How to Apply to the IB/M Program

Pre-service preparation is a critical factor in the initial success of new teachers. The quality and intensity of the preparation program is an important part of determining how successful teachers will be as well as how long they remain in the teaching profession. The five-year IB/M program is a rigorous, well-planned program designed to provide students an optimum combination of experiences in which they can build content area knowledge, knowledge of teaching and learning, and the practical knowledge required to be a successful and effective teacher for all students.

Information for Undergraduate Applicants to the IB/M Program

To qualify for the University of Connecticut's institutional recommendation to serve as a teacher, any applicant must successfully complete the Integrated Bachelor's/Master's Program, involving a minimum of five years of full-time study. Prospective teachers complete at least two years of course work in general education and subject area major prior to admission to the Neag School of Education, followed by at least two years of full-time course work in subject area major and professional education while enrolled in the undergraduate teacher education program, followed by at least one year of full-time course work in professional education while enrolled in the Graduate School to earn the Master of Arts in Education. Prospective Music Education undergraduate students must be admitted to the Department of Music as pre-music education majors.

Admission to the Neag School of Education is competitive. Enrollment in each program is limited. Up to fifteen of the most qualified applicants in each teaching program are admitted annually with the exception of forty in Elementary Education and twenty in Comprehensive Special Education. After completing at least three semesters students annually apply before January 20 to be considered for admission for the following fall semester. Students must complete at least fifty-four appropriate credits to be eligible for admission for the fall semester.

Successful applicants generally have completed sufficient appropriate credits to be eligible for consideration, have applied by the annual deadline of January 20, have participated in successful interviews with faculty, have accumulated sufficient experience working with children, have written acceptable essays, and have earned competitive cumulative grade point averages. Although the minimum admission standards of the Connecticut State Board of Education include at least a "B-" average (2.7 GPA) for all undergraduate courses, teacher education programs offered by the Neag School of Education are generally more competitive.

Deadlines

Regular Admission

  • Application Deadline: Jan. 20

Critical Shortage Area Admission (see information below)

  • Application Deadline: Jan. 20 and April 1

Study Abroad Admission

  • Contact Anna Roberts with intent by Nov. 15
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 1

Transfer Admission (non-UConn students)

  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15, UConn; Jan. 20, Neag School application

 

Critical Shortage Areas: The Connecticut State Department of Education has designated several certification areas as critical shortage areas. Currently, these are: secondary English, secondary mathematics, secondary science, secondary social studies, special education, and world languages (e.g., Spanish, French, etc.). Applications for critical shortage area majors are due by Jan. 20 and will be reviewed during the regular admissions period.

If we do not receive sufficient applications in a specific critical shortage area major, we accept applications for those areas beginning on March 1, 2024. Please note, students can apply only once per academic year to a given shortage area major.

Requirements

  • Applicants MUST complete 54 credits of undergraduate coursework by the end of the spring semester prior to their official admission to the program.
  • All students must review the Praxis Core requirement. This requirement must be met by Aug. 1 (prior to entering the program in the junior year).

Transfer Students

  • Applicants who are not currently enrolled as degree students at the University of Connecticut should ALSO complete an application for admission (or readmission) to the University. Applications for admission as a transfer student are available from the Office of Undergraduate Transfer Admissisons.
  • Transfer applicants should be certain that a duplicate set of transcripts is sent to the Office of Undergraduate Transfer Admissions:
    Undergraduate Transfer Admissions
    2131 Hillside Road, Unit 3088
    Storrs, CT 06269-3088.
  • Requests for readmission should be addressed to the Readmissions Board:
    Readmissions Board
    Department of Student Affairs, Dean of Students
    36 Glenbrook Road, Unit 4062
    Storrs, CT 06269-4062

Pre-Education Advising

For admissions information session dates and application workshop dates, visit advising.education.uconn.edu. Most program and admissions questions can be answered by your ACES advisor; for additional questions contact 860-486-3065.

How to Apply

How to Apply: Elementary Education

  1. Review and craft your responses to the following:
  2. Assemble your application materials before starting the electronic application:
    • List of Relevant Experiences
    • Essay for Elementary Applicants
    • Résumé
    • Official transcripts for any and all coursework taken outside the University of Connecticut
    • Applicants with a cumulative grade point average below the state minimum (2.7) must apply for a GPA waiver.
    • Submit a completed online “Application for Admission to the Upper Division Programs” including supporting materials: Description of Influential Experiences, response to Reflective Essay prompt, résumé, and non-UConn transcripts.
  3. Mail any non-UConn transcripts to:
    Neag School of Education
    ATTN: Teacher Education Admissions
    249 Glenbrook Road, Unit 3064-C
    Storrs, CT 06269-3064

    Transfer students also need to send a duplicate copy of transcripts to the Transfer Admissions Office at:

    University Transfer Admissions Office
    2131 Hillside Road, Unit 3088
    Storrs, CT 06269-3088

How to Apply: Secondary Education, Music Education, and Comprehensive Special Education

  1. Review and craft your responses to the Influential Experiences and Reflective Essay, which include:
  2. Assemble your application materials before starting the electronic application:
    • Description of Influential Experiences
    • Reflective Essay
    • Résumé
    • Official transcripts for any and all coursework taken outside the University of Connecticut
    • Applicants with a cumulative grade point average below the state minimum (2.7) must apply for a GPA waiver.
    • Submit a completed online “Application for Admission to the Upper Division Programs” including supporting materials: Description of Influential Experiences, response to Reflective Essay prompt, résumé, and non-UConn transcripts.
  3. Mail any non-UConn transcripts to:
    Neag School of Education
    ATTN: Teacher Education Admissions
    249 Glenbrook Road, Unit 3064-C
    Storrs, CT 06269-3064

    Transfer students also need to send a duplicate copy of transcripts to the Transfer Admissions Office at:

    University Transfer Admissions Office
    2131 Hillside Road, Unit 3088
    Storrs, CT 06269-3088

The Admissions Committee will not evaluate applications unless all required materials have been received prior to Jan. 23.

Applicants are granted an interview as determined by admissions committee members in each program or content area.

Once students have been admitted to the program, they must meet the Praxis Core requirement. This requirement must be met by Aug. 1 (prior to entering the program in the junior year).

Questions? Contact Us.

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