Quinnipiac's elementary education curriculum is an intensive five-semester program of study consisting of core certification courses that provide eligibility for teacher certification, advanced course work in literacy, numeracy and pedagogy to satisfy master’s degree requirements, and a unique internship experience which provides pre-service teacher candidates the opportunity to learn about schools, students and teaching.

Applicants are accepted for admission to the Fall semester only and are expected to enroll as full-time graduate students. To ensure admission into the program with a placement in an internship, applicants should complete the application process early. It is recommended that applicants complete the application process for graduate admission and admission into the elementary education MAT program by March 31 before the anticipated Fall enrollment.

Internship
Candidates participate in an internship during the first two semesters of the program. Quinnipiac University has developed collaborative partnerships with school districts throughout central and southern Connecticut to provide graduate candidates with guided, hands-on professional practice and to defray some costs of the graduate portion of the program. Candidates in the internship receive a tuition reduction during the internship semesters. (An optional second internship is available during the final two semesters, resulting in significant additional tuition reduction.)

Interns serve in area schools in a variety of capacities and as substitute teachers with guidance from an on-site adviser and from a Quinnipiac faculty member. Each intern has the opportunity to participate in staff meetings and take part in all school operations, becoming a valued member of the school faculty. In the late afternoon and early evening, candidates continue their formal studies on the Quinnipiac campus.

Elementary Education MAT Curriculum