Feinstein School of Education and Human Development

Carol Cummings, Dean

Beth Pinheiro, Interim Associate Dean

Undergraduate Degree Programs

(see also Undergraduate Certificate Programs) 

Note: For undergraduate art and music teacher certification programs, see Art Education B.S., Art Education B.F.A. or Music B.M.-with concentration in Music Education under Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Also Note: Honors programs are offered in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and special education. Minors are offered in coaching, community and public health, and educational studies. A specialized program is available in adapted physical education, and an endorsement program is available in middle-school education.

– PLEASE NOTE –

All undergraduate full-degree programs require the completion of at least 120 credit hours, including (1) General Education requirements, (2) the college writing requirement, (3) the college mathematics milestone, and (4) the course requirements listed under each program.

For more details on graduation requirements, see Academic Policies and Requirements.

Minors

Community and Public Health, Coaching, and Educational Studies.

Graduate Degree Programs

(see also Graduate Certificate Programs)

Note: For graduate art and music teacher certification programs see M.A.T. in art education or M.A.T. in music education under the School of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

General Information

General Information for Undergraduate Programs

The Feinstein School of Education and Human Development provides undergraduate students with a wide­ range of choices and opportunities for working with Rhode Island children, youth, and adults. The choices include a range of teacher certification programs from pre-school through high school to choices in community programs and working with individuals of all age levels.

Teacher Certification Programs: Upon admission to one of the Feinstein teacher preparation programs, students progress to teacher candidates and take courses many of which include extensive field experiences including observations, tutoring, and teaching in Rhode Island Schools. Programs for teacher preparation separated by grade levels include: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education with Middle School endorsement, Elementary Special Education, Middle Level and Secondary Education. Art Education, Health and Physical Education, Music Education, World Languages, and Technology Education programs prepare students to teach grades K-12.

Community Programs: The Feinstein School of Education and Human Development offers a variety of community programs for students who want to work with children, youth and adults in varied community settings. These include Early Childhood (admission currently suspended while program under revision), Wellness and Exercise Science, and Youth Development. These programs provide our graduates with a broad range of employment opportunities and they do not lead to teacher certification. Additional information on community programs can be found on each program’s website.

Background Checks (BCI). Every FSEHD student who works with children/youth/adults must maintain a current BCI from the Attorney General’s Office. The BCI is required before entering a classroom or community space, virtually and/or face to face, whether observing, tutoring, teaching, and/or participating in any community activity. BCIs will be submitted and maintained in Anthology. Directions for obtaining and submitting background checks are provided by course instructors and are on the  FSEHD Undergraduate Programs and Admission page.

Progression to Teacher Candidate in the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development (FSEHD)

Educator preparation students who are in good standing at Rhode Island College and meet program and course specific prerequisites will progress to teacher candidates.

The progression requirements for the early childhood community birth- 5 and all educator preparation undergraduate programs are updated frequently. Further information may be obtained from the office of the FSEHD Associate Dean (Horace Mann) or from the appropriate department.
Students interested in the art education or music education program should contact the department chair as soon as they are admitted to the college for information about the required courses in the program and the requirements for admission to the program.

Teacher Candidate Progression

Requirements to Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Programs 

All students entering Rhode Island College wishing to pursue a teacher preparation program or the early childhood birth to 5 program will enter Rhode Island College as FSEHD majors. To progress in the program, specific prerequisites will need to be met which will be monitored by candidates’ academic advisors.  

The applicant’s academic performance and related experiences that indicate potential for success as a teacher are reviewed in the admission process. The application materials submitted by the student, listed below, must provide evidence of the following:

These prerequisites include: 

1. Credits: Completion of at least 24 credit hours at a nationally or regionally accredited college or university prior to the enrollment in program specific coursework.         

2. GPA: A minimum G.P.A. of 2.75. Applicants whose GPA falls between 2.560 and 2.749 can progress in the program. Students whose GPA falls between a 2.50 and 2.749 must meet with their academic advisor to develop an academic plan that ensures the student has an earned GPA of 2.75 prior to the residency two or internship placement. The 2.75 GPA must be met before the residency two (student teaching) placement. 

3. Mathematics Milestone/Competency Requirement: See RIC Math Learning Center for completion of this requirement. 

4. First Year Writing Requirement: The candidate must meet RIC’s FYW requirement. 

5. Basic Skills Tests: All students in undergraduate initial teacher certification programs must submit basic skills tests (SAT, ACT, or Praxis Core) scores in math, reading and writing. Basic skills test information is also shared, in FNED 101 and by program advisors, and can be found on the FSEHD page. Additional questions can be addressed by the associate dean. (Second Degree (Post-bachelors) students are not required to submit basic skills test scores.)

