AmeriCorps Member and Master's of Education Combined Program
Have you always wanted to teach? Would you like to give back while making an impact? Here is your chance. Goodwill AmeriCorps and Southern New Hampshire University have joined forces to help you realize your goals while you work to improve the lives of others and to strengthen communities.
The newly designed Master of Education in Secondary Education with STEM Education program is designed for individuals who hold their bachelor’s degree in content (English, math, science, history, or similar) and who would like to become teachers. Held on-campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, the program is 16-months in length and prepares teacher candidates to become classroom teachers in middle and/or high schools in one of five content areas:
- English Language Arts for Grades 5-12
- Mathematics Teaching – Middle Level
- Mathematics Teaching- Upper Level
- Science for Grades 5-8
- Social Studies for Grades 5-12
- All candidates earn a Certificate in Trans-Disciplinary Competencies including STEM Education Badges as part of their clinical coursework.
The total cost of the program is $25,200. However, as a volunteer you will complete hours of service work to impact the greater good. In that capacity, you will earn a stipend in the summer to defray costs. The volunteer and course work begin in the summer 2020 session, and from May-August 2020 candidates will receive a stipend of $1,289.95 and an Education Award of $2,470. Course and volunteer work continue throughout the school year and end the following summer, for which additional funding benefits of up to $6,195 in scholarship and $14,279 could be available for candidates beginning in September pending a forthcoming grant.
Besides the intangibles of making a difference in the community and being a part of a dedicated service team, this position has a living allowance divided evenly over the course of the term(s), health insurance coverage from the first day of service to the last day of the last month of their term (if serving 30 hours/week), and an education award (upon successful completion) to apply to previous federal student loans or continuing education costs at a qualifying Title IV institution. Applicable student loans can be put in forbearance and any interest accrued during the term will be paid by AmeriCorps. Members are covered under health insurance and workers’ compensation. Eligible members can also apply for child care reimbursement.
Over the course of the program, candidates will engage with grade 5-12 students, spending a full school year working alongside practicing educators in local schools. During the summer, candidates will develop Project Based Learning activities, and then work with middle and high school students during a summer learning program sponsored by SNHU. This program is competency-driven, ensuring graduates of this program are fully prepared to teach in the growing number of NH schools who have adopted a competency-based approach to teaching and learning. Teachers with secondary certifications, especially in the STEM fields and with STEM knowledge and skills, are sought after by school districts looking to hire new teachers. Candidates in this program learn essential transdisciplinary knowledge and skills enabling them to collaborate effectively across content areas regardless of certification area. This is a valued skill in today’s middle and high schools as they increasingly implement project based learning and authentic assessments.
Note that students will not be recommended for certification until they have met all testing requirements as required by the New Hampshire Department of Education which includes a passing score on the Praxis CORE (or its equivalent) and the relevant Praxis II Content Exam (or its equivalent).
At the culmination of the program, candidates will be certified to teach in the state of New Hampshire, which has reciprocity with 44 other states, will have earned STEM Education digital badges as part of their coursework, will have completed a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education with STEM Education, and, most importantly, will have given back while making an impact through volunteerism.
For more information, visit https://www.snhu.edu/campus-majors/graduate/med-secondary-education-with-stem-education or contact Dr. Amanda Murchison directly at a.murchison1@snhu.edu.
Are you ready to be the solution? Join us.