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College of Professional Studies
The online Post-baccalaureate Teacher Licensure (PBTL) programs at the University of New Hampshire are especially for certified teachers. The online Life Sciences, Grades 7-12 is designed for individuals with a strong background in biological sciences seeking certification to teach. The curriculum emphasizes subject-specific pedagogy, curriculum development, and effective instructional strategies for adolescent learners. The distance-based format allows candidates to balance full-time work with the pursuit of teacher licensure. Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure (PBTL) programs are designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree and are seeking New Hampshire Teaching Licensure.
The online PBTL programs offer teacher licenses with concentrations in the critical shortage area for teachers.
*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.
This Post-Baccalaureate Program prepares candidates for New Hampshire Department of Education teacher certification in Life Sciences (Grades 7-12). The program aligns with the NH Department of Education’s standards for teacher credentialing and qualifies individuals to teach all life science courses in public schools from Grades 7-12.
This Post-Baccalaureate program is a flexible program that provides eligibility for an additional New Hampshire Department of Education teacher certification in Life Sciences. The key components of the program include mentorship of teacher candidates by highly skilled professionals in the field, hands-on experiences in educational settings, and the opportunity to build teaching capacity over time.
This Post-Baccalaureate Program is for candidates interested in pursuing teacher licensure. The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure program is designed for 21st Century Educators, providing an in-depth focus on the critical issues that are transforming the landscape of education - innovation, critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration.
This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first semester at UNH.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EDC 845 | Natural Selection and Evolution Nonclinical | 3 |
| EDC 846 | Life Sciences Across the Curriculum Nonclinical | 3 |
| EDC 847A | Introductory Clinical Experiences in the Life Sciences Clinical A | 1 |
| EDC 847B | Introductory Clinical Experiences in the Life Sciences Clinical A | 1 |
| EDC 847C | Introductory Clinical Experiences in the Life Sciences Clinical A | 1 |
| EDC 847D | Introductory Clinical Experiences in the Life Sciences Clinical A | 1 |
| EDC 848 | Structure and Function in Life Sciences Nonclinical | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDC 849 | Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems Nonclinical | 3 |
| EDC 850 | Teaching Life Sciences: Ecosystems-Interdependent Relationships Nonclinical | 3 |
| EDC 851A | Intermediate Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences Clinical A | 1 |
| EDC 851B | Intermediate Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences Clinical A | 1 |
| EDC 851C | Intermediate Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences Clinical A | 1 |
| EDC 851D | Intermediate Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences Clinical A | 1 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDC 852 | Teaching Life Sciences: Genetics-Inheritance and Variation of Traits Nonclinical | 3 |
| EDC 853 | Math Across the Life Sciences Nonclinical | 3 |
| EDC 854A | Advanced Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences Clinical A | 1 |
| EDC 854B | Advanced Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences Clinical A | 1 |
| EDC 854C | Advanced Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences Clinical A | 1 |
| EDC 854D | Advanced Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences Clinical A | 1 |
| EDC 855 | Culminating Experience for Life Science Clinical A | 2 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 35 | |
Minimum GPA requirement of 3.0
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major in Life Sciences - Post Bac 1 | ||
| Introductory Level Education Courses | ||
| EDC 845 | Natural Selection and Evolution | 3 |
| EDC 846 | Life Sciences Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| EDC 847A | Introductory Clinical Experiences in the Life Sciences | 1 |
| EDC 847B | Introductory Clinical Experiences in the Life Sciences | 1 |
| EDC 847C | Introductory Clinical Experiences in the Life Sciences | 1 |
| EDC 847D | Introductory Clinical Experiences in the Life Sciences | 1 |
| Intermediate Level Education Courses | ||
| EDC 848 | Structure and Function in Life Sciences | 3 |
| EDC 849 | Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems | 3 |
| EDC 850 | Teaching Life Sciences: Ecosystems-Interdependent Relationships | 3 |
| EDC 851A | Intermediate Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences | 1 |
| EDC 851B | Intermediate Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences | 1 |
| EDC 851C | Intermediate Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences | 1 |
| EDC 851D | Intermediate Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences | 1 |
| Advanced Level Education Courses | ||
| EDC 852 | Teaching Life Sciences: Genetics-Inheritance and Variation of Traits | 3 |
| EDC 853 | Math Across the Life Sciences | 3 |
| EDC 854A | Advanced Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences | 1 |
| EDC 854B | Advanced Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences | 1 |
| EDC 854C | Advanced Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences | 1 |
| EDC 854D | Advanced Clinical Experiences in Life Sciences | 1 |
| EDC 855 | Culminating Experience for Life Science | 2 |
| Total Credits | 35 | |
A minimum grade of B- is required in all Major coursework.
The following requirements must be completed in order to be recommended to the state for Teacher licensure.
The University of New Hampshire offers a number of academic programs designed to lead to professional licensure or certification in New Hampshire. However, completing a UNH degree/program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like years of work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria.
UNH does not guarantee that its professional licensure programs will satisfy the criteria of professional licensure boards in other states. Some states maintain different requirements for professional licensure or certification and requirements can change frequently. Federal regulations require the University to make public disclosure of certain information regarding professional licensure or certification programs, regardless of the modality the program is offered (i.e., in-person or online). The University provides guidance below but recommends students contact their state/territory licensing or certification board to ensure a program meets specific state/territory requirements.
Visit the Office of the Registrar's website for information about whether this program meets professional licensure requirements in your state.
The UNH College of Professional Studies is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Below you’ll find the current accreditation status of our teacher education programs.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (K-6) (K-8)
GENERAL SPECIAL EDUCATION
MATHEMATICS, MIDDLE LEVEL
MATHEMATICS, UPPER LEVEL
READING AND WRITING SPECIALIST
READING AND WRITING TEACHER
Applications for admission are accepted on a rolling basis, with the opportunity to begin studies during the Fall, Spring, or Summer terms.
Learn more about our requirements to begin the admission process and gain full admission status.
The State of NH requires all teachers to pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, unless they have scored in the 50th percentile or above in the SAT after 2005, GRE, or ACT tests (NH DOE will review scores and issue a waiver). Candidates who have not taken the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators will be expected to submit passing scores, NH DOE Waiver, or current NH DOE Teaching Certification by completion of EDC 800, Introduction to Field Clinical and Program Requirements. Information, practice tests, practice guides and registration for the test is available at: www.ets.org/praxis. Additional study options are available on our resource page.
In addition to passing the Praxis Core exam, for certain teacher certifications, teacher candidates may be required to pass a Praxis II exam and/or the Pearson Foundations of Reading assessment. Specific exam requirements are found on the School of Education Testing requirements page.
One of the most unique and valuable traits of our PBTL programs is the clinical-based component.
Candidates need to be working or volunteering* in an approved school or program during most of their tenure in the program.
Those seeking initial teacher licensure work as paraeducators, classroom aides, assistants, or Alternative 4 teachers within public or private schools and programs in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, or Vermont.
*Minimum volunteering requirement: 15 hours per week.
Candidates for initial licensure are required to document a minimum of 360 supervised teaching hours for one license and a minimum of 440 supervised hours for two licenses.
Experiences in inclusive classrooms working with students in the grades or age ranges of your license are a requirement of the program. For licensure programs that cover a broader range of grades or age ranges, candidates must spend a minimum of 10 hours working with each population.
In this clinical-based program, candidates work with three mentors throughout their plan of study:
The Clinical Placement Faculty will observe the teacher candidate for the methods courses listed in the provided chart.
Each of these courses has an additional clinical mentoring fee of $75 per credit to cover the on-going supervision and support of the clinical-based experience. Candidates will be required to teach lessons and be observed by the Clinical Placement Faculty.
Please check the Catalog for a full listing of PBTL Methods Courses that require a clinical-based mentor.
Read more about our Online Flexibility.
There are several ways to plan your course and earn a dual license. Ask us about our credit-efficient options for earning two licenses. It typically only takes about 2-5 courses to make this goal a reality! In addition, up to 24 credits will transfer into our M.S. in Instruction and Leadership.
An advisor trained in our teacher licensure programs will contact you to learn more about your academic and career goals.
We’ll also share our course schedule so you can read more about the College’s programs, students, and faculty.
Our programs leading to teacher licensure are available to new students in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Select your state to view full details.
All programs leading to teacher licensure are available in New Hampshire.
Maine teacher candidates must complete clinical work in placements located in York, Cumberland or Oxford county.
Sources:
Maine Department of Education, Certification Requirements by Position, https://www.maine.gov/doe/cert/requirements. Accessed 12/9/19.
Teacher candidate must have a clinical placement in the Essex or Middlesex counties.
Sources:
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Teacher Fields and Grade Levels. Teacher Specialist Fields and Grade Levels. Accessed 12/9/19.
Teacher candidates must have a clinical placement in the Windham or Windsor counties.
All programs leading to teacher licensure are available in Vermont.