Winston School of Education and Social Policy

Mission

In the Winston School of Education and Social Policy at Merrimack College, a Catholic, Augustinian institution, we believe that education is a transformative practice that changes the world. Our dynamic, rigorous programs prepare students to engage with communities by linking theory, research, and practice. With a focus on ethics and professionalism, we mentor students to be reflective and engaged educators, practitioners, and advocates for the common good. Our students become leaders and agents of change within schools, colleges, community organizations, and criminal justice institutions.

Vision

To educate for social transformation.

Description

The school collaborates with over 100 regional partners. We provide students a breadth of offerings in field-based experiences based in schools, community-based organizations, non-profits, legal, social service and local agencies. The work of our students can provide children access to effective schools, and it can help strengthen families and their respective communities.

The Education department offers undergraduate programs in Teacher Education, and students can earn endorsement for licensure in the following areas: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Moderate Disabilities, STEM Education, and Middle and High School education. All licensure programs in the Winston School of Education and Social Policy have been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”) and allow formal reciprocity with (and thus the ability to teach in) 45 other states.

The Applied Human Development and Community Studies department offers an undergraduate program in Human Development and Human Services. This program prepares students to pursue careers in fields as diverse as social work, social services, guidance, school counseling, child care, health education, human services, community education, educational policy, child development, family studies, law enforcement agencies, law firms, juvenile courts and corrections agencies, community organizing and advocacy groups.

The undergraduate Criminology and Criminal Justice department offers programs (majors and minors) that help prepare students to think critically about, and engage thoughtfully with, the legal system and issues of crime, social policies, and systems of punishment and social control. The Criminology and Criminal Justice program recognizes the complex relationship between society and its members and thus focuses on how broader socio-cultural, political-economic, and historical forces influence the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Students completing majors and minors in Criminology and Criminal Justice can pursue jobs and graduate work in social services, family studies law enforcement agencies, law firms, juvenile courts and corrections agencies, community organizing and advocacy groups.

Departments housed within the School:

Applied Human Development and Community Studies

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Education

Undergraduate degree programs offered by the School:

Major(s)

Criminology and Criminal Justice, B.A.

Education, Early Childhood Education (PreK-2) Licensure, B.A.

Education, Elementary Education (1-6) Licensure, B.A.

Education, Middle School (5-8) and High School (8-12) Licensure, B.A.

Education, Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) Licensure, B.A.

Human Development and Human Services, B.A.

Human Development and Human Services, with Education as a Co-Major, B.A.

STEM Education, with Education as a Co-Major, B.A.

Minor(s)

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Education

Forensic Science

Learn about graduate programs offered by the School

The Winston School of Education and Social Policy offers many graduate programs, some of which have a 13-month, full-time residency, Fellowship program. Graduate programs are available in:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Community Engagement
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Higher Education
School Counseling
Social Work
Teacher Education, licensure
Teacher Education, Curriculum and Instruction, non-licensure
Catholic School Leadership, Certificate
Community-Based Nonprofit Leadership, Certificate
Digital Literacy/Computer Science, Certificate
Independent School Leadership, Certificate
Teacher Leadership, Certificate
CAGS, Educational Leadership (post-master’s)