- Transfer DeadlineAug. 01, 2021Fall
- Final DeadlineAug. 01, 2021Fall
- Final DeadlineFeb. 15, 2022Fall
- Final DeadlineFeb. 15, 2022Spring
$5,000/year for two years of study Connecticut Minority Teacher Incentive Grant; $4,000/year Federal TEACH Grant
$2,500/year stipend for four years if outstanding debt and teaching in CT public school CT Minority Teacher Incentive Program grant
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness - 120 qualifying payments while working for qualifying employer
$2,600/year for those qualifying for work study via FAFSA
Earth Science, Grades 7-12
Elementary, Grades 1-6
English, Grades 7-12
History & Social Studies, Grades 7-12
Integrated Early Childhood/Special Education, Grades Pre-K-3
Mathematics, Grades 7-12
Physical Education, Grades Pre-K-12
Program Semesters/Steps Overview
- Core I
45 hours of field work (mostly observational), courses include how students learn, how to design lessons, integrating reading throughout curriculum.
- Core II
45 hours of field work (small group work), courses include teaching second language learners and students with earning differences.
- Core III
135 hours of clinical experience (small group and whole group work), specific teaching methods for certification area, and human development.
- Core IV
12 weeks of full-time teaching (take-over of all classes), student teaching seminar.
Program Hallmarks
- Hands-On Experience
Coursework is seamlessly integrated into each clinical experience and clinical requirements are part of the Core courses each semester.
- Preparation for Diverse Populations
The education programs at Eastern prepare candidates to work in a variety of settings, where candidates must have experiences in both urban and suburban or rural settings and work with a variety of students (ethnicity, ability, primary language, etc.).
- Mentoring & Coaching
Candidates are monitored and coached by experienced university supervisors and highly qualified mentor teachers in district classrooms. Candidates are closely monitored for competency in the classroom and are evaluated throughout their field/clinical experiences.
- Male
- Female
- 20%
- 80%
- American Indian or Alaskan Native
- Asian
- Black
- Hispanic/Latino
- Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
- White
- Two or more races
- 0%
- 1%
- 1%
- 5%
- 0%
- 89%
- 4%