English and Creative Writing

At the University of Bridgeport School of Education, we focus on giving our graduates the knowledge and preparation they need to become great educators – people who challenge and inspire their students to dream bigger, reach farther and achieve more. Graduate students may work toward a Master of Science in Elementary Education or Master of Science in Secondary Education. Students may attend as full-time or part-time enrollees. UB is home to the first tuition-paid internship program in the country and trains more Connecticut teachers than any other school in the state. M.S. degree classes are available in Bridgeport, Stamford, or Waterbury. UB works closely with 60+ school districts in Connecticut and Westchester, NY.

Program Options

Tuition-Paid Internship - Option

• Save over $20,000 in tuition
• Accelerated Program - Complete your master's degree in ten months
• You take classes at least two to three nights a week
• UB's School of Education arranges your internship placement
• You intern full-time in a cooperating school during the day for an entire calendar year
• You pay only for books and fees

Traditional Student - Option

• Participate in fieldwork at a local school of your choice
• Complete the program at your own pace, usually in two or more years
• You are responsible for all program tuition, fees and books

Residency (Student) Teaching Placement

(Please note: The Residency (Student) Teaching Placement is not covered under the Tuition-Paid Internship – Option)

You must complete six credits (60 days or 12 weeks) of residency (student) teaching for Connecticut certification. Your student teaching placement is made through the School of Education and is supervised by university staff.

Education Certification Tracks

• Elementary Education (M.S. or Sixth Year Certificate)
• Secondary Education (M.S. or Sixth Year Certificate)
• Educational Administration and Supervision (Sixth Year Certificate - 092)
• Remedial Reading & Remedial Language Arts (Sixth Year Certificate - 102)
• Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

This 33 credit graduate course of study provides extensive course work and experiences in working with students in the field of literacy and language arts, leading to the initial educator certification in Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts (102) for grades 1-12.

Program Objectives

The Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts Certificate or Sixth Year program focuses on working with students in a variety of instructional settings for the purpose of teaching literacy processes, for evaluating students in reading and language arts, and for developing and evaluating literacy programs. In this program, students learn to create appropriate literacy instruction for learners experiencing difficulty in reading and language arts. Upon completion of this program, students may apply for the Connecticut initial educator certificate in Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts, 1-12.

Learning Outcomes

The candidates will be able to:

Prepare lesson plans at appropriate levels (Elementary and Secondary) in Language Arts.

Prepare lesson plans at appropriate levels (Elementary and Secondary) in Developmental Reading.

Diagnose and create appropriate interventions for students with difficulties in Reading and Language Arts.

Evaluate instructional outcomes in Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts.

Construct language arts programs for students with special needs.

Program Requirements

The program leading to certification in Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts is aligned with the International Reading Association’s standards for the preparation of reading professionals. The Master’s level program includes the following:

Foundations of Education coursework , including Educational Psychology, Special Education, and Children’s or Adolescent Literature;

Professional Educational coursework in reading and language arts, including Methods and Materials in Teaching Language Arts, Developmental Reading in the Elementary School, Reading and Writing in the Content Areas, Diagnosis and Intervention of Reading and Language Arts Difficulties, and Tests and Measurements;

Literacy field experiences, including the Field Experience in Reading and Language Arts and the Practicum in Reading and Language Arts;

Additional coursework in Educational Technology, Instruction for the English Language Learner, and Statutory Requirements;

Master’s degree requirements, including Research and Report Writing and a Final Degree Requirement.

A completed graduate admissions application and application fee;A Bachelor’s degree with a B- cumulative undergraduate GPA;Official transcripts from all institutions attended;Proof of your current teaching certification(s);Passing PRAXIS I scores, or the Essential Skills Test waiver.Two letters of recommendation attesting to your suitability for becoming a reading teacher and your potential for graduate-level work;A 350–500 word well-written essay addressing your reasons for wanting to enroll in the program and describing your relevant teaching experience;A successful interview with the program director;Proof of completion of at least 30 months of successful classroom teaching experience.