Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

The Interdisciplinary Studies major and accompanying degree educates to the broad sweep of the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Together with other Sacred Heart University core requirements for the bachelor's degree, the major provides graduates with the necessary foundation for successful teaching of academic content in the elementary school.

The Interdisciplinary Studies major is designed for students considering the Farrington College of Education & Human Development's Five-Year Program, in which students can earn their bachelor's degree and their Master of Arts in Teaching, along with initial teacher certification in the state of CT in elementary education. The major meets CT State Department Education regulations for the interdisciplinary major.

The Interdisciplinary Studies major for aspiring elementary teachers is designed with the intention to provide candidates with a balanced set of courses in the arts and sciencesEnglish, history, political science, geography, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physicsas well as the opportunity to explore one of the aforementioned areas in depth.
This major allows Elementary teachers to prepare with relevant coursework in science, math, social studies and language arts and helps our candidates to acquire greater knowledge and confidence. It also provides excellent preparation for the Praxis II exam, required for elementary certification in Connecticut and other states.

The Five-Year Program allows our candidates to receive BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, Master of Arts in Teaching and the State of Connecticut Elementary Teaching Certification. In addition, their internship provides them with significant work experience which will put them in an advantageous position for employment.

Students must have completed the equivalent of a United States secondary-school education (approximately twelve years of formal education) and have the appropriate diploma or satisfactory results on leaving examinations.

Students may declare the Interdisciplinary Studies major upon undergraduate admission to SHU. Admission to the Five-Year Program takes place during fall semester of sophomore year. Requirements include maintenance of an undergraduate GPA minimum of 2.80, grade of \u201cC\u201d or better in Foundational Core and Area of Concentration courses, completion of an essay, interview with faculty in the Department of Teacher Education and Praxis Core Academic Skills Exam for Educators.

For all non-native English speakers, an official English language proficiency examination is required. The following examinations and minimum scores are accepted:

• TOEFL 80+
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 80
• TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
• Academic IELTS 6.5
• Duolingo 110

Other Acceptable Exam Scores

• PTE: 62
• iTEP: 5
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: 180
• Completion of ELS 112
• Completion of EF Level C1
• Completion of Talk Level 7
• EIKEN: pre-1
• GTEC: 1200
• PTE: 62
• SHU ESL Program: Score of 90 on exit ESL exam AND successful completion of Level 5 or 6
• VEPT 5.5