Exceptional 4+1 education programs
Earn your bachelor's & master's degrees in 5 years.
About
Be a teacher and change the world for the better.
4+1 programs give students the option to earn their bachelor's degree and master's degree in as little as 5 years. They allow you to transfer some of the credits you earn as an undergraduate student to your master's degree, which saves you money on tuition. In the College of Education, our 4+1 programs immerse you in a local school so you gain in-depth teaching experience as well.
The College of Education has several programs for reaching this goal:
- Secondary Education 4+1 Program. This program is for students who want to become middle or high school teachers.
- Elementary Education 4+1 Program This program is for students who want to become elementary school teachers.
No matter which program you choose, your coursework is grounded in principles of social justice education, so you have the skills and knowledge to transform the world for the better. Compassionate faculty provide individualized guidance for you, too, to help you reach your goals.
maximum # of credits you can apply toward your master's degree.
average number of job openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers annually
minimum number of years it takes to earn your bachelor's, master's, and teaching license in our accelerated programs.
average number of job openings projected for high school teachers in the U.S. through 2032
In the spotlight
Want to learn more? Sign up for an info session to hear more about our programs, ask faculty questions, and feel confident in your next steps.
Secondary Education 4+1: 180 Days in Springfield
Benefits:
1. Gain experience teaching mathematics, history, science, or English
2. Teach full-time in your placement school for the entire academic year
3. Gain experience in a second subject area in the spring practicum
4. Receive a $3,000 stipend when placed in the Springfield School District
Secondary Education 4+1: UTS
Benefits:
1. Gain experience teaching mathematics, history, science, and English
2. In the fall of the +1 year, UTS students complete 200 practicum hours. They are in the classroom full-time in the spring of the +1 year.
3. Flexibility to take additional courses or work part time in the fall.
Elementary Education 4+1
Benefits:
1. Small cohort of 20 students
2. Personalized support from faculty
3. Coursework draws on the constructivist theory of knowledge & learning and multicultural & social justice education
3. Immersive practicum (3 full days in the classroom in the fall, 5 full days in the spring)
Contact
Carie Ruggiano
Program Coordinator, University to Schools
Carie Ruggiano is a lecturer in TECS and one of the program coordinators for the Secondary Education 4+1 Accelerated Master's programs (UTS and 180 Days).
Daryl Essensa
Program Coordinator, 180 Days
Daryl Essensa is a senior lecturer II in TECS, and program coordinator for the TEACH 180 Days secondary teacher licensure residency.
Raymond Sharick