6. FNED 101: Successful completion of FNED 101: Introduction to Teaching and Learning.  

Program Specific Requirements. Completion of program specific requirements. Each teacher preparation program has additional progression requirements. Information about these requirements is available through academic advisors, the associate dean and on the FSEHD page.

The admissions requirements above can also be found at FSEHD Undergraduate Programs and Admission page (Scroll to the middle of the page).

FSEHD Community Service Requirement

FSEHD initial teacher candidates (undergraduate and second bachelors’ programs) must complete 25 hours of community service before student teaching. This requirement may be completed on an individual basis or through one or more of the courses in the program and generally begins with an experience during the FNED 246 course. See FSEHD Community Service Requirement.

Student Teaching (Residency) Requirement

The FSEHD requires all teacher candidates (undergraduate, second degree, RITE, and M.A.T.) to complete all specific program requirements, pass the required Praxis exams, and complete the residency application prior to student teaching. See the FSEHD Office of Partnership and Placements (OPP) webpage for additional residency information.

Retention Requirement

All Feinstein School of Education and Human Development candidates are required to maintain an overall G.P.A. of 2.75 throughout their chosen program. Programs monitor the content G.P.A. as the required G.P.A. varies by program. Check with an advisor to learn about specific program requirements.

General Information for Undergraduate Feinstein School of Education and Human Development Community Programs

The Department of Health and Physical Education offers two community programs:

Community-Based Programs: The Department of Health and Physical Education offers two community­ based programs leading to a BS in Community and Public Health Promotion and a BS in Wellness and Exercise Science. These programs provide a rigorous plan of study grounded in theoretical foundations, research methods, along with evidence-informed, and reflective practice. Students receive practical application through required field-based experiences including a one-semester internship. Graduates from these programs are prepared for entry-level positions in their field and graduate study.

B.S. in Community and Public Health Promotion (currently Suspended): Building on a public health foundation, students are prepared to positively influence the health of individuals and communities through interventions including education initiatives, policy changes, and health promotion programs. Students pursue coursework in community and public health topics such as human health and disease, nutrition, health policy, social and global perspectives on health, program planning and evaluation, pedagogy, epidemiology, and research and grant proposal writing in community and public health. Students select groups of content courses that align with populations or issues or skillsets of their interest, such as, epidemiology and environmental health, health of the elderly, maternal and child health, mental health and substance use, sexual and reproductive health, health inequities, and contemporary topics. Students acquire the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to promote health literacy and equity, and eliminate health disparities.

B.S. in Wellness and Exercise Science: Through a comprehensive curriculum, students acquire essential knowledge, skills, and competencies to provide a holistic perspective to wellness and exercise in a variety of fitness settings. Students pursue coursework in anatomy and physiology, motor development, kinesiology, exercise physiology, exercise prescription, health and wellness, fitness and wellness programming, and research in wellness and exercise science. Students are prepared to work in the exercise and wellness professions where they promote lifelong learning. personal fitness and wellness. and quality of life for various populations.

The Department of Elementary Education has temporarily suspended its Early Childhood community program while under revision.

Educational Studies Youth Development Program:

Youth Development B.A.Program at Rhode Island College: The Youth Development B.A. Program prepares professional youth workers for careers with young people {ages 3-21) within afterschool programs, recreation centers, community arts centers, youth residential housing, justice and probation sites, youth ministry, and governmental agencies. In addition to coursework in social work and education. our graduates also earn a non-profit studies certificate where they develop leadership and management skills.

Admission Requirements to Graduate (M.A., M.A.T., M.S., M.Ed., C.A.G.S., and C.G.S.) Programs

Admission to the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development master’s level programs is determined by the quality of the total application. Applicants must submit the materials listed below as a measure of their potential for success in graduate-level studies.

1. A completed online application form accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Graduate school information and the application are available online at www.ric.edu/graduatestudies/Pages/default.aspx.

2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records.

3. A bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in all undergraduate course work. Applicants with undergraduate GPAs less than 3.00 may be admitted to degree candidacy upon submission of other evidence of academic potential.

4. A teaching certificate (for all school-related programs, except school psychology and health education). 

5. Three Candidate Reference Forms accompanied by three letters of recommendation.

6. A Professional Goals Essay.

7. A Performance-Based Evaluation.

See individual programs for additional program-specific requirements.

Departments & Programs

• Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning

• Community and Public Health Promotion

• Counseling

• Early Childhood Education

• Educational Leadership (This program has suspended admissions.)

• Elementary Education

• Health and Physical Education

• Reading

• School Psychology

• Secondary Education

• Secondary Education — Secondary Education B.A. (English, General Science, History, Mathematics, Social Studies)

• Special Education

• Special Education — Special Education Programs M.Ed.

• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

• Technology Education

• Wellness and Exercise Science

• World Languages Education

• Youth Development